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SILICON VALLEY 2.0
Climate Adaptation Partners’ Forum
4 MAY 2015 County of Santa Clara Office of Sustainability
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9:15–10:00 Sign-In, Coffee Social, Welcome
10:00–10:20 Keynote: Climate Adaptation for Silicon Valley + SV 2.0
10:20–11:20 Silicon Valley 2.0 Project Overview
- Methodology + Analysis
- SV 2.0 Climate Change Preparedness Decision Support Tool
- Economic Consequences
- Climate Adaptation Strategies
- Next Steps
11:20–11:40 Question + Answer Session
11:40–11:45 Break-Out Groups Instructions
11:45–12:15 Lunch (continues as working lunch into Break-Out)
12:15–1:45 Break-Out Groups (themed around SV 2.0’s asset sectors)
- Developing frameworks for action
- Identifying early collaborations
- Strategy Prioritization
1:45–2:30 Report Back + Wrap-Up
FORUM AGENDA
KEYNOTE
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MANY THANKS
• Bay Area Joint Policy Committee (JPC): Bruce Riordan
• Bay Area Climate Collaborative (BACC): Rafael Reyes
• Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC): Joe LaClair
• City of Cupertino: Erin Cooke
• City of Mountain View: Randy Tsuda
• City of San Jose: Rene Eyerly
• Joint Venture Silicon Valley (JVSV): Kara Gross
• Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E): Gina Blus, Sapna Dixit, Kerynn Gianotti, Christopher
Benjamin
• Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD): Dan Peddycord, Susan Stuart
• Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA): Lani Lee Ho, Christina Jaworski
• Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD): Jim Fiedler, Sarah Young, Tracy Hemmeter,
Liang Lee
• Sustainable Silicon Valley: Marianna Grossman
• U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE): Craig S. Connor
• U.S. Geological Survey: Dr. Patrick Barnard
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO KEY CONTRIBUTORS + PARTNERS
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WHY NOW?
THE 4 FAULTY PRESUMPTIONS OF ADAPTATION
• Event vs. Paradigm
• Reference Point Reversal
• Nexus of Market &
Environment
• New Definitions of Risk
• 3-D Collaborative
Implementation
• New Levels of Ingenuity
and Technology
• It is too speculative
• It is too far away
• It has no present benefits
• It costs too much
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ADAPTATION & RISK DYNAMICS
CHANGING WORLD WHERE ENVIRONMENT MEETS MARKET
Resilience • Event vs. Paradigm
• Reference Point Reversal
• Nexus of Market &
Environment
• New Definitions of Risk
• 3-D Collaborative
Implementation
• New Levels of Ingenuity
and Technology
Economic Consequences Update
Project Goals + Process
WHERE?
• Santa Clara County (1.9 million residents as of 2013) is consistently ranked amongst the top regions for growth in employment, personal income, and real taxable sales.
• It is the 4th most ethnically diverse metro area in the U.S.
• Median age is 36.7
• Highly desirable place to live and conduct business
• Gross domestic product has exceeded $200 billion
• Property tax assessment rolls have exceeded $350 billion
• The region accounts for more than 75% of all California venture capital investment (and roughly 40% of the national investment) and 12%+ of all patents filed nationally
• 29 regional parks covering roughly 48,000 acres
• Farmers and ranchers in Santa Clara County grow 100 different crops and contribute $250 million to the local economy each year
THE VALLEY OF HEART’S DELIGHT & SILICON DREAMS
WHY?
• Climate change presents a complex and uncertain challenge requiring the dedication and action of multiple actors and agencies at all levels
• Increasing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations = local climate condition changes: sea level rise + storm surge (36 to 66 inches by end-of-century), increased riverine flooding, and more frequent / higher temperatures (extreme heat events and wildfires) + drought.
• Potential impacts to critical assets throughout the county: regionally significant highways and local roadways, water and wastewater treatment plants, electricity substations, technology campuses and other employment centers, homes, vulnerable populations, and ecosystems
• Human health consequences negatively impact the economy, external and indoor air quality, productivity, inflate personal costs and budgets
• Threatens biological diversity, vigor, and vitality
• The interest in retaining corporate citizens and attracting new businesses
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SILICON VALLEY 2.0 GOALS
• Identify assets threatened by climate change and the magnitude of the potential economic, social, and environmental impacts using a robust vulnerability and risk management framework
• Develop the SV 2.0 Climate Change Preparedness Decision Support Tool (Tool) to evaluate the vulnerability and consequence to key assets from potential climate change
• Identify potential adaptation strategies to minimize climate impacts
• Identify the region’s top priorities and the near-term actions needed to implement an effective regional-scale adaptation response
• Facilitate and coordinate regional climate adaptation planning. Coordination, and implementation efforts for Silicon Valley
• Create a set of resources capable of being used and replicated statewide
WHICH OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES
WHAT IS IT? WHAT IT IS NOT!
• A multi-year, multi-stakeholder process and extensive regional effort
• Designed and managed by the Santa Clara County Office of Sustainability and funded by the State’s Strategic Growth Council
• A Decision-Support Tool designed for flexibility, expansion, replication
• A suite of resources to minimize the anticipated impacts of climate change within the County boundary (15 cities + unincorporated portions of the County)
• A living Guidebook that provides a recommended set of short, mid, and long term strategies for implementation
• Helps establish a proactive framework for collaboration between the County, cities, agencies, stakeholders (State and federal authorities, private landowners, et al)
Not designed as a “plan” to be adopted by one or many jurisdictions
SILICON VALLEY 2.0 PLATFORM
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RELATIONSHIPS WITH EXISTING PLANNING
• Safeguarding California (California Natural Resources Agency)
• State Hazard Mitigation Plan (FEMA)
• Regional Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (ABAG)
• Adapting to Rising Tides (BCDC and NOAA)
• Bay Area Climate + Energy Resilience Project (JPC)
• Bay Area Housing and Community Risk Assessment Project (ABAG + BCDC + EPA)
• Climate Readiness Institute (UC Berkeley)
• 100 Resilient Cities San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley (Pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation)
• Santa Clara County Multiple Jurisdiction Climate Action Planning Project
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STAKEHOLDER & USER DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, STAKEHOLDER & FOUNDATIONAL EXCHANGE
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Economic Consequences Update
Methodology + Analysis
16 PROJECT METHODOLOGY FLOW CHART
17 VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY
18 RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY
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CLIMATE VARIABLE DATA
HISTORIC + PROJECTED TRENDS IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY
Climate Variable Historical
(frequency + trend) Future
Sea Level Rise
0.8 inches/decade ↑ • Mid-century: 11–19 inches
• End-of-Century: 30–55 inches
Riverine Flooding
Annual (trend uncertain)
• No annual change
• Reduced spring and autumn precipitation
• Generally wetter winter precipitation
• Increased intensity
• Increased frequency of strong storms
Wildfire Multiple/decade ↑
• Increasing in frequency and duration
• Change in severity unknown
Extreme Heat
Multiple/decade ↑ • Increasing in frequency, duration +
severity
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ASSET SECTOR SUB-ASSET SECTORS (TYPES) Shoreline Flood Protection (All)
• Engineered flood protection (dikes + levees)
• Non-engineered berms
• Wetlands
• Serving other assets regionally
Buildings + Properties
• Buildings (per parcel)
• Property (vacant urbanized land, not large-scale open space or agricultural land)
Communications
• Fiber optics lines
• Data centers
• Communication towers
COMMUNITY ASSET DATA
ASSET SECTORS AND SUB-SECTORS (TYPES) CONSIDERED
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ASSET SECTOR SUB-ASSET SECTORS (TYPES) Ecosystems • Natural landscapes (includes
large regional open spaces and parks)
Coastal wetland (coastal salt marsh marsh) Coastal scrub Riparian and riverine Grassland Freshwater wetland Chaparral and scrubland Oak woodland Coniferous forest Redwood forest Hardwood forest Lakes and ponds
Energy
• Energy generation facilities
• Substations
• Transmission infrastructure (electrical)
COMMUNITY ASSET DATA, CONTINUED
ASSET SECTORS AND SUB-SECTORS (TYPES) CONSIDERED
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ASSET SECTOR SUB-ASSET SECTORS (TYPES)
Public Health • General populations
• Vulnerable populations (seniors >65, children <5, disadvantaged, those with health conditions)
• Healthcare facilities and workers
Solid + Hazardous Waste
• Solid waste facilities (landfills, recycling facilities, transfer stations, composting)
• Contaminated land sites (Superfund, State Response, surface and ground toxicity)
• Hazardous waste sites (household and industrial waste storage)
COMMUNITY ASSET DATA, CONTINUED
ASSET SECTORS AND SUB-SECTORS (TYPES) CONSIDERED
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ASSET SECTOR SUB-ASSET SECTORS (TYPES) Transportation • Roads (highways
and local)
• Bridges
• Pedestrian ways and bikeways
• Airports
• Rail (heavy and light)
Water + Wastewater • Water treatment plants (potable water)
• Wastewater treatment plants
• Reservoirs
COMMUNITY ASSET DATA, CONTINUED
ASSET SECTORS AND SUB-SECTORS (TYPES) CONSIDERED
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PROJECT EXCLUSIONS
Climate Variables:
• Drought
• Air quality (except for Public Health)
Assets Sectors:
• Agricultural land
• Groundwater sub-basins
• Storm water drainage infrastructure
• Supporting transportation infrastructure (e.g. fuelling stations, etc.)
25 SV 2.0 TOOL: VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
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VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
• Analyses the vulnerability of each asset sector to each climate variable
• Comprised of three parts:
(1) Exposure analysis
- Based on GIS overlays of asset locations + climate variables
(2) Sensitivity analysis
- Sensitivity ratings (i.e. the impact of a climate variable on the asset’s functionality) defined from literature reviews, expert interviews, and input from the TAC and other technical experts
(3) Adaptive capacity
- Based on literature gap analysis
METHODOLOGY
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VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT EXAMPLE
• Exposure analysis: GIS based (from Caltrans, 2013)
• Sensitivity analysis:
- High: roads permanently inundated
- Medium: traffic delays
• Adaptive capacity: Low
MILES OF HIGHWAY BY CLIMATE VARIABLE AND TIMEFRAME
ROADS
(HIGHWAYS) SLR
SLR +
STORM
SURGE
ADDITIONAL
IMPACTS
CAUSED BY
STORM
SURGE
RIVERINE
FLOODING WILDFIRE
EXTREME
HEAT
Mid-Century
Vulnerability 2 3 1 67 65 None
End-of-Century
Vulnerability 3 6 3 67 65 288
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STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT TEMPLATE
ASSET CLIMATE VARIABLE
STRATEGY TITLE
Strategy Description
SCALE CLASS INITIATION TIMING LEAD
CROSS ASSET SECTOR
APPLICABILITY POTENTIAL FOR NEAR-TERM CO-BENEFITS
IMPLEMENTATION NOTES Timing, Potential Challenges + Solutions, Additional Benefits
PRECEDENTS Relevant Case Studies
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STRATEGY SELECTION CRITERIA
Does the strategy…
• Make sense to initiate in the next 5–10 years?
• Fall within local or regional government, or agencies jurisdiction to implement?
• Allow for use by more than one jurisdiction or agency?
• Address the vulnerability of multiple assets?
• Address critical facilities or lifeline routes?
• Reduce consequences on society/equity?
• Provide a positive impact on habitat protection or restoration?
• Require very high upfront capital cost, and therefore require complex financing arrangements?
• Provide a positive impact on the economy?
Economic Consequences Update
SV 2.0 Climate Change Preparedness Decision Support Tool - Demo
Economic Consequences Update
Economic Consequences
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ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES
» FRAMEWORK
• Economic consequences of a mid-century climate change scenarios on today’s assets (no adaptive measures have been taken)
• Expressed in order of magnitude ratings
» CRITERIA
• Most applicable to SV 2.0 assets and quantifiable with available data sources:
o Replacement cost
o Loss of fiscal revenue
o Change in operational cost
o Interruption of economic activity
METHODOLOGY
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ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES
» ANALYTIC LIMITATIONS
• Assessed four economic criteria that best apply to physical asset sectors and have available data;
• Other potential economic consequences were not assessed due to lack of available data, such as cost of decreased health, loss of ecosystem services, and higher utility (energy and water) rates;
• Assets and climate variables are largely considered independently of each other, so this analysis does not fully capture the potential for cascading or cumulative economic impacts;
• Therefore: economic consequence findings should be considered low estimates -- further study required to achieve more comprehensive estimates, including total societal and environmental consequences.
METHODOLOGY
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» RATING SCALE (ACROSS ALL 4 CRITERIA)
• Dynamic rating scale uses percentages of economic loss that can be applied across different criteria and jurisdictions.
• Uses the economic loss experienced in Santa Clara County during the 2008–2009 recession as the threshold for an “extreme” economic consequence rating (i.e., 8% of jobs were lost).
Low 0.0% to less than 0.1%
Moderate 0.1% to less than 0.3%
High 0.3% to less than 1.6%
Very High 1.6% to less than 8%
Extreme 8% or greater
Ranges of Percent Economic Loss for Ratings
ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES METHODOLOGY
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• Rating scale for Replacement Costs, Interruption of Economic Activity, and Operational Costs based on estimated Countywide GDP
• Rating scale for loss of fiscal revenue based on estimated County and local jurisdiction property and sales tax revenue
• NOTE: all values = 2014$
Rating Scale for Fiscal Revenue Loss
Rating Scale for Replacement Costs, Interruption of Economic Activity, and Operational Costs
ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES METHODOLOGY
» RATING SCALE, AS APPLIED COUNTYWIDE
Low $1 to less than $100 million
Moderate $100 million to less than $500 million
High $500 million to less than $3 billion
Very High $3 billion to less than $13 billion
Extreme $13 billion or greater
Low $1 to less than $1,000,000
Moderate $1,000,000 to less than $4,000,000
High $4,000,000 to less than $18,000,000
Very High $18,000,000 to less than $90,000,000
Extreme $90,000,000 or more
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Summary of Economic Consequences for Highways by Climate Variable
ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES
» TRANSPORTATION SECTOR: HIGHWAYS
ASSET EXAMPLE
SEA LEVEL RISE SEA LEVEL RISE
+ STORM SURGE RIVERINE FLOODING WILDFIRE EXTREME HEAT
Replacement Cost
Low Low High N/A N/A
Loss of Fiscal Revenue
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Change in Operational
Costs
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Interruption of
Economic Activity
High High Very High N/A N/A
Overall Economic
Consequences
High High Very High N/A N/A
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» KEY FINDINGS: TOTAL ASSETS
Aggregate Economic Consequences for All Assets in Mid-Century Scenario
ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES SUMMARY
SEA LEVEL RISE
SEA LEVEL RISE
+ STORM
SURGE
RIVERINE FLOODING WILDFIRE EXTREME HEAT
Replacement Cost Very High Very High Extreme Extreme N/A
Loss of Fiscal Revenue High High Very High Very High N/A
Change in Operational
Costs N/A N/A N/A N/A Low
Interruption of
Economic Activity High Very High Extreme High N/A
Overall Economic
Consequences
Very High Very High Extreme Extreme Low
42 SV 2.0 ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OUTPUT FROM THE TOOL
43 SV 2.0 ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OUTPUT FROM THE TOOL
Rating Scale for Fiscal Revenue Loss Rating Scale for Replacement Costs, Interruption of Economic Activity, and Operational Costs
Low $1 to less than $10,000
Moderate $10,000 to less than $100 million
High $100 million to less than $300 million
Very High $300 million to less than $1.4 billion
Extreme $1.4 billion or greater
Low $1 to less than $40,000
Moderate $40,000 to less than $200,000
High $200,000 to less than $1 million
Very High $1 million to less than $5 million
Extreme $5 million or more
44 SV 2.0 ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OUTPUT FROM THE TOOL
Economic Consequences Update
Climate Adaptation Strategies Organized by Asset Sector + Climate Variable
Shoreline Flood Protection
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SHORELINE PROTECTION (ALL ASSETS)
» SEA LEVEL RISE, RIVERINE FLOODING
S-1. Continue coordination with South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project
S-2. Continue coordination with South San Francisco shoreline study
S-3. Conduct an overtopping analysis of existing shoreline protection assets
S-5. Increase pump station capacity and provide protection for pump stations
S-6. Enhance monitoring and/or maintenance programs for levees and flood walls
S-7. Increase the design criteria for current and future flood protection projects from 100-year to higher-impact flood events
» STORM SURGE, RIVERINE FLOODING
S-4. Use the updated FEMA FIRMs to identify the source of flooding (e.g., riverine or coastal) associated with the 100-year events
» RIVERINE FLOODING
S-8. Model projected change in the frequency and magnitude of riverine flooding caused by precipitation in the County
RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES
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SHORELINE PROTECTION (ALL ASSETS)
S-3. CONDUCT AN OVERTOPPING ANALYSIS OF EXISTING SHORELINE PROTECTION ASSETS
Asset: Shoreline Flood Protection Assets
Climate Variable: Sea Level Rise, Riverine Flooding
• Commission an “overtopping potential” analysis in partnership with jurisdictions and agencies with vulnerable assets to assess the location, extent, and timing of overtopping of shoreline protection due to temporary storm surge events or permanent inundation under SLR.
• Will inform prioritization practices for adaptation strategies.
Implementation Timing: Short term
Lead: County
Potential Challenges:
• Accurate datasets as input to topographic DEMS required.
FOCUS STRATEGY EXAMPLE
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Buildings + Properties
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» SEA LEVEL RISE, STORM SURGE, AND WILDFIRES
BP-1. Identify a core stakeholder group to facilitate land use planning strategy implementation
» SEA LEVEL RISE, WILDFIRE
BP-2. Identify and consider relocation opportunities for critical facilities
BP-3. Provide incentives to divert future development away from high-hazard areas
BP-7. Integrate natural stormwater systems within site and building design to expand on-site stormwater management capacity
» SEA LEVEL RISE
BP-4. Partner with corporate campuses to create regional adaptation strategy for Silicon Valley tech companies
» SEA LEVEL RISE AND STORM SURGE
BP-5. Revise applicable building codes to require flood-resistant design
BUILDINGS + PROPERTIES RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES
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BUILDINGS + PROPERTIES
BP-1. IDENTIFY A CORE STAKEHOLDER GROUP TO FACILITATE LAND USE PLANNING STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION
Asset: Buildings +Properties
Climate Variable: Sea Level Rise, Storm Surge, Riverine Flooding, Wildfires
• Identify a core working group (both public-sector and private-sector) of relevant stakeholders to facilitate regional collaboration and implementation of strategies related to land use planning decisions.
• Participants champion the strategies that would result in better adaptation planning in the community and region.
Implementation Timing: Short term
Lead: Local government (collaborative)
Potential Challenges + Solutions:
• New, region-wide, and cross-sector coordination.
• Create a level development platform among adjoining cities with similar sets of policies on approaching land development in high-hazard areas.
FOCUS STRATEGY EXAMPLE
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Communications
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Fiber Optic Lines, Data Centers, and Communication Towers:
» SEA LEVEL RISE, STORM SURGE, RIVERINE FLOODING, WILDFIRES, EXTREME HEAT
C-1. Develop detailed vulnerability assessments for communication infrastructure assets
» RIVERINE FLOODING, WILDFIRE
C-2. Assess assets for criticality and consider adaptation options by weighing their relative costs and benefits
C-3. Continue /modify existing efforts to protect infrastructure from riverine flooding and wildfire
RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES
COMMUNICATIONS
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Ecosystems
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» TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION CHANGES, WILDFIRE
ES-1. Climate smart planting palettes development and education campaign.
ES-2. Maximize retention of local water through climate-smart range management practices.
ES-3. Protect biodiversity through multi-county conservation of climate smart wildlife corridors.
RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES
ECOSYSTEMS
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ECOSYSTEMS
ES-2. MAXIMIZE RETENTION OF LOCAL WATER THROUGH CLIMATE-SMART RANGE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.
Asset: Grasslands, Scrublands, and Oak Woodlands
Climate Variable: Precipitation Change, Temperature Change, Wildfire
• Add an amendment to the Santa Clara Open Space Authority’s Grazing Management policy and the Santa Clara County Parks Parkland Range Management Policy, which call for range management practices to increase water retention.
• Increased water retention could enhance soil moisture, ground water, and healthy ecosystems on 62,000 acres of county land.
Implementation Timing: Short term
Lead: County government (collaborative)
Potential Challenges + Solutions:
• Requires an analysis of range-management methods focused on improving water penetration and retention.
FOCUS STRATEGY EXAMPLE
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Energy
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Energy Generation Facilities, Substations, and Transmission Lines:
» SEA LEVEL RISE, STORM SURGE, RIVERINE FLOODING, WILDFIRES, EXTREME HEAT
E-1. Develop a detailed vulnerability assessment of energy infrastructure assets
E-5. Support the study and development of microgrid infrastructure systems.
» RIVERINE FLOODING, STORM SURGE, SEA LEVEL RISE
E-2. Assess assets for criticality and consider adaptation options by weighing their relative costs and benefits
E-3. Continue / modify existing efforts to protect infrastructure from riverine flooding, sea level rise, and storm surge
Substations and Transmission Lines:
» WILDFIRE
E-4. Continue/modify existing efforts to protect infrastructure from wildfires
RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES
ENERGY
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ENERGY
E-5. SUPPORT THE STUDY AND DEVELOPMENT OF MICROGRID INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS.
Asset: Energy Generation Facilities, Substations, and Transmission Infrastructure
Climate Variable: Riverine Flooding, Sea Level Rise, Storm Surge, Wildfire, Extreme Heat
• Support the study and development of microgrid infrastructure systems to provide enhanced power quality, reliability, and resilience for buildings/facilities both during grid outages and under normal conditions.
Implementation Timing: Mid term
Lead: County government, City governments, Utilities
Potential Challenges + Solutions:
• Legal and regulatory uncertainty, presenting financing challenges.
• Lack of in-house planning, owning, and operating expertise within government agencies.
FOCUS STRATEGY EXAMPLE
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Public Health
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» SEA LEVEL RISE, STORM SURGE, RIVERINE FLOODING, WILDFIRES, EXTREME HEAT
General + Vulnerable Populations
3PH-1. Continue to identify populations vulnerable to climate change and develop adaptation strategies and prioritize resources in the most highly-impacted areas.
3PH-2. Compile, monitor, and communicate specific health impacts from climate change.
3PH-3. Increase public awareness and understanding of climate change impacts on health and the need to prepare for these changes.
» SEA LEVEL RISE, STORM SURGE, RIVERINE FLOODING, WILDFIRES, EXTREME HEAT
Health Care System + Professionals
3PH-4. Prepare health care facilities and professionals for climate change.
RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES
PUBLIC HEALTH
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» EXTREME HEAT
General + Vulnerable Populations
3PH-5. Improve access to cooling locations during extreme heat events
3PH-6. Communicate the necessary measures to protect residents and workers at risk to extreme heat
3PH-7. Develop a Heat Island Evaluation program
» EXTREME HEAT AND COLD
Homeless Residents
3PH-8. Expand homeless support services during all extreme weather events
RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES
PUBLIC HEALTH, CONTINUED
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» TEMPERATURE, PRECIPITATION, WILDFIRE
General and Vulnerable Populations
3PH-9. Coordinate with partner organizations to communicate measures to protect residents and workers during high ozone and high particulate matter days
3PH-10. Coordinate with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District in reducing emissions in Community Air Risk Evaluation communities
» TEMPERATURE, PRECIPITATION
General and Vulnerable Populations
3PH-11. Identify locations in the County where ozone concentrations exceed allowable standards.
3PH-12. Continue coordination to manage vector populations during climate change
3PH-13. Monitor diseases to better understand emerging public health threats and use the information to plan and respond to disease outbreaks
RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES
PUBLIC HEALTH, CONTINUED
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PUBLIC HEALTH
3PH-7. DEVELOP A HEAT ISLAND EVALUATION PROGRAM.
Asset: General population, Vulnerable Populations
Climate Variable: Extreme Heat
• Evaluate heat island characteristics countywide, develop heat island maps that can be used in tandem with the heat-related vulnerability maps, and target heat island interventions in the areas with the highest heat-related vulnerability.
Implementation Timing: Short term
Lead: County Public Health Department, County Planning and Development Department, and County Office of Sustainability
Potential Challenges + Solutions:
• Lack of resources for local implementation.
FOCUS STRATEGY EXAMPLE
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Solid + Hazardous Waste
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Solid Waste Facilities:
» SEA LEVEL RISE, STORM SURGE, RIVERINE FLOODING
SW-1. Revise current permitting and monitoring standards for all solid waste facilities and hazardous waste sites to include assessments for climate change variables
SW-2. Work with operators to conduct detailed facilities assessments at active, vulnerable sites and identify alternative locations in the county zoned to host needed functions and capacities.
» SEA LEVEL RISE, STORM SURGE, RIVERINE FLOODING, WILDFIRE
SW-3. Assess and prioritize the ~130 contaminated sites most vulnerable to climate change variables and work with property owners to develop and implement adaptation plans.
Hazardous Waste:
» SEA LEVEL RISE, STORM SURGE, RIVERINE FLOODING, WILDFIRE
SW-4. Assess and prioritize the ~16 hazardous waste sites most vulnerable to climate change and work with property owners to develop and implement adaptation plans or relocate hazardous waste to less vulnerable areas (identified in concert with local municipalities).
RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES
SOLID + HAZARDOUS WASTE
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SOLID + HAZARDOUS WASTE
SW-2. WORK WITH OPERATORS TO CONDUCT DETAILED SITE ASSESSMENTS AT ACTIVE, VULNERABLE SITES AND IDENTIFY ALTERNATIVE LOCATIONS IN THE COUNTY ZONED TO HOST NEEDED FUNCTIONS AND CAPACITIES.
Asset: Solid Waste Facilities
Climate Variable: Sea Level Rise + Storm Surge, Riverine Flooding
• Work with private owners / operators of the active land solid waste facilities projected to be permanently inundated by SLR, to assess remaining permitted capacities and functions, and understand any potential ramifications of closing sites ahead of schedule.
• If untenable, facilitate discussions and/or cooperative agreements with other active and non-vulnerable sites in the County to accommodate capacities.
Implementation Timing: Short term
Lead: County (with SCVWD, private owner / operators, and host cities)
Potential Challenges + Solutions:
• Requires engagement in process + cooperation with facility owners.
FOCUS STRATEGY EXAMPLE
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Transportation
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All:
» SEA LEVEL RISE, STORM SURGE, RIVERINE FLOODING, WILDFIRES
T-1. Mainstream climate change considerations in all transportation agency planning and decision-making processes
» SEA LEVEL RISE, STORM SURGE, RIVERINE FLOODING
T-2. Collaborate with relevant transportation agencies to conduct a detailed vulnerability assessment of transportation assets and services
Airports:
» SEA LEVEL RISE, STORM SURGE
T-3. Review master planning processes to understand the opportunities and risks climate change may present to the Palo Alto Airport
Heavy Rail:
» EXTREME HEAT
T-4. Incorporate heat-related impacts on rail tracks into existing operations and communication procedures
TRANSPORTATION RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES
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TRANSPORTATION
T-1. MAINSTREAM CLIMATE CHANGE CONSIDERATIONS IN ALL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES.
Asset: Roads (Highways and Local), Bridges, Pedestrian Ways, Bikeways, Rail Tracks (Heavy and Light,), and Airports.
Climate Variable: Sea Level Rise, Storm Surge, Riverine Flooding, Wildfire
• Integrate climate change adaptation processes into existing transportation management frameworks – benefit existing processes that already influence climate change planning.
Implementation Timing: Short term
Lead: Regional transportation agencies, including the County Congestion Management Agency
Potential Challenges + Solutions:
• Appetite for integrating and addressing climate adaptation within each agency’s end-to-end business process may vary.
• Lack of internal expertise across agencies.
FOCUS STRATEGY EXAMPLE
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Water + Wastewater
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All:
» SEA LEVEL RISE, STORM SURGE, RIVERINE FLOODING, WILDFIRES, EXTREME HEAT
W-1. Share geospatial data from the SV 2.0 tool with water and wastewater asset owners
Wastewater Treatment Plants:
» STORM SURGE, RIVERINE FLOODING
W-2. Develop a detailed vulnerability assessment of wastewater assets to inform site-specific adaptation options
Reservoirs:
» WILDFIRE
W-3. Integrate projected increases in wildfire frequency and intensity into State, County and city plans and practices
WATER + WASTEWATER RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES
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WATER + WASTEWATER
W-2. DEVELOP A DETAILED VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT OF WATER AND WASTEWATER ASSETS TO INFORM SITE-SPECIFIC ADAPTATION OPTIONS.
Asset: Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants
Climate Variable: Storm Surge, Riverine Flooding
• Conduct site-specific assessments using the preliminary assessment findings.
• Will enable asset owners to understand the extent to which the sites are sensitive to climate change variables, and/or exhibit adaptive capacity (which will ultimately determine their vulnerability). Conditions assessments could include information on the age of the assets, remaining service life, criticality, maintenance history and costs, etc.
Implementation Timing: Short term
Lead: Water agencies (collaboration)
Potential Challenges + Solutions:
• Coordination across different asset owners.
FOCUS STRATEGY EXAMPLE
QUESTIONS + ANSWERS
BREAK-OUT GROUPS
GOALS + INSTRUCTIONS
1. Please review the strategy identified for your group’s asset sector
2. Discuss the sections outlined in the worksheet and brainstorm ideas and details for each, together creating an initial action framework for the strategy
3. Time permitting:
- Please review your asset sector’s other strategies and try to come to consensus on the order in which you think they should be done.
- Repeat #2 for additional strategies
4. Report back to larger group during final session
STRATEGY ACTION PLANS AND PRIORITIZATION
PLEASE GET LUNCH…
BREAK-OUT GROUPS
79 79
REPORT BACK + WRAP UP
80
SILICON VALLEY 2.0
Climate Adaptation Partners’ Forum
4 MAY 2015 County of Santa Clara Office of Sustainability