MACC Annual Conference...Andrew Smith–DEP Springfield [email protected]. MVP Process: From...
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MACC Annual Conference Hosted by Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissioners Secretary Kathleen Theoharides
Transcript of MACC Annual Conference...Andrew Smith–DEP Springfield [email protected]. MVP Process: From...
MACC Annual Conference Hosted by Massachusetts Association of Conservation
Commissioners
Secretary Kathleen Theoharides
Energy & Environmental Affairs and Conservation Commissions:
A Shared Mission to Protect Natural Resources in the Face of Climate Change
Climate Change in Massachusetts
Photographs © John Elder Robison all rights reserved
Climate Change in Massachusetts
2.9°FSince 1895 (Statewide)
Temperature
11 inchesSince 1922 (Boston)
Sea Level Rise
55%Since 1958
Heavy
Precipitation
Observed By the 2090s
7.2°FAverage Annual; Range: 4 to 11 °F
4 to 10.2 feetRelative to Mean Sea Level - 2000
47%Annual Increase in 2” Precipitation Days
25-90Climate Ready Boston
90°F Days 11Climate Ready Boston
Source: Climate Science Special Report, 2017; NOAA NCEI ClimDiv; NOAA Ocean Service
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New Tools for State & Local Action to Address Climate Change
Building Climate Resilient Communities
- Statewide Adaptation Planning
- Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program
- S.10: An Act for Infrastructure Investments in the Commonwealth
Reducing GHG Emissions- Net Zero
- Transportation Climate Initiative
What is Net Zero?
Need to Reduce Emissions Across All Sectors
7% 0.7 MMT Reduction 8%
31%
6 MMT Reduction
32%
32%
0.2 MMT Increase
42%
30%14.6 MMT Reduction
19%
0
10
20
30
40
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60
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100
1990 2017
GH
G E
mis
sions
(MM
TC
O2e)
Electricity
Transportation
Buildings
Non-Energy
Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation and
Climate Adaptation Plan
Local Leadership; State Partnership
Conservation Commissions & Climate Change:
Implementing the Wetlands Protection Act
State Support Through MassDEP
Regulatory Updates
MassDEP stormwater management regulatory/guidance update
o Advisory Committee convened with MACC & municipal representation
o Updating precipitation projections to account for future climate conditions
o Updating the Stormwater Handbook –the technical resource for the wetlands program & the joint EPA/MassDEP permit
Developing performance standards for Land Subject to Coastal Storm Flowage
o This will help to protect coastlines from the effects of coastal surge
Examples of Available Funding
Statewide Water Management Act Grants
Stormwater MS4 Municipal Assistance Grant Program
§604b Water Quality Planning Grants: Funding Available – $25,000 - $50,000
§319 Nonpoint Source Grants: Funding Available – $50,000 -$600,000
Conservation Commissions & Climate Change:
Land Conservation & Stewardship
Incentive Programs For Land Protection
Community Investment Grants
• Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND)
• Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC)
• Conservation Assistance for Small Communities
• Drinking Water Supply Protection
• Gateway City Parks
Over 250 grants to municipalities have been awarded since January 2015
Total Spending Since FY16: $92.1M
Norcross Hill Wildlife Management Area
Conservation Commissions & Climate Change:
Building Resilient Communities
• Employs local knowledge and buy-in
• Utilizes partnerships and leverages existing efforts
• Is based in best available climate projections and data
• Incorporates principles of nature-based solutions
• Demonstrates pilot potential and is proactive
• Reaches and responds to risks faced by EJ communities and vulnerable populations
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Why nature-based?
Where appropriate, nature-based solutions can be more cost-effective, protect water quality and quantity, sustain lands that provide food and recreation opportunities, reduce erosion, and minimize temperature increases associated with developed areas and climate change.
A community-led, accessible process that
MVP Principles
MVP Regions
Central
Northeast
Greater Boston
Southeast
Berkshires & Hilltowns
Greater CT River Valley
Regional Coordinator: Michelle Rowden – DEP [email protected]
Regional Coordinator: Carolyn Meklenburg – EEA [email protected]
Regional Coordinator: Courtney Rocha – DEP [email protected]
Regional Coordinator: Carrieanne Petrik - DCR [email protected]
Regional Coordinator: Hillary King – DEP [email protected]
Regional Coordinator: Andrew Smith– DEP [email protected]
MVP Process: From Planning to Action
1. Engage Community
2. Identify CC impacts and
hazards
3. Complete assessment of
vulnerabilities & strengths
4. Develop and prioritize actions
5. Take Action
State and local partnership to build resiliency to climate change
35 29 25 20 21
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2010 7
151 0 0
92
6967
58 51 1
1117
14 0
91 00
20
40
60
80
100
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140
Inla
nd F
loo
din
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Se
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Win
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Sto
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Avera
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xtr
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pera
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Oth
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Seve
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eath
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Dro
ug
ht
Co
asta
l F
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es/T
rop
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Sto
rms
Wild
fire
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Eco
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Co
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rosio
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Torn
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Lan
dslide
Tsu
nam
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Coastal Reports
Inland Reports
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MVP: Top Hazards
1 Inland floodingExtreme precipitation and
precipitation-induced flooding,
ice jams, dam failures
2 Severe winter
stormsSnow/Ice storms, Nor'easters
3 Average/ Extreme
temperaturesExtreme heat, extreme
cold, average higher
temperatures
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1. Stormwater Management
2. Emergency Management & Preparedness
3. Water Use/Supply
4. Natural Resources
5. Public Health & Safety
Top Vulnerabilities
1. Emergency Management & Preparedness
2. Stormwater Management
3. Data & Maps
4. Regulations, Zoning, & Policy
5. Resilient Electric Grid
Top Priority Actions
Risk and Response
Prioritizing Nature-Based Solutions
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of towns included
nature-based
solutions in their
priority actions
65%
Action Across the Commonwealth
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Mattapoisett Millbury
Belchertown
Sheffield, New Marlborough, & Sandisfield
State Agency Assistance:
Today’s Workshops & Beyond
Beyond the Building Code: How Commissions can Reduce Flood Risk - Joy Deperault (DCR)
Common Plants of MA Freshwater Wetlands - Karro Frost (NHESP Program)
E-DEP filing system - Kimberly Roth & Alice Smith (DEP)
MA Endangered Species Act Overview & Considerations for Habitat Management - Rebekah Zimmerer
& Chris Buelow (NHESP Program)
MassDEP Wetlands & Waterways Permitting: Jurisdiction & More - Andrew Poyant & Maissoun Reda
(DEP)
Nature Based Solutions - Hillary King (EEA - MVP Program)
Nature’s Value in a Changing Climate: Land for Resiliency - Kurt Gaertner (EEA)
Reducing Coastal Hazards with Nature-Based Infrastructure - Julia Knisel (CZM)
Wildlife Considerations in Lake & Pond Management - Jason Carmignani & Jason Stoalrski (Mass Wildlife)
