Metro Boston Climate Change Adaptation Strategy€¦ · Transfer of Development Rights Adaptation -...
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Metro Boston Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Massachusetts Association of Planning Directors Conference June 6, 2013 1 1
Transcript of Metro Boston Climate Change Adaptation Strategy€¦ · Transfer of Development Rights Adaptation -...
Metro Boston
Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Massachusetts Association of Planning Directors Conference
June 6, 2013
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MAPC & the Metropolitan
Boston Region
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• 101 Cities & Towns
• 3 million
• 32 Coastal Cities &
Towns
• MetroFuture
• Climate Change
Adaptation
Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategy
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• MAPC & Tellus
• Project Scope:
– Advisory Committee &
Public Outreach
– Vulnerability Analysis
– Regional Adaptation
Goals & Objectives
– Implementation
Strategies to Reduce
Vulnerability
• Fall 2013
Advisory Committee
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Predicted Climate Change Impacts (for MA)
5 Adapted from MA Climate Change Adaptation Report
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
Vulnerability Assessment - Factors
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Adaptive
Capacity
Vulnerability
Exposure Sensitivity
Potential
Impact
Source: Allen Consulting Group 2005.
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: Union of Concerned Scientists, 2007
Vulnerable Populations
9 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
Natural Resource/Habitat
11 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
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Outreach
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• Advisory
Committee Orgs.
• MAPC Subregions:
Municipalities
• APA (SNEAPA)
• City of Boston
• The Boston Harbor
Association
• Environmental
Business Council
What the Towns are Saying…
• Additional data needed on heat mortality
• Synthesized data needed to justify changes in
local regulations
• Extreme cold as vulnerability?
• Consideration of wildlife and species needs
• Too conservative scientific estimation of impact
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Adaptation
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Adaptation Vs. Mitigation
Mitigation = 1st step – minimize climate change impacts
Adaptation = Anticipate/prepare for future conditions
Source: Penney, 2008
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
Open Space Planning
Regulation Changes
Interdepartmental
Coordination
Design Review/Guidelines
Transfer of Development
Rights
Adaptation - Repurposing
Regulation Change (Wter)
• Land/Building Acquisition
• Regulation: Setback requirements, floodplain zoning,
planning consistency review, etc.
Adaptation Built Environment
Source: Georgetown Law; Harrison Inst. For Public Law Source: Subdivision Design in Floodplain Areas.
• 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).
Adaptation Redevelopment/Building Guidelines
Source: LA Storm Smart Coasts
Adaptation
Integrated Water Management
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: Australian Water Association. Source: City of Portland, Environmental Services
• Protect Wetlands: Update Wetland Bylaws, Restore Deteriorated
Wetlands, etc.
• Maintain shoreline features: Planting Dune Grasses, Renourishing
Beaches, etc.
Adaptation Natural Resource Protection
Critical Feedback
• Towns have not yet addressed 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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