Reports & Results

BOB was sponsored by the National Estuarine Research Reserve System Science Collaborative, which supports collaborative research that addresses coastal management problems important to reserves and their communities. The Science Collaborative is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and managed by the University of Michigan Water Center.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Executive Summary

Summary of the findings and highlights from the entire suite of Buffer Options for the Bay Project reports.

Community Assessment

This report summarizes the local factors influencing buffer-related decision-making in four communities in the Exeter-Squamscott subwatershed and the relevance of these factors to communities throughout the wider Great Bay watershed.

BUFFERS FOR CLIMATE ADAPTATION

This user-friendly two-pager introduces buffers and the BOB project, while also providing an overview of buffers as a proven and effective tool for climate adaptation.

Economic Assessment

This report summarizes the process of developing a water quality index (WQI) and creating “willingness to pay forecasts” for a suite of buffer-related water quality change scenarios in the Great Bay Watershed.

Coastal Science Literature Review

This report synthesizes relevant biophysical science on the subject of buffer management for the Great Bay Estuary and its tributaries in southeast New Hampshire.

Synthesis of Policy Options

This report synthesizes the regulatory framework for wetland protection, buffers, setbacks, and land use regulations in New Hampshire. It also includes non-regulatory options for the management of buffer areas and innovative case studies from other states.

Social Science Bibliography

This bibliography is a great starting place for a more extensive, locally relevant, social science literature review.

Economic Literature Review

This report synthesizes relevant economic literature relevant to buffer management for the Great Bay Estuary and its tributaries in southeast New Hampshire.

Takings Extended Legal Fact Sheet

This is an extended findings report that provides an overview of current law and issues associated with regulatory takings issues in New Hampshire.

Takings Executive Legal Summary

This is a summary report that provides an overview of current law and issues associated with regulatory takings issues in New Hampshire.