This document discusses climate change impacts and an adaptation proposal for the Town of Littlemarsh. It provides background on the town and describes increasing flooding issues. The proposal is to amend zoning to establish "retreat" zones along coastal and river areas to allow for natural inland migration of shorelines as sea levels and river levels rise in the future. This would prohibit protective structures from being built in certain zones to prepare for land being inundated over time.

2. Welcome
Who We Are
What the
Session is
About
Who’s in the
Room?

3. How the Climate Has Changed
Temperature
Since 1970, avg. temperature increased by
2° winter temperatures rising 2x as much
F;
More frequent days with
temperatures above 90° F
A longer growing season

4. JAC3
How the Climate Has Changed
Precipitation/Drought
Increased heavy precipitation
Less winter precipitation falling as
snow and more as rain
Reduced snowpack
Earlier breakup of winter ice on lakes
and rivers
Earlier spring snowmelt resulting in
earlier peak river flows

5. Slide 4
JAC3 Kep, Martin...can you please help me build this slide?
Julie Conroy, 9/12/2012

6. How the Climate Has Changed
Seas
Rising sea surface temperatures
Rising sea level

8. Where the Climate Could be headed,
and what that means
>>> Temperature 2000 - 2100
Winter Warm: HE 8 to 12°F / LE 5 to 7.5°F
More precipitation as rain
Reduction of snow season
Summer Hot: HE 5 to 7.5°F / LE 3 to 7°F
More heat waves
Increased periods of drought
Warmer Avg. Temperature
Changing Habitats: Wildlife and Vegetation
Changing conditions for insects and pathogens

9. Where the Climate Could be headed,
and what that means
>>>Precipitation Extremes
More frequent extreme rainfall and flooding
Changes in flow regimes of rivers and streams
Changes in groundwater recharge patterns

10. JAC7
Where the Climate Could be headed,
and what that means
>>> Seas
Higher Sea Levels, Mean as well as High Tides
Increased Storm Surges
Coastal Wetlands looking to move

11. Slide 9
JAC7 Kep, Martin...can you please help me build this slide?
Julie Conroy, 9/12/2012

12. JAC8
Where the Climate Could be headed,
and what that means
>>> Our Increased Vulnerabilities
Key Infrastructure
Buildings, Utilities, Roadways, Mass Transit, Water Systems, Solid
Waste Systems, Protection Structures
Human Health and Welfare
Public Health, Air Quality, Water Quality, Agriculture, Vulnerable
Populations
Local Economy and Government
Employment and Commerce, Cultural Resources, Levels of
Governance
Natural Resources and Habitat
Wildlife, Forests, Wetlands, Lakes and Ponds, Waterways

13. Slide 10
JAC8 Kep, Martin...can you please help me build this slide?
Julie Conroy, 9/12/2012

14. J3
Adaptation

15. Slide 11
J3 Happy Graphic!
Diff. b/c adaptation & mitigation: mitigation = 1st adaptation strategy.
Jconroy, 9/13/2012

16. Adaptation
Adaptation Vs. Mitigation
Mitigation = 1st step – minimize climate change impacts
Adaptation = Anticipate/prepare for future conditions
Source: Penney, 2008

17. Adaptation
Three Key Elements:
1. Protection
2. Accommodation
3. Retreat

18. Adaptation
Three Key Approaches:
1. Regional Approach +
2. Local Tools:
Built Environment
Natural Environment
Repurpose Existing Practices
3. Communication +

19. Adaptation
Regional Approach
Resource consolidation
Working w/in
regionally coordinated
framework
Regional Planning:
Metro Boston Regional
Climate Change
Adaptation Strategy)

20. Adaptation
Local Tools – Built Environment
1. Land/Building Acquisition: Undeveloped lands, vulnerable
properties that have sustained significant damage, etc.
2. Regulation: Setback requirements, floodplain zoning, planning
consistency review, etc.
Source: Georgetown Law; Harrison Inst. For Public Law Source: Subdivision Design in Floodplain Areas.

21. Adaptation
Local Tools – Built Environment
3. Redevelopment/Building Guidelines:
Elevation of the lowest floor two feet above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE).
Walls that are “substantially impermeable to the passage of water” (U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers Flood Proofing Regulations).
Foundations and structural components having the capability of resisting
hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy.
Source: Duxbury
Local Hazard
Source: LA Storm Smart Coasts
Mitigation Plan

22. Adaptation
Local Tools – Built Environment
4. Infrastructure Rehabilitation
a. Coastal: Shoreline armoring (sea walls, revetments, jetties, etc.)
• Short Term: Repair and
reconstruct
• Long Term: Elevate, relocate,
nature-based options
Source: Earth System Science Education Alliance

23. Adaptation
Local Tools – Built Environment
4. Infrastructure Rehabilitation
b. Water: Drinking Water Facilities, Wastewater Treatment Plants, etc.
Methods:
1. Install protective walls
2. Raise pump stations
3. Develop new/relocate existing facilities away from flood zones
4. Increased effluent treatment
5. Eliminate combined sewer overflow
Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Source: MLM Group
Source:

24. Adaptation
Local Tools – Built Environment
Integrated Water Management (IWM)
IWM Adaptation Strategies:
Water Conservation/Greywater Reuse
New Water Conveyance
Desalination
Riparian Restoration
Green Infrastructure Source: Sustainable Water Management Wiki
Source: Dr. C.J. Woltemade, Shippensburg Univ. Source: City of Portland, Environmental Services Source: Australian Water Association.

25. Adaptation
Local – Infrastructure Rehabilitation
c. Transportation: Roadways, Sidewalks, etc.
Roadway
relocation/depression
Enhanced drainage systems
Increased maintenance to
protection structures
Integration of roadway
reconstruction with
wetlands restoration
Design Changes
Source: MTA New York City Transit

26. Adaptation
Local – Natural Resource Protection
Protect Wetlands: Update Wetland Bylaws, Restore
Deteriorated Wetlands, etc.
Maintain shoreline features: Planting Dune Grasses,
Renourishing Beaches, etc.
Source: Vineyard Gazette Source: NOAA

27. Adaptation
Local – Natural Resource Protection
Conservancy District
Rolling Easements
Transfer of Development
Rights (TDR)
Source: MA CZM

28. Adaptation
Rolling Easement
Source: Georgetown Law; Harrison Inst. For Public Law

29. Adaptation
Communication
Municipal Staff
Real Estate
Agents
Residents and
Local Businesses
Developers and
Engineers
Regional
Outreach

30. Adaptation
Repurposing…
1. Sources that can be re-purposed or re-directed to support
adaptation strategies:
Master, HazMat, Open Space Plans
Existing Regulations/Zoning
Restoration Projects
Capital Improvement Projects
2. Seek collaborative opportunities:
Multi-Municipal Projects
District Financing
Stormwater Utility/Drainage Fee

31. Town Meeting
Setting The Stage…
Town of Littlemarsh
Population: 12,000
Characteristics:
21,200 total acres
Mixed-use town center &
compact neighborhoods
Single-family homes on
moderately-sized lots
Coastal estuary and large inland
riverine system
Town-supplied
water/wastewater

32. Town Meeting
Setting The Stage…
Climate Change Impacts:
Severe flooding conditions along Littlemarsh River
Damages to water/wastewater infrastructure along coastline and
river
Road closures along remote areas of coastal shoreline
Property damages occurring after each major storm system over
the past 5 years

33. Town Meeting
Proposal
Zoning Change - Rolling Easement
To allow for the conscious recognition that land will be abandoned when
the sea/riverine system rises enough to submerge it.
Split the Residential Zone into two zones: residential – protect, and
residential - retreat
Splits the Downtown Commercial Zone into two zones: downtown
commercial – protect, and downtown commercial - accommodate
Amends the zoning ordinance to add “shore protection structures”
and “increases in land elevation grades” to the list of prohibited
activities for these zones