Preparing for the Storms: Municipal Adaptation for Climate Change Resiliency

Transcription

1 Preparing for the Storms: Municipal Adaptation for Climate Change Resiliency Massachusetts Association of Planning Directors Annual Conference UMass Lowell Inn and Conference Center June 6, 2013 E. Heidi Ricci Senior Policy Analyst Mass Audubon Thanks to Scott Horsley, Horsley and Witten, Carrie Banks, MA Div. of Ecological Restoration, and Elisabeth Hamin, UMass LARP

2 Shaping the Future of Your Community Program Working in the state s fastest developing regions to provide community leaders and concerned citizens with tools and support to chart a more sustainable future

3 Landscape Context for Resiliency Ecological Resiliency: ability of a natural system to return to a stable state following a disturbance Intact habitats are most resilient to many threats and stresses Interconnection is vital for adaption and migration

4 Landscape Planning Focus land conservation on areas most critical for long-term persistence of rare and other native species, exemplary natural communities and a diversity of ecosystems Align local plans and zoning Look beyond parcel and municipal boundaries Protect the biodiversity of MA in the context of projected effects of climate change.

5 Planning Ahead for Growth Prioritize Protection: Important habitat and Green Infrastructure Prioritize Development: Concentrate near infrastructure and away from important natural resources Regional Plans Toolkit for Implementing Priority Protection Areas Priority Development Areas

6 Resiliency and the Built Environment

7 River process slides courtesy Carrie Banks, MA Division of Ecological Restoration Scour on the outside of meander bends Rivers erode and deposit. Give them room to move Deposition on inside of bends

8 Bank hardening transfers energy downstream Photo: NRCS Photo: Matthew Grallert Photo: NRCS Swift River, Cummington River process slides courtesy Carrie Banks, MA Division of Ecological Restoration

9 Horsley Witten Group, Inc.

10 Horsley Witten Group, Inc.

11 Horsley Witten Group, Inc.

12 Horsley Witten Group, Inc.

13 Prior 100-year flood, depth > 1 foot 100-year flood, depth >1 foot, from 2010 FEMA study Building constructed between 2005 and 2008, now in regulated floodplain after 2010 FEMA re-study Horsley Witten Group, Inc.

14 Same building, March 2010 flood (approximately 40-year flood) Horsley Witten Group, Inc.

15 Watershed Barriers Taunton Watershed Dams Taunton Watershed Barriers Barriers to Aquatic and Terrestrial Life Movements Hazards - degraded conditions, undersized culverts

16 Undersized culverts Walker Brook, Becket (10/06/05) River process slides courtesy Carrie Banks, MA Division of Ecological Restoration

17 Same Site Culverts washed out in 2005 replaced with similarly undersized culverts 6/30/2011 River process slides courtesy Carrie Banks, MA Division of Ecological Restoration

18 Post Irene River process slides courtesy Carrie Banks, MA Division of Ecological Restoration

19 Post Irene Replacement Culverts River process slides courtesy Carrie Banks, MA Division of Ecological Restoration

20 Comparison of Estimated Crossing Lifespan and Costs Cost of Two Replacements in 6 years: $130k Estimate for Stream Crossing Span: 10 years 10 years 10 years 10 years 10 + years $ k River process slides courtesy Carrie Banks, MA Division of Ecological Restoration

21 Design with the river in mind! Bronson Brook, Worthington 2-10 foot box culverts washed out in Road was closed to all traffic. Culvert had a history of clogging with debris River process slides courtesy Carrie Banks, MA Division of Ecological Restoration

22 Bronson Brook During and Post Irene River process slides courtesy Carrie Banks, MA Division of Ecological Restoration

23 Political Technical (lack of data and guidance) Barriers Staff time and money Costs to implement

24 Choose Your Method Spotlight Master Plan update or freestanding Adaptation Plan Mainstream Modify local regulations wetlands, floodplain, zoning/subdivision, stormwater, etc. Public Health Stealth or No Regrets multi benefits Disaster Risk Reduction Sustainable Development

25 Multi-sector Adaptation Planning Analysis

26 No Regrets Actions Remove barriers to fish and accommodate storm flows Green infrastructure and low impact development

27 Mitigation/Adaptation Co-Benefits Compact development and land conservation keeps forested and natural (carbon absorbing) lands intact Massachusetts forests are sequestering 12% of our annual carbon emissions! Every acre of forest holds 85 TONS of carbon Natural landscapes absorb rainfall during storm events, decreasing flooding, and filter the air and our drinking water

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29 Subdivision Regulations Low Impact Development

30 Clean Energy and Climate Change Tools Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Green Communities Greening Transportation Energy Efficiency Protecting Natural Carbon Storage and Resiliency Andrew Sylvia, Westford Solar Park

31 Heidi Ricci

32 The Massachusetts Homeowner's Handbook to Prepare for Coastal Hazards Grant Funding available from MEMA for Hazard Mitigation