Preparing for Tomorrow s High Tide: Source Water Implications of Sea Level Rise in Delaware Susan E. Love, Planner IV Delaware Coastal Programs Presentation for the Source Water Assessment and Protection Program CTAC November 6, 2013
Sea levels are rising today Average annual rate in DE = 3.35 mm/yr (13 Inches/100 years) Global rate = 1.7 mm/yr
Rates of SLR are very likely to accelerate in the future
Sea Level Rise impacts will be felt throughout Delaware Increased severity of storm flooding Permanent inundation of coastal areas Saltwater Intrusion Aquifers Surface water Secondary Impacts Economic & Social Environmental Contaminant Releases
It is important to begin adapting to sea level rise today Sea levels are rising Annual rate of rise likely to increase Land use & public works decisions have long life-span Wise use of public funds and reduction of future risk Preparing for long-term effects of sea level rise may also help minimize short term impacts from storms Odessa, 2009
Delaware s Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee The goal of the Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee is to assess Delaware s vulnerability to current and future inundation problems that may be exacerbated by sea level rise and to develop a set of recommendations for state agencies, local governments, businesses and citizens to enable them to adapt programs, policies, business practices and make informed decisions.
Vulnerability Assessment: Results Potentially Inundated 8-11% Total Land Area Tax assessed value $1.5 B Direct effects in all counties and 31 towns Of highest concern statewide: Industrial Areas and Port Railroads, roads and evacuation Dams and Dikes Future development areas Tourism/coastal recreation Habitats and protected lands Wells
SLR Exposure Water Supply Wells Water supply concerns are statewide Potentially inundated: Industrial wells: 3% - 7% Irrigation wells: 1% - 2% Public wells: 2% - 10% Extent of impacts from saltwater intrusion not yet known wells surface water intakes
SLR Exposure: Domestic Wells Potentially inundated: 3-7% of domestic wells statewide (2,000-4,000) 5-10% of domestic wells in Sussex (1,700 3,500) Extent of impacts from saltwater intrusion unknown Loss of domestic wells may increase demand for public water supply
SLR Exposure: Protected Lands Statewide Includes State owned lands federal refuges municipal holdings public and private conservation easements 37% to 44% of 168,000 acres statewide potentially inundated Loss of water quality and source water benefits
SLR Exposure: Contaminated Sites 41% - 54% of 60,000 acres potentially inundated 33% - 44% of 785 sites Exposure focused in: Wilmington region Bombay Hook Inland Bays Potential for contaminant releases Groundwater and surface water implications?
SLR Exposure: UST Sites Potentially inundated: 2-6% of Underground Storage Tanks (65-208) 8 LUST sites statewide Does not include residential tanks which are not subject to regulation or inspection Extent of impacts from saltwater intrusion unknown Potential for corrosion of tanks and release of contaminants
Delaware s Adaptation Plan A call to action Explains and guides adaptation responses Guiding Principles Case Studies Resources and Assistance Recommends actions to increase Adaptive Capacity Several with water and wastewater focus Completed Fall 2013 Tony Pratt
Recommendations for adapting water resources Develop models to predict changes to surface water salinity Develop groundwater model Create SLR research and policy center Consider SLR in septic and well regulations Incorporate SLR into comp plans Provide tech assistance and outreach And more!
Adaptation Activities are Already Underway Research UD EpSCOR project SLR and contaminants DGS groundwater and salinity model Coastal Resiliency Planning: New Castle, Bowers, Delaware City, South Bethany, Bethany, Slaughter Beach SLR included in: State land purchase criteria UD research agenda DE Hazard Mitigation Plan
Executive Order 41 Requires State Agencies to plan and design for SLR State funded structures must include freeboard Creates Cabinet Committee on Climate and Resiliency Plan to reduce GHG emissions Action plan for state agencies Climate impact assessment due winter 2014
Put on your work flippers and get started! Build partnerships for research to better understand source water implications Conduct a source water SLR vulnerability assessment Include SLR in source water planning processes Exploit opportunities to increase resiliency in projects and programs
There are many Tools and Resources for you to use Delaware s SLR Viewer http://de.gov/slrmap Delaware Vulnerability Assessment http://de.gov/slrva Recommendations for Adapting to SLR in DE http://de.gov/slradaptplan Digital Coast http://www.csc.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/ Climate Adaptation Knowledge Exchange (CAKE) www.cakex.org
Questions? Contact Info: Susan E. Love, Planner IV Delaware Coastal Programs Susan.love@state.de.us (302) 739-9283 http://de.gov/sealevelrise