Upcoming CHAT Meeting

The next CHAT meeting date is Tuesday, November 19th from 1-3 p.m.

Meeting Zoom Link & Upcoming Meeting Agenda

Coastal Hazards & Adaptation Team (CHAT)

In August of 2018, the Seabrook-Hamptons Estuary Alliance (SHEA) and NH Department of Environmental Services Coastal Program (NHCP) secured funding from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy through an award from the Consensus Building Institute. Phase 1 involved working with a Planning Consultant to gain a better understanding of flood vulnerabilities, concerns, and potential adaptation strategies for the Town of Hampton, NH. During this process, the need for enhanced coordination of flood-related projects, planning efforts, regulations, and policy emerged as a key component of effective flood adaptation in Hampton. The Coastal Hazards & Adaptation Team (CHAT) was formed as an ad hoc working group in January 2019 to help address this need. CHAT is comprised of representatives from boards and commissions in Hampton, Town of Hampton staff, Hampton Beach Area Commission, Hampton Beach Village District, the Seabrook-Hamptons Estuary Alliance (SHEA), and resident representatives. NHDES Coastal Program staff and a consultant provide support. SHEA serves as the administrator and fiscal agent of CHAT.

To evaluate, assist, support, educate and advise on current and future coastal flooding adaptation strategies for the town.

• Improve coordination of flood hazard management and adaptation efforts in Hampton. 

• Investigate, evaluate and prioritize flood management and adaptation strategies and present recommendations to the municipal boards, commissions and staff for consideration.

• Conduct education and public outreach to inform residents about flood hazard adaptation strategies, inform residents about the management and adaptation options the Town is considering, and enable residents to provide input on management and adaptation options the Town is considering.

Draft CHAT Recommendations

This Engagement Strategy was developed to guide community outreach and engagement on CHAT’s recommendations to the Town of Hampton to increase resilience to flooding and coastal hazards.

CHAT Annual Reviews

These are reviews and summaries of the issues that the Coastal Hazards Adaptation Team explored and discussed each year. It includes CHAT processes and procedures; mapping and other exercises that CHAT undertook; links to some of the resources CHAT consulted; and some of the findings that came from CHAT’s investigative work during the course of the year.