Protecting coastline on and off shore

BOSTON (AP) - As the hurricane season approaches, Massachusetts is working to protect its fragile coastline.

The state has launched an initiative to help communities most susceptible to the effects of heavy surf and rains.

As part of the pilot program, seven communities have been given access to a range of planning, regulatory, and mapping tools to help them cope with storms, floods, sea level rise and climate change.

The communities include Boston, Hull, Kingston, Duxbury, Plymouth, Falmouth and Oak Bluffs.

Massachusetts has also received more than $4 million in federal dollars to help protect coastal ecosystems.

The money will be used for everything from restoring coastal habitats to monitoring the endangered North Atlantic right whale.