BOSTON –Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper announced Alison Brizius’s appointment to Assistant Secretary and Director of the Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). CZM leads the state’s policy and planning on coastal and ocean issues. The Office’s mission is to balance the impact of human activities with the protection of coastal and marine resources through planning, public involvement, education, research, and sound resource management.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration recently launched the ResilientCoasts initiative, a holistic and proactive strategy to guide state and local coastal resiliency policy and action. Brizius will oversee this initiative as well as implement the state’s coastal programs under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act, ensuring environmental justice and equity is embedded into this work. She starts May 6.
“Our coastal communities are on the front lines of climate change, experiencing more frequent and significant storms, increased flooding and erosion, and rising sea levels. It’s important now more than ever to have a strong, bold, and innovative person leading CZM,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration is taking a whole-of-government approach to protecting the state’s coastlines and adapting for the future. Alison Brizius is the perfect person to help us meet this moment. Her background and expertise demonstrate her ability to tackle challenging issues and prove she is the right person for the job.”
“I am honored to join the Healey-Driscoll Administration as they elevate the state’s focus on climate change. Our coastlines are a huge part of Massachusetts’ identity – it’s our culture, economy, and livelihood. Protecting our coastal environments and communities is a task I’m eager to take on,” added Brizius. “I’m excited to be joining such a talented team at CZM and am…