rccas presentation gm 11_14_13sm
DESCRIPTION
Sam Cleaves, Great Marsh Symposium 2013TRANSCRIPT
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Metro Boston Climate Change Adaptation Strategy
Great Marsh Symposium, Ipswich, MA November 14, 2013
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Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategy
• MAPC & Tellus
• Project Scope: – Advisory Committee &
Public Outreach – Vulnerability Analysis – Regional Adaptation
Goals & Objectives – Implementation
Strategies to Reduce Vulnerability
• Fall 2013
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Advisory Committee
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Predicted Climate Change Impacts (for MA)
Parameter Current Conditions (1961-1990)
Predicted Range by 2050
Predicted Range by 2100
Annual temperature (°F) 46 50 to 51 51 to 56
Winter temperature (°F) 23 25 to 28 27 to 33
Summer temperature (°F) 68 72 to 73 72 to 78
Annual sea surface temp. (°F) 53 56 61
Annual precipitation (in.) 41 5% to 8% 7% to 14%
Winter precipitation (in.) 8 6% to 16% 12% to 30%
Summer precipitation (in) 11 -1% to -3% -1% to 0%
Sea-level rise (in.)* -- 6 to 16 11 to 79
Streamflow-spring peak flow (days following Jan. 1) 85 77 to 80 72 to 74
Droughts lasting 1-3 months (#/30 yrs) 13 18 to 20 16 to 23
Length of growing season (days/yr) 184 196 to 211 213 to 227
4 Adapted from MA Climate Change Adaptation Report
Frequency
5 Source: When It Rains It Pours, Environment America, 2012
Inadequate Infrastructure
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Littleton, Rt. 119, Collapsed Culvert to Spectacle Pond; Source: MassDOT
Predicted Impacts: What Will It Look & Feel Like?
(Source: Kirshen, Douglas et al., 2008. Coastal Flooding in the Northeastern United States due to Climate Change 7
Vulnerability Assessment
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Approach
Identify Impacted Sectors: 1. Human Health and Welfare
2. Coastal Zone
3. Natural Resources and Habitat
4. Built Environment & Key Infrastructure
5. Local Economy and Government
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Heat-related morbidity & mortality
Vector-borne diseases (Lyme, EEE, West Nile)
Pollen, Ozone Asthma
Frequency of waterborne diseases (crypto, E coli,
giardiasis)
Algal blooms (Red tide, cyanobacteria)
Human Health & Welfare
Source: Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
Coastal Zone
Wetlands have moved over time in relation to sea level rise/changing tides, and will continue to move
Coastal Zone
Failure of coastal structures and significant adjacent shoreline changes
Natural Resource/Habitat
13 Source: Iverson, L; Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 13
• Maple, beech & birch shift 350-500 miles north • Lobster & cod shift towards N. Gulf of Maine • Insect and tree diseases flourish
Built Environment/Infrastructure
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• Increasing water tables & saline conditions
• Inundation of septic and WWTP treatment facilities
• Stormwater and CSO systems overload
• Stressed local water supply systems(non-MWRA)
• Infiltration from aging infrastructure
Local Economy and Government
• Economic activities reliant on ecosystem services: Agriculture, fishing, forestry, recreation/ tourism
• Government (various levels) preparedness and planning
• Government resource needs
Outreach
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• Advisory Committee Orgs.
• MAPC Subregions:
Municipalities • Cambridge
Climate Protection Action Committee
• City of Boston • The Boston Harbor
Association
• Environmental Business Council
Critical Feedback
• Munis are just starting to address adaptation • Assistance needed…
– Subdivision regulations revision to account for future precipitation projections
– Benchmarks and setting thresholds at which adaptation measures are implemented
– Inter-municipal coordination, esp. emergency response – Managed retreat: Zoning to prevent rebuild in vulnerable
areas (e.g. Flood/Storm District Overlay) – Siting Green Infrastructure & LID
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Adaptation
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Adaptation
Three Key Elements:
NOAA Digital Coast Tool - Coastal Resilience Framework: http://www.csc.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/tools/coastalresilience
1. Protect
2. Accommodate
3. Retreat
4. Do Nothing
Protect and Restore Nature’s Defenses
• Floodplains, wetlands, stream corridors, upland buffers
• Natural landscapes absorb rainfall during storm events, decreasing flooding, and filter the air and water.
• Compact development and land conserva>on keeps forested and natural (carbon absorbing) lands intact
• Trees provide shade, reduce heat islands • Priority Protec-on Areas
• Priority Development Areas
Adaptation
• Protect Wetlands: Update Wetland Bylaws, Restore Deteriorated Wetlands, etc.
• Maintain shoreline features: Planting Dune Grasses, Renourishing Beaches, etc.
Natural Resource Protection
Protect Floodplains and Upland Buffers
Bronson Brook During and Post Irene
Local Codes & Regula>ons
Do They Discourage or Promote LID? Do they Agree/Conflict with Each Other?
ü Wetland Regula>ons ü Stormwater Regula>ons ü Zoning Bylaw and Site Plan Review ü Subdivision Rules and Regula>ons
EPA’s Water Quality Scorecard: hVp://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/pdf/
2009_1208_wq_scorecard.pdf
Wetlands
Resources: • h>p://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/toolbox/
• h>p://www.town.duxbury.ma.us/public_documents/DuxburyMA_Conserva-on
Adaptation
• Elevation of the lowest floor two feet above the Base Flood Elevation
• Walls that are “substantially impermeable to the passage of water” (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Flood Proofing Regulations).
Redevelopment/Building Guidelines
Source: LA Storm Smart Coasts
LID / GI/ Stormwater Bylaws
ü Credits for use of LID/GI ü General Permit for Certain Ac>vi>es ü Engineering Review Fees ü Stormwater Drainage Fee / U>lity & Enterprise Fund
Zoning/Site Plan Review
ü Relax Parking Requirements
ü U>lize Right-‐of-‐Way & Reduce Setbacks
ü Permit use of Open Drainage Systems
ü Credits for On-‐site Reten>on, Infiltra>on, Evapo-‐transpira>on
Incen>ves: • Fee Discount • Development Incen>ves • Rebates & Installa>on Financing • Awards & Recogni>on Programs
Zoning in High Hazard Areas
By-right Open Space Residential
Design
100 Acre Wooded, Pre-‐Dvlp.
2-‐Acre Zoning, Conven>onal (34 Lots, No Protec>on)
NRPZ (14 lots, 75% Protect.)
Resources: h>p://www.ipswichriver.org/resources/water-‐wise-‐communi-es-‐handbook/8-‐open-‐space-‐residen-al-‐design-‐bylaw/
Yes It Can Be Done!
Receiving area = lot w/in
Residen>al A or B – w/ municipal water& sewer
Transfer of Development Rights
Rolling Easements
Source: Georgetown Law; Harrison Inst. For Public Law
Retreat/By-Outs
Source: flicr user swirlspace
Ocean Beach, San Francisco Planned Retreat: h>p://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=OixVjHrcWM8
$ Federal Emergency Management Agency
$ Presiden-al Declara-on
$ Local Flood Control (e.g. King County Flood Control District: h>p://www.kingcounty.gov/
environment/waterandland/flooding/
buyout.aspx)
What are MA Communities Doing?
• Chatham – zoning bylaw prohibits new residen-al units in mapped floodplains -‐ designates ‘conservancy districts’ for land in 100-‐year floodplain; designates uses as permi>ed, needing special permit or are altogether prohibited
• Cape Cod Commission – model floodplain district bylaw prohibi-ng new development in V, no public infrastructure in V and A zones
• Boston – upda-ng their hazard mi-ga-on plan, looking into upda-ng wetlands ordinance -‐ all accommoda-ng for CC
• Cambridge/Essex/Salem – vulnerability assessment
• Reducing Storm Risk in Developed Areas w FEMA $: Quincy & Scituate help property owners elevate homes/u-li-es; covers 75% of cost