us policy: federal programs, project implementation & natural infrastructure post-sandy...
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US Policy: Federal Programs, Project Implementation & Natural
Infrastructure
Post-Sandy Initiatives
Stuart F. GruskinChief Conservation and External Affairs Officer
New York State
Climate, Risk, and Resilience 2013
The Role of Natural Systems
“Environmental and land use protections will serve as New
York’s first line of resilience to climate change over the coming
decades.”
- NYS 2100 Commission
Bass Creek, Mashomack Preserve
• Policy• NYS 2100 Commission• NYC SIRR• FEMA-JFO• State/local initiatives
• Funding• Sandy relief
appropriation• Federal/state agency
implementation• HUD/ACOE• DOI, EPA, DOT, etc.• NYS Gov + agencies
The Challenges …
• Breach at Old Inlet: avoid ‘knee jerk’ reaction and use natural breach to help Great South Bay
• Mastic Beach: work with community leaders on open space potential using FEMA, NYS funds
• Sunken Meadow state park: restoration work following natural removal of earthen dam, project submitted to DOI
• CRZ: ‘bottom up’ planning initiative to comprehensively guide use of post-Sandy resources
• Coastal Resilience tool use
Post-Sandy projects include …
Oakwood Beach – Buyout Initiative
Oakwood Beach – Coastal Resilience Analysis
Number of residential buildings meeting all selected criteria:160
•3ft+ HWM during Hurricane Sandy•within existing FEMA 100 year floodplain•adjacent to parks (<50m)•adjacent to wetland (<50m) or in identified •wetland advancement areas
Oakwood Beach – Restoration Scenarios
Potential post-buyout options (NYS DEC, NYC Parks, NYC DEP, ACOE, NYC SIRR)
NYC:Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency
• Report due within the next few weeks• NYC has allocated $294 million to be spent based upon
recommendations
Howard Beach Case Study
Howard Beach after the storm ….
Howard Beach Case Study
What are the natural systems opportunities in a dense urban area? What will it cost, how will it be paid, and what are the benefits?
Lessons Learned
Engage with state/local governments, that is where decisions will be made … seize opportunities served up, create opportunities when possible
Focus on ‘ready’ projects, may require ‘reprogramming’ pending work …heavy pressure to get money out
Although it sounds new, it’s not really new, it’s what the Conservancy does best: science, collaboration, convening, delivering results
Find points of entry with federal agencies … take advantage of unique Conservancy blend of science and policy, and ability to overcome inherent government silos
Recognize difficulties and constraints faced by government partners
Keep Trustees and donors in the loop as events move rapidly
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