Sea Level Rise at the Local Government Level: Lessons Learned

John Fergus

City of Satellite Beach, Florida

Overview

Relationships

Cautions

Tools

Results

Relationships

Intergovernmental cooperation essential

• US Environmental Protection Agency

• Water Management District

• Regional Planning Council

• County

• City

Cautions

Avoid:

• Hot button issues

• Sensationalism by the media

Keep the science accessible

Tools

High resolution elevations (LIDAR)

Tools

Hydrology - Regional

Tools

Hydrology - Local

Tools

Geology

Tools

Anticipated Rate of Sea Level Rise

• Least well defined parameter

• Estimate changing – faster/sooner

Tools

Virtual Library

• Adaptive Coastal Planning

• Over 600 references

http://research.FIT.edu/SeaLevelRiseLibrary/

Results

No significant impacts for 40 years

Initial impacts from mainland side

• Due to low lagoon-side topography

OceanLagoon

Results

http://satellitebeachfl.org/CPABSeaLevelRise.aspx

DO NOTHING catastrophic

PROTECT or DEFEND unlikely

ACCOMMODATE of limited use

STRATEGIC WITHDRAWAL favored

Results

Recommendation went to City Council

No Comprehensive Plan amendment

• Concern about state interference

Does not preclude informal action

Results

Informal action lacks:

• Authority

• Corporate memory

• Sense of necessity or urgency

Result: Inaction

Thank You