The document discusses three main challenges facing Tampa Bay municipalities in increasing their resiliency to sea level rise: educational challenges, definition challenges, and infrastructure challenges. It provides examples of each challenge and recommends actions that can be taken locally to address the challenges, such as preventing new construction in coastal areas, increasing building code standards, and developing long-term plans for protection measures. The document also discusses the Coastal Zoning Management Program and the National Flood Insurance Program as potential tools to help address the challenges.
Pathways for Coastal Adaptation in Metro Vancouver, Alexandra Heather RUTLEDGEGlobal Risk Forum GRFDavos
6th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2016 Integrative Risk Management - Towards Resilient Cities. 28 August - 01 September 2016 in Davos, Switzerland
Pathways for Coastal Adaptation in Metro Vancouver, Alexandra Heather RUTLEDGEGlobal Risk Forum GRFDavos
6th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2016 Integrative Risk Management - Towards Resilient Cities. 28 August - 01 September 2016 in Davos, Switzerland
Water They Doing Right In Yakima? by Aldric Ulep - AWRA IWRM Conference 2014Aldric James Ulep
Delivered July 2014 in Reno, NV for the American Water Resources Association's Summer Specialty Conference on Integrated Water Resources Management.
Abstract: Ever since the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project Workgroup (YRBWEP Workgroup) arrived at a consensus agreement, its Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan (Yakima Plan) has been touted as a paragon for collaborative watershed planning. While the YRBWEP Workgroup holds some potential as a model of success for similar basin planning groups, it is critical to first understand the drivers behind its success. This study examines the process that created the Yakima Plan and evaluates the Yakima Plan’s success. In order to identify factors that led the YRBWEP Workgroup to consensus agreement, I analyze qualitative data collected from interviews with approximately 12 stakeholders who represent a variety of interests. I set my findings against theory of successful practices of collaborative watershed partnerships and compare theory to practice. I found that grassroots stakeholders united on shared values to move forward, the state and federal stakeholders engaged actively and coordinated initiatives, and the YRBWEP Workgroup committed to a balanced approach to watershed planning. By closely examining the case of the YRBWEP Workgroup and the Yakima Plan, this study seeks to inform collaborative watershed planning groups of what to think about while considering theoretically effective strategies for success.
The rise of the sea water level combined with land subsidence has created serious problems for Semarang’s coastal area. Furthermore, what seems initially to be an environmental problem has set off additional problems: physical, economical, social, health and psychological. These, unquestionably, have had negative consequences on the quality of life of the people.
Working with the Mississippi River for Sustainable Storm ProtectionGeoEngineers, Inc.
"Working with the Mississippi River for Sustainable Storm Protection" presented at the 2014 ASCE International Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure in Long Beach, CA, by Russ Joffrion, PE of CPRA, Principal Engineer David Eley, PE of GeoEngineers and Principal Geotechnical Engineer Blake E. Cotton, PE of GeoEngineers .
Abstract: The Louisiana coast is losing land at an alarming rate. This land loss has resulted in greater damage to infrastructure near the coast, as land and marsh that historically buffered this infrastructure disappears. Infrastructure in Louisiana is critical to the United States for shipping along the Mississippi River, and for oil and gas production and import/export. Land loss in Louisiana is the result of years of well-intentioned, but unsustainable, practices. Louisiana is in the initial stages of a 50-year plan (Louisiana’s Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast, 2012) to build resilient infrastructure that will work with the natural delta and coastal processes to provide long-term, sustainable coastal protection for the State. Given the projected annualized cost of doing nothing, Louisiana can’t afford not to implement the Plan.
Smart Growth for Maine Fisheries Communities in the Face of Climate Change - ...GrowSmart Maine
Why plan for growth and change, when it seems so much easier to simply react?
When there is a distinct and shared vision for your community - when residents, businesses and local government anticipate a sustainable town with cohesive and thriving neighborhoods - you have the power to conserve your beautiful natural spaces, enhance your existing downtown or Main Street, enable rural areas to be productive and prosperous, and save money through efficient use of existing infrastructure.
This is the dollars and sense of smart growth.
Success is clearly visible in Maine, from the creation of a community-built senior housing complex and health center in Fort Fairfield to conservation easements creating Forever Farms to Rockland's revitalized downtown. Communities have options. We have the power to manage our own responses to growth and change.
After all, “Planning is a process of choosing among those many options. If we do not choose to plan, then we choose to have others plan for us.” - Richard I. Winwood
And in the end, this means that our children and their children will choose to make Maine home and our economy will provide the opportunities to do so.
The Summit offers you a wonderful opportunity to be a part of the transformative change in Maine that we’ve seen these gatherings produce. We encourage you to consider the value of being actively involved in growing Maine’s economy and protecting the reasons we choose to live here.
Boston Harbor, Julie Wormser, Executive Director, The Boston Harbor Association, Co-Author, Preparing for the Rising Tide; National Institute for Coastal & Harbor Infrastructure, John F. Kennedy Center, Boston, Nov. 12, 2013: "The Triple Threat of Rising Sea Levels, Extreme Storms and Aging Infrastructure: Coastal Community Responses and The Federal Role"
Dr. Jennifer L. Jurado, Southeast Florida Climate Change Compact, Broward County Staff Steering Committee Member, Broward County Director Natural Resources Planning and Management Division; National Institute for Coastal & Harbor Infrastructure, John F. Kennedy Center, Boston, Nov. 12, 2013: "The Triple Threat of Rising Sea Levels, Extreme Storms and Aging Infrastructure: Coastal Community Responses and The Federal Role" See http://www.nichiusa.org or http://www.nichi.us
Water They Doing Right In Yakima? by Aldric Ulep - AWRA IWRM Conference 2014Aldric James Ulep
Delivered July 2014 in Reno, NV for the American Water Resources Association's Summer Specialty Conference on Integrated Water Resources Management.
Abstract: Ever since the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project Workgroup (YRBWEP Workgroup) arrived at a consensus agreement, its Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan (Yakima Plan) has been touted as a paragon for collaborative watershed planning. While the YRBWEP Workgroup holds some potential as a model of success for similar basin planning groups, it is critical to first understand the drivers behind its success. This study examines the process that created the Yakima Plan and evaluates the Yakima Plan’s success. In order to identify factors that led the YRBWEP Workgroup to consensus agreement, I analyze qualitative data collected from interviews with approximately 12 stakeholders who represent a variety of interests. I set my findings against theory of successful practices of collaborative watershed partnerships and compare theory to practice. I found that grassroots stakeholders united on shared values to move forward, the state and federal stakeholders engaged actively and coordinated initiatives, and the YRBWEP Workgroup committed to a balanced approach to watershed planning. By closely examining the case of the YRBWEP Workgroup and the Yakima Plan, this study seeks to inform collaborative watershed planning groups of what to think about while considering theoretically effective strategies for success.
The rise of the sea water level combined with land subsidence has created serious problems for Semarang’s coastal area. Furthermore, what seems initially to be an environmental problem has set off additional problems: physical, economical, social, health and psychological. These, unquestionably, have had negative consequences on the quality of life of the people.
Working with the Mississippi River for Sustainable Storm ProtectionGeoEngineers, Inc.
"Working with the Mississippi River for Sustainable Storm Protection" presented at the 2014 ASCE International Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure in Long Beach, CA, by Russ Joffrion, PE of CPRA, Principal Engineer David Eley, PE of GeoEngineers and Principal Geotechnical Engineer Blake E. Cotton, PE of GeoEngineers .
Abstract: The Louisiana coast is losing land at an alarming rate. This land loss has resulted in greater damage to infrastructure near the coast, as land and marsh that historically buffered this infrastructure disappears. Infrastructure in Louisiana is critical to the United States for shipping along the Mississippi River, and for oil and gas production and import/export. Land loss in Louisiana is the result of years of well-intentioned, but unsustainable, practices. Louisiana is in the initial stages of a 50-year plan (Louisiana’s Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast, 2012) to build resilient infrastructure that will work with the natural delta and coastal processes to provide long-term, sustainable coastal protection for the State. Given the projected annualized cost of doing nothing, Louisiana can’t afford not to implement the Plan.
Smart Growth for Maine Fisheries Communities in the Face of Climate Change - ...GrowSmart Maine
Why plan for growth and change, when it seems so much easier to simply react?
When there is a distinct and shared vision for your community - when residents, businesses and local government anticipate a sustainable town with cohesive and thriving neighborhoods - you have the power to conserve your beautiful natural spaces, enhance your existing downtown or Main Street, enable rural areas to be productive and prosperous, and save money through efficient use of existing infrastructure.
This is the dollars and sense of smart growth.
Success is clearly visible in Maine, from the creation of a community-built senior housing complex and health center in Fort Fairfield to conservation easements creating Forever Farms to Rockland's revitalized downtown. Communities have options. We have the power to manage our own responses to growth and change.
After all, “Planning is a process of choosing among those many options. If we do not choose to plan, then we choose to have others plan for us.” - Richard I. Winwood
And in the end, this means that our children and their children will choose to make Maine home and our economy will provide the opportunities to do so.
The Summit offers you a wonderful opportunity to be a part of the transformative change in Maine that we’ve seen these gatherings produce. We encourage you to consider the value of being actively involved in growing Maine’s economy and protecting the reasons we choose to live here.
Boston Harbor, Julie Wormser, Executive Director, The Boston Harbor Association, Co-Author, Preparing for the Rising Tide; National Institute for Coastal & Harbor Infrastructure, John F. Kennedy Center, Boston, Nov. 12, 2013: "The Triple Threat of Rising Sea Levels, Extreme Storms and Aging Infrastructure: Coastal Community Responses and The Federal Role"
Dr. Jennifer L. Jurado, Southeast Florida Climate Change Compact, Broward County Staff Steering Committee Member, Broward County Director Natural Resources Planning and Management Division; National Institute for Coastal & Harbor Infrastructure, John F. Kennedy Center, Boston, Nov. 12, 2013: "The Triple Threat of Rising Sea Levels, Extreme Storms and Aging Infrastructure: Coastal Community Responses and The Federal Role" See http://www.nichiusa.org or http://www.nichi.us
The year 2014 tied with 2010 as the warmest year on record for the last century. The melting of Greenland, mountain glaciers, and thermal expansion is raising sea levels four times faster than in 1900. Sea level rises of 2 to 6 feet are predicted by the end of the century. Flood highs from hurricanes Sandy and Katrina were ~ 10 feet.
The article “Treading Water” in the February 2015 "National Geographic" tells how Dutch Docklands LLC sees profit not loss from rising sea levels. They are building floating homes in Miami, FL. A floating classroom could assure ASPEC’s long-term future. It would provide a place to meet in the event of flooding by the 10-foot ocean surges that accompany hurricanes.
Dr. Carr describes how increasing greenhouse gases, mostly carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels, trap the radiation that is warming our planet. Advances in non-carbon emitting energy sources can reduce global warming. Solar PV panels are now generating electricity at $0.07/kWhr, less than the national utility average of $0.12kWhr. Rising sea levels are a better measure of global warming than atmospheric temperature, as 90% of our planet’s heat content is in our oceans.
You can learn more at www.RiskyBusiness.org.
Presentation given during the kick-off of the TU Delft Climate Institute on March 1st 2012. Sea level rise is one of the reserach topics of the new institute. Dr Bert Vermeersen explained why.
ADAM PARRISHowHurricane SandyTamed tneBureaucracy.docxcoubroughcosta
ADAM PARRIS
How
Hurricane Sandy
Tamed tne
Bureaucracy
A practical story of
making science useful for society,
with lessons destined to
grow in importance.
R
emember Hurricane Irene? It pushed across New
England in August 2011, leaving a trail of at least
45 deaths and $7 million in damages. But just
over a year later, even before the last rural bridge
had been rebuilt. Hurricane Sandy plowed into
the New Jersey-New York coast, grabbing the
national spotlight with its even greater toll of
death and destruction. And once again, the region—and
the nation—swung into rebuild mode.
Certainly, some rebuilding after such storms will always
be necessary. However, this one-two punch underscored a
pervasive and corrosive aspect of our society: We have rarely
taken the time to reflect on how best to rebuild developed
areas before the next crisis occurs, instead committing to a
disaster-by-disaster approach to rebuilding.
Yet Sandy seems to have been enough of a shock to stim-
ulate some creative thinking at both the federal and regional
levels about how to break the cycle of response and recov-
ery that developed communities have adopted as their de-
fault survival strategy. I have witnessed this firsthand as part
of a team that designed a decision tool called the Sea Level
Rise Tool for Sandy Recovery, to support not just recovery
from Sandy but preparedness for future events. The story
that has emerged from this experience may contain some
useful lessons about how science and research can best sup-
port important social decisions about our built environ-
ment. Such lessons are likely to be of increasing importance
as predicted climate change brings the inevitability of ex-
treme weather events.
A story of cooperation
In the wake of Sandy, pressure mounted at all levels, from lo-
cal to federal, to address one question: How would we re-
build? This question obviously has many dimensions, but
one policy context cuts across them all. The National Flood
Insurance Program provides information on flood risk that
developers, property owners, and city and state governments
are required to use in determining how to build and rebuild.
SUMMER 2014 83
Run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA), the program provides information on the height of
floodwaters, known as flood elevations, that can be used to
delineate on a map where it is more or less risky to build.
Flood elevations are calculated based on analysis of how
water moves over land during storms of varying intensity, es-
sentially comparing the expected elevation of the water sur-
face to that of dry land. FEMA then uses this information to
create flood insurance rate maps, and insurers use the maps
to determine the cost of insurance in flood-prone areas. The
cost of insurance and the risk of flooding are major factors
for individuals and communities in determining how high
to build structures and where to locate them to avoid seri-
ous damage during floods.
But here's the challeng.
When Hurricane Sandy cut across the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, it left death and destruction from Puerto Rico to Canada.
Lessons learned from the storm carry implications for coastal cities everywhere.
AECOM professionals share insights from a dozen of the many perspectives needed to build urban resiliency.
Covering Natural Disaster Losses for Water Utilities - An insurance mutual fo...CAWASA
The Caribbean region is highly prone to climate hazards and has a history of being adversely impacted by weather related events, resulting in significant losses and damages.
Most of the Caribbean islands lie within the North Atlantic “hurricane belt,” with the major climatic events affecting the region being tropical depressions and cyclones, which generate strong winds, and rainstorms that cause flooding, landslides, and storm surges.
New Orleans , Garret Graves, Chairman, Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority; National Institute for Coastal & Harbor Infrastructure, John F. Kennedy Center, Boston, Nov. 12, 2013: "The Triple Threat of Rising Sea Levels, Extreme Storms and Aging Infrastructure: Coastal Community Responses and The Federal Role" See http://www.nichiusa.org or http://www.nichi.us
1. Tampa Bay’s Resiliency to Sea Level The Three Main Challenges to Local Municipalities Maria Booker SGS CGN 6933
2. Contents What does resiliency mean? 3 Educational Challenges 4 The Coastal Zoning Management Program 5 What Can We do Locally? 6 Definition Challenges 7 Coastal Barrier Resources Act 8 What Can We Do Locally? 9 Infrastructure Challenges 10 National Flood Insurance Program 11 What Can We Do Locally 12 Conclusion 13 References 14
3. What Does Resiliency Mean? “Resilience can be applied to cities. They too need to last, to respond to crises and adapt in a way that may cause them to change and grow differently; cities require an inner strength, a resolve, as well as a strong physical infrastructure and built environment.” (Newman, Beatley, & Boyer, 2009) Photo Credit: www.innerauto.com
4. Educational Challenges “It is difficult to generate interest in an event, such as sea level rise, which is projected 50 to 100 years in the future, when current hazards such as stormwater flooding, tropical storms, and hurricanes require mitigation and are overwhelming many mitigation planning groups.” (Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, 2006). Photo Credit: www.beautysnob.com
9. What Can We Do Locally? Prevent new construction in coastal areas Mandate building codes on existing construction in coastal areas Increase taxes and insurance in coastal areas to increase shore protection and adaptation funds. Photo Credit: www.tripadvisor.com
10. Definition Challenges “Existing land use data formats may not be complete enough to be able to identify a protection scenario for a land area.” Photo Credit: www.getfrank.co.nz
11. Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CoBRA) Administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Protects coastal barriers Prevents development Prevents loss of resources Photo Credit: www.fws.gov
12. What Can We Do Locally? Local municipalities should include conservation societies at stakeholder meetings. Prevent development in at-risk areas. Develop a long-term plan for protection measures, and begin construction within 10 years. Photo Credit: www.myfwc.com
13. Infrastructure Challenges Increasing sea levels lead to increases in ground water and this could lead to corrosion of buried utility pipes or instability of road surfaces, also groundwater infiltration into wastewater systems could lead to incapacitation of some treatment plants. Sea level rise also will compromise the quality of the water supply from aquifers. (Deyle, Bailey & Matheny, 2007). Photo Credit: www.pattayamail.com
14. National Flood Insurance Program Administered by FEMA. Government backed insurance. Increases building code standards. Reduces stress on taxpayers. Photo Credit: www.fema.gov
15. What Can We Do Locally? Radically change underground infrastructure to become easily accessible. Develop a national inspection and insurance program for public infrastructure. Increase building code standards to eliminate corrosion of pipes. Photo Credit: Stantis
16. Conclusion Incentive programs to consider sea-level rise. Increased elevation in building codes. Increased stakeholder inclusion in planning meetings. Spread costs by developing long-term construction plans. Protect infrastructure with a national inspection and insurance program. Begin transforming current infrastructure to be resilient to sea-level rise.
17. References Deyle, R. E., Bailey, K. C., & Matheny, A. (2007). Adaptive Response Planning to Sea Level Rise in Florida and Implications for Comprehensive and Public-Facilities Planning. Department of Urban and Regional Planning. Retrieved September 15, 2010, from http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/dcp/publications/Files/AdaptiveResponsePlanningSeaLevelRise.pdf Florida Oceans and Coastal Council (2009). The Effects of Climate Change on Florida's Ocean & Coastal Resources. Retrieved September 15, 2010, from http://www.floridaoceanscouncil.org/reports/Climate_Change_Report_v2.pdf Florida Sea Grant. (2010, September). Climate Change and Florida's Coast. Retrieved September 16, 2010, from http://www.flseagrant.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115&Itemid=50 Harrington, J., & Walton, T. (n.d.). Climate change in coastal Florida: economic impacts of sea level rise. Tallahassee: Florida State University. Newman, P., Beatley, T., & Boyer, H. (2009). Resilient cities: responding to peak oil and climate change. Washington, DC: Island Press. Pinellas County Planning Department (2008). Pinellas County Comprehensive Plan. Retrieved September 15, 2010, from http://www.pinellascounty.org/Plan/comp_plan/05coastal/ch-6.pdf Stanton, E. A., & Ackerman, F. (2007). Florida and Climate Change: The Costs of Inaction. Medford, MA: Tufts University. Retrieved September 15, 2010, from http://ase.tufts.edu/gdae/Pubs/rp/Florida_lr.pdf Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (2006). Sea level rise in the Tampa Bay region. Retrieved September 14, 2010, from http://www.tbrpc.org/mapping/pdfs/sea_level_rise/Tampa%20Bay%20-%20Sea%20Level%20Rise%20Project%20Draft%20Report%20without%20maps.pdf
Editor's Notes
In reference to Resilient Cities, I have identified three challenge areas to the Tampa Bay region: education, definition of protected areas, and infrastructure weakness. Addressing and overcoming these three challenges will help Tampa Bay become resilient to sea level rise. Photo Credit: http://www.innerauto.com/images/partImages/coil_springs1.jpg
There is possibility for an unhealthy cycle to occur here. Right now, regional reports state that sea level rise is 2.3mm, which is not unusual to U.S. averages, “an historical rise rate of more than 2.5 mm/yr is common along much of the U.S. coast” (Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, 2006). However, should carbon emissions continue at current, Stanton and Ackerman state that sea level could increase by 27 inches by 2060 (2007). If business continues as usual as well as planners remain uninterested in sea level rise, the Tampa Bay area could face huge infrastructure problems within the next 50 years. http://www.beautysnob.com/images2009/stress.gif
This program is relevant because it has been hugely successful, “Thirty-four states and territories with federally approved coastal management programs participate in the CZMP. Almost all of the nation’s shoreline (99.9%) is currently managed by the CZMP“ (Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, 2006).
The problem with the nationwide program is that it does not mandate states to be prepared for sea-level rise. “The main effect of the CZMA on the issue of sea level rise is to make state policymakers aware of the matter when they create their own coastal management plans.” (Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, 2006).Locally, municipalities can prevent new construction in coastal areas by defining more protected areas, existing areas should have stricter mandated building codes relating to elevation level and building materials. Coastal cities can also increase taxes and insurance to increase shore protection and adaptation funds.http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/54/e4/54/beach-construction.jpg
“It is generally being assumed that protection is almost certain for existing developed land/areas and extensively used parks. Protection is assumed to be reasonably likely for less densely developed areas and moderately used parks. Undeveloped areas and minimally used parks are assumed to be unlikely to be protected. Conservation lands, both privately and publicly owned, have generally been understood to be areas of “no protection” “(Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, 2006).http://www.getfrank.co.nz/assets/images/Fullwidth/_resampled/ResizedImage600468-Eggs.JPGWhile planners have the most forecast in the region, perhaps the federal government pass a bill to protect undeveloped coastal areas. This scenario would increase a need for infrastructure materials in local municipalities, perhaps causing a financial burden.
Coastal Barriers protect our shore lines from wind and ocean energy, depletion of these barriers would mean that our shores would be degraded faster. CoBRA was created with a vision in mind to protect lives as well as nature. While we can’t prevent sea-level rise, we can organize our visions similar to CoBRA. (Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, 2006).
While protection of developed areas is “almost certain”, long-term plans should be to deter residents from high-risk coastal areas. Preventing new development or increasing insurance and taxes in these regions would be good deterrents.Aware that large costs are going to be an issue, local cities need to start construction plans soon. http://blogs.trb.com/community/news/weston/forum/fwcclogo1.gif
http://www.pattayamail.com/827/news.shtml#hd4
The problem with the NFIP is that it covers home and business owners. There are no national programs that protect public infrastructure from destruction.