Detailed Action Plan

By 2024, identify and map coastal and inland land vulnerable to flooding, land vulnerable to extreme wildfire risks, associated ecosystems, and land suitable for undevelopment that significantly contribute to climate resilience and public safety. (Some actions support Overarching Goal 1)

By 2028, develop tools to protect and enhance prioritized ecosystems that provide public safety benefits. (Some actions support Overarching Goal 1.)

By 2026, development in harm’s way is discontinued or managed through local, regional, and state regulations to minimize climate risks to public safety. (Some actions support Overarching Goal 1)

By 2025, a conservation summit convenes every 2-3 years where conservation organizations identify data gaps and develop collaborative projects that promote connectivity and resilience toward targets developed in the process. (Some actions support Overarching Goal 1.)

By 2024, with the guidance of the Tribe, the Island has established minimum standards for the use native vegetation for municipally maintained greenspaces.

By 2025, a maximum % disturbance per acre is established for all new development over one acre, except for the purpose of restoring native ecological habitat.

Nitrogen mitigation and other pollutant strategies have been identified, approved, funded, and implemented for each priority coastal ponds by 2027 and all other coastal ponds by 2030.

By 2026, island-wide bylaws and regulations are in place which will ensure the aquifer remains safe and potable, experiences sustainable recharge, and is consumed in a manner that is responsive to population growth, changes in precipitation, and air temperature.

By 2026, identify, evaluate, and prioritize an Island-wide network of transportation and infrastructure assets and vulnerbilities that are important to support a thriving Island community. (Some actions support Overarching Goal 1.)

By 2026, design climate-resilient and regional transportation and infrastructure networks including ports and airports, greener (non-fossil fuel) transportation options, and no regret measures.

By 2030, a model climate change assessment protocal is in use by which new road and infrastructure investments are made with an emphasis on green infrastructure.

By 2027, increase collaboration between the SSA and MVC to improve communication and implementation of actions that build resilience of our ports.

By 2030, maintain reliable access and service around the following areas: 1) Material and Energy (including areas that reduce dependency), 2) People and Services, 3) Communication and Information.

By 2030 build the composting infrastructure and operating systems necessary to help all Island commercial establishments comply with the Mass DEP food waste bans and develop programs to maximize food waste capture from all Island producers (residential and commercial).

By 2030, develop a system and infrastructure to redirect the maximum amount of Construction and Demolition waste from off-Island disposal to on Island recycling, repurposing, repair, or resale.

By 2027, build a comprehensive analysis of all aspects of Island waste, the generators of each category of waste, and potential alternate uses of wastes locally and regionally.

By 2024, we have a secure regional database of residents and homeowners, road associations, vulnerable populations, and key personal health needs to be managed by the regional emergency manager and/or Dukes County Emergency Management Association.

By 2026 a permanent, full-time regional emergency manager is in place with town consent and financial support.

By 2026 a preparedness, response, and post-disaster recovery plan has been adopted and will be overseen by the regional emergency manager in cooperation with all towns.

By 2026 one or more regional shelters are adequately stocked and staffed with certified shelter volunteers.

By 2026 a self-sustaining Island-wide Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) network is established, staffed, well-trained, and funded.

By 2025, the Dukes County Community Wildfire Protection Plan is implemented, including training and specialized firefighting equipment.

By 2023, a sub-committee of the Dukes County Health Council is developed to facilitate Island health care provider edcuation related to public health threats of climate change.

By 2024, disseminate a set of Island-wide bilingual video and other outreach materials to educate the public about the health impacts from climate change on the following topics: Updated overview/summary of how various health impacts link to climate change; Wildfire; Floods; Temperature extremes; Vector-borne disease; Food security; Food and water-borne disease ; Air pollution, allergens, and pollen; Mental health and stress-related disorders.

By 2025, the subcommittee works with inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaborative to conduct quarterly outreach events for health care providers and other targeted groups.

By 2030, an Island-wide vision for a sustainable and resilient future economy is established. (Some actions support Overarching Goal 1.)

By 2030, our businesses contribute individually to Island sustainability through climate change mitigation measures.

By 2030, we have a local, capable, and motivated workforce through a job training network for local residents.

By 2027, assist vulnerable business types identify the challenges and opportunities that will enable them to transition to a sustainable model.

By 2030, our businesses are prepared for and able to adapt and recover from, slow on-set and acute climate change impacts and, where necessary, identified relocation options. This Objective will not be initiated until a lead is found.

By 2026, establish a procurement and distribution system to bring more New England-grown foods to the Vineyard.

By 2030, all Island farms are implementing a standard slate of climate-friendly farming practices (i.e., till less, utilize cover crops, increased diversity, native plantings, reduce fossil fuel usage, reduce/eliminate synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides).

By 2027, substantially increase the number of Islanders growing food for themselves and their families.

By 2030, increase aquaculture production by 30%.

By 2030, increase local purchasing of locally harvested seafood.

By 2032, commercial fishing and aquaculture are safeguarded as sustainable livelihood options.

By 2028, there is an Island-wide resilient network of food processing, storage, and distribution centers.

By 2029, there is a consistent 2-3 week supply of food available on-Island for the year-round population throughout the year, which can also be accessed in the event of an emergency.

By 2025, SNAP/HIP & Fresh Connect are accepted at farmers markets and local farm stands to maximize usage for those who are eligible.

By 2030, ensure that safe passage is provided to Wampanoag Tribal members for traditional foraging, fishing, and hunting practices on all Island conservation lands forever.

By 2030, develop partnerships between local farms, individuals, Tribal members and organizations to rematriate traditional seed varieties and increase the availability of traditional Indigenous foods.

By 2030, increase energy performance of new and/or existing commercial and residential buildings.

By 2032, 55% of Island homes (10,000) will have air source heat pumps for home heating and domestic hot water.

By 2032, the number of newly Island-registered electric vehicles will exceed the state forecast of 46% by 10%, for a total of 56%.

By 2032, all fleet vehicles will be 100% electric.

As Steamship Authority and passenger ferries are replaced, they are replaced with hybrid or electric models.

By 2030, all landscaping equipment is electric.

By 2032, 15% of our electricity is generated by solar on Island up from the current 9%.

By 2030, increase the amount of baseline renewably generated electricity, 30% above the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) in the standard power supply.

By 2027, 10% of Island residential ratepayers are either opting into the 50% or 100% “local green” renewable generation products provided by Cape Light Compact.

Increase participation in programs targeting low to moderate income islanders to gain the benefits from new renewable sources (through lower rates).

Develop a targeted program for solar and battery backup for low to moderate income rate payers.

By 2024, all Island towns have developed a plan based on Island-wide standards/guidelines for energy resilience in the face of extreme weather events and prolonged power failure.

By 2024, we have developed a plan with Eversource as to how we can meet the Island’s resilience needs.

From 2023 on, aid the implementation of the Stretch Code and its future iterations to ensure new builds are increasingly resilient to the impacts of climate change.

By 2030, all municipalities and regional entities have incorporated microgrid technology to service their critical facilities.

By 2025, a collaborative framework for land use decision-making is developed that builds environmental and socioeconomic resilience.

By 2030, a policy framework is in place to support a sustainable finance mechanism that generates and distributes funds for Island-wide climate action.

At least one new climate-related position is hired annually to support implementation of key actions of the CAP.