climate panel presentation- ccw conference

Managing the UnavoidableManaging the UnavoidableChoose Clean Water Conference

January 2010Andrew Fahlund

Every watershed has an historic Every watershed has an historic range of water conditionsrange of water conditions

Dry Wet

The new “normal” with The new “normal” with climate changeclimate change

Dry

More frequent and intense

droughts

More frequent and intense

storms

A shifting average.

Wet

September 2009

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

AtlantaAtlantaNovember 2007

What can we do?

IGNORE!IGNORE!

MOVE!MOVE!

ADAPT!ADAPT!

Adaptation for people Adaptation for people andand wildlife wildlife

Not very adaptable…Not very adaptable…

Our water infrastructure is crumblingOur water infrastructure is crumbling

Our “natural” water infrastructure Our “natural” water infrastructure is being lostis being lost

Prioritize flexible solutions that provide multiple benefits

““Green Infrastructure”Green Infrastructure”

ReplicateReplicate

ProtectProtect

RestoreRestore

Effective

Flexible

Scalable

Cheaper

Multiple benefits

Compatible with ecosystem adaptation

Benefits of “Green Infrastructure”Benefits of “Green Infrastructure”

www.americanrivers.org/naturalsecurity

Changes to PolicyChanges to Policy

• Integrate climate change in all decision making• Coordinate multiple authorities – science,

planning, investment, regulation • Invest in “green infrastructure” – e.g. Stimulus,

Appropriations, Cap and Trade, State Bonds• Address subsidies – e.g. flood insurance,

agriculture• Improve the science while moving forward with

“no regrets approaches”

“The problem with a traditional pipes and plants approach is that…you can’t hold a picnic or a tailgate party in a Deep Tunnel…“ Milwaukee Mayor, Tom Barrett

For more information go to For more information go to www.americanrivers.orgwww.americanrivers.org

Maryland: Green Street Project• Town of Edmonston,

Chesapeake Bay Trust, Low Impact Development Center

Photos: U.S. EPA Region III,Town of Edmonston

Green Street

Before After

Photos: Town of Edmonston

Restoration of the Restoration of the Rappahannock RiverRappahannock River