Water-dependent uses require sites that provide access to coastal waterways. This requirement also means that water-dependent uses are inherently vulnerable to risks from coastal hazards. The EAC team is working with NOAA to develop “Resilience Planning for Water-Dependent Uses”. The guide leverages the geospatial capabilities of ESRI Story maps, and uses the web-based tool to provide interactive mapping and data links to enhance a traditional guide book. The EAC team worked with the communities of Cape Charles, VA and Chesapeake, VA to pilot the tool, which is intended to illustrate the application of broadly accessible methods and data to offer alternatives for analyses by organizations with different levels of planning resources. The guide will ultimately be disseminated to waterfront communities throughout the United States to help stakeholders develop more comprehensive land use and resilience plans that consider the unique needs of water-dependent stakeholders.

Image credit:  C. Watts, 2016 Norfolk Harborfest Virginia Parad of Sails