This program has been registered with LA CES by the New York Upstate Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

As a Registered Provider with the LA CES System, credits earned on completion of this program will be reported to LA CES. Certificates of

Completion for non-ASLA members are available on request.

Climate Smart Planning

Libby Murphy

Hudson River Estuary Program/Cornell WRI

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Kingston Waterfront Flooding Task Force

NY Upstate Chapter APA+ASLASeptember 25, 2013

Outline

• Hudson River Estuary Program

• Kingston flooding task force

• Climate Smart Planning

•Wrap up

• How you can get involved

Hudson River Estuary Program

Core Mission• Ensure clean water

• Protect and restore fish, wildlife, and their

habitats

• Provide water recreation and river access

• Adapt to climate change

• Conserve world-famous scenery

Climate Change & The Hudson River Estuary Program• Climate Smart Communities• Flooding Task Forces•Watershed Resiliency

– Watershed planning– Green infrastructure– Assessing culverts for correct sizing– Assessing dams for removal or repair– Trees for Tribs (stream buffer restoration)

• Biodiversity Resiliency

Kingston Flooding Task Force

Pilot community for Climate Smart Planning

Climate smart?

Community-driven process

TF uses a variety of tools to reach consensus:•Participatory mapping• Surveys•Dot voting•Vulnerability and risk assessments•Cost Benefit Analysis•Climate Smart Planning assessment

This assessment can assist the Flooding Task Force in completing initial objectives• “Identify overlaps, minimize conflicts and enhance opportunities…

• …be cognizant of overall communication and coordination…

• …don’t duplicate, learn from other processes.”

The tool covers 5 areas of municipal planning:1. Risk and vulnerability assessments

2. Public outreach and engagement

3. Planning integration

4. Disaster preparedness and recovery

5. Hazard mitigation implementation

What does the Climate Smart Planning assessment look like?

Climate Smart Planning - Process

• Examine all existing relevant planning documents

• Meet with appropriate municipal staff

• Complete and review assessment

• Final group discussion and review

• Present to the Task Force to inform final recommendations

Kingston has many strengths in terms of planning

Multiple activities illustrate Kingston’s commitment to its waterfront

• Kingston Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (2012)

• Stormwater Ordinance and Flood Overlay Zone

• Waterfront Brownfield Opportunity Area Study (2010)

• Tidal Rondout Creek Watershed Management Plan (in process)

• East Strand Street Flooding and Stormwater Management Analysis (in

process)

• Harbor Management Plan (in process)

Multiple activities illustrate Kingston’s commitment to its waterfront

• Natural Resources Inventory / Open Space Plan (in process)

• Parks & Rec Master Plan (in process)

• GEIS for Brownfields along the Rondout (in process)

• Hudson Landing AVR Promenade - $5.8M cost (NYS funding of $1.2 M)

• Waterfront Rail Refurbishment Grant

• Hazard Mitigation Grants LOIs

The process requires engagement from municipal decision-makers

• Planning Director

• Fire Chief

• Police Chief

• County Emergency Manager

• Head of Economic Development

• City Engineer

• Parks & Recreation staff

Three areas of opportunities were revealed for Kingston to incorporate flood-preparedness

Outreach and collaboration

Zoning, building codes and regulation

Planning

Shorter-term opportunities for KingstonPlanning

• Set goal for flood resilience in the Kingston 2025 Plan & more

• Incorporate climate resilience into dept. capital improvements

• Incorporate findings into city and regional plans

Shorter-term opportunities for KingstonZoning, building codes, and regulation

• Revise zoning in Kingston 2025 Comp Plan to include flood risk

• Evaluate options to reduce the impact of increasing flood insurance

rates

Shorter-term opportunities for KingstonOutreach and collaboration

• Collaborate with other waterfront communities

• Take advantage of training and tools

• Conduct public outreach in Flood Hazard District

• Consider installing more high-water-mark signs

Consider integrating key opportunities in final recommendations to the city

Wrap up

• Climate Smart Planning is a tool for municipal planners and consultants

• Useful at the beginning of a planning process

• Clearly highlights areas of opportunity to be more climate prepared

• Also identifies areas of strength

Interested in learning more?

• DEC’s Climate Smart Planning tool

• Sign up for the Estuary Program’s Climate Resiliency newsletter!

http://goo.gl/GYvVs2(case sensitive)

Thank you.Libby MurphyHudson River Estuary ProgramPhone: (845) 256-3153Email: ecmurphy@gw.dec.state.ny.us

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

This program has been registered with LA CES by the New York Upstate Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

As a Registered Provider with the LA CES System, credits earned on completion of this program will be reported to LA CES. Certificates of

Completion for non-ASLA members are available on request.