Climate Adaptation for Coastal Communities

Jonathan J. Reiner, AICP Town of North Kingstown

Setting the Local Context: North Kingstown, RI September 19, 2013

The Time is Now to Act: to Adapt & Mitigate

October 29, 2012

10 Sept 2010

MHW, Simulation of 1’ and 3’ SLR

Rising waters with tides and storms

Superstorm Sandy – 4’above MHHW Spring Tide – 2010 – 1.4 MHHW

“SuperStorm” Sandy – Wickford Village

Newport Tide Gauge October 30, 2012 - 4’ above MHHW

“Superstorm” Sandy superimposed with sea level rise. Shows approximately 4’ above MHHW

MHHW +3’ SLR MHHW +4’ SLR

Natural Hazards and Comprehensive Planning

• Why is this important? •Storm intensity and storm damage •Flooding •Drought •Sea level rise •Impacts on the built and natural environments

COMP PLAN 2008

ACTION POLICY

STUDY

Public Process and Input

COMP PLAN 2013

Climate Change and Comprehensive Planning

• How can we plan for something that is not really happening ?

•Natural Hazards Reviewed and assessed via Hazard Mitigation Plans • Comprehensive Plan Element on Climate Change

Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns

Comprehensive Planning

How do you start to Adapt?

If you had maps and information identifying vulnerable assets, what would you do with it?

Mapping Sea Level Rise Project Overview: Planning for Change

Locate problem areas - Identify - Evaluate exposure - Communicate

Develop usable tools for town/state planners

Providence, RI 1938

Local Applications

• Regulatory – zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan amendments • Hazard Mitigation Plan – incorporate and implement actions • Educate Locally - distribute information to elected officials and

homeowners • Incorporate into town GIS and IMS - more accessible information • Community Rating System (CRS) impacts – achieve lower rating • Transportation – ID roads and infrastructure inundated • State of RI Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) –incorporate into

future application • Capital Improvement Plan (municipal) –infrastructure improvements (i.e

sewers, dams, roadways, water) • Building Code - work with RIBA and CRMC to modify code in coastal

zone • Open space acquisition – ID/prioritize lands for protection, salt marsh

creation

Thank You

Jonathan Reiner, AICP jreiner@northkingstown.org

401-268-1570 http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/coast/a_hazard_theme.html