A Better City’s Comments on the U.S. Army Corps Coastal Storm Resilience Management Feasibility Study
September 24, 2026
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released a draft report of their Boston Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study, which is proposing up to 20 potential coastal flood management projects along 16 miles of Boston’s coastline. Flood management interventions could include seawalls and coastal flood barriers, levees, a storm surge barrier in the Fort Point Channel, and more. This once-in-a-generation mega-project would be implemented with the City of Boston serving as the Non-Federal Sponsor, in which the USACE would be responsible for 65% of funding for project construction via Congressional approval, and Boston, the state, and private sector responsible for the remaining 35% of project funding. This mega-project would help to protect Boston’s communities, critical infrastructure, and the regional and national economy from threats like hurricanes, coastal storms, and sea level rise.
In July 2026, A Better City hosted an event with the USACE, City of Boston USACE Study lead, Kate Roosa, and A Better City members to present the draft Study, and choices that the USACE can make between more comprehensive and more affordable flood barriers in Downtown, East Boston, and South Boston. The City of Boston submitted a comment letter on the draft Study in September, in which they support a more comprehensive Action Plan 2, with early intervention at Moakley Park as one of the first projects to implement. They requested the more comprehensive flood barrier alternatives in Downtown (DT3, including full protection around the North End waterfront rather than ending at Sargent’s Wharf), East Boston (EB2+EB3A, including flood barrier protection alongside the edge of Chelsea Creek rather than at the Route 1A median), and South Boston (SB3, including protection around the Ray Flynn Marine Terminal).
A Better City submitted extensive comments to the USACE on September 18th, in which we affirm and support the City of Boston’s request for the most comprehensive Action Plan 2 that provides continuous waterfront flood barrier protection in Downtown DT3, East Boston EB2+EB3A, and South Boston SB3. In addition, A Better City also submitted general comments to be applied across all neighborhoods within the Study, including: revisiting the Study benefit-cost ratio (noting that the 4:1 ratio referenced may be low and underestimating Boston’s contributions to the regional and national economy); maintaining flood barrier height consistency and raising all proposed barriers’ heights to 15’NAVD88 (rather than having some at 14’NAVD88); integrating stormwater management; maintaining access to the Harborwalk and designated port areas; ensuring USACE Study design is compatible with and does not preclude Chapter 91 and other waterfront permitting requirements; leveraging nature-based solutions; including utility work in project scope and ensuring coordination with utilities via a proposed Utility Working Group; coordinating with MassDOT, MBTA, and Massport on coastal resilience integration; and coordinating with state- and city-led coastal resilience efforts already underway.
In addition to citywide comments across all neighborhoods in the Study, A Better City also provided neighborhood-specific comments in response to proposed neighborhood plans across Charlestown, Dorchester, Downtown, East Boston, and South Boston. A Better City’s neighborhood-specific recommendations included:
- Charlestown: Expanding flood protection in the Little Mystic Channel to better protect the Charlestown Community Center (an evacuation shelter) and the Terminal Street side of the Channel; including the Boston Harbor City Cruises/Autoport property to ensure operational continuity of local transportation access points and critical infrastructure, as well as protection of the nation’s largest wind turbine testing facility at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Wind Technology Testing Center on Terminal Street; and including the MBTA Charlestown Bus Yard Facility at Sullivan Square.
- Dorchester: Ensuring accessibility to the J.F.K. Memorial Library, Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, Commonwealth Museum, and UMass Boston; and ensuring maintenance of evacuation corridors via Morrisey Boulevard.
- Downtown (in support of DT3): Modeling impacts to the Central Artery and I-93 tunnel; and including the James Hook & Co. site to ensure continuous flood protection along the waterfront and Seaport Boulevard Bridge.
- East Boston (in support of EB2+EB3A): Pursuing an additional study for East Boston; ensuring Logan Airport accessibility; addressing gaps in flood protection at Piers Park; including the fuel terminal at Chelsea Creek; and leveraging existing rail line infrastructure for flood protection.
- South Boston (in support of SB3): Expanding upon the proposed Fort Point Storm Surge Barrier; expanding benefit-cost modeling for the Ray Flynn Marine Park to include industries beyond seafood distribution; and including Conley Terminal in benefit-cost modeling.
The USACE is anticipated to release Decision Point 2 (formerly called the Tentatively Selected Plan) in Fall 2026, with submittal of the Final Feasibility Report in Fall 2027. The Study must be completed with a Signed Chief’s Report (final milestone) by Spring 2028, at which point it would be sent to Congress for funding approval.
Thank you to all our members and partners who helped to shape A Better City comments on the USACE draft Study. You can find A Better City’s comments here. For more information or questions, please contact Isabella Gambill.
