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