U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Mid-Atlantic Region III
Climate Change Adaptation
Implementation Plan
Prepared by the Region III Climate Network Climate Adaptation Working Group
5/30/2014
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Disclaimer
To the extent this document mentions or discusses statutory or regulatory authority, it does so
for informational purposes only. This document does not substitute for those statutes or
regulations, and readers should consult the statutes or regulations to learn what they require.
Neither this document, nor any part of it, is itself a rule or a regulation. Thus, it cannot change
or impose legally binding requirements on EPA, States, the public, or the regulated community.
Further, any expressed intention, suggestion or recommendation does not impose any legally
binding requirements on EPA, States, tribes, the public, or the regulated community. Agency
decision makers remain free to exercise their discretion in choosing to implement the actions
described in this Plan. Such implementation is contingent upon availability of resources and is
subject to change.
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Preface
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is committed to identifying and responding to
the challenges that a changing climate poses to human health and the environment.
Scientific evidence demonstrates that the climate is changing at an increasingly rapid rate,
outside the range to which society has adapted in the past. These changes can pose significant
challenges to the EPA's ability to fulfill its mission. The EPA must adapt to climate change if it is
to continue fulfilling its statutory, regulatory and programmatic requirements. The Agency is
therefore anticipating and planning for future changes in climate to ensure it continues to fulfill
its mission of protecting human health and the environment even as the climate changes.
In February 2013, the EPA released its draft Climate Change Adaptation Plan to the public for
review and comment. The plan relies on peer-reviewed scientific information and expert
judgment to identify vulnerabilities to EPA's mission and goals from climate change. The plan
also presents 10 priority actions that EPA will take to ensure that its programs, policies, rules,
and operations will remain effective under future climatic conditions. The priority placed on
mainstreaming climate adaptation within EPA complements efforts to encourage and
mainstream adaptation planning across the entire federal government.
Following completion of the draft Climate Change Adaptation Plan, each EPA National
Environmental Program Office, all 10 Regional Offices, and several National Support Offices
developed a Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan to provide more detail on how it will
carry out the work called for in the agency-wide plan. Each Implementation Plan articulates
how the office will integrate climate adaptation into its planning and work in a manner
consistent and compatible with its goals and objectives.
Taken together, the Implementation Plans demonstrate how the EPA will attain the 10 agency-
wide priorities presented in the Climate Change Adaptation Plan. A central element of all of
EPA's plans is to build and strengthen its adaptive capacity and work with its partners to build
capacity in states, tribes, and local communities. EPA will empower its staff and partners by
increasing their awareness of ways that climate change may affect their ability to implement
effective programs, and by providing them with the necessary data, information, and tools to
integrate climate adaptation into their work.
Each Program and Regional Office's Implementation Plan contains an initial assessment of the
implications of climate change for the organization's goals and objectives. These "program
vulnerability assessments" are living documents that will be updated as needed to account for
new knowledge, data, and scientific evidence about the impacts of climate change on EPA's
mission. The plan then identifies specific priority actions that the office will take to begin
addressing its vulnerabilities and mainstreaming climate change adaptation into its activities.
Criteria for the selection of priorities are discussed. An emphasis is placed on protecting the
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most vulnerable people and places, on supporting the development of adapti
tribes, and on identifying clear steps for ongoing collaboration with tribal gov
:ive capacity in the
tribal governments.
Because EPA's Programs and Regions and partners will be learning by experience as they
mainstream climate adaptation planning into their activities, it will be essential to evaluate
their efforts in order to understand how well different approaches work and how they can be
improved. Each Implementation Plan therefore includes a discussion of how the organization
will regularly evaluate the effectiveness of its adaptation efforts and make adjustments where
necessary.
The set of Implementation Plans are a sign of EPA's leadership and commitment to help build
the nation's adaptive capacity that is so vital to the goal of protecting human health and the
environment. Working with its partners, the Agency will help promote a healthy and
prosperous nation that is resilient to a changing climate.
Bob Perciasepe
Deputy Administrator
September 2013
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US EPA Region III - Climate Adaptation
Implementation Plan
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements 6
Introduction 6
Chapter 1: Regional Programmatic Vulnerability Assessment 7
Background /Approach 7
Selected Programmatic Climate Change Vulnerabilities 9
Goal 1: Taking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air Quality 9
Goal 2. Protecting America's Waters 14
Goal 3. Cleaning Up Communities and Advancing Sustainable Development 16
Goal 4: Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution 18
Evaluation of Potential Vulnerabilities for Region III Managed Facilities and Operations 18
Vulnerable Populations 20
Chapter 2: DRAFT Regional Priority Actions for Climate Adaptation 21
Introduction 21
Criteria for EPA Mid-Atlantic Region Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan Priority
Actions 22
Priority Actions, Cross-Cutting: 22
Priority Actions, Goal 1: Taking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air Quality: 23
Priority Actions, Goal 2 Protecting America's Waters: 23
Priority Actions, Goal 3 Cleaning Up America's Communities & Advancing Sustainable
Development: 24
Priority Actions, Goal 4 Ensuring Safety of Chemicals & Preventing Pollution: 25
Priority Actions; Region III Managed Facilities and Operations: 25
Chapter3: Measurement and Evaluation 27
References 29
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Acknowledgements
This document was prepared by the Region III Climate Change Network Adaptation Workgroup
under the leadership of the Region III Climate Change Senior Steering Committee with
additional assistance, guidance, and input from numerous staff and management across the
Region III organization.
Introduction
We live in a world in which the climate is changing. Because many of the environmental
outcomes that EPA is working to attain (e.g., clean air, safe drinking water) are sensitive to
changes in weather and climate, these changes are posing new challenges to EPA's ability to
fulfill its mission of protecting human health and the environment.
To address these challenges, EPA has developed a Climate Change Adaptation Plan. The
Adaptation Plan relies on peer-reviewed scientific information and expert judgment to begin to
identify vulnerabilities to EPA's mission and goals from climate change. The Adaptation Plan
also presents priority actions the Agency will take to integrate climate adaptation planning into
its programs, policies, rules, and operations, to ensure they are effective in a changing climate.
EPA's focus on climate adaptation is part of a larger federal effort to promote a healthy and
prosperous nation that is resilient to a changing climate.
EPA's vision is for the Agency to continue to fulfill its mission of protecting human health and
the environment even as the climate changes. In the coming years, EPA will build and
strengthen its adaptive capacity and work with its partners to build capacity in states, tribes,
and local communities. EPA will empower its staff and partners by increasing their awareness of
ways that climate change may affect their ability to implement effective programs, and by
providing them with the necessary data, information, and tools to integrate climate adaptation
into their work.
EPA's Policy Statement on Climate-Change Adaptation1, issued in 2011, called for EPA to plan
for future changes in climate and to mainstream considerations of climate change into its
activities. As part of that effort, the Policy Statement called for the Agency to develop and
implement a Climate Change Adaptation Plan. It also called for each EPA National
Environmental Program Office and Regional Office to develop Implementation Plans to explain
how they will carry out the work called for in the Agency-wide Plan. To answer this call, EPA
Region III has prepared the following Climate-Change Adaptation Implementation Plan. The
plan will address how our Regional Office hopes to integrate climate adaptation into our
planning and work, as well as, address the cross-EPA priorities identified in the Agency-wide
Adaptation Plan. The information and actions listed in this plan has been based on the best
available science and will reflect unique regional circumstances. The plan will updated as the
Region learns by through the experience of integrating climate change adaptation planning into
our activities.
1 http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/Downloads/impacts-adaptation/adaptation-statement.pdf
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Chapter 1: Regional Programmatic Vulnerability Assessment
Background / Approach
This section contains an assessment of the vulnerabilities of
selected EPA Region III programs to the impacts of climate
change. It builds on the work presented in Part 2 of EPA's
Agency-wide Plan, as well as the individual assessments
completed by various EPA National Program Offices, eg.
Office of Air and Radiation. It summarizes vulnerabilities
related to the goals in EPA's FY 2011-2015 Strategic Plan.
This assessment was developed by a working group within
the Region III Climate Network. The assessment is based on
peer-reviewed literature (climate impacts) and the
professional judgment of regional staff (programmatic
impacts). Vulnerability assessment is an ongoing process. This
plan should be viewed as a living document that will be
updated as needed to account for new knowledge, data, and
scientific evidence about the impacts of climate change on
EPA's mission.
EPA's Five Strategic Goals:
1. Taking Action on Climate
Change and Improving Air
Quality.
2. Protecting America's Waters.
3. Cleaning Up Communities and
Advancing Sustainable
Development
4. Ensuring the Safety of
Chemicals and Preventing
Pollution
5. Enforcing Environmental Laws
Important climate change impacts in the region that will be covered within this assessment
include:
Increased tropospheric ozone pollution
Increasing extreme temperatures
Effects on the stratospheric ozone layer
Increasing heavy precipitation events
Increasing intensity of hurricanes
Sea level rise
Ocean acidification
Increasing water temperatures
Increasing risk of floods
Increased frequency and intensity of wildfires
Regional Description
Region 3, EPA's Mid-Atlantic office, serves Delaware (DE), the District of Columbia (DC),
Maryland (MD), Pennsylvania (PA), Virginia (VA), and West Virginia (WV). The Region is unique
in that it straddles two different climate regions, as defined by the U.S. Global Change Research
Program (USGCRP 2009) - the Northeast (DE, DC, MD, PA, WV, and northern VA) and the
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Southeast (southern VA). As a result, the Region represents a diverse climate, which includes
snowy winters, vibrant autumns, and extreme events (such as nor'easters and heat waves)
characteristic of the Northeast, and mild temperatures and high humidity characteristic of the
Southeast. The western portions of Region III (sections of western PA and WV) sometimes
mimic USGCRP's Midwest region.
There are diverse agricultural, industrial, and residential sectors within the region that use and
impact resources that may be affected by climate change. In addition, the region contains
various types of geographic features and sub-regions, including barrier Islands, the Appalachian
Mountains, the Piedmont Plateau, the Chesapeake Bay, as well as, the Delaware Bay and
Delmarva Peninsula. Coastal areas, estuaries and river systems, including the Chesapeake and
Delaware Bays, comprise a significant portion of the Region's population centers. The Region
contains a significant amount of coastline and a number of large urban areas (Philadelphia,
Baltimore, Washington, DC), with sensitive populations that are particularly vulnerable to the
impacts of a changing climate. Outside of the urban areas there are wetlands, uplands, and
forested areas with both pristine and degraded ecosystems.
Figure 1. Map of Region III
Expected Changes in Climate
The following is a summary of the range of key impacts and trends that are foreseen in the
Region-from the USGCRP June 2009 report.
The Region has
significant geographic
and climatic diversity
within its relatively
small area. The
character and economy
of the Northeast have
been shaped by many
aspects of its climate
including its snowy
winters, colorful
autumns, and variety of
extreme events such as
nor'easters, ice storms,
and heat waves. This
familiar climate has
already begun changing
in noticeable ways.
Since 1970, the annual
average temperature in
the Northeast has
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increased by 2°F, with winter temperatures rising twice as much. Over the next several
decades, temperatures in the Northeast are projected to rise an additional 2.5 to 4°F in winter
and 1.5 to 3.5°F in summer. By mid-century and beyond, however, today's emissions choices
would generate starkly different climate futures; the lower the emissions, the smaller the
climatic changes and resulting impacts. Warming has resulted in many other climate-related
changes, including:
More frequent days with temperatures above 90°F
A longer growing season
Increased heavy precipitation
Less winter precipitation falling as snow and more as rain
Reduced snowpack
Earlier breakup of winter ice on lakes and rivers
Earlier spring snowmelt resulting in earlier peak river flows
Rising sea surface temperatures and sea level
Under a higher emissions scenario:
Winters in the Northeast are projected to be much shorter with fewer cold days and
more precipitation.
The length of the winter snow season would be reduced by a week or two.
Cities that today experience few days above 100°F each summer would average 20 such
days per summer, while certain cities, such as Philadelphia, would average nearly 30
days over 100°F.
Sea levels in the Region are projected to rise more than the global average.
Selected Programmatic Climate Change Vulnerabilities
The following section discusses how EPA Region III environmental and human health programs
may be vulnerable when faced with the impacts of a changing climate. This initial selection of
programmatic vulnerabilities will be described in context of the major goals in EPA's Strategic
Plan. The issues described here should not be seen as a complete listing of vulnerabilities to
EPA programs. Region III, working with other EPA offices and other regional stakeholders, will
periodically update the information and scope of the programmatic vulnerability assessment.
Goal 1: Taking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air Quality
EPA's Air Protection Programs are a part of protecting the Region's citizens from air pollution
through implementation of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The Air Protection programs are
responsible for ensuring implementation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards which
includes reviewing and enforcing State Implementation Plans and CAA permits. To complement
the regulatory work, the Air Protection Programs include energy efficiency, renewable energy,
clean diesel, indoor air quality and radon outreach programs to reduce emissions of criteria
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pollutants, greenhouse gases and air toxics. Extreme temperatures and increased average
temperatures, as well as, extreme flooding events in urban areas are the climate change
impacts of most concern for the Air Protection programs. As the air quality in the Region
worsens due to climate change impacts; the workload of the Air Protection Programs will
increase.
A. Tropospheric ozone is likely to increase in the Mid-Atlantic due to the effects of climate
change.
The Mid-At I antic Region currently has eight nonattainment areas for the 2008 ozone standard,
as well as 4 nonattainment areas and twenty-five maintenance areas for the 1997 8-hour ozone
standard. With climate change, higher temperatures and weaker air circulation in the United
States will lead to more ozone formation even with the same level of emissions of ozone
forming chemicals.2 Various studies project daily ozone levels to increase between two and five
parts per billion across the eastern U.S. between 2020 and 2080 due to climate change if no
additional emissions controls for ozone precursors are implemented.3
In addition to the direct impact of temperature change on ozone formation, an increase in
energy demand due to increased temperatures may also lead to a worsening of air quality.
Sources in or upwind of the Region may be required to implement additional control measures.
In terms of Regional resources, greater collaboration with our states will be necessary on
planning and rule development to address any additional challenges in achieving or maintaining
attainment. A majority of the current nonattainment areas in the Mid-Atlantic Region are urban
areas with sensitive populations, including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., and
Baltimore. Exacerbating the health impacts from ozone pollution on urban populations will
likely be higher nighttime temperatures expected in urban areas, both as a consequence of
climate change but also because of enhanced effects from urban heat islands.4
Climate change also has the potential to increase the length of the ozone season.5 Currently,
the ozone season runs from April through October. During this period, daily ozone levels are
recorded and reviewed. An increase in the length of the ozone season would require a longer
reporting period, translating to more time spent for data reviews in the Region.
B. Particulate matter levels may be affected through changes in the frequency or intensity of
wildfires.
In the Mid-Atlantic Region, there are currently 8 nonattainment areas for the 2006 24-hour
PM2.5 standard and 16 nonattainment areas for the 1997 annual PM2.5 standard. While the
2 Denman, K.L, et al. (2007). Couplings Between Changes in the Climate System and Biogeochemistry. In: Climate
Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Solomon, S., D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Averyt,
M. Tignor and H.L. Miller (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA.
3IPCC Fourth Assessment, GCAQ-EPA
4 IPCC Fourth Assessment
5 Ibid
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impact of climate change on ambient PM2.5 levels remains somewhat uncertain, there is
evidence indicating that climate change will impact PM levels through changes in the frequency
or intensity of wildfires.6
In 2008, monitors in the Norfolk area of Virginia experienced 24-hour PM2.5 levels four times
(83 ug/m3) the standard due to wildfires in North Carolina. While these fires were not caused
by climate change, this example portrays the impact of fires on PM levels in the region, and is
indicative of the potential health and environmental concerns.
The adaptive capacity of Region 3 for this issue is limited, as this data can be treated as an
"exceptional event" under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. If determined to be due
to an exceptional event, monitoring data during fire events may be ignored when determining
attainment.
C. Climate change may worsen and increase the exposure to indoor air problems in the Mid-
Atlantic.
Existing indoor environmental problems may worsen and new ones may be introduced as
climate change alters the frequency and severity of adverse outdoor conditions.7
Extreme temperatures will very likely increase and heavy precipitation events will likely
increase as a result of climate change8, which, along with increased dampness, moisture, and
flooding affecting homes and occupied buildings, may contribute to indoor environmental
problems in the Mid-Atlantic.9
Frequent breakdowns in a building's protective envelope, as a result of extreme weather
conditions, may lead to water infiltration into indoor space, increased dampness, and, in turn,
increased exposure to mold and other biological contaminants.10
Changes in the emergence, evolution, and geographic ranges of pests, infectious agents, and
disease vectors may lead to shifting patterns of indoor exposure to pesticides as occupants and
building owners respond to new infestations.11
6 Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, "Scientific Assessment of the Effects of Global Change on the
United States" (Committee on Environment and Natural Resources of the National Science and Technology
Council, U.S. Climate Change Science Program, 2008), http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/scientific-
assessment/Scientific-AssessmentFINALpdf.
7 Institute of Medicine, Climate Change, the Indoor Environment, and Health (Washington, DC: The National
Academies Press, 2011).
8IPCC, 2012: Summary for Policymakers. In: Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance
Climate Change Adaptation [Field, C.B., V. Barros, T.F. Stocker, D. Qin, D.J. Dokken, K.L Ebi, M.D. Mastrandrea, K.J.
Mach, G.-K. Plattner, S.K. Allen, M. Tignor, and P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. A Special Report of Working Groups I and II of
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, and New York, NY,
USA, pp. 1-19.
9 Institute of Medicine, Climate Change, the Indoor Environment, and Health (Washington, DC: The National
Academies Press, 2011).
10 Ibid.
11 Ibid.
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Residents may weatherize buildings to increase comfort and save energy. Although in general
these actions should be encouraged, this may lead to a reduction in ventilation and an increase
in indoor environmental pollutants unless measures are taken to preserve or improve indoor air
quality.12 EPA has developed practical guidance for improving or maintaining indoor
environmental quality during home energy upgrades or remodeling in single-family homes and
schools. EPA's guidance and protocols may need to be revised to include state and local
considerations for projected climatic changes. In addition, these programs may need to
increase partnerships with other agencies to address training needs and workforce
development for building owners, managers, and others, as well as develop new tracking
mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of weatherization and remodeling techniques as they
relate to indoor environmental quality.
The Mid-At I antic Region is comprised of several large urban areas, which are very likely to see
increases in the risk of illness and death related to extreme heat and heat waves. For example,
Philadelphia is projected to jump from an average of just a few days above 100°F each summer
to nearly 30 days above 100°F each summer by late this century, under a higher emissions
scenario. The elderly and those with existing health problems are particularly vulnerable.13
Increased frequency of extreme weather events may result in power outages, leading to
increased exposure to potentially dangerous indoor conditions.14
Region III may need to build its adaptive capacity to these increasing and changing health risks
through its indoor air quality programs, resources, and public outreach and assistance.
Partnerships between Region III and stakeholders, such as state/local governments, non-profits,
etc., will need to be strengthened in order to inform affected populations on how to adapt to
higher temperatures. Strengthening ties between the Region's energy efficiency and indoor air
quality programs will be necessary in order to address the relationship between building
ventilation during efficiency retrofits and potential, resulting indoor air problems.
D. Climate change may alter the effects of and strategic priorities within EPA Region III
regulatory and voluntary programs to help restore the stratospheric ozone layer.
Climate change will likely have effects on the stratospheric ozone layer; however, the
interactions between the changing climate and ozone layer are complex. Climate change
affects the ozone layer through changes in chemical transport, atmospheric composition and
temperature. In turn, changes in stratospheric ozone can have implications for the weather
12 Ibid.
13 USGCRP, 2009: Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States. Thomas R. Karl, Jerry M. Melillo, and
Thomas C. Peterson (eds.). United States Global Change Research Program. Cambridge University Press, New
York, NY, USA.
14 Institute of Medicine, Climate Change, the Indoor Environment, and Health (Washington, DC: The National
Academies Press, 2011).
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and climate of the troposphere. Climate change may exacerbate the health effects of ozone
layer damage at some latitudes and mitigate them at others.15
In order to build adaptive capacity with respect to this vulnerability, Region III may need to
heighten public awareness of the health risks of ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, through
existing EPA partnership programs such as SunWise. Climate change may also lead to an
increase in the use of cooling devices, such as air conditioners, which contain ozone depleting
substances (ODSs) or ODS substitutes. Region 3 may need to make changes to its current
efforts to promote programs such as GreenChill and Responsible Appliance Disposal in the Mid-
Atlantic, as a result.
E. Climate change may impact energy production and efficiency in the Mid-Atlantic.
Rising temperatures, as a result of climate change, are expected to increase energy
requirements for cooling and decrease energy requirements for heating. The former will result
in significant increases in electricity use and higher peak demand. The electricity grid is also
vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events and peak demand
increases resulting from rising temperatures, which could cause interruptions in the electric
power supply.16 The Mid-Atlantic's urban areas and sensitive populations, such as the elderly,
are particularly vulnerable to power interruptions during extreme weather events like heat
waves.
F. Extreme weather events may impact the regional monitoring systems.
Extreme weather events, including severe winds, flooding and lightning, could cause damage to
the PM2.5 and RADNET monitoring systems in Region III. The standard operating procedure for
deploying monitors currently includes consideration of extreme weather. The Region will need
to continue following the monitoring SOP to ensure that monitors can be safely accessed and
operated.
G. Scientific understanding related to ways that climate change may affect the interactions
of sulfur, nitrogen, and mercury deposition with ecosystems is evolving.
While there is limited scientific evidence on this topic, additional research is underway to better
understand how patterns in the atmospheric deposition of sulfur, nitrogen, and mercury with
projected changes in the climate and carbon cycle will affect ecosystem growth, species
15 World Meteorological Organization, Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2010, Global Ozone Research and
Monitoring ProjectReport No. 52 (Geneva, Switzerland, 2011). Note: the word "expected" is used in the report
to characterize projected climate change impacts on the stratospheric ozone layer. For purposes of this
assessment, the word "likely" has been used as a proxy for "expected."
16 USGCRP, 2009: Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States. Thomas R. Karl, Jerry M. Melillo, and
Thomas C. Peterson (eds.). United States Global Change Research Program. Cambridge University Press, New
York, NY, USA.
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changes, surface water chemistry, and mercury methylation and bioaccumulation.17 The
potential impacts could have consequences for the effectiveness of ecosystem protection from
Agency emissions reduction programs.
Goal 2. Protecting America's Waters
A. Flooding from increasingly frequent and intense storm events
In the Northeast, the annual number of days with very heavy precipitation has increased in the
past 50 years. Flooding often occurs when heavy precipitation persists for days to weeks in
small and large watershed. Precipitation and runoff are likely to increase in the Northeast in
winter and spring. Increases in the impacts from precipitation and flooding may damage
regional drinking and wastewater facilities and may exacerbate non-point source pollution
water quality issues in reservoirs, wetlands, streams and rivers within the Region.
B. Coastal wetland loss
Coastal wetlands often migrate landward, disappear, or change in type in response to sea level
rise through accretion. Dense coastal development is often protected by shoreline armoring,
which prevents wetland migration and leads to loss of submerged wetlands. Coastal wetlands
are essential for providing storm surge buffers, preserving estuarine water quality as well as
supporting economically important fish and wildlife habitat.
C. Threats to coastal water-related infrastructure
The densely populated coasts of the Northeast face substantial increases in the extent and
frequency of storm surge, coastal flooding, erosion, and property damage. Much of this
coastline is exceptionally vulnerable to sea-level rise and related impacts.
D. Water Quality impacts from climate changes
Shallow groundwater aquifers that exchange water with streams are likely to be the most
sensitive part of the groundwater system to climate change. Small reductions in groundwater
levels can lead to large reductions in stream flow and increases in groundwater levels can
increase stream flow. Further, the interface between streams and groundwater is an important
site for pollution removal by microorganisms. Their activity may change in response to
increased temperature and increased or decreased streamflow as climate changes, this may
affect water quality and affect Clean Water Act goals related to water bodies in non-attainment
and affect TMDL development.
A specific mid-Atlantic water quality concerns is the Delaware River Basin, which includes
portions of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware that drain to the 330-mile long
Delaware River and Bay. The basin's total area is over 13,500 square miles, and over 15 million
people rely on its water resources for potable, industrial, and agricultural use. The main focal
17 Burns, DA, Lynch, J.A., Cosby, B.J., Fenn, M.E., Baron, J.S., US EPA Clean Air Markets Div., 2011: National Acid
Precipitation Assessment Program Report to Congress 2011: An Integrated Assessment, National Science and
Technology Council, Washington, DC, 114 p.
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points of climate change in the basin include increased temperature, changes in precipitation
patterns, and sea level rise. The Delaware River Basin Commission monitors the salt line
location as it fluctuates along the tidal Delaware River as stream flows increase or decrease in
response to changing inflows, which either dilute or concentrate chlorides in the river. The salt
line location plays an important role in the Delaware River Basin water quality and drought
management programs because upstream migration of brackish water from the Delaware Bay
during low-flow and drought conditions could increase sodium chloride concentrations in public
water supplies, presenting a public health concern. (Courtesy Delaware River Basin Commission
State of the Basin Report 2008) As salt-laced water moves upriver, it increases corrosion control
costs for surface water users, particularly industry, and can raise the treatment costs for public
water suppliers. Salinity levels also affect aquatic living resources. Normal location of the salt
line is the mouth of the Delaware Bay, or river mile 67, but at times will move further north.
During the summer months of 1999, the salt line moved to river mile 88 and during the 1960's
'drought of record' the salt line reached its farthest recorded upstream location at river mile
102, just 8 miles below important drinking water intakes in PA and NJ.
E. Severe flooding from sea-level rise and extreme precipitation is likely to increase
Sea-level rise is expected to increase saltwater intrusion into coastal freshwater aquifers,
making some unusable without desalination. Increased evaporation or reduced recharge
(drought) into coastal aquifers exacerbates saltwater intrusion. Like water quality, research on
the impacts of climate change on groundwater, ecosystems, and infrastructure has been
minimal and remedies may be difficult.
F. Water & Energy Infrastructure
Many water systems in the Northeast are already taxed due to aging infrastructure, population
increases, and competition among water needs for agriculture, municipal use, recreation, and
ecosystems. Extreme precipitation events may exacerbate existing problems in many cities in
the Northeast, especially combined sewer systems. Drinking water and sewer infrastructure is
expensive to build and maintain. Climate change may present a new set of challenges for
designing upgrades to the nation's drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.
Also, a significant fraction of the region's energy infrastructure is located near the coasts and
tide influenced Bays, from power plants, to oil refineries, to facilities that receive oil and gas
deliveries. Rising sea levels are likely to lead to direct losses, such as equipment damage from
flooding or erosion, and indirect effects, such as the costs of raising vulnerable assets to higher
levels or building new facilities farther inland.
G. Changes in aquatic ecosystems/species composition and distribution
Various forces of climate change at the coasts pose a complex array of management challenges
and adaptation requirements. For example, relative sea level is expected to rise at least two
feet in Chesapeake Bay (located between Maryland and Virginia) where the land is subsiding,
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Impacts in Northeast (DE,DC,MD,PA,WV)
and in Southeast (VA)
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threatening portions of
cities, inhabited islands,
most tidal wetlands, and
other low-lying regions.
Climate change also may
affect the volume of the
bay, salinity distribution
and circulation, as will
changes in precipitation
and freshwater runoff.
These changes will affect
seasonal oxygen
depletion and efforts to
reduce the agricultural
nitrogen runoff into
water bodies.
Warmer Chesapeake Bay
waters will make survival
difficult for northern
species such as eelgrass
and soft clams, while
allowing southern species and invasive species transported in ships' ballast water to move in
and change the mix of species that are caught and must be managed. Additionally, more acidic
waters resulting from rising carbon dioxide levels will make it difficult for oysters to build their
shells and will complicate the recovery of this key species.
Figure 2: Comparison of potential Climate Change impacts for the North and Southeast
on water infrastructure, specifically, Drinking Water (DW) and Waste Water (WW).
H. Vulnerability & Uncertainty related to impacts to Water in the Region:
Water temperature, precipitation, and sea level are critical variables in almost everything the
Region does in the water program, from setting water quality standards, developing TMDLs,
and issuing NPDES permits to helping build drinking water and wastewater treatment
infrastructure. Having better data and information on how much and how fast water
temperature will increase, how extreme storms may be, and how high and fast sea level will
rise will enable Region to fulfill statutory and regulatory responsibilities. Developing consistent
scientific methods and robust datasets to support long-term policy decisions on climate change
vulnerability assessments and adaptation planning will help inform these decisions.
Goal 3. Cleaning Up Communities and Advancing Sustainable Development
EPA's waste and land clean-up programs play a crucial role in protecting public health and the
environment from exposure to hazardous materials, remediating contaminated property, and
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making these properties available for reuse. Changes in climate should be taken into
consideration in order for the Region to continue to serve these important functions. It may be
necessary to design site-specific clean-up or remedy that can withstand the projected climate
change impacts and which may impact the Region's ability to exercise statutory authority and
may add cost. Sea-level rise, storm and flood events, and increased ambient temperatures are
climate change impacts of particular concern for the programmatic focus areas - Restoring and
Preserving Land and Emergency Response.
A. Restoring and Preserving Land
Increased flooding and sea-level rise may increase the risk of contaminant releases from
vulnerable RCRA Corrective Action sites, Superfund sites, Brownfield sites, LUST sites, other
contaminated sites, and landfills. Flooding from more intense and frequent storms and
extreme storm events could affect the migration and management of contaminants. Sea-level
rise can lead to inundation and salt water intrusion which may impact the performance of the
remedies and cause the transport of contaminants at sites in coastal areas. Contaminant
migration could also occur after prolonged power loss at cleanup sites with pump and treat
systems dependent on grid electricity.
Impacts may be most severe for cleanup sites that are not yet completed; however sites with
waste in place following a cleanup and permitted facilities that manage hazardous materials
may also be vulnerable. Sites with on-site containment or treatment remedies within the 100
or 500 year flood plain of a surface water body and/or within the sea-level rise zone 1.5 meters
above high tide are of particular concern in Region III. Sediment sites with in situ capping
remedies are vulnerable to flood regime changes and re-suspension and deposition of
contaminated sediment. Flooding from storms and inundation due to sea level rise could
jeopardize land revitalization efforts including renewable energy generation, greener cleanups,
and ecological revitalization projects, as well as other site reuse or redevelopment plans at
Brownfield sites and completed Superfund Sites.
Increased ambient temperatures and extreme heat may impact the design and operation of
remediation systems. Cleanup sites with waste in place phytoremediation, or a vegetative cap
may be vulnerable in areas that experience drought or changing plant hardiness zones. Slowed
growth rates during heat waves could impact the success of the remedy or revitalization effort,
and excessive vegetation loss could lead to erosion. Coastal, stream, and mountain ridge top
habitats are examples of ecosystems in Region 3 that are vulnerable to increases in ambient
temperature.
B. Emergency Response
As storm and flood events increase in frequency and severity, emergency responses to
hazardous materials release and oil spills may also increase. Financial constraints and response
capacity for Emergency Response staff and Response Support Corps are potential vulnerabilities
in Region III. Existing emergency planning and chemical containment strategies at oil and
chemical facilities may not be sufficient. Current landfill capacity may also be insufficient to
handle surges in disposal of hazardous and municipal wastes generated from extreme storm
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events. Availability of utilities and transportation infrastructure may be limited as a result of
increased impacts to those systems. Power loss and blocked roads can hamper emergency
responses.
Goal 4: Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution
A. Use of Toxic chemicals:
A changing climate will likely result in changes in the timing and location of planting crops,
which in turn affects the volume and timing of agricultural chemical use. This change in
agricultural chemical use could impact the appropriate risk management decisions made by EPA
Pesticides and Toxic Substances Program, particularly with regard to the protection of migrant
farm workers.
Changes in temperature and precipitation levels are expected to lead to the increase in
mosquitoes and other pests controlled by regulated pesticides. An increase in cases of the
West Nile Virus and other diseases carried by mosquitoes may lead to an increase in calls by the
public for the use of pesticides to control these disease vectors. This may in turn affect the
workload of the EPA Pesticides program.
B. Storage of Toxic Chemicals:
Flooding from more intense and frequent storms and extreme events could compromise
chemical containment strategies at oil facilities and toxic chemical and pesticide storage
facilities. Facilities located in coastal areas and/or within the 100-500 year flood plain of a
surface water body are of concern to Region III. If these facilities do not properly manage the
storage of these chemicals and/or store them at higher elevations, the extreme weather events
that are expected as a result of climate change may result in the release of toxic chemicals into
the environment, including to surface waters via storm water discharges.
C. Exposure to Toxic Chemicals from Demolition/Renovation Activities:
The extreme weather events that are likely to occur as a result of climate change (e.g., high
winds, heavy precipitation events) may damage community infrastructure (e.g., schools and
child care facilities) and residential homes. As a result, there may be an increased risk of
exposure to lead, asbestos, and PCBs if buildings are renovated or demolished as part of the
recovery efforts.
Assessment of Potential Vulnerabilities for Region III Managed Facilities and
Operations
Results from climate change include an increase in extreme temperatures, droughts, intensity
of precipitation and ground level ozone pollution which will affect Region III facilities and
employees to varying degrees depending on their location. Employee impacts such as an
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increase in heat-related illness, absenteeism, exposure to vector-borne diseases and mold
could result. In addition, localized flooding of roads and infrastructure could affect the
commute and business travel of our employees resulting in tardiness and reduced efficiency.
Facility impacts such as an increase in electricity use and decrease in indoor air quality are also
possible.
As discussed in the Expected Changes in Climate section of this plan, Philadelphia could average
more than thirty days over 100° F in the future. This could lead to an increase in heat-related
illnesses for our employees especially, older employees and workers doing field work who do
not or can't reduce their exposure by limiting exertion and time outdoors due to mission
requirements. More frequent hot summer days can also worsen air pollution, especially in
urban areas and threaten the health of vulnerable employees. This could increase absenteeism
and/or reduce the productivity of our staff. Higher temperatures will likely cause an increase in
electricity use and cost in our building to power air conditioning. This increased use could
stress the power supply grid resulting in brown outs, black outs and the need to use backup
power generators.
As discussed in more detail in the Goal 1 section of this plan, climate change may worsen and
increase exposure to indoor air quality problems in our buildings from dampness and mold, and
expose occupants to different pests, infectious agents and disease vectors, as well as any
pesticides applied to address these infestations. As discussed in more detail in the Goal 2
section of this plan, an increase in the frequency and intensity of heavy precipitation events,
that have already been experienced, is projected to be worse in the future, leading to more
frequent flooding and impact our road and mass transit systems. Climate change impacts,
including increased severe weather, may affect the Region's Continuity of Operations Plan
(COOP) that describes efforts to prepare and react to issues affecting the operation of our
facilities. Unique or site specific vulnerabilities are described below.
Philadelphia Office located at 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Over 90% of our approximately nine hundred Philadelphia based employees use mass transit to
commute to work. Any impact to this system is a large vulnerability that on any given day will
affect hundreds of our employee's ability to get to work and for the Region's ability to function
and carry out its mission. A recent example of this vulnerability occurred when our office was
closed on October 29 -30, 2012 as a result of a shutdown of mass transit in Philadelphia due to
impacts from Hurricane Sandy.
Past periods of drought in the Delaware watershed have resulted in salt water intrusion causing
concern for the Philadelphia drinking water supply intake on the tidal Delaware River north of
the city. Expected sea level rise from climate change may exacerbate this vulnerability in the
future.
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Environmental Science Center (ESC) located at 701 Mapes Road, Fort Meade, Maryland
Vulnerability to flooding of the Environmental Science Building should not be an issue since
building site has a very robust stormwater runoff system that directs rain water falling on
approximately 70% of the site to a large capacity infiltration basin that can capture all the
volume produced by a two year storm and almost all the volume of a ten year storm before
there would be any discharge. However, localized flooding of area roads could still be an issue
for the approximately one hundred sixty employees who must commute to the laboratory to do
their work and have little if any ability to work from alternate locations.
Wheeling Office located at 1060 Chapline Street, Wheeling, West Virginia
Despite its location which is less than a one quarter mile from the Ohio River with an upstream
drainage area of approximately 25,030 square miles, flooding of the Wheeling office is not
expected to be a problem. The office is over fifty feet above the river level and has never been
impacted by historic flood events associated with hurricanes in the drainage area or other
severe weather. As discussed above, localized flooding of area roads could still be an issue for
the approximately 25 Wheeling office employees on their commute to work and for business
travel.
Chesapeake Bay Office located at 410 Severn Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland
Our Chesapeake Bay office is located in a marina office complex directly on the water in a
watershed that contains over one hundred fifty major rivers and streams and drains
approximately 64,000 square miles. An increase flood risk is likely at this facility but mostly
impacting storage and parking areas that are at a lower elevation. The offices in the building
are approximately eleven feet above the Bay water level. A predicted increase in the intensity
of hurricanes could impact the office directly due to its proximity to the coast and through
storm surge impacting the Chesapeake Bay. As discussed in more detail in the Goal 2 section of
this plan, sea level rise is also a threat to this facility as it will compound the effect of heavy
precipitation, increase in flooding and storm surge.
Vulnerable Populations
Certain parts of the population, such as children, the elderly, minorities, the poor, persons with
underlying medical conditions and disabilities, those with limited access to information, and
tribal and indigenous populations, can be especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate
change. Also, certain geographic locations and communities are particularly vulnerable, such as
those located in low-lying coastal areas. One of the principles guiding EPA's efforts to integrate
climate adaptation into its programs, policies and rules calls for its adaptation plans to prioritize
helping people, places and infrastructure that are most vulnerable to climate impacts, and to be
designed and implemented with meaningful involvement from all parts of society.
This Implementation Plan identifies key programmatic vulnerabilities and the priority actions
that will be taken to address those vulnerabilities over time. As the work called for in this Plan is
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conducted, the communities and demographic groups most vulnerable to the impacts of
climate change will be identified. The Agency will then work in partnership with these
communities to increase their adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change impacts.
These efforts will be informed by experiences with previous extreme weather events (e.g.,
Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy) and the subsequent recovery efforts.
An important facet of climate adaptation are potential impacts to the health of the Region's
vulnerable populations. In areas where populations carries a heavy burden of disease or
poverty, the populations have less resiliency and the effects of climate change may be more
severe. The connections between our climate and human health have been known for years,
although now the changing climate has compelled scientist to re-examine these relationships
(Jonathan A. Patz 2000).
Populations such as children may be more vulnerable to both direct and indirect health effects
of climate change (Shea and Health 2007). Other vulnerable populations include the elderly,
the poor, individuals with co-morbidities, and the disabled.
These key impacts to the environment involve most of the programs in the Region (EPA. 2010).
Warmer temperatures will increase morbidity and mortality associated with both extreme heat
and cold weather patterns. This changing climate is also expected to affect air quality,
threatening the health of vulnerable populations, including the very young, the elderly, outdoor
workers, and those without access to air conditioning or adequate health care (USGCRP 2009).
An increase in the strength and frequency of extreme events (droughts, storms, and floods) will
likely increase the threat to overall human health and safety (EPA. 2010). These patterns of
temperature and precipitation can affect the seasons for pollen and the range of specific
diseases in the Region including Lyme disease and West Nile virus. The inner cities within
Region 3 will also pose many challenges to EPA as well as our partners in local government due
to urban heat island effect. The vulnerability of urban areas to climate change involves
consideration of the sensitivity of urban systems and people living within them to climate
change and other interacting stressors, their exposure to those stressors, and the ability of
systems and people to adapt to present and future changes.
Chapter 2: DRAFT Regional Priority Actions for Climate Adaptation
Introduction
Based on the vulnerabilities described in the previous chapter, existing Regional priorities, and
the current understanding of potential adaptation opportunities, the Region's Climate
Adaptation workgroup identified "Priority Actions" that may assist EPA in accomplishing its
mission and operate at multiple locations in the face of a changing climate. Priority Actions are
listed below and categorized according to their relevance to programmatic goals in EPA's
current strategic plan. An additional list of cross-cutting actions are also proposed and will
support multiple strategic plan goals or build general capacity for future work on climate
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adaptation. Proposed actions or activities will be reviewed by the Office of Regional Counsel to
assure compliance with existing statutes, regulations, and guidance.
The Region will continue to identify other vulnerabilities that may occur and may need to
change the scope or focus of ongoing priority actions over time. The workgroup used a simple
set of criteria to identify and prioritize potential actions either developed from the vulnerability
assessment or suggested by a diverse set of stakeholders. The workgroup developed criteria to
qualitatively rank possible actions. The following is a summary of the criteria used to determine
the priority actions included in this plan:
Criteria for EPA Mid-Atlantic Region Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan
Priority Actions
»«» Likelihood, timeframe, and anticipated severity of specific projected impacts to regional
programs or objectives.
»«» Ability to successfully implement a proposed action.
»«» Alignment with any existing environmental priorities (i.e. national, regional, divisional,
programmatic).
»«» Alignment with priorities of key external partners and/or stakeholders (i.e. State and
municipal governments).
»«» Ability for the action to build institutional capacity within EPA to better identify
vulnerabilities and actions that will successfully address those vulnerabilities over time.
»«» Actions that may directly support one or more of the Agency-wide Strategic Measures
for Climate Adaptation.
Priority Actions, Cross-Cutting:
Develop an interactive Climate Knowledge Base, including CIS maps and data based on
information from the Programmatic Vulnerability Assessment, training materials, project
descriptions, and staff contacts for use by the region.
Engage with local government stakeholders in the region to better understand the
adaptation planning needs of cities and urban areas. Develop, maintain, and promote a
simple "adaptation toolkit" with consolidated information and resources for urban areas
within the region.
Work with EPA HQ to develop general Climate Impacts and Adaptation training materials
and make them widely available.
Continue to develop the existing Region III Climate Change Strategy and Workplan and align
it with this Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan.
Work with the Office of Federal Activities to determine how to address climate adaptation
issues under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
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Develop a continuous improvement process for climate adaption implementation planning
using the "Plan Do Check Act" framework currently used in the Region's multi-site
Environmental Management System (EMS).
Build capacity internally through general education as well as targeted training to ensure
that all employees are aware of climate change impacts on EPA programs and begin to
integrate adaptation measures into their work.
Participate in EPA regional and national workgroups as appropriate to assist the national
program in revising EPA guidance and regulations and implement as appropriate.
Priority Actions, Goal 1: Taking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air
Quality:
Strengthen and form partnerships to increase outreach on indoor air quality, ultraviolent
radiation exposure, and energy efficiency to respond to increased risks due to climate
change impacts.
Train additional staff to respond to indoor air quality calls/questions from the public due to
the increased number of calls after extreme events and flooding.
Build internal capacity to be able to incorporate climate change data into modeling and
emissions analyses. Examples include 1) determining emission trends for sources associated
with climate change impacts (frequent and more intense storms, more high temperature
days), such as portable electric generators and peaking power plants, and 2) updating
current datasets used for dispersion modeling to take into account human activities like
sprawl and meteorological datasets (rainfall patterns, temperatures, etc).
Strengthen partnerships to encourage ozone-tolerant urban tree planting, as well as, white
and green roofs, to reduce pollution and the urban heat island.
Work with other Regions and HQ air program managers to develop a strategy, in context to
other programmatic priorities, on how to incorporate climate adaptation into air quality
programs (e.g., SIP, permits).
After discussions with HQ and Regions, incorporate climate change impacts into comments
on permit applications, where appropriate.
Consider integrated modeling approaches to incorporate new research on changes in air
deposition to water bodies and land due to climate changes.
Leverage existing climate and energy partnership programs, such as ENERGY STAR, Green
Power Partnership, and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Partnership to build adaptive
capacity to address energy related vulnerabilities to climate impacts and extreme weather.
Priority Actions, Goal 2 Protecting America's Waters:
Include climate change parameters in next Chesapeake Bay TMDL and associated
implementation plans.
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Work with states and source water protection partners to raise awareness of climate
change impacts and assist states and water protection partners in incorporating climate
adaptation actions into source water assessments and protection plans.
Promote awareness and encourage use of the Climate Ready Water Utilities Tools with an
aim toward incorporating climate change impacts into resiliency planning by drinking water
and wastewater utilities.
Messaging to decision makers to encourage utilities to make sustainable investments,
including improvements to prepare utilities for extreme weather events.
Continue work in the Anacostia area of DC, Patapsco area of Baltimore and greater
Philadelphia Area/lower Delaware River watershed through the Urban Waters Federal
Partnership (UWFP) to assist with and leverage our partners' ongoing climate adaptation
planning activities.
Support Maryland Inland Bays and Delaware Coastal Bays as they incorporate climate
change and adaptation into their amended Comprehensive Management Plans.
Incorporate adaptation and resiliency principles into ongoing "greening" discussions with
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Host climate change workshops for Region III water utilities to broaden the need for
resiliency and awareness of available planning tools.
Begin discussions with state water quality standards managers on possible climate change
impacts on current and future water quality standards.
Work with the EPA's Office of Water (OW) as a pilot region to develop a framework and
inventory of relative wetland vulnerabilities, at multiple scales, based on integration of
information on vulnerability assessment methods and wetlands classification systems. This
framework will use relevant information from OW's CWA Section 404, HWI, and NWCA
program efforts, and the results will be framed to inform on best approaches for
development of further guidance for integrating climate change considerations into each of
these program's practices.
Work with the EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD), along with regional state
bioassessment scientists, to lay the foundation for a regional reference/climate change
monitoring network in the Mid Atlantic, including a vulnerability analysis for streams.
Work with the EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds to include adaptation
actions in the future work plans for our Wetlands permitting and enforcement programs.
Continue efforts with the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary on climate change adaption
planning by expanding upon the work of the climate change adaptation plan of 2010
developed through Climate Ready Estuaries Funding.
Priority Actions, Goal 3 Cleaning Up America's Communities & Advancing
Sustainable Development:
Educate staff to incorporate changing climate into decision making and long term planning
(Removal & Remedial cleanups, RE-Powering America, Brownfields grants, Response
Support Corps, Emergency Response, RCRA, Oil and Risk Management Program).
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Work with EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response to develop a national
strategy to ensure Oil and Risk Management Program facilities prepare for climate change
and ensure that spill prevention and response strategies at facilities are sufficient for
extreme events.
Prepare to dedicate additional resources including funding and staffing for Emergency
Response and Response Support Corps.
Work with states to assess landfill capacity for surges in disposal of hazardous and
municipal waste generated by extreme storm events.
Identify RCRA Corrective Action, Superfund, Brownfields, LUST, Oil and Risk Management
Program facilities, and other OSWER sites within 100 and 500 year FEMA flood plains;
within the sea level rise zone 1.5 meters above high tide; and within NOAA "SLOSH" (Sea,
Lake and Overland Surges from Hurricanes) model storm surge zones to assist in
preparedness for extreme storm events.
Identify sites within the region that have vulnerable ecosystemscoastal, stream, mountain
ridge top habitats.
Perform vulnerability analyses during site investigation, cleanup design, operations and
maintenance, five year reviews, etc. Encourage states to consider doing the same for state-
led states.
Incorporate other OSWER adaptation implementation priorities, as applicable to Region III.
Begin work to integrate climate adaptation into pertinent financial assurance mechanisms.
Priority Actions, Goal 4 Ensuring Safety of Chemicals & Preventing Pollution:
Consider climate change in the administration of Pollution Prevention (P2) and associated
sustainability initiatives. Assist the Region in identifying the most sustainable approaches for
mitigating and adapting to climate change through emphasizing the lifecycle and risk
reduction aspects of P2.
Participate in EPA regional and national workgroups on such issues as appropriate to assist
the national program in revising EPA guidance and regulations.
Develop and deliver targeted training on Climate Adaptation to staff and managers working
on EPA pesticide programs.
Train staff and managers working on demolition, renovation, and disaster debris programs
on climate adaptation and chemical risk issues.
Incorporate other OSCPP adaptation implementation priorities, as applicable to Region III.
Integrate climate adaptation into pertinent financial assistance mechanisms.
Priority Actions; Region III Managed Facilities and Operations:
Determine if policy, guidance or email notification is warranted to those employees and
contractors conducting field work during excessive heat warning or ozone action days.
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Determine the number of employees that are currently using flexiplace and can work from
alternate locations.
Determine the number of employees who lack the ability to use flexiplace due to resources
or their job function.
Determine if a COOP is needed for the Chesapeake Bay Program Office and Wheeling Office.
Determine if special criteria should be developed for the Chesapeake Bay Program Office
employees to warn them of the potential for office or localized flooding.
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Chapter 3: Measurement and Evaluation
This section will describe how Region III will update the information and analysis in this
implementation plan, evaluate the success of any activities undertaken, and continually
improve the process of programmatic climate adaptation over time. Since one of the goals of
the plan is to build adaptive capacity within EPA Region III programs the initial measurement
and evaluation plan will focus on the capacity building elements of the plan, as well as,
developing and refining the Region's approach to evaluation. This approach utilize along three
pathways and use existing systems and workgroups whenever possible.
Adaptive Management through Continuous Improvement
The central task will be to create a Continuous Improvement Process, similar to the Plan, Do,
Check, Act process used in our regional Environmental Management System, to adaptively
manage the execution and management of the Implementation Plan. This process will seek to
include a schedule for updates to the climate vulnerabilities, adaptation objectives, and
activities in the plan, a set of measurable goals, a management review, and a method for
sharing the results of the plan with our stakeholders.
Integration with Existing Regional Climate Strategy
The second pathway will be the integration of this implementation plan within the existing
(internal) Region III Climate Change Strategy. In practical terms, this means the objectives and
activities will be the same for both and all activity tracking and measurement will occur using
the existing the workplan process developed for the Strategy. Oversight will be the
responsibility of the Climate Change Senior Steering Committee and the cross-divisional
Regional Climate Network Workgroup will work to implement the plan. The current workplan
includes individual project management tracking and metrics for each activity. Currently, these
metrics focus on the outputs of work. For example, we will track the number of training
programs offered to regional staff and the number of participants. The workgroup responsible
for this actions contained in this implementation plan will revise the plan annually.
One objective of future work for the planning process will be to identify metrics that measure
outcomes. For example, a questionnaire was provided to regional employees to determine
their level of understanding regarding climate change to determine appropriate training. We
have used the information from the questionnaire to create a qualitative baseline to eventually
measure the outcomes of our ongoing capacity building efforts.
Develop Tools for Evaluation and Engagement
The third pathway will be the creation or use of specific tools to help with the important task of
evaluating progress, measuring the results of activities, and making changes and improvements
as necessary. This toolbox will need to include improvements to vulnerability analyses in
addition to tools focused on helping individual programs implement priority actions. Tools
under consideration include: Developing Logic Models similar to those used by EPA's Office of
Water, an Interactive Knowledge Base for mapping expected impacts and vulnerabilities, and
the use of decision support tools developed by EPA national program offices.
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Another key aspect of the plan will be a robust engagement process with key external
stakeholders to both understand their approaches to measurement and evaluation and
collaborate on the development of evaluation methodology and tools for our shared priorities.
In addition, this engagement process will include targeted efforts to engage with
representatives from vulnerable populations with the Region.
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References:
IPCC, (2012). Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change
Adaptation.
Jonathan A. Patz, D. E., John Last (2000). "The Effects of Changing Weather on Public Health."
Annual Review of Public Health Vol. 21: 271-307 (Volume publication date May 2000).
NRC (2010). Advancing the Science of Climate Change . National Research Council. The
National Academies Press, Washington, DC, USA.
National Research Council, (2011). Climate Change, the Indoor Environment, and Health.
Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
Shea, K. M. and a. t. C. o. E. Health (2007). "Global Climate Change and Children's Health."
Pediatrics 120(5): el359-e!367.
USEPA Northeast Impacts & Adaptation web page,
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/impacts-adaptation/northeast.html
USEPA Policy Statement on Climate-Change Adaptation (2011),
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/Downloads/impacts-adaptation/adaptation-
statement.pdf
USEPA Southeast Impacts & Adaptation web page,
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/impacts-adaptation/southeast.html
USEPA., U. S. (2010). Climate change indicators in the United States.
U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), 2009, National Climate Assessment.
http://www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/us-
impacts/regional-climate-change-impacts/northeast
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