CONFIDENTIAL 1

Jamaica Bay Task Force

December 1, 2013

CONFIDENTIAL 2

Recovery, Rebuilding, and Resiliency In the aftermath of Sandy, Mayor Bloomberg set up the Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency (SIRR)…

Question 2 Question 3

How do we rebuild post-Sandy

and prepare for a future with climate

change?

What could happen in the future?

Question 1

What happened during Sandy and why?

The goals of SIRR were to identify ways to

1. Rebuild neighborhoods not just as they were, but better; and

2. Strengthen critical infrastructure systems

by answering three key questions.

CONFIDENTIAL 3

Agenda

Sandy and the Risks of Climate Change PlaNYC: A Stronger, More Resilient New York Implementation

CONFIDENTIAL 4

Building codes work. 1-story, combustible, pre-1961 structures: 18% of inundated buildings; 73% of destroyed structures

Prepared communities bounce back more quickly. Neighborhoods with strong, local ties are able to come together during the immediate recovery

We must reject the false dichotomy of green vs. grey infrastructure. The right solution will depend on specific and local risks 2

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Sandy wasn’t a worst case scenario. The timing of the storm determined its impacts

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Sandy The experience of Hurricane Sandy leads to several key lessons.

We are vulnerable now and must act to reduce our risks. Let others debate the causes, or even the existence, of climate change The risks of extreme weather are here now

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3 Infrastructure systems are linked. When the power goes out, nearly every other system goes out Supply chains need to be hardened against emergencies

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CONFIDENTIAL 5

Increases in average temperature and precipitation Sea levels likely to rise 1-2 ft.; maybe by 2½ ft. by 2050s

The Risks of Climate Change NYC faces a range of risks from climate change into the 2020s and 2050s.

Higher frequency and magnitude of coastal flooding More heat waves: number of days in NYC above 90⁰ could triple

NYC Panel on Climate Change (NPCC) projects increased chronic climate hazards…

…and increased impact from extreme weather events.

Similar likelihood event in the 2050s could be 5 times as costly Every $1 invested now saves $4 later through reduced damage

Analysis indicates a real cost of inaction…

…and the Sandy supplemental funds provide a unique opportunity to invest now to reduce those future risks.

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Agenda

Sandy and the Risks of Climate Change PlaNYC: A Stronger, More Resilient New York Implementation

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A Stronger, More Resilient New York

A Stronger, More Resilient New York

• Analysis and recommendations built

on best available science

• 257 initiatives, including 59 milestones to be met in 2013

• Recommendations to strengthen coastal defenses, improve buildings, protect infrastructure and make neighborhoods safer and more vibrant

• Accountability measures and a clear implementation plan

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Be ambitious, but seek achievability Can be significantly more resilient Aim for the stars, but do not fail to launch

Create multiple defensive layers (reduce impacts, while allowing faster recovery) First Layer: Coastal defenses (less flooding; less impact) Second Layer: Buildings (less serious damage; faster rehabitation) Third Layer: Infrastructure and critical systems (fewer outages; faster restoration)

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Acknowledge resource limits, but seek to stretch resources Maximize benefits per dollar (including non-monetary benefits, such as vulnerability of population) Leverage existing resources to increase return on investment

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In impacted areas, do not abandon the waterfront (rebuild and, where possible, improve) Fight for coastal neighborhoods 4

Four Principles of Resiliency To address the risks of climate change, the City has developed a plan that adheres to four core principles.

CONFIDENTIAL 9

Newtown Creek Local Storm Surge Barrier

Physical Resiliency Investing in new infrastructure can help reduce the risk to our neighborhoods, critical services, businesses, and vulnerable populations.

CONFIDENTIAL 10

The 1st phase of the $3.7 billion plan will include 37 initiatives to protect vulnerable areas from waves and inundation based on four key strategies:

1. Increase coastal edge elevations

2. Minimize upland wave zones

3. Protect against storm surge

4. Improve coastal design and governance

Physical Resiliency The City’s plan includes detailed recommendations for a first line of defense on the coastline.

Proposals

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Physical Resiliency As additional resources are found, the City’s plan calls for the completion of a full-build set of coastal protections that expand on its first phase strategies over time.

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Strengthen City building code to increase flood and wind resiliency for new buildings

For 68,000 existing buildings in floodplain, initiate a $1.2B retrofit incentive for protection of building systems and, for the most vulnerable buildings, structural integrity. Funds reserved for small homes,

industrial buildings, and affordable housing in each borough

Mandate key system protection for

largest buildings in City by 2030

Physical Resiliency The City’s plan also includes detailed recommendations for protecting buildings.

Buildings

CONFIDENTIAL 13

B. 116th Retail Corridor Enhancements

Social and Economic Resiliency Neighborhood enhancements, including land use changes, economic development, and capacity-building can also promote quicker recovery times.

CONFIDENTIAL 14

NFIP Challenges

1. Affordability Repeal of subsidies under Biggert-Waters Act New maps expanding 100-yr. floodplain

3. Low Uptake 80% of residential buildings inundated by

Sandy did not have flood insurance coverage

City Proposals

Social and Economic Resiliency The City’s resiliency plan includes proposals to address challenges associated with FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program.

2. Missing Data FEMA lacks elevation data for many policies

4 ft below BFE At BFE 3 ft above BFE

1. Promote and fund mitigation to reduce risk Invest in risk reduction measures Work with FEMA on credits for mitigation

Premiums:

2. Launch NYC affordability analysis Work with FEMA to gather missing data Advocate for Federal needs-based subsidies and

lower-cost, higher-deductible policies

First floor:

3. Advocate for delay of Biggert-Waters Address affordability first

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Plan Highlights

Develop comprehensive revitalization plans for Boardwalk, B. 116th St., B. 108th St. and Mott Ave.

Work with USACE to install double dune system in Breezy Pt. and to study system for rest of Rockaway Peninsula

Work with USACE to study and install wetland and wave attenuation in Howard Beach

Develop a plan to address frequent tidal inundation in Broad Channel and Hamilton Beach

This includes South Queens. Resiliency Initiatives

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Recently completed some key milestones in South Queens Resiliency Initiatives

U.S. Army Corps beach replenishment

Jamaica Bay Science and Resilience Institute agreement signed with CUNY

CONFIDENTIAL 17

Agenda

Sandy and the Risks of Climate Change PlaNYC: A Stronger, More Resilient New York Implementation

CONFIDENTIAL 18

LL84 (2013) : Enshrines structure Requires annual

progress reports Requires quadrennial

updates to the plan

Resiliency Team … is coordinating the resiliency efforts of many agencies across the City.

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Placed 1.2m cy of sand on City beaches Expanded dune grass production Launched feasibility study of Seaport City

Implementation …And while this is necessarily a long-term plan, the City has already taken steps, with many partners, to advance many of its key initiatives, including these highlights.

Passed 16 of 22 local laws to improve building resiliency Launching building resiliency incentive program

Strengthening Coastal Defenses

Upgrading Buildings

Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Services Supported ConEd’s $1 billion in resiliency investments Invested in expanded bluebelts Launching telecom resiliency office

Making Neighborhoods Safer and More Vibrant Launched Game Changer competition Advocated for affordability measures in NFIP Released Staten Island beach concession RFEI

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Website: www.nyc.gov/resiliency Email: NYCresiliency@cityhall.nyc.gov Twitter: @PlaNYC