Climate Change Resilience Planning for Municipalities. Katie Theoharides, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

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1 Climate Change Resilience Planning for Municipalities Katie Theoharides, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs 1

2 In Massachusetts and around the world, climate change is a shared reality and our ability to rise and respond to this challenge will shape future generations. - Governor Charlie Baker, June 1, 2017

3 Massachusetts Observed Climate Changes Temperature: Growing Season: Sea Level Rise: Heavy Precipitation: Source: Sources: Climate NOAA Science nclimdiv Special climate Report, division 2017; dataset NOAA and NCEI the nclimdiv; Third National NOAA Climate Ocean Assessment. Service 2.9 F Since 1895 (Statewide) 15 Days Since inches Since 1922 (Boston) 55% Since 1958

4 Massachusetts Climate Changes Projected by the 2090s Temperature 90 F Days Sea Level Rise 2 Precipitation Days Source: Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center 7.2 F Average Annual; Range: 4 to 11 F 34 Annual; Range: 11 to 64 days 4 to 10.2 feet Relative to mean sea level in % Annual

5 The number of dangerously hot days could see a dramatic increase in the future. Data courtesy A. Karmalkar, Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center. Figure by D. Brown, Mass Audubon

6 Climate Action in Massachusetts: Mitigation and Adaptation 6

7 EXECUTIVE ORDER ENVIRONMENTAL BOND BILL Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change Preparing for the impacts of climate change State Adaptation Plan Climate Coordinators Agency Vulnerability Assessments Municipal Support $2.4 billion bond bill with focus on climate change resiliency Over $500 million authorized for climate change adaptation Codifies EO 569, including the MVP Program 7

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9 2018 Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan (SHMCAP) September 2018 First-of-its-Kind Integrated State Plan 2018 Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan 9

10 Key Points The SHMCAP Acknowledges that climate change is already worsening natural hazards and extreme weather events Integrates information and planning elements for 14 natural hazards Incorporates best scientific data available to assess risk and vulnerability Assesses risk and vulnerability for five key sectors populations, government, built environment, natural resources & environment, and economy Evaluates existing capabilities of state agencies Establishes strategy for implementation Allows for continued evolution of the plan to incorporate new information, learn thru implementation, and engage relevant stakeholders 2018 Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan 10

11 Goals 1. Enhance Commonwealth s resiliency to natural hazards and climate change by integrating programs and building institutional capacity. 2. Minimize impacts of natural hazards and climate change with forward-looking policies, plans, and regulations. 3. Understand vulnerabilities and risks and develop immediate and long-term risk reduction strategies for current and future conditions using best available science. 4. Increase resilience of state and local government, people, natural systems, built environment, and economy by investing in performance-based solutions. 5. Support implementation of this plan through increased education, awareness, and incentives for action for state agencies, local governments, private industry, nonprofits, and general public Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan 11

12 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) State and local partnership to build resiliency to climate change 1. Engage Community 2. Identify CC impacts and hazards 3. Complete assessment of vulnerabilities & strengths 4. Develop and prioritize actions 5. Take Action 12

13 MVP Principles Community-led process that employs local knowledge and requires local buy-in and support Accessible Utilizes partnerships and leverages existing efforts Mainstreams climate change Communities are local innovators Frames coordinated statewide efforts. 13

14 Must complete 1-2 workshops to cover this process Focus on vulnerabilities and strengths Produce final report with clearly prioritized actions 14

15 Two MVP Grant Opportunities MVP Planning Grant MVP Action Grant 15

16 Maintaining MVP Designation Each municipality must provide the Commonwealth with a yearly progress report outlining the steps they have taken towards implementing their priority actions. Steps may include (but are not limited to): Applying for grant funding, such as MVP Action Grant Right-sizing culverts Updating existing local plans using the outcomes of the workshop, etc. Reconvening Core Team to update or revise MVP plan or priority actions 16

17 MVP Action Grant To implement priority climate adaptation actions identified by MVP Communities Preference for projects to build resilience, are proactive and clearly demonstrate efforts to redesign, re-evaluate, or reconsider and incorporate new climate change data Projects are encouraged to utilize nature-based strategies to address climate change impacts. 17

18 Hazards Nature-based solutions Municipal benefits Riverine flooding Coastal flooding Coastal erosion Open space preservation Open space preservation Ecosystem restoration Ecosystem restoration Avoided Costs Enhanced Safety Stormwater flooding Heat island effects Low Impact Development Low Impact Development Environmental Services <div>icons made by <a href=" title="freepik">freepik</a> from <a href=" title="flaticon"> is licensed by <a href=" title="creative Commons BY 3.0" target="_blank">cc 3.0 BY</a></div>

19 MVP Action Grants: Project Categories Detailed Vulnerability and Risk Assessment e.g., Watershed and Water Supply Vulnerability, Risk Assessment & Management Strategy (City of Gloucester) Public Education and Communication e.g., Meeting an Immediate Need by Learning from Hurricane Maria Survivors (City of Holyoke) Local Bylaws, Ordinances, Plans, and Other Management Measures e.g., Climate Resilience Policy Audit/Amendments, LID & Design Guidelines (Town of Brookline) Redesigns and Retrofits e.g., North River Canal Resilient Wall, Riverwalk & Park (City of Peabody) Ecological Restoration and Habitat Management to Increase Resiliency e.g., Sawmill Brook Central Pond Restoration Design (Town of Manchester) 19

20 MVP Action Grant: Project Categories Nature-Based Storm-Damage Protection, Drought Prevention, Water Quality, and Water Infiltration Techniques Road Flooding Protection Project (Town of Montague) Nature-Based, Infrastructure and Technology Solutions to Reduce Vulnerability to Extreme Heat and Poor Air Quality Tree Planting Plan to Mitigate Heat Islands and Reduce Runoff (Town of Natick) Nature-Based Solutions to Reduce Vulnerability to other Climate Change Impacts Water/Sewer Infrastructure Green Emergency Power Study (Town of Holden) 20

21 MVP Action Grants: Nature-Based Solutions To Mitigate Flooding/Storm water, Water Quality, or Heat Drainage Model & Conceptual Strategies to Reduce Future Flooding (City of Medford) Designs with Nature to Reduce Storm Damage (City of Northampton) Retrofit Parking Lot to Reduce Urban Heat Island (City of Cambridge) Opportunities to Include NBS in Followon Project Phases Town-wide Road Stream Crossing Assessment (Town of Belchertown) Assessing Storm-energy Reduction by the Vegetated Salt Marsh Plat form (Town of Newbury) Lawrence Brook Watershed Flood Mitigation & Water Quality Improvement (City of Peabody) 21

22 MVP new planning grants, now 43% of the Commonwealth 37 Action Grant projects: marsh resiliency, wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, climate migrants $7.2 million dollars committed so far Anticipating release of new MVP funding opportunities in December 22

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24 Natural-Climate Solutions have potential to mitigate 21% of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions 24

25 The Land Conservation Community Can Catalyze MVP Help your community apply to the program Participate as core team member or attend workshops Help community recruit workshop participants Show that existing conserved lands in town are a strength Bring ideas on nature-based solutions and help apply for action grants Partner with community to complete action grant to deploy nature-based solutions 25

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