Post on 08-Feb-2017
Great Marsh Adaptation Planning
Great Marsh Symposium
November 17, 2016
Presentation Outline Project Overview
Great Marsh Hurricane Sandy Resiliency Project Community Planning Component
Adaptation Planning Process Strategy Identification Strategy Selection
Adaptation Strategies for the Great Marsh Region Natural Solutions Nature & Nature-based Strategies Grey Infrastructure Policy Strategies
Summary of What’s Next
A Healthy Ecosystem Under Threat
Photo credit: Abigail Manzi uploaded to MyCoast
Wetlands Reduce Flooding?
Coastal wetlands are estimated to have saved $625 million in flood damages during Hurricane Sandy. - COASTAL WETLANDS AND FLOOD DAMAGE REDUCTION Using Risk Industry-based Models to Assess Natural Defenses in the Northeastern USA
Holistic Coastal Resiliency Enhancement &Community Risk
Reduction in the Great Marsh•Marsh Restoration • Invasive species control• SAV restoration
•Dune Restoration• Re-nourishment• Re-vegetation
•Hydro-barriers Assessment•Hydro-dynamic Sediment Transport & Salinity Modeling•Community Resiliency Planning• Vulnerability assessment• Adaptation planning
Community Resiliency Planning
1. Develop community climate vulnerability assessments
2. Conduct comprehensive public outreach & engagement
3. Publish an Implementation Roadmap & Climate Adaptation Plan
Project Area: Salisbury, Newbury, Newburyport, Essex, Ipswich, & Rowley.
Climate Adaptation Plan
Town-specific Climate
Vulnerability Assessments
Adaptation
Strategy Summary
Implementation Roadma
p
Adaptation PlanningStep 1: Synthesis of Relevant Strategies
Reviewed and synthesized over 50 documents
Identified a full array of adaptation strategies
Adaptation PlanningStep 2: Expand the list of strategies
through facilitated process
Adaptation Catalog reviewed by stakeholders and local input incorporated
Adaptation PlanningStep 3: Categorize & Prioritize Strategies
Adaptation Catalog
Identified top-strategies for assets in each community
Technical input
Adaptation PlanningStep 4: Create Detailed Adaptation
Strategy Summary Document
To include strategies that reduce vulnerability of… Specific assets Natural resources Overall community/economics/demographics
Identifying & Selecting Adaptation Strategies
Summarize range of
adaptation strategies to
reduce vulnerability of top-tier assets
Expand list of strategies through
facilitated process
Prioritize strategies and tailor to site-
specific conditions
Create detailed Adaptation Strategy Summary
Revise strategy summary based on stakeholder
and expert review/input
Final Climate Adaptation Plan
Climate Adaptation Strategies
Climate Adaptatio
n & Resilience
Policy
Natural Solution
s
Nature-Based & Hybrid
Gray Infrastruct
ure
What are your Project Goals?
Flood Protection
Wave Attenuation
Water Quality
Erosion Control
Habitat Restoration
Scenic/Recreational Value
Natural Solutions
DUNESSALT MARSHES
BEACHES
Natural Solutions
DUNE REVEGETATION
INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL
DITCH REMEDIATION
Natural Solutions
Advantages: Multiple Co-benefits Long-term protection Often more resilient Cost-effective
Potential Challenges:
Variable protection Takes time to
establish Requires space
LIVING SHORELINES
Nature-Based & Hybrid Strategies
DUNE CREATION
WETLAND CREATION
Nature-Based & Hybrid Strategies
BIOSWALES
GEOGRIDS
OYSTER CASTLES
Advantages: Multiple Co-benefits Create new habitat Effective in high
energy areas Cost-effective
Potential Challenges:
Variable protection Requires space Require maintenance
Nature-Based & Hybrid Strategies
Gray Infrastructure
JETTIES
BULKHEADS
REVETMENTS
Advantages: Design & build expertise Familiarity Ready-to-go on day 1
Potential Challenges: Limited-No adaptive
capacity Weakens over time Causes habitat loss Expensive
Gray Infrastructure
Policy Strategies
ZONING
CLIMATE-SMART DEVELOPMENT
FREEBOARD INCENTIVES
Policy Strategies
Advantages: Multiple Co-benefits Long-term protection Promotes systems
approach
Potential Challenges:
Requires legislative process
Can lead to legal challenges
Requires community buy-in
Avoiding Maladaptation
No silver bullet!
Adaptation is site specific
SYSTEMS vs. Project approach
Solutions require adaptive management
Montauk, NY
Questions?Taj Schottland
Coastal Adaptation SpecialistSchottlandT@nwf.org
Melissa GaydosWildlife Adaptation Coordinator
GaydosM@nwf.org