Shoreline Monitoring - Measuring Success - Phase III

The New York State Department of State (DOS), Office of Planning, Development and Community Infrastructure (OPDCI) is seeking a consultant or team of consultants experienced in shoreline management practices, ecological and physical coastal processes, social science, shoreline data collection techniques, ArcGIS online and data analysis to support the Statewide Shoreline Monitoring Framework. The main elements of this project will be to review and update the DOS ArcGIS online shoreline monitoring data management system as needed based on Phase II findings and Department identified recommendations, and develop a process for and perform shoreline data analyses.

In 2018, DOS OPDCI, with funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) kicked off a jointly managed project on the development of shoreline monitoring protocols for New York’s coastal areas to help assess effectiveness and performance of various shoreline treatments, including unaltered, natural shorelines, nature-based features, and hard structural shorelines. The project, Measuring Success - Monitoring Natural and Nature-Based Shoreline Features in New York State, was advanced by a diverse project team and brought together a high- level literature review, technical expert working groups, regional stakeholder, regulatory, and advisory council input, and experience from one season of pilot field data collection. This project will be referred to as “The Phase I” effort.

In 2021, OPDCI contracted with a consultant to update the Phase I Monitoring Framework. Within this effort, referred to as “Phase II”, the original 17 protocols were reorganized and streamlined into 13 protocols. Data were collected at coastal shoreline sites across the state using the revised protocols. The Phase II effort included the development of an online data management solution on ArcGIS online, using ESRI FieldMaps and Survey123. This improved technological method for collecting and uploading data, while also creating a database to house and eventually analyze the collected data, streamlining analysis efforts.

OPDCI is soliciting a consultant or team of consultants to build upon the Phase II effort through review of existing data, data analysis/interpretation/visualization, updates to the online data management system and associated data collection apps, and possible development of training materials. While OPDCI does not anticipate any major overhauls to the protocols, the selected consultant or team of consultants will review the existing protocols and review data collection techniques and propose any necessary changes, particularly in response to the suggested improvements in the Phase II final report. There are updates needed to the ArcGIS online data management and associated data collection apps, based on Phase II lessons learned and Department recommendations. A priority element of this project will include data analysis, interpretation, and visualization for both the quantitative and qualitative data that have been collected and are housed in the ArcGIS online system. Working with the Department and from existing data analysis/visualization prototypes, the consultant or team of consultants will identify/develop a process for data analysis and interpretation that meets the needs of the Monitoring Framework stakeholders, such as shoreline property owners, shoreline property managers, and the Department of State. The data analysis and interpretation process are critical for transforming the raw data from the monitoring protocols into useful and understandable findings. Visual representation as well as narratives of the results will be developed. The data is currently stored within an ArcGIS Online system and it is preferable for the results to be displayed within this system. Additionally, the project may include development of training materials relevant to employing the shoreline monitoring protocols and use of the ArcGIS online data management system. This could include, but is not limited to, printed materials, videos, live training sessions, and more.

Partners across the state are currently using the Shoreline Monitoring Framework and collecting data at shoreline sites. There are also existing efforts, specifically based in NYC, to expand the use of the Framework and create a wider network of users. The selected consultant or team of consultants will provide technical support, as needed, to these users during the term of the contract. This would be limited to phone calls/webinars and would be coordinated with the Department.

The Phase II Monitoring Protocols and access to the ArcGIS Online Data Management System (in view only mode) are available via request: opd@dos.ny.gov