“Human Adjustments in Coasts – Adaptive

Management of Changing Hazards, Risks, and

Ecosystems“

Report of the 4th Gilbert F. White Flood Policy Forum

Overview

The MISSION of the ASFPM Foundation is to promote

public policy through select strategic initiatives and serve as an incubator for long-term

policy development that promotes sustainable

floodplain and watershed management.

Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy

Forums

1911-2006 70 Years of Leadership in the field of

Floodplain Management

Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy

Forums

• Periodic Gathering • Approximately 100-Experts

• Emerging or Pressing issue

Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy

Forums

• Is the 1% Chance Flood Standard Sufficient? (2004)

• Floodplain Management 2050 (2007)

• Managing Flood Risks and Floodplain Resources (2010)

4th Gilbert F. White Forum

“Human Adjustments in Coasts – Adaptive

Management of Changing Hazards, Risks, and

Ecosystems“

George Mason University Arlington VA

February 19-20, 2013

Why Coastal Issues- Why Now?

Coastal Flood Risk &

Ecosystems

National Economic Use

Local/Regional Economic Use

Climate Change

Why Coastal Issues- Why Now?

National Economic Use

Local/Regional Economic Use

Climate Change

ESCALATING

FLOOD RISK DIMINISHING RESOURCES

Why Coastal Issues- Why Now?

National Economic Use

Local/Regional Economic Use

Climate Change

ESCALATING

FLOOD RISK DIMINISHING RESOURCES SANDY

Why Coastal Issues- What Did the Speakers Say?

• We do not have a cohesive flood policy in our coastal areas (Larry Larson)

• It’s all about use (natural and human uses) (Denise Reed)

• The Risk is great and growing (Margaret Davidson)

• The U.S. is not alone –(Nick Hardiman)

National Flood Policy 1939 Gilbert F. White

The U.S. national flood policy is essentially one of: • Protecting the occupants of the

floodplain against floods; • Aiding them when they suffer

flood losses, and • To encourage more intensive

use of floodplains

Has it changed in 70 years?

12

C O A S T S A S N AT U R A L S Y S T E M S

Denise Reed The Water Institute of the Gulf ASFPM Gilbert White Policy Forum - February 2013

Strategic?

Weinstein & Reed, 2005

What do we want our coasts to do for us? Where can we make the most difference?

Sea Level Trend: Atlantic City, NJ

Mean Sea Level Trend

Change is Here: Time to Act is Now

Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) set out coastal management options for the next 20, 50 and 100 years

Hold the Line

No Active Intervention

Managed Retreat

Advance the Line (rare...)

SMPs in the UK…

Coastal flood and erosion risk management plans – not development plans

Long-term - set the ‘direction of travel’ but can be challenged, changed and are subject to funding availability

Use consistent data sets informed by local expertise

National Defra guidance but non-statutory

Intensive public engagement and consultation

Recommendations of Forum

Holistic Coasts • Promotes

• Sustainability • Resiliency

• Considers • Social, Economic, Environmental

• Minimizes damage • Current • Future

• Fairly apportions damage cost • Protects or restores coastal

resources and functions • Supports sound economic use of

renewable and non-renewable coastal resources.

Recommendations of Forum

38 Recommendations grouped under 5 major issue headings

Issue #1- Framework Establish/make use of a management

framework This framework: • Focuses on appropriate and

sustainable human uses of coasts • Balances economic benefits of

coasts with the damage and disaster risk potential that is also present

• Takes into account current and future risks

• Provides long-term, sustainable protection and restoration of coastal resources and related high-quality, functional ecosystems

8- Recommendations

Issue #2- State Local Role Roles of state and local governments, private sector, NGOs, and individuals need to be recognized within framework These include: • Establishing and enforcing land-use,

zoning, hazard mitigation, and building code standards appropriate to their jurisdiction;

• Informing investment in infrastructure, community development services, natural resources, and commerce;

• Provide for and promote safety, resiliency and sustainability

5- Recommendations

Issue #3 Federal Role Federal roles, responsibilities, and “interest” should be clearly defined. Federal roles include: • Sustainable mgmt. of federal facilities,

lands and waters, protection and enhancement of marine and biological resources, and advancement of science-based management;

• Provide assistance for economic and community investments, including investments in navigation, infrastructure, human services, and commerce;

• Support planning for and response to major disasters, risk management, public safety, and fostering sustainable recovery

8- Recommendations

Issue #4- Need for Science Obtain best natural hazards-based science and data to support actions by all levels of government and the private sector to: • Reduce losses of life and property, • Support sustainable economies and

protection of environmentally-healthy and functional ecosystems,

• Make successful and appropriate human adjustments.

8- Recommendations

Issue #5 – Coasts, Economy, Ecosystems, Risk

• More than 164 million people – more than 50 percent of the U.S. population - reside in coastal and Great Lakes watershed counties,

• U.S. generates 58 percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product produced in these counties

• Coastal hazards threaten the economic stability and vitality of affected communities, commercial interests, and public assets.

9- Recommendations

Next Steps

• Short Report nearly complete • Long Report will be produced this

summer

Form is also available at ASFPMfoundation.org

How Can you Help?

How Can you Help? • Read the Report(s) • Think • Act

How Can you Help? • Contributions

• Individual • Chapters • Corporate

How Can you Help? • Contributions

• Individual • Chapters • Corporate

• Auction (Bid High Bid Often)

Volunteers/Presenters GFW Forum Planning & Logistics George Riedel Sam Medlock Diane Brown Larry Larson Matt Miller Todd Davison Maria Honeycutt John Hoffman David Conrad Gerry Galloway Dale Lehman Merrie Inderfurth Grant Smith Dan Zell Firas Mikarem Doug Plasencia

Speakers and Roundtables

Dale Lehman Nick Hardiman Denise Reed Larry Larson Margaret Davidson Nancy Sutley John Miller Roy Wright Sam Medlock Maria Honeycutt Chad Berginnis Doug Plasencia

Facilitators and Note Takers

Jeff Sparrow Terri Turner Shana Udvardy Brad Anderson Dave Fowler Matt Koch Chad Berginnis Kevin Coulton Firas Mikarem Gerry Galloway David Conrad Doug Plasencia