Adaptation Implementation Plan
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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 most
vulnerable people and places, on supporting the development of adaptive capacity in the tribes,
and on identifying clear steps for ongoing collaboration with tribal governments.
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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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CONTRIBUTORS
Energy & Climate Change Coordinator Bryan Myers
Lead Writer Beth Walls
Office of Regional Administrator Kedesch Altidor (Environmental Justice), Lisa Berrios
(Tribal)
Air, Pesticides & Toxics Management Division Christine Fortuin (Pesticides), Wayne Garfinkel
(Children's Health), Rick Gillam (Air Modeler),
Joel Huey (SIPs), Ana Oquendo (Air/Tribal), Henry Slack
(Indoor Air)
Gulf of Mexico Program John Bowie
Office of Environmental Accountability Vera Kornylak, Leah Ettema
Office of Policy and Management Division Ravi Rao (Elderly), Bill Waldrop, Sharon Weeks
Resource Conservation & Recovery Act Division Jay Bassett, Thornell Cheeks, Margaret Olson
Science & Ecosystem Support Division Laura Ackerman, Pete Kalla
Superfund Division Benjamin Franco, Pam Scully, Sharon Thorns
Water Protection Division Bob Howard
ADDITIONAL WRITING AND EDITING
ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Cory Berish Jon Johnston Don Rigger
Scott Davis Gail Mitchell Linda Rimer
David Lloyd Jeff Pallas
Special Recognition is given to Dr. Ken Mitchell whose foresight and drive initiated adaptation planning
for the Region.
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PARTI
INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
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Table of Contents
I. BACKGROUND AND DIRECTION 9
II. DESCRIPTION OF EPA REGION 4 9
A. CLIMATE PATTERNS 10
1. Climate Factors 10
B. EPA REGION 4's ECOSYSTEMS 11
1. Overview of Ecosystems 12
2. Determining Climate Change Impacts to Aquatic Ecosystems 13
C. EPA REGION 4's COMMUNITIES 16
1. Social Vulnerability 17
III. OBSERVED AND PROJECTED CLIMATE CHANGE IN REGION 4 17
A. TEMPERATURE 18
1. Observed 18
2. Projected 19
3. Extreme Heat Events 17
B. PRECIPITATION 20
1. Observed 20
2. Projected 21
3. Extreme Events 21
C. SEA-LEVEL RISE IN REGION 4 22
D. DROUGHT TRENDS IN REGION 4 24
1. Watersheds 24
2. Population Effects 24
3. Dams and Basins 24
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I. Background and Direction
Pursuant to Executive Order 13514, Federal Leadership in Environmental and Energy
Performance, all federal agencies are tasked with evaluating agency climate-change risks and
vulnerabilities to manage short- and long-term climate-change effects on each agency's mission,
programs, and operations.1 Federal agencies are required to evaluate climate risks, identify
program vulnerabilities, and prioritize activities to reduce their climate risk.2
Consistent with EO 13513, EPA issued its first Policy Statement on Climate-Change
Adaptation in June 20113 calling for EPA to develop and implement an agency-wide Climate
Change Adaptation Plan to integrate climate adaptation into its programs, policies, rules and
operations. Every EPA Program and Regional Office was directed to develop their own,
independent, stand-alone Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan to identify how
priorities will be met and the agency-wide plan implemented. These Program and Regional
Office-identified priorities are to be reflected in annual budget submissions.
The Agency's draft Climate Change Adaptation Plan includes a national-level qualitative
assessment of EPA-program vulnerabilities. The Regions are tasked with using this plan to
guide their adaptation planning.4 Each Region is to capture its regional uniqueness, identify
vulnerabilities of greatest importance including its vulnerable people and places. EPA expects
the severity and importance of identified program vulnerabilities to vary reflecting projected
regional climate-change impact projections. The Regions' plans are expected to describe how
climate change adaptation is to be integrated into their planning and work in a manner consistent
and compatible with their own circumstances and objectives. The following provides Region 4's
texture called for in the Agency's Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
II. Description of EPA Region 4
The eight states comprising Region 4 make it EPA's most southeasterly region.
Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, North and South Carolinas, and Tennessee plus six
federally-recognized tribes comprise Region 4, see Figure 1 below. EPA Region 4's borders are
primarily large water-bodies: the Mississippi River to the west, the Ohio River to the north, the
South Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. The Region is dissected
by several major river basins. Nine of these basins drain into the South Atlantic while eight
drain into the Gulf of Mexico. Consequently, the Region is rich with aquatic ecosystems, barrier
islands, beaches, estuaries, and wetlands supporting important industries of fishing, recreation,
transportation, and tourism. The Region has numerous coastal and inland ports with associated
transportation hubs. Every state has a port. The Region has more river ports than sea ports, for
example the State of Mississippi has four Gulf ports and 12 river ports.5 Florida has 15 seaports,
the most of any Region 4 state.6
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A. Climate Patterns
Region 4's climate is predominately mild, humid, and subtropical, with southern Florida
being primarily humid subtropical to tropical savanna. The Region is characteristically hot and
humid in the summer with mild winters. The Central Appalachian, Western Allegheny, and
portions of the Blue Ridge and the Ridge and Valley ecoregions (see the next section, EPA
Region 4 's Ecoregions) can experience cold winters and have the least number of frost-free days,
ranging from 125 - 200.
For most of Region 4, the number of frost-free days ranges from 170 to 360, with the coastal
areas experiencing the most. The southern part of Florida is nearly frost free and is the only
ecoregion in the continental U.S. to have the climate, hydrology, vegetation, and terrain
characteristics of tropical wet forests.7 The annual mean temperature for Region 4 ranges from
55 to 77ฐF with the more mountainous ecoregions having the coolest, ranging from 55 to 63ฐF.
Precipitation ranges from 35 to 59 inches in the Piedmont, Ridge and Valley, and Western
Allegheny ecoregions, to between 43 and 65 inches for the rest of the Region.
1. Climate Factors
a) Weather Phenomena
(1) The Bermuda High
The Bermuda High is a semi-permanent high-pressure area usually centered in the vicinity of
Bermuda during the spring and summer. Prolonged heat waves in the East are attributed to the
Bermuda High. Weather fluctuates in response to its east - west migrations. The Bermuda High
can move high-moisture tropical air masses west over land causing showers and thunderstorms.
When it is east over the Atlantic Ocean, hurricanes tend to curve out to sea avoiding land. When
it is west toward land, hurricanes tend to impact the nation's East and Gulf Coasts.
[2) El Nino-Southern Oscillation
The El Nino-Southern Oscillation is a cyclic Pacific Ocean weather pattern in which the sea-
surface temperature cycles between abnormal warming (El Nino) and cooling (La Nina)
conditions, influenced by changes (oscillations) in atmospheric pressure between the tropical east
and west Pacific (the Southern Oscillation (SO)).
[3) North Atlantic Oscillation
The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) describes fluctuations in atmospheric pressure
differences between permanent low- and high-pressure systems. While the NAO directly
influences Western Europe's climate, it may impact much of eastern North America's weather.
b) Large water bodies
[I] Mississippi and Ohio Rivers
The Mississippi and Ohio Rivers delineate EPA Region 4's western and most of its northern
geographic borders, respectively. Two major coastal water bodies, the Atlantic Ocean and the
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Gulf of Mexico, delineate its eastern and southern borders, respectively. These water bodies
strongly influence the Region's climate. Large water bodies take longer to heat up and cool
down than land, such that land areas in the vicinity of large water bodies remain cooler in
summer and warmer in winter.
[2) Gulf Stream
The Region's climate is strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream, which flows seven hundred
miles north from Key West, FL, to Cape Hatteras, NC. It is a strong, fast moving, warm ocean
current. The Gulf Stream's surface temperature ranges 80ฐF and above due to the solar heating
of tropical Atlantic and Caribbean waters. The Gulf Stream system's warm surface-temperature
causes Florida and much of the Southeast to be mild all year round. The warm sea-surface
temperature also aids the formation and strengthening of hurricanes moving through the Gulf of
Mexico.
c) Topography
Lastly, the Region's topography is highly diverse, ranging from the Mississippi River Valley
Plain to the west, the southeastern and southern coastal plains of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts,
the interior Piedmont's rolling low plateaus, the Southern Appalachian Mountains, and the
inland, elevated, and severely eroded Cumberland Plateau extending from Alabama through
Tennessee to Kentucky. Various weather patterns intersect with this diverse topography to
create numerous microclimates, facilitating the variety of ecosystems and species diversity
characteristic of EPA Region 4.
B. EPA Region 4's Ecosystems
Because of its climate, proximity to large water-bodies, and topography, EPA Region 4 has
tremendous aquatic ecosystems and associated biodiversity. It is overlain by fourteen
ecoregions.8 Half are in the Southern Appalachians where the mountains interact with local
weather patterns in complex ways, creating numerous local microclimates. Precipitation
responses are especially sensitive to the shape of mountain ranges and wind flow direction.9
Two of the Region's ecoregions are riverine in character: one is the Piedmont, and the other
coastal, including the Everglades' subtropical wetlands.
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Region 4 Ecoregions
Figure - 2. Map of Region 4's fourteen-ecoregions
1. Overview of Ecosystems
Most of EPA Region 4's land area lies within the Piedmont, Southeast Plains, and the
Southern Coastal Plain ecoregions, see Figure 2.10 Three ecoregions, the Piedmont, Mississippi
Alluvial Plain, and the Southern Florida Coastal Plain (the Everglades) have undergone
extensive land-use changes. The Piedmont has experienced several major land-cover
transformations over the past 200 years: forest to farm, back to forest, and spreading urban- and
suburbanization. The Mississippi Alluvial Plain is one of the nation's most altered ecoregions,
extensively cleared for cultivation where bottomland hardwood forests once dominated. The
Everglades, or the Southern Florida Coastal Plain, has undergone extensive hydrological and
biological alterations.11
Mountain top, surface, and underground bituminous coal mining occurs within four of the
southern Appalachians ecoregions. Mining is extensive in the Interior River Valleys and Hills
and the Western Allegheny Plateau ecoregions, common in the Central Appalachians, and occurs
in several parts the Southwestern Appalachians ecoregion. Significant habitat loss and water-
quality degradation, particularly sedimentation and acidification of many the ecoregions' water
bodies are coal mining's legacy.12 Within Region 4, the Interior River Valleys and Hills and the
Western Allegheny Plateau ecoregions only occur within the Commonwealth of Kentucky.13
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Agriculture occurs in 11 of the Region's ecoregions in the form of pulpwood and lumber
pine plantations, beef pasture, cropland (planted with wheat, blueberries, corn, cotton, soybeans,
peanuts, onions, sweet potatoes, melons, tobacco, or rice), citrus groves in the south, poultry and
hog livestock, and dairy farming. In the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, extensive agricultural land-
use occurs with most of the ecoregion planted in soybeans, cotton, corn, rice, wheat, and pasture,
and some sugarcane in the south. Pine plantations are common in the Southeast Plains and the
Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain ecoregions, and occasional in the Ridge and Valley. The Middle
Atlantic Coastal Plain has a high density of chicken, turkey, and hog production in some areas,
with North Carolina the second-largest hog producing state in the nation. The Southeast Plains
ecoregion also supports poultry and hogs.14
The 2007 Census of Agriculture counted 6,409 farmers and ranchers reporting aquaculture
sales in the United States; the three states with the largest number of operations with sales were
Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. Catfish and crawfish are commercially produced in ponds in
the Mississippi Alluvial Plain.15 More than 50 percent of the total value of sales from
aquaculture come from the top five states, including Mississippi ($237.9 million).16
The Region's forests are mostly located within 5 ecoregions. The Blue Ridge ecoregion
contains one of the richest temperate broadleaf forests in the world, with a high diversity of
plants within the large areas of National Forest, National Parks and state-owned lands. The
Western Allegheny Plateau ecoregion is mostly forested, with public national forest lands, and
logging a predominant activity. Forest uses prevail within the Central Appalachians and
Southwestern Appalachians ecoregions. The Mississippi Alluvial Plain's floodplain forest
ecosystems include river and hardwood swamp forests. The ecoregion is still a major bird
migration corridor despite the widespread loss of forest and wetland habitat. The Interior River
Valleys and Hills ecoregion is partially forested.17
Between 1973 and 2000, the Southeast Climate Region had the highest rate of change due to
active forest timber harvesting and replanting.18 In this region, forests, not cropland, are
expected to be lost.19 Projected land-use and land-cover changes likely will depend upon
population rates and economic growth.20 The exurban and suburban areas generally are projected
to expand by 15 to 20 percent between 2000 and 2050.21 Climate change will cumulatively
impact the existing and projected land-use changes to the Region's ecoregions. Aquatic
ecosystems in those ecoregions where mining already provides significant stress and where
forests are converted to other uses may likely be less resilient to climate-change impacts.
2. Determining Climate Change Impacts to Aquatic Ecosystems
EPA and its state partners use aquatic bio-assessments to evaluate biological criteria to
determine whether CWA-regulated surface waters are maintaining their biological integrity
consistent with their designated use, e.g., cold-water fishery.22
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To monitor stream health, states are delineated into bioregions to organize similar
sampling sites together; i.e., those having similar stream physical, chemical, and
biological attributes. These bioregions often mirror ecoregion boundaries. Since all of the
streams within a bioregion generally have similar attributes, the differences in aquatic
organism assemblages between reference sites (which receive high biological index
scores) and stressed sites (which receive low index scores) are typically expected to reflect
human impacts, e.g., land-use changes.
Table 1. The Number of Ecoregions and Bioregions by State
State
AL
FL
GA
KY
MS
NC
SC
TN
Level III
Ecoregions1
6
O
6
7
4
4
5
8
Level IV
Ecoregions2
29
16
28
25
21
28
12
31
Macroinvertebrate
bioregions
2 (high and low
gradient streams)
3
24
4
4
3
3
15
Fish
Bioregions
NA3
NA
4
6
NA
5
NA
NA
Algae
Bioregions
NA
NA
NA
4
NA
NA
NA
3
1 : Ecoregions along the coast (Southern Florida Coastal Plain (76), Southern Coastal Plain (75), Mississippi
Alluvial Plain (73), and Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain (63)) do not have aquatic communities that currently
support index development and are not included in any bioregions.
2: Level IV Ecoregions are subunits of Level III, see:
http://www.epa.gov/wed/pages/ecoregions/level_iii_iv.htm#LevelIV
3 : All "Not Applicable" cells represent a state that does not use that index for making regulatory decisions (though
most states are in the process of developing new indices or may use that assemblage for other monitoring
purposes, like evaluating best management practices.) Information was gathered from Standard Operating
Procedures for biomonitoring and index development papers that states operated under in 201 1.
If climate change were to cause streams in the same bioregion to become dissimilar, it could
hinder EPA and the states' ability to determine low index-score causes, i.e., human versus
climate-change induced impacts. Biological monitoring and assessment program success will
require an understanding of what and how climate-associated changes are occurring and how
monitoring programs can account for them.23 Likely climate-change impacts to Region 4's
freshwater aquatic ecosystems are described below but further research is necessary to determine
actual impacts.
a) Climate-Change Induced Temperature Impacts
In EPA Region 4, climate change-associated warmer water temperatures are expected to
drive aquatic species to cooler waters, either north or to higher elevations. Local extinctions are
expected where migration barriers exist, e.g., dams, reservoirs, logging, mountain-top mining,
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etc., and a lack of higher elevations. In Region 4, cold-water habitat is generally associated with
its mountain and high-elevation plateau ecoregions of the Southern Appalachians, i.e., the
Piedmont, Ridge and Valley, Blue Ridge, Central Appalachian, Western Allegheny and Interior
Plateau, Interior River Valley and Hills ecoregions.24 For example in North Carolina, the
mountain ecoregion and higher elevation sites generally have the highest cold-water taxa
richness, which are expected to shift either north or to higher elevation as temperatures
increase.25 While the cold-water tax either migrate to cooler water conditions or are subject to
local extinctions, those species thriving in warm temperatures or which are tolerant to warmer
temperatures, will likely increase their populations at their current location and extend their
range into formerly colder-water habitat.26
At this time, it is uncertain where the greatest climate change-induced impacts to aquatic
organisms and their ecosystems within the Region may occur: in the transitional areas aquatic
species may already be close to their temperature tolerance limits, while species may be more
sensitive in those coldwater habitats expected to experience warming. Within Region 4, the
Piedmont (the transitional area) and Mountain (coldwater habitat) ecoregions are expected to see
the greatest climate-change impacts to its aquatic ecosystems.27 Predictions are further
confounded by the probability that temperature change likely will not occur evenly across the
Region. The Region finds it difficult to predict how warm- and cold-water taxa will respond to
changing water temperatures since other environmental factors, e.g., land-use changes, also
strongly influence species' population densities and geographic distributions
b) Climate-Change Induced Water Flow Impacts
Biological integrity is strongly correlated with stream flow.28 Expected climate change-
related impacts to the Region 4's aquatic ecosystems include longer durations of low summer
stream flows, average stream flow decreases, higher flooding incidences, and increased periods
of extremely high and low flows (greater flashiness), with resultant scouring. Scouring and
sedimentation already negatively impact habitat and biota in Piedmont streams, and more
frequent severe precipitation events may exacerbate those impacts.
Insect-rich habitat-diversity tends to decrease with decreasing flow.29 Under lower flow
conditions, non-flowing (lakes and ponds) fish and insect community populations tend to
increase while those requiring flowing water to survive decrease. Additionally, drought or flood-
related stream-flow changes can change nutrient and sediment loadings and habitat availability.30
Moreover, lower flow results in less dilution facilitating higher in stream concentrations of
potentially harmful chemicals and aquatic toxicity. Overall, climate change-induced flow
changes are expected to cause significant changes to the Region's aquatic communities.31
At a reduced flow of 20-90%, the Region could lose 3 to 38% of its fish species.32 The North
Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) researched invertebrate
responses to the 1999 to 2002 drought experienced by both North and South Carolina. The study
found a decline in invertebrate communities. NCDENR found stream flow, drainage area,
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underlying geology, and the tributary stream type and size appeared to influence invertebrate
species' degree of impact and resiliency, i.e., speed of recovery to drought.33
NCDENR also studied tropical and hurricane storm-related flooding impacts to invertebrate
species and stream health. In 2004, North Carolina experienced five tropical Storms (Bonnie,
Frances, Gaston, Ivan, and Jeanne) and two hurricanes (Alex and Charley) during a two-month
period (August 3 - September 27). During its study, NCDENR documented a decline in
biological index scores associated with the invertebrate species' responses to the storm-related
flooding.34
C. EPA Region 4's Communities
Region 4's mild climate, extensive coasts, and large river basins attract people, both for
residential and recreational purposes. Within its geographic borders, the Region is home to a
population of 61,762,344.35 The State of Florida's population, 19,057,542, is greater than the
individual populations of four EPA regions (see figure 3 below). The Region's population of
children and elderly comprise approximately 6.1 and 14 percent, respectively, of the Region's
total population. The Region is home to six federally-recognized tribes, with a population of
33,500 enrolled members.
All eight states had positive growth from 2000 through 2010, with the overall regional
population growing by 8.9 million people, about 13%.36 The population grew fastest in North
Carolina (18.5%), Georgia (18.3%), Florida (17.6%), and South Carolina (15.3%). Most of this
growth has been in urban and peri-urban areas. Population growth is expected to compound
climate-related impacts. For example, increasing urban and suburban competition for finite
water resources likely will affect agriculture, aquatic ecosystems, energy production, fisheries,
and natural ecosystems.37
R8 ^^^
R 10 ^^^H
R7 [^^^^
R 1
K. J
Rf.
RQ
RS
R4 "
Populatic
n
0 20,000,000 40,000,000 60,000,000
Figure-3. EPA Region population comparisons.
80,000,000
By 2030, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina are projected to have some of the largest
elderly American populations.38 All three states are in the top ten projected to have the largest
numbers of Americans aged 60 and older. Florida, with 9,737,256 elderly, is projected to be
second only to the State of California, with a projected elderly population of 10,595,771 by
2030.
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Most of Region 4's population lies within the Piedmont, Southern Coastal Plain,
Southeastern Plains, Interior Plateau, and Southern Florida Coastal Plain ecoregions. Within
the Southern Florida Coastal Plain (the Everglades), urban areas are extensive along the Atlantic
Coast and include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and other adjacent coastal cities.39
The Southeast Climate Region (see the following section, Observed and Projected Climate
Change in Region 4} includes 28 of the top 100 metropolitan statistical areas by population, and
is the second most urbanized region after the Northeast, having 131 persons-per-square mile.
Miami (#8), Atlanta (#9), Tampa (#18), and Orlando (#26) all rank in the top 30 of U.S. urban
centers.40 The Region has three of the ten fastest-growing areas: the Florida areas of Palm Coast
and Cape Coral-Fort Meyers, and Myrtle Beach, SC.41 All three areas are along the coast and
vulnerable to sea-level rise and storm surge.42 Since 1980, the Southeast has had more billion-
dollar weather disasters (hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes) than any other region.43
Billion Dollar WeatheiYCIimate Disasters
Figure 4.44
Billion Dollar Weather/Climate Disasters (1980-2011). This map
summarizes the number of weather and climate disasters over the past 30
years that have resulted in more than a billion dollars in damages.
III. Observed and Projected Climate Change in Region 4
This section summarizes climate change impacts anticipated for EPA Region 4. The climate
change literature defines the Southeast Climate Region differently than EPA defines its
southeastern region. The Southeast Climate Region is defined to include all of the EPA Region
4 states plus Arkansas, Louisiana, two of EPA Region 6 states, and Virginia, one of EPA
Regions's states.
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DE
MS ซ
ป
Fl
Figure 11. - Map of EPA Region 4
Figure 12. - Map of the Southeast Climate Region
The Southeast Climate Region is exceptionally vulnerable to sea-level rise, extreme heat
events, and decreased water availability. Within this Region the spatial distribution of these
impacts and vulnerabilities is uneven, since it encompasses a wide range of ecoregions, from the
Appalachian Mountains to the coast.45 The high variability of the Region's climate makes it
difficult to assess the impacts of variability from climate change.
The Southeast Climate Region is home to more than 80 million people, drawing hundreds of
million visitors every year.46 Located in low-lying coastal areas particularly vulnerable to
flooding, extreme storms, and sea-level rise, this Region has a disproportionate number of the
country's fastest growing metropolitan areas and important economic sectors.47 Palm Coast, FL,
Cape Coral-Fort Meyers, FL, and Myrtle Beach, SC, are all vulnerable to sea-level rise and
storm surge.48
Sea-level rise and temperature and precipitation changes are expected to be the most severe
and widespread anticipated impacts to the Region, which ultimately may affect water
availability.49 The vulnerable Gulf and Atlantic coasts are major producers of seafood and home
to several ports.50 The Southeast Climate Region is a major energy producer of coal, crude oil,
and natural gas, and the highest energy user of any of the National Climate Assessment regions.51
Changes in land use and land cover, more rapid in the Southeast than most other areas of the
country, often interact with and serve to amplify the effects of climate change on southeastern
ecosystems.52
A. Temperature
1. Observed
Average annual temperature during the last century cycled between warm and cool periods
across the Southeast Climate Region.53 A warm peak occurred during the 1930s and 40s,
followed by a cool period in the 60s and 70s, and warmed again from 1970 to the present by an
average of 2ฐF, with more warming occurring during summer months.54 Since 1970, the number
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of days above 95ฐF and nights above 75ฐF have increased, while the number of extremely cold
days has decreased.55
2. Projected
Historical Climate (1971-2000)
ฃ^L
Projection (2041-2070)
Number of Days
0 15 30 45 60 75
Figure 13. The projected number of days exceeding 95ฐF.
Temperatures across the Southeast Climate Region are expected to increase during this
century, fluctuating over time because of natural climate variability (annually and decade-to-
decade).56 Major warming consequences include significant increases in the number of hot days
exceeding 95ฐF and decreases in freezing events.57 Projections for the region by 2100 include
increases of 10ฐF for interior states of the Region with a regional average increase ranging from
2ฐF to 6ฐF.58
Projected Change in Number of Nights Below 32ฐF
Projected Difference from Historical Climate
Change in Number of Days
-25 -20 -15 -10 -5
Figure 14. Projected Number of Nights below 32ฐF5
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Historical Climate (1971-2000)
Projection (2041-2070)
20 40 60 80 100
Figure 15. Projected annual number of days with temperatures less that
32ฐF for 2041-3 2070 compared to 1971-2000, assuming emissions
continue to grow (A2 scenario).60
Summer heat stress is projected to reduce crop productivity, especially when coupled with
increased drought. The 2007 drought cost the Georgia agriculture industry $339 million in crop
losses, and the 2002 drought cost North Carolina $398 million.61 A 2.2ฐF increase in temperature
could reduce overall productivity for corn, soybeans, rice, cotton, and peanuts across the South -
although rising CCh levels might partially offset these decreases, based on a crop yield simulation
model.62 In Georgia, climate projections indicate corn yields could decline by 15% and wheat yields
by 20% through 2020.63
3. Extreme Heat Events
Rising temperatures and the associated increases in frequency, intensity, and duration of
extreme heat events are expected to affect public health, natural and built environments, energy,
agriculture, and forestry.64 The negative effects of heat on human cardiovascular, cerebral, and
respiratory systems have been established.65 Within EPA Region 4, Atlanta, Miami, and Tampa
have already seen increases in the number of days with temperatures exceeding 95ฐF, during
which the number of deaths was above average.66 The expected increase in elderly population of
the Region enhances the health risks of extreme heat events. By 2100, the Southeast Climate
Region is expected to have the highest increase in heat index, the measure of comfort combining
temperature and relative humidity, of any region of the country.67 Additionally, higher
temperatures can contribute to the formation of harmful air pollutants and allergens, with
associated health impacts.68 Ground-level ozone is projected to increase in the Southeast Climate
Region's largest urban areas, potentially leading to increased deaths.69 Hospital admissions for
respiratory illnesses, emergency room visits for asthma, and lost school days may increase.70
A. Precipitation
1. Observed
The Gulf Coast regions of Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle receive over 60
inches of precipitation, while much of northern Kentucky, the central sections of the North and
South Carolinas, and Georgia receive between 40 and 50 inches of precipitation annually.71
Higher amounts of precipitation are found along the Atlantic coast and across the Florida
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Peninsula due in part to the lifting of the air associated with sea breeze circulation.72 Tropical
cyclones also contribute significantly to annual precipitation totals in the Region, especially over
the Southeast Atlantic coast.73 The Southeast Climate Region's wettest locations occur in
southwestern North Carolina.74 The Region's daily and five-day rainfall intensities have
increased while summers have been either extremely wet or increasingly dry.75 Only along the
northern Gulf Coast has precipitation increased during the last 100 years.76
Across the Southeast Climate Region's northern tier, the average annual snowfall ranges
from 5 to 25 inches, except at the higher elevations of the southern Appalachians in North
Carolina and Tennessee.77 These locations can receive up to 100 inches of snowfall annually,
comparable to annual snowfall amounts experienced in New England.78 The Region's southern
extent experiences very little snowfall (i.e., less than 1 inch per year) and several years may
elapse before any measurable snowfall occurs.79
2. Projected
Future precipitation-pattern projections are more uncertain than temperature projections.80
Under a high greenhouse-gas-emission scenario, average changes in annual precipitation range
from nearly 10% reduction in the far southern and western portions of the Region - with most of
that reduction in the summer - to about 5% increases in the northeastern part of the Region by
later this century.81 Average annual precipitation is projected to decrease by 2% to 4% over
South Florida, while increases in precipitation of up to 6% are projected across North Carolina.82
Precipitation is expected to increase across most of the Southeast Climate Region in all seasons
except summer, where a decrease of 15% is noted for South Florida.83
3. Extreme Events
a) Precipitation
The extreme-precipitation-event frequency has been increasing across the Region,
particularly pronounced over the last two decades.84 This increase is pronounced across the
lower Mississippi River Valley and along the northern Gulf Coast.85 Despite a long-term
increase in extreme precipitation events, no discernible trend exists in flood magnitude for the
Region.86 An increased risk of flooding of the Region's urban areas is expected from increases
in extreme-precipitation events and the associated increased runoff, compounded by the
magnitude of impervious surface that has resulted from increased urbanization.87
The annual number of days with extreme precipitation is expected to increase across most of
the Region by the mid-21st century, particularly along the southern Appalachians as well as parts
of Tennessee and Kentucky.88
b) Severe Thunderstorms & Tornadoes
Thunderstorms are frequent across the Southeast Climate Region, especially during the
warmer months. Severe thunderstorms, i.e., characterized by winds in excess of 58 mph, hail a
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minimum one inch in diameter, or a tornado, occur most frequently in the late winter and spring
months.
Within EPA Region 4, damaging winds and large hail occur most frequently across Alabama,
Mississippi, and western Tennessee.89 These states also experience the highest number of strong
tornadoes (F2 and greater) and experience more killer tornadoes than the notorious "Tornado
Alley" of the Great Plains.90
Cloud-to-ground lightning is a significant hazard. The greatest lightning-strike frequency
within the nation occurs across the Gulf Coast and the Florida Peninsula.91 Additionally, eight of
the eleven states comprising the Southeast Climate Region rank in the top 20 for lightning-
related fatalities from 1959 to 2006.92 Cloud-to-ground lightning has started house fires and
wildfires.
c) Tropical Storms an d Hurrican es
In the Southeastern Climate Region, tropical storms and hurricanes frequently make landfall
along North Carolina's Outer Banks and south Florida and rarely appear to land along the
concave portions of the coastline, the western bend of Florida and the Georgia coast.93 Major
hurricane (categories 3 to 5) landfalls have been most frequent in South Florida (once every 15
years) and along the northern Gulf Coast (once every 20 years).94 While these storms primarily
impact the coast, significant effects are experienced several hundred miles inland.95 Storms with
wind gusts exceeding 75 mph have occurred every five to 10 years across portions of the
Region's coastal plain and every 50 to 75 years across portions of the Carolina Piedmont, central
Alabama, and Mississippi.96
Tropical storm and hurricane-associated precipitation contribute significantly to the
Southeast Climate Region's precipitation, surface and ground water levels, water supply, and soil
moisture.97 Heavy rainfall also periodically causes deadly inland flooding, especially when a
storm is large or is stalled by a weather front.98 Hurricane landfalls appear to have declined
slightly over the past century from a decadal frequency perspective.99
B. Sea-level rise in Region 4
The National Water Level Observation Network's 150-years database consistently depicts a
rise in sea level. From this data, a 0 to 3 millimeter-per-year sea-level rise rate has been
estimated off the west Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi coasts.100 Two data sources, the
historical tide-gauge records over the past century and geologic evidence over the past several
centuries, indicate steadily rising sea level off North Carolina's coast. The NC Coastal
Resources Commission's Science Panel on coastal hazards recommended a projected sea-level
rise of one meter by 2100 be adopted for policy development and planning purposes.101
Large portions of the Region are highly vulnerable to sea-level rise, although how much sea-
level rise is experienced in any particular place depends upon whether and how much the local
land is sinking (i.e., subsidence) or rising, and offshore-current changes.102 Global sea-level rise
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over the 20th century has averaged approximately eight inches. The rise rate is expected to
accelerate through the end of this century.103
Figure 16 below depicts the relative risk, as determined by the Coastal Vulnerability Index,
that physical changes will occur as sea-level rises. The Coastal Vulnerability Index is based on
tidal range, wave height, coastal slope, shoreline change, landform and processes, and historical
rate of relative sea-level rise. The index estimates a coastal system's susceptibility to change and
its natural ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions to formulate an estimation of a
system's natural sea-level rise vulnerability or risk.104
Vulnerability to Sea Level Rise
New Orleans
Low Moderate High Very High
Figure 16.105 The Southeast Climate Region's Vulnerability to Sea-Level Rise
In the Southeast Climate Region, numerous cities, roads, railways, ports, airports, oil and gas
facilities, and water supplies are in low-elevation areas, making them vulnerable to sea-level rise.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is raising U.S. Highway 64's roadbed by four
feet; 18 inches of which is to address sea-level rise projections.106 The major cities of Miami and
Tampa, FL, are among those most at risk.107
Sea-level rise impacts upon agriculture may decrease freshwater availability and increase
land loss and saltwater intrusion. Salt-water intrusion is projected to reduce the availability of
groundwater for irrigation, thereby limiting crop production in some areas.108 Agricultural areas
around Miami-Bade County with shallow groundwater tables are at risk of enhanced inundation
and associated cropland loss; an estimated 37,500 acres in Florida are projected to be lost to
production with a 27-inch sea-level rise.109
Additionally, higher sea levels are expected to accelerate saltwater intrusion into rivers,
streams, and groundwater sources of freshwater in coastal areas. In areas with porous aquifers,
groundwater is particularly vulnerable to saltwater intrusion. Salt water intrusion impacts water
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quality for agriculture, drinking water, and industrial purposes. In the City of Hallandale Beach,
FL, officials have already abandoned six of the city's eight drinking water wells due to salt-water
intrusion.110
C. Drought trends in Region 4
1. Watersheds
Several watersheds within EPA Region 4 cross multiple state boundaries with growing
populations needing water for agriculture, energy production, navigation, drinking, and other
needs. Alabama shares most of its major streams with neighboring states.111 Five rivers originate
in Alabama and flow through Florida before draining into the Gulf of Mexico. Both the Coosa
and Tallapoosa Rivers originate in Georgia and flow into Alabama where they join the Alabama
River. The Tombigbee River originates in Mississippi and flows into Alabama, becoming a
tributary to the Mobile River. The Escatawpa River originates in southwest Alabama and
becomes a tributary to the Pascagoula River, straddling the AL-MS state line before draining into
the Mississippi Sound. The Tennessee River, the largest tributary to the Ohio River, is formed at
the confluence of the Holston and French Broad Rivers in northeast Tennessee. It flows through
Alabama forming a small section of the AL - MS border before flowing back into Tennessee via
Kentucky, then discharging into the Ohio River. Additionally, the Catawba River originates in
North Carolina eventually forming approximately 10 miles of the NC-SC border before
becoming a tributary to the Wateree River of SC. The Savannah River flows along the GA - SC
border before draining into the Atlantic Ocean.
2. Population Effects
The Region's rapid population growth and development has greatly increased water demand
and drought vulnerability. Yet, drought is a normal component of the Region's climate system.
EPA Region 4, its state, local and tribal government partners and stakeholders face
challenges in managing drought conditions in light of the Region's growing population and the
anticipated climate change impacts.
3. Dams and Basins
Within EPA Region 4 the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (US ACOE) operate a number of dams on significant waterways. According to US
ACOE's National Inventory of Dams,112 the federal government operates 404 dams within
Region 4. The TVA operates 47 dams for hydropower within a region primarily encompassing
Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee (see figure 23 below).
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. ""ซ \Chatianoo C s c\
~ \ ฎ
T^ j^ ^ i . ^^ ง_ i .Jปr
Figure 23. MapofTVA's reservoirs and dams.113 The red boxes identify 45 of the 47 hydro dams. The yellow
boxes identify coal-power plants. The purple boxes identify nuclear-power plants.
a) Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin
The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River (ACF) Basin is an important part of the
socioeconomic structure of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida's urban population, agriculture,
power generation, recreation economy, and North Florida's commercial fishery. This Basin
overlies 19,800 square miles of southwestern Georgia and southeastern Alabama. The
Centerpiece of the Basin is the Chattahoochee River. Its headwaters are in northeast Georgia in
the Blue Ridge Mountains. It flows southwest to Columbus, GA, then south along much of the
AL-GA border, before crossing into Florida where it confluences with another Georgia river, the
Flint River, creating the Apalachicola River which discharges into the Gulf of Mexico at the
Apalachicola Bay.
Despite human alterations to most of the ACF Basin, it still supports a rich and abundant
diversity of plants and animals. The Chattahoochee's headwaters (the Blue Ridge ecoregion) are
the only cold-water fishery habitat. The Apalachicola Bay lies within the Southern Coastal
Plain ecoregion while the rest of the Basin is within the Southeastern Plains ecoregion. These
ecoregions represent areas where unique and localized natural processes have facilitated the
Basin's noteworthy aquatic biodiversity: amphibians, fish, reptiles, and invertebrate fauna
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(crayfish, insects, mussels, worms).114 Ninety-nine species of breeding birds, including
migratory water fowl and 52 species of mammals depend upon its water resources.115
The Basin has the largest fish-species diversity of all the river basins draining into the Gulf of
Mexico east of the Mississippi River.116 Seven fish species live only in the Basin (endemic).
Sixteen fish species have been listed for protection by Federal or State agencies. And the
Apalachicola River Basin has the largest freshwater-fish assemblages in Florida.117
Living in the Basin are 16 species of freshwater aquatic turtles, 21 species of salamanders, 26
species of frogs, and the American alligator. All require freshwater to complete or sustain their
lifecycles.118 Numerous snake and lizard species inhabit streams and wetlands. Fifteen species
of amphibians and reptiles are noteworthy because of their rarity or protected status: two are
designated as threatened and five are designated Endangered Species Act candidate species.119
The Apalachicola River Basin's upper reaches have the highest amphibian and reptile species
density on the continent north of Mexico, and 116 plant species are found; 17 are listed as
endangered, 28 threatened, and 30 are rare; with 9 plant endemic species.120
The source of the Apalachicola River's flow is primarily the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers
(80 percent), the Chipola River (11 percent) and the remaining from groundwater and overland
flows. Because of rainfall-distribution patterns, the Chattahoochee River's average annual
runoff exceeds the Flint and makes a greater contribution to the Apalachicola River's peak flows
than the Flint. During droughts because the Flint River's base flow is sustained by groundwater,
it contributes the greater flow into the Apalachicola River.121 However, agriculture is the primary
land use within the Flint, which depends heavily upon groundwater. Agricultural irrigation can
and has depleted the lower Flint River's base flow. Drought combined with high irrigation
demand, e.g., high crop prices, can cause the Flint River's component of the Apalachicola
River's flow to be nonexistent.
Apalachicola Bay produces 90 percent of Florida's and 13 percent of the Nation's oyster
harvest. It is a nursery for shrimp, blue crab, and a variety offish species. The largest National
Estuarine Research Reserve is located in the Bay. The State of Florida has declared both the
Apalachicola River and Bay to be an Outstanding Florida Water. The United Nations has
designated Apalachicola Bay as an International Biosphere Reserve.122
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A Southeast River Basin Under Stress
Figure II.123 - The ACF Basin in Georgia.
b) Alabama, Coosa, and Tallapoosa Basin
The Alabama, Coosa, and Tallapoosa (ACT) Basin has 16 reservoirs of significance. Its
series of dams are operated by the Corps of Engineers and the Alabama Power Company
primarily to meet for navigation and hydropower production. Lake Martin, managed by the
Alabama Power company, is the largest reservoir with 60.6 percent of the conservation storage.
Lake Allatoona, managed by the Corps, is the second largest reservoir in the ACT basin with
11.4 percent of the conservation storage.124
The ACT has been called a hotspot of aquatic biodiversity but it has lost some of its
diversity. The Coosa River in Georgia historically included 36 native mussel species; today the
US Forest Service knows of only four. The Etowah River once included 43 mussel species, now
none are known. The Oostanaula River once included 43 mussel species, now only 12 are
known. The Conasauga River once included 43 mussel species, now only six are known. The
Coosawattee River once included 20 mussel species, today only 11 are known.125 Changes in the
Coosa Basin are just as dramatic. The extinction rate in freshwater snails in the Coosa Basin is
second only to some of the rainforest in South America.126 Since the early 1900's, more than 40
species of freshwater snails and several mussel species are now presumed extinct. Other species
being affected by the 2007 - ongoing drought include striped bass fishery, a world-class spotted
bass fishery, and in Mobile Bay, recreational fisheries and commercial shrimp and oyster
fisheries.127 Since the ACT's 16 reservoirs and associated dams are operated primarily to meet
navigation and hydropower production needs, the ACT Basin's aquatic ecosystems may not
prove resilient to climate change.
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1 http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/adaptation
2 Chapter 28 - Adaptation (V. 11 Jan. 2013, p. 987) in the U.S. Global Change Research Program draft 2013
National Climate Assessment.
3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Policy Statement on Climate-Change Adaptation (Washington, DC, June
2, 2011). Available at http://www.fedcenter.gov/programs/climate/
4 Final draft U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Climate Change Adaptation Plan (June 29, 2012).
5 http://www.mississippi.org/assets/docs/library/ms_port.pdf
6http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/index/USA_FL.php
7 North American Terrestrial Ecoregions - Level III (April, 2011) Commission for Environmental Cooperation,
available at ftp://ftp.epa.gov/wed/ecoregions/pubs/NA TerrestrialEcoregionsLevel3Final-2junellCEC.pdf
8 These are defined in: Ecoregions of North America as Level III ecoregions, see:
http://www.epa.gov/wed/pages/ecoregions/na eco.htm#Downloads. The focus here is on the Level 3 sub-
ecoregions. Level 3 ecoregions are a subset of Level 2 ecoregions which are in turn a subset of a broader Level 1
Ecoregion.
9 Christensen, J.H., B. Hewitson, A. Busuioc, A. Chen, X. Gao, I. Held, R. Jones, R.K. Kolli, W.-T. Kwon, R.
Laprise, V. Magana Rueda, L. Mearns, C.G. Menendez, J. Raisanen, A. Rinke, A. Sarr and P. Whetton, 2007:
Regional Climate Projections. 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., available at http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-
report/ar4/wgl/ar4-wgl-chapterll.pdf
10 These are defined in: Ecoregions of North America as Level III ecoregions, see:
http://www.epa.gov/wed/pages/ecoregions/na eco.htm#Downloads. The focus here is on the Level 3 sub-
ecoregions. Level 3 ecoregions are a subset of Level 2 ecoregions which are in turn a subset of a broader Level 1
Ecoregion.
11 North American Terrestrial Ecoregions - Level III (April, 2011) Commission for Environmental Cooperation,
available at ftp://ftp.epa.gov/wed/ecoregions/pubs/NA TerrestrialEcoregionsLevel3Final-2junellCEC.pdf
12 Id.
13 Id.
14 Id.
15 Id.
16http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Online_Highlights/Fact_Sheets/Practices/aquaculture.pdf
17 Id.
18 Chapter 13 - Land Use and Land Cover Change (V. 11 Jan. 2013, p. 423) in the U.S. Global Change Research
Program draft 2013 National Climate Assessment.
19 Id.
20 Id.
21
Id.
22 CWA section 101(a) states: "The objective of this Act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and
biological integrity of the nation's waters."
23 Id., pp. 1-2.
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24 Ecoregions of North America as Level III ecoregions, see:
http://www.epa.gov/wed/pages/ecoregions/na eco.htm#Downloads.
25 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). (2012) Implications of climate change for bioassessment
programs and approaches to account for effects. Global Change Research Program, National Center for
Environmental Assessment, Washington, DC; EPA/600/R-11/036A. Available from the National Technical
Information Service, Springfield, VA, and online at http://www.epa.gov/ncea. pp. 7-21.
26 Id., pp. 7-21.
27 Id., pp. 5-69.
28 Id., pp. 1-11.
29 Id.
30 Id.
31 Id.
32 Id.
33 Id.
34 Id., pp. 5-23.
35 April 2011 US Census estimates (http://quickfacts.census.gov).
36 P. 3.
37 Id.
38 Aging, Administration on. "projected future growth of the older Population ."
http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Aging Statistics/future growth/future growth.aspx#age
39 Ecoregions of North America as Level III ecoregions, see:
http://www.epa.gov/wed/pages/ecoregions/na eco.htm#Downloads.
40 Regional Climate Trends and Scenarios for the U.S. National Climate Assessment, Part 2. Climate of the
Southeast U.S., NOAA Technical Report NESDIS 142-2. Available at
http://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/teclinical reports/NOAANESDIS Tech Report 142-2-
Climate of the Southeast U.S.pdf
41 U.S. Census Bureau 2010.
42 Id.
43 Chapter 17, Southeast and the Caribbean, of the Federal Advisory Committee Draft Climate Assessment Report
Released for Public Review (volume 11 Jan 2013) see: http://ncadac.globalchange.gov/
44 Id.
45 The Southeast and the Caribbean (Chapter 17) of the Federal Advisory Committee Draft Climate Assessment
Report released for public review (volume 11, January 2013), see: http://ncadac.globalchange.gov
46 Id.
47 Id.
48 Id.
49 Id.
50 Id.
51 Id.
52 Id.
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53 Id.
54 Id.
55 Id.
56 Id.
57 Id.
58 Id.
59 Id.
60 Id.
61 Id.
62 Id.
63 Id.
64 Id.
65 Id.
66 Id.
67 Id.
68 Id.
69 Id.
70 Id.
71 Southeast Region Technical Report to the National Climate Assessment (Revised July 23, 2012) available at
http://downloads.usgcrp.gov/NCA/ Activities/NCA_SE_Technical_Report_FIN AL_7-23-12.pdf
72 Id.
73 Id.
74 Id.
75 The Southeast and the Caribbean (Chapter 17) of the Federal Advisory Committee Draft Climate Assessment
Report released for public review (volume 1 1, January 2013), see: http ://ncadac. globalchange . gov
76 Southeast Region Technical Report to the National Climate Assessment (Revised July 23, 2012) available at
http://downloads.usgcrp.gov/NCA/Activities/NCA_SE_Technical_Report_FINAL_7-23-12.pdf
77 Id.
78 Id.
79 Id.
80 Id.
81 Southeast Region Technical Report to the National Climate Assessment (Revised July 23, 2012) available at
http://downloads.usgcrp.gov/NCA/Activities/NCA_SE_Technical_Report_FINAL_7-23-12.pdf
82 Id.
83 Id.
84 Id.
85 Id.
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87 Id.
88 Southeast Region Technical Report to the National Climate Assessment (Revised July 23, 2012) available at
http://downloads.usgcrp.gov/NCA/Activities/NCA_SE_Technical_Report_FINAL_7-23-12.pdf
89 Id.
90 Id.
91 Id.
92 Id.
93 Id.
94 Id.
95 Id.
96 Id.
97 Southeast Region Technical Report to the National Climate Assessment (Revised July 23, 2012) available at
http://downloads.usgcrp.gov/NCA/Activities/NCA_SE_Technical_Report_FINAL_7-23-12.pdf
98 Id.
"Id.
100 Id.
101 North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources report, North Carolina Sea-level rise
Assessment Report (2010) P. 12 and available at http://dcm2.enr.state.nc.us/slr/NC%20Sea-
Level%20Rise%20Assessment%20Report%202010%20-%20CRC%20Science%20Panel.pdf
102 Id.
103 Id.
104 The Southeast and the Caribbean (Chapter 17) of the Federal Advisory Committee Draft Climate Assessment
Report released for public review (volume 11, January 2013), see: http://ncadac.globalchange.gov
105 Id.
106 Id.
107 Id.
108 Id.
109 Id.
110 Id.
111 Water Management Issues In Alabama, by the AL Water Agencies Working Group (August 1, 2012) available at
http://www.adem.state.al.us/programs/water/waterforms/WaterIssueReport.pdf
112Available at http://geo.usace.army.mil/pgis/f?p=397:12:
113 http://www.tva.com/sites/sites_ie.htm
114 Couch, C.A., Hopkins, E.H., and Hardy, P.S., Influences of Environmental Settings on Aquatic Ecosystems in the
Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin. (1995) USGS Water-Resources Investigations Report 95-4278.
Available at www.pubs.usgs.gov/wri/1995/4278/report.pdf
115 Id.
116 Id.
117 Id.
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118 Id.
119 Id.
120 Id.
121 Id.
122 Id.
123 The Southeast and the Caribbean (Chapter 17) of the Federal Advisory Committee Draft Climate Assessment
Report released for public review (volume 11, January 2013), see: http://ncadac.globalchange.gov
124 Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa Basin, US FWS, available at
http://www.fws.gov/southeast/drought/archive/pdf/ACT-BasinQ-A.pdf
125 Id.
126 Id.
127 Id.
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PART 2
VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION 36
II. GOAL 1: TAKING ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND IMPROVING AIR QUALITY 36
A. OVERVIEW OF POTENTIAL CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS 36
1. Ozone 37
2. Paniculate Matter (PM) 38
3. Indoor Air 39
III. GOAL 2: PROTECTING AMERICA'S WATERS 39
A. OVERVIEW OF POTENTIAL CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS 39
B. PROGRAM-SPECIFIC VULNERABILITIES AND POTENTIAL ACTIONS 41
1. Watershed Management 41
2. Water Quality Standards 41
3. Monitoring, Assessing, and Reporting 42
4. Total Maximum Daily Loads 42
5. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 43
6. Nonpoint Source Management 43
7. Wetlands 43
8. Dredging/Ocean Dumping 44
9. National Estuary Program and South Florida 44
10. Drinking Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Infrastructure 45
11. Drinking Water Quality 46
IV. CLEANING UP COMMUNITIES AND ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 47
A. OVERVIEW OF POTENTIAL CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS 47
1. Sea Level Rise 47
2. Extreme Storm Events 48
3. Temperature Change 48
4. Wildfires 49
5. Ocean Acidification 49
6. Increased Water Temperatures 49
B. PROGRAM-SPECIFIC VULNERABILITIES AND POTENTIAL ACTIONS 49
1. Longer-term Cleanups (e.g., Superfund Remedial, Superfund Time-Critical Removal, SuperfundRCRA
Corrective Action, TSCA, Brownfields Cleanup Sites, an d Poly chlorinate d Cleanup) 49
2. Impacts on Longer-term Cleanups: 49
3. Emergency Response Programs 52
4. RCRA Hazardous Waste Management Facilities 55
5. Oil Program and Underground Storage Tanks 56
6. Brownfield Program 58
V. GOAL 4: ENSURING THE SAFETY OF CHEMICALS AND PREVENTING POLLUTION 58
A. PESTICIDES 58
B. IMPACTS ON PESTICIDES PROGRAM 59
VI. GOAL 5 - ENFORCING ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS WITHIN REGION 4 60
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VII. FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS 61
A. SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS 61
B. OVERVIEW OF POTENTIAL CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS 62
C. REGION 4 PROPERTY DETAILS 63
1. The SNAFC Building/Complex 63
2. SESD Laboratory 63
3. SESDFEC 63
4. ERRB Warehouse 63
5. WPD S. FL Office 63
6. Gulf of Mexico Program 64
7. EPA's Gulf Ecology Division Laboratory campus 64
VIM. CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE 64
A. CHILDREN 66
1. Air Quality 66
2. Indoor Air 66
3. Infectious Diseases 67
4. Flooding 67
5. Clean Water 67
6. Safe Drinking Water 67
7. Impacts on Region 4 Children's Environmental Health (CEH) Program 67
B. ELDERLY POPULATION 68
C. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 69
D. TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS 71
1. Resources 72
2. Education and Outreach 72
3. Communication and Collaboration 73
IX. VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT TABLE (APPENDIX A) 73
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I. Introduction
The Agency's draft Climate Change Adaptation Plan has defined "vulnerability" as the
degree to which a system is susceptible to, or unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate
change, including climate variability and extremes.128 EPA's systems are the various programs
implementing its strategic plan goals and statutory mandates. Region 4 is an extension of these
systems into the nation's southeastern eight states and the fourteen ecoregions described earlier.
This chapter contains an assessment of the vulnerabilities of key EPA Region 4 Programs to the
impacts of climate change. It builds on the work presented in Part 2 of EPA's agency-wide Plan,
and is structured by the goals in EPA's FY 2011-2015 Strategic Plan. The following begins the
discussion of Region 4's program vulnerabilities to climate change in context of the Agency's
five strategic plan goals:129
Goal 1 - Taking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air Quality within Region 4
Goal 2 - Protecting EPA Region 4's Waters
Goal 3 - Cleaning Up Communities and Advancing Sustainable Development within Region 4
Goal 4 - Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution within Region 4
Goal 5 - Enforcing Environmental Laws within Region 4
Note that EPA Region 4 has not conducted a quantitative vulnerability assessment, but
has qualitatively evaluated the nature and magnitude of risks associated with climate change
impacts.
II. Goal 1: Taking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air Quality
A. Overview of Potential Climate Change Impacts
Communities within the Southeast face public health and environmental challenges from
ambient and indoor air pollution. Climate change will increase these challenges. EPA Region 4
partners with federal, state, tribal and local agencies to protect public health and the environment
by directly implementing programs that address air quality (indoor and outdoor), toxic pollutants,
climate change, energy efficiency, pollution prevention, industrial and mobile source pollution,
radon, acid rain, stratospheric ozone depletion, and radiation protection. Several program areas
are vulnerable to future climate conditions that may be characterized by elevated baseline
temperatures, increased frequency and duration of heat waves, more extreme swings in weather
conditions (drought and precipitation events), and more severe hurricanes and coastal storms.
These future conditions will present challenges to EPA to achieve its core mission.
The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) for six criteria pollutants. EPA is required to review and consider revisions to these
criteria pollutant standards every five years. Once a NAAQS has been established or revised, the
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CAA requires states to develop specific plans, State Implementation Plans (SIPs), to attain the
standards for each area designated as "nonattainment" for that NAAQS. In other words, the
states must demonstrate how its areas will achieve and maintain compliance with standards.
Two criteria pollutants, ozone and particulate matter (PM), appear to be at risk for future
ambient level increases caused by a warming climate. Tropospheric (ground-level) ozone
pollution is likely to increase due to meteorological conditions that would become more
favorable to ozone formation, particularly in the southeastern U.S.130 Ambient particulate matter
levels would likely be affected in some areas by an increase in frequency or intensity of
wildfires. m Another area of vulnerability to climate change is indoor air quality.
1. Ozone
The current health-based ozone NAAQS is 0.075 parts per million (ppm) on an 8-hour
average. While most areas of Region 4 currently meet that standard, the EPA is set to
begin considering an even more protective ozone standard sometime this year (2013),
which would be followed by a new round of area attainment/ nonattainment designations.
Impacts on ozone programs
A warming climate could induce ambient ozone level increases, which would in turn may
require more stringent pollution controls to attain and maintain the ozone NAAQS than
would be necessary under the present-day climate.
Ground-level ozone is projected to increase in the largest urban areas of the Southeast
(Chang etal.2010).132
Emissions of ozone precursors, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), are expected to increase
from fossil-fuel burning power plants due to increased demand that accompanies
increased ambient temperatures.
Complying with the ozone NAAQS may become more difficult for some Region 4 states,
especially those with areas already facing existing ozone problems. Figure 8 presents the
results of a modeling study which predicts increases of ground-level ozone concentra-
tions across the southeast up to approximately 3 parts per billion in some urban areas.
Ground-level Ozone
Figure 8. Map showing projected
increases in ground level ozone pollution
in 2050 as compared to 2001, using a mid-
range emissions scenario (A1B, assuming
some decrease from current emissions
growth trends).
(Adapted from Tagaris et al. 2009)
,133
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2. Particulate Matter (PM)
The current PM NAAQS comprise standards for fine participate matter (PIVfo.s) and
coarse participate matter (PMio). The existing health-based PM2.5 NAAQS are a short-term (24-
hour average) standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter (|ig/m3) and a long-term (annual
average) standard of 15 jig/m3. In December 2012 the EPA strengthened the annual PIVfo.s
NAAQS by finalizing a new standard of 12 ug/m3.134 The health-based PMio NAAQS is a short-
term (24-hour average) standard of 150 |ig/m3. All areas of Region 4 currently meet the existing
PM2.5 and PMio NAAQS. EPA will designate areas as being in attainment or nonattainment with
the 2012 PM2.s NAAQS in December 2014.
While the impact of climate change on ambient PM levels remains somewhat uncertain,
existing evidence suggests that climate change may cause increasing frequency or intensity of
wildfires.135 This potential is particularly important in Region 4, where the Southeast leads the
nation in the rate of wildfire occurrences, averaging approximately 45,000 fires per year from
1997 through 2003.136 Wildland fires contribute an estimated 15 percent of total PM and 8
percent of carbon dioxide (CCh) emissions over the southeastern USA.137 An increase in wildfire
activity would cause more frequent elevated PM events, which would be hazardous to human
health. For example, a study conducted in the Carolinas showed that peat bog wildfires pose a
health hazard, with even brief exposure to smoke associated with these types of wildfires has
being associated with negative respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes.138
Impacts on PM program
The potential for greater PM concentrations due to wildfire activity may need to be
considered when preparing SIPs to demonstrate attainment with the PM NAAQS. For
example, increasing background PM2.5 levels when modeling future PM2.5 concentrations
may need to be assumed.
More information is needed with regard to the potential for increases in both short-term
exposure and long-term exposure to PM due to an increase in wildfires.
o For a short-term exposure assessment, more data is needed on the human
population in areas that are most likely to be in close proximity to wildfire
activity.
o To assess the vulnerability to long-term exposure, additional data is needed on
how many wildfires per year can be expected, the expected total PM2.5 emissions
from those wildfires, and modeling to estimate the impact of those emissions on
ambient PM2.5 levels. This data gap has been identified as a research need by the
federal land management agencies.139
o Funding has been made available by the federal Joint Fire Science Program
(JFSP) for research on the potential increases in wildfires and resulting air
pollution and human health impacts at a regional level. The results of this
research are expected to be available in 2015.140
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3. Indoor Air
The Agency's Indoor Air Program is a non-regulatory program. While Program staff share
information, there are no metrics of control and few methods of monitoring results. In Region 4,
Program staff largely focus on mold, radon, and asthma, and work with state and local agencies
with indoor air quality interest or legislation. Regional staff also tries to be aware of emerging
issues in indoor air quality.
Due to the nature of Region 4's hot and humid climate and the nature of the work place, the
Region estimates most its population spends 92 percent of its time indoors, consistent with the
national population.141 The anticipated climate change attributes of heavy rains, increased
temperatures and high humidity cycles will likely facilitate this trend to continue whereupon the
population will be exposed to poorer indoor air quality (from lower ventilation levels, carbon
monoxide from emergency power generators); dampness, moisture, and flooding; infectious
agents and pests (which may also increase pesticide use); thermal stress; and building ventilation,
weatherization, and energy use.142
Impacts on Indoor Air program
The Region expects its population to have increased exposure with identified indoor air
agents of concern: heat and biological materials - pollen, molds and infectious agents
associated with climate change and associated health concerns.143 See also the section on
impacts to vulnerable populations.
III. Goal 2: Protecting America's Waters
Region 4's waters include the Gulf Coast; Florida Keys; South Atlantic Coast; and the
Coastal Plain, Southern Appalachian Mountains, Tennessee River, lower Ohio River, and the
southeastern Mississippi River watersheds. The region includes a wealth of ecological and
economic resources, such as rivers and streams, barrier islands, extensive estuaries, coral reefs,
coastal and freshwater wetlands, busy shipping ports, major metropolitan cities, extensive
agricultural production and important commercial and recreational fishing resources. The
Southeast has over 434,000 farms on more than 80 million acres, over 138 million acres of
timberland, and is home to over one third (1,935 miles) of the lower 48-states' continental
coastline, 33 percent of U.S. coterminous estuaries, and nearly 30 percent of all U.S.
wetlands.144'145'146'147'148 Pressures from the continuing population and business growth in the
southeastern states on the coastal, piedmont and mountain zones of this region are compounded
by increased incidence of drought as well as increased flooding, sea level rise, intense tropical
storms and heat-related stress on aquatic ecosystems and human health.
A. Overview of Potential Climate Change Impacts
In March 2012, EPA published the draft 2072 National Water Program Climate Change
Strategy,149 which described impacts that were documented in reports of the
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Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). These impacts are relevant to the
Southeast and can be summarized as follows. 15ฐ
Increases in Water Pollution Problems: Warmer air temperatures will result in warmer
water that will hold less dissolved oxygen making instances of low oxygen levels and
hypoxia more likely, foster harmful algal blooms and change the toxicity of some
pollutants, and could cause an increased number of waters to be recognized as
"impaired".
More Extreme Water-Related Events: Heavier precipitation in tropical and inland storms
will increase the risks of flooding, expand floodplains, increase the variability of stream
flows (i.e., higher high flows and lower low flows), increase the velocity of water during
high flow periods and increase erosion. These changes will have adverse effects on water
and wastewater management facilities as well as water quality and aquatic system health.
For example, increased intense rainfall will result in more nutrients, pathogens, and
toxins being washed into water bodies.
Changes to the Availability of Drinking Water Supplies: In some parts of the Southeast,
droughts, changing patterns of precipitation, and increased water loss due to evaporation
as a result of warmer air temperatures will result in changes to the availability of water
for drinking and for use for agriculture and industry. In other areas, sea level rise and salt
water intrusion will have a similar effect. Warmer air temperatures may also result in
increased demands on community water supplies and the water needs for agriculture,
industry, and energy production are also likely to increase.
Water body Boundary Movement and Displacement: Rising sea levels will move ocean
and estuarine shorelines by inundating lowlands, displacing wetlands, and altering the
tidal range in rivers and bays. Changing water flow to lakes and streams, increased
evaporation, and changed precipitation in some areas, will affect the size of wetlands and
lakes.
Changing Aquatic Biology: As waters become warmer, the aquatic life they now support
will be replaced by other species better adapted to the warmer water (i.e., cold water fish
will be replaced by warm water fish). This process, however, will occur at an uneven
pace disrupting aquatic system health and allowing non-indigenous and/or invasive
species to become established. In the long-term (i.e., 50 years), warmer water and
changing flows may result in significant deterioration of aquatic ecosystem health in
some areas.
Collective Impacts on Coastal Areas: Most areas of the Southeast will see several of the
water-related effects of climate change, but coastal areas are likely to see multiple
impacts of climate change. These impacts include sea level rise, increased damage from
floods and storms, changes in drinking water supplies, and increasing temperature and
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acidification of the oceans. These overlapping impacts of climate change make
protecting water resources in coastal areas especially challenging.
Indirect Impacts: The Southeast is susceptible to impacts due to unintended
consequences of human response to climate change, such as those resulting from carbon
sequestration and other greenhouse gas reduction strategies.
B. Program-Specific Vulnerabilities and Potential Actions
1. Watershed Management
EPA Region 4, working with its state, local and tribal partners, is responsible for managing
regulatory and non-regulatory programs to protect and improve water quality in the Southeast's
watersheds and estuarine, coastal and ocean waters. As better information is developed for local
decision making, changes may be needed in how EPA Region 4 and our partners implement
water quality programs, including Water Quality Standards, monitoring and assessment, Total
Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL), Effluent Guidelines, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES), nonpoint pollution control programs, stormwater management and other
watershed management programs. Potential vulnerabilities to Region 4 Watershed Management
efforts include:
Higher air and water temperatures combined with nutrient pollution may result in
increased growth of algae and microbes that threaten aquatic ecosystems.
Higher air and water temperatures may increase pollutant concentrations and lower
dissolved oxygen levels, potentially resulting in additional water bodies not meeting
water quality standards and being listed as impaired.
Areas experiencing periods of less precipitation, drought, lower stream flow and limited
ground water recharge may result in less water flow for dilution of permitted discharges,
alterations of aquatic environments, and increased impairments.
Areas with increased intensity of drought or that may experience increases in events such
as wildfires may see alterations in the structure and function of watersheds potentially
affecting regional and state wetlands delineation and protection programs.
Increased intensity of rainfall events and storms may cause an increase in the number of
sewer overflows and wastewater bypasses, fouling streams and requiring increased water
quality enforcement.
2. Water Quality Standards
Water Quality Standards are the foundation of the Clean Water Act - they designate the
goals and uses for water bodies, setting criteria to protect those uses, and establishing provisions
to protect water bodies from pollutants. States, territories, and authorized tribes establish water
quality standards, and EPA reviews and approves those standards. Potential vulnerabilities to
Region 4 Water Quality Standards efforts include:
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Warmer waters and other ecological shifts will threaten aquatic habitats and aquatic
species, such as cold water fisheries and potentially requiring changes in State stream
classifications. Rising stream temperatures could significantly reduce viable habitat for
several species of cold-water fish in North Carolina, including brook trout.
Salinity changes due to seal level rise may create a need to reclassify some water bodies
from fresh to salt water. Sea-level rise may also result in a shifting from fresh water
communities to salt water communities, such as is happening in the Chassohowitzka
River System in Florida. Increased anthropogenic use of freshwater upstream may be a
significant contributor in converting fresh to salt water.
3. Monitoring, Assessing, and Reporting
Our nation's waters are monitored by state, federal, and local agencies, universities,
dischargers, and volunteers. Water quality data are used to characterize waters, identify trends
over time, identify emerging problems, determine whether pollution control programs are
working, help to direct pollution control efforts to where they are most needed, and respond to
emergencies such as floods and spills. Potential vulnerabilities to Region 4 Monitoring efforts
include:
Stream ecosystems will be affected directly, indirectly, and through interactions
with other stressors. Biological responses to these changes will vary regionally
and could include altered community composition, interactions, and functions. .
Monitoring locations may need to be re-located in order to effectively monitor and assess
changes in stream ecology or water quality.
Timing of monitoring may need to change in order to pick up seasonal shifts and the full
range of climate vulnerability, especially for recreational and aquatic life uses.
4. Total Maximum Daily Loads
Under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, states, territories, and authorized tribes are
required to develop lists of impaired waters. These are waters that are too polluted or otherwise
degraded to meet the water quality standards set by states, territories, or authorized tribes. The
law requires that these jurisdictions establish priority rankings for waters on the lists and develop
Total Maximum Daily Load ("TMDLs") for these waters. A TMDL is a calculation of the
maximum amount of a pollutant a waterbody can receive and still safely meet water quality
standards. Potential vulnerabilities to Region 4 TMDL efforts include:
Some areas may experience periods of less precipitation, drought, lower stream flow and
limited ground water recharge resulting in less water flow for dilution of permitted
discharges, alterations of aquatic environments, and increased impairments; these
considerations will need to be taken into account in the development of new TMDLs, and
potentially result in the need for revision of existing TMDLs.
Some areas may experience episodes of increased intense precipitation resulting in
increased runoff of pollutants; these considerations will need to be taken into account in
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the development of new TMDLs, and potentially result in the need for revision of
existing TMDLs.
5. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
Water pollution degrades surface waters making them unsafe for existing uses, including
drinking water, fishing, swimming, and other water recreation. As authorized by the Clean Water
Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls
water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United
States. NPDES permits have a five-year permitting cycle. Potential vulnerabilities to Region 4
NPDES efforts include:
Areas experiencing periods of less precipitation, drought, lower stream flow and limited
ground water recharge will result in less water flow for dilution of permitted discharges,
alterations of aquatic environments, and increased impairments. National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits will need to take these factors into
consideration during permit renewal or new permit issuance. These precipitation changes
are compounded in certain areas by increased human uses of the water resources.
Increased intensity of rainfall events and storms may cause an increase in the number of
sewer overflows and wastewater bypasses, fouling streams and requiring increased water
quality enforcement.
Increased aquatic temperatures may result in the need to modify existing discharge limits.
6. Nonpoint Source Management
Nonpoint source pollution comes from many diffuse sources and is caused by rainfall runoff
that picks up natural and human made pollutants and deposits them in lakes, rivers, wetlands,
coastal waters and ground water. State nonpoint source programs, developed under the Clean
Water Act (CWA) Section 319 Program, are working to meet this challenge. Potential
vulnerabilities to Region 4 Nonpoint Source Management efforts include:
Increased intensity of rainfall events and storms will cause increased pollutant loads in
runoff, and the velocity of runoff will scour and erode creek beds.
Accounting for greater quantities of runoff and pollutants, with more variability, from
both urban and suburban stormwater and agricultural sources will stress existing nonpoint
source best management programs.
Decreasing frequency of precipitation days and more concentration of runoff in intense
storms, which is likely to be more damaging to aquatic habitats, and carry more erosion-
related pollutants into water bodies will stress existing nonpoint source best management
programs.
7. Wetlands
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act requires EPA concurrence before the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers may issue permits to allow dredging or filling of wetlands. Wetlands function to
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protect ecosystems, streams and other aquatic resources. Wetlands provide crucial climate
change functions including: 1) coastal protection in the face of sea level rise and increased
hurricane intensity, including the ability to reduce wave energy; 2) protection of water supplies
in the face of increased drought conditions by providing groundwater recharge and maintaining
minimum stream flows; 3) flood mitigation in the face of increased precipitation and storm
frequency; and 4) carbon sequestration. The capacity of wetlands and headwater streams to
reduce flood peaks, detain stormwater, and filter pollutants is critical to the protection of life,
property, and water quality. Potential vulnerabilities to Region 4 Wetlands Program efforts
include:
Areas with increased intensity of drought or that may experience increases in events such
as wildfires may see alterations in the structure and function of wetlands and watersheds
potentially affecting regional and state wetlands delineation and protection programs.
Sea-level rise combined with coastal development will challenge the ability of coastal
wetlands to migrate, potentially affecting coastal wetland protection programs. This
migration will likely result in loss of coastal wetlands where development has encroached
on natural migration pathways.
Drying out of seasonal wetlands with increased drought could affect wetland delineations
and programs.
Physical damage or elimination of wetlands and dune structures that protect them due to
hurricanes and other seasonal changes could affect wetland delineation and restoration
efforts.
8. Dredging/Ocean Dumping
The Ocean Dumping and Dredged Materials Management programs established by Congress
in 1972 prohibit ocean dumping of materials that would unreasonably degrade or endanger
human health or the marine environment. Potential vulnerabilities to Region 4 Dredging/Ocean
Dumping efforts include:
Increased need and frequency of ocean dumping due to increased precipitation and
rainfall intensity that cause erosion and sedimentation of rivers, channels and harbors.
Shifting sediments and forming of shoals due to higher intensity storms that impede safe
navigation in harbors and channels may require increased use of emergency dredging.
Need for dredged materials to protect shorelines, beaches, dunes and marshes from sea
level rise may stress existing regulatory programs.
9. National Estuary Program and South Florida
The National Estuary Program (NEP) was established in 1987 to restore and protect the
physical, chemical, and biological integrity of "estuaries of national significance" by focusing
our Clean Water Act authorities in these highly productive ecosystems. There are 28 NEPs
across the country, six of which are entirely or partially within EPA Region 4. Region 4 NEPs
promote collaborative actions and best management practices to accelerate and embellish
implementation of "core" Clean Water Act programs. Lessons learned by the NEPs are shared
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across the network of 28 programs nationally, as well as with other coastal watersheds facing
similar water pollution and water quality impairments. This approach has proven to be a success
over the past 25 years and the NEP is seen as a model for other comprehensive watershed and
community-based programs.
The Florida Keys Water Quality Protection Program (FKWQPP), established in 1994, is
administered by EPA and FL DEP, and includes a working group consortium of local, state,
federal agencies and non-government representatives. The FKWQPP works to recommend and
implement management activities designed to maintain and restore the water quality needed for
healthy native plant and animal populations in the FL Keys National Marine Sanctuary waters.
Through the Water Quality Protection Program, water quality, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs
have been monitored in the sanctuary since the mid-1990s.
Potential vulnerabilities to Region 4 NEP and South Florida Program efforts include:
Successful implementation of NEP Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plans
may be adversely affected. Efforts to restore or enhance water quality, habitat, living
resources, hydrologic alterations, and human uses may be affected.
Increased ocean temperatures and acidification resulting from the absorption of CCh will
continue to stress coral reefs potentially affecting coral reef protection programs.
10. Drinking Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Infrastructure
Much of the Southeast has enjoyed the benefits of clean and safe water resulting from an
extensive network of drinking water, wastewater and storm water infrastructure. EPA
recognizes that this infrastructure is aging and is being further taxed by the impacts of
climate change. As state, local and tribal governments face more demands for increasingly
limited resources, the ability to respond to these growing infrastructure pressures becomes
more complicated. Potential vulnerabilities to Region 4 Drinking Water, Wastewater, and
Stormwater Infrastructure Program efforts include:
Higher air and water temperatures combined with nutrient pollution will result in
increased growth of algae and microbes that affect drinking water treatment needs.
Increased intensity of rainfall events and storms could contribute to additional
infiltration/inflow in wastewater conveyance systems, which could cause an increase in
the number of sewer overflows and wastewater treatment plant overloads, requiring
expensive modifications and improvements to both wastewater conveyance and treatment
systems.
Increased drought will place demands on both surface and ground water resources
resulting in water supply problems.
Reduction in assimilative capacity of existing surface waters due to reduced stream flows
and/or increased temperatures could lead to more stringent discharge limits on existing
wastewater facilities, resulting in the need for expensive improvements or upgrades to
maintain permit compliance.
Sea level rise could result in: 1) saltwater intrusion into the collection system of
wastewater treatment systems; 2) wet wells in pumping systems leading to increased
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corrosion damage to pumping equipment, and treatment plant tankage and equipment;
and 3) malfunction of gravity conveyance systems and discharges.
Increases in flooding from extreme precipitation, storm surges, and loss of wetlands
could cause damage to infrastructure resulting in increased needs for SRF funding.
Source water intake changes may be needed due to droughts and summertime extreme
heat. Coastal aquifers may experience salt water intrusion where withdrawals are
outstripping recharge and increased pressure head from higher sea levels may worsen this
problem resulting in the need for relocation of water and wastewater facilities.
Drinking water and wastewater utilities emergency planning for extreme weather events
may need to be reviewed and modified to account for climate change. Vulnerable and
economically deprived communities may be particularly at risk, both for access to clean
and safe water as well as for their ability to respond to emergencies during extreme
events. Coastal and mountain communities will be particularly vulnerable.
Changes in rainfall patterns may lead to additional water supply infrastructure, with
associated impacts on ecosystem fragmentation, aquatic life, physical stability, water
quality, disruption of sediment and nutrient dynamics, downstream users, and system
losses due to increased evaporation from impoundments. CWA Section 404 permit
applications for reservoir creation in response to drought have increased in some states.
11. Drinking Water Quality
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the main federal law that ensures the quality of
Americans' drinking water. EPA sets standards for drinking water quality and oversees the state,
local, and water suppliers who implement those standards. EPA Region 4 ensures that the public
water supply systems comply with national drinking water quality standards and underground
sources of drinking water are protected from contamination.
Potential vulnerabilities to Region 4 Drinking Water Quality efforts include:
Higher air and water temperatures will promote increased growth of algae and microbes,
which will increase the need for drinking water treatment and potentially affect the
aesthetic quality of drinking water supplies.
Increased storm water runoff will wash sediment and other contaminants into drinking
water sources, requiring additional treatment.
Sea-level rise could increase the salinity of both surface water and ground water through
saltwater intrusion, encroaching upon coastal drinking water supplies. Additionally,
extreme weather events such as hurricanes and extreme droughts could impact and
potentially permanently affect both the availability and quality of drinking water sources.
In southeastern areas with saltwater intrusion, Region 4 states may receive more permit
applications and issue more permits for Class V aquifer recharge injection wells under
the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program in an attempt to combat the effects of
saltwater intrusion caused by sea-level rise.
Reduced annual precipitation or increased intensity and duration of drought in some
regions will affect water supplies, causing drinking water providers to reassess supply
plans and consider alternative pricing, allocation and water conservation options.
In areas with less precipitation, public water supply systems water demand may rely more
heavily on underground aquifers or development of underground storage of treated water
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to supplement existing sources. Changes in the salt front of estuaries and tidal rivers due
to sea level rise and over use of fresh surface and ground water resulting in flow changes
may result in increased pressure to manage freshwater reservoirs to increase flows and
attempt to maintain salinity regimes, in order to protect estuarine productivity and
drinking water supplies.
IV. Goal 3: Cleaning up Communities and Advancing Sustainable
Development
Contaminated site cleanup occurs under a variety of EPA programs, most commonly
Superfund (i.e., remedial, time-critical removal, emergency response programs), the Resources
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (e.g.,
PCBs), Brownfields, Underground Storage Tanks (UST)/Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
(LUST) and the Oil Pollution Act (OPA). A high percentage of cleanups, including most
brownfields sites, are regulated through State programs.
The potential climate change impacts described in Section IV. A below broadly apply to each
of these programs; however, the implications of these climate change impacts may differ by
program. Potential program-specific focus areas and vulnerabilities are discussed in Section
III.B.
A. Overview of Potential Climate Change Impacts
For the Southeast, the impacts that could most likely pose risks to contaminated site cleanups
and waste management facilities are sea level rise, extreme storm events (precipitation and
wind), temperature extremes, wildfires, decreasing precipitation days and increasing drought
intensity. Ocean acidification and increased water temperatures may also pose additional risks to
coastal facilities and affect the natural bio-degradation of chemicals released to the environment.
Potential environmental conditions arising from these impacts and specific examples illustrating
how they could potentially influence contaminated sites are described below. The likelihood and
severity of climate change impacts can also be expected to vary considerably from site-to-site
depending on the location, cleanup technologies and approaches, and many other factors.
1. Sea Level Rise
As discussed previously, sea level rise is expected to impact coastal areas affecting every
state in the Region 4 except for Tennessee and Kentucky. This impact on contaminated sites and
petroleum storage facilities may be partially mitigated because it is expected to occur gradually
over the course of several decades. This allows additional time to appropriately plan for and
respond to sea level rise (e.g., construction of berms, removal of wastes, and completion of
shorter-term treatment activities). Contaminated sites and petroleum storage facilities located in
vulnerable areas could experience impacts due to inundation and salt water intrusion. Examples
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include flooding of petroleum storage facilities, long-term waste management areas, and
uncontrolled (or undiscovered) contamination leading to the release and dispersal of
contaminants; corrosion of underground tanks, piping, and other equipment; and degradation of
coastal aquifers that impacts cleanup performance goals. Saltwater intrusion may impair habitat
restoration efforts of impacted surface areas (like wetlands); and may change soil and water
chemical and biological properties, thereby impacting toxicity, transport, natural degradation of
contaminants, and treatment efficacy. For example, intrusion may impact the ability of native
microorganisms to play a role in bioremediation of petroleum-impacted soils.
2. Extreme Storm Events
Existing climate studies suggest that Region 4 has been experiencing more intense storm
events. Unlike sea level rise which predominantly affects coastal areas, extreme storm events
can impact a much wider range of contaminated sites. These impacts could include:
flooding of surface water bodies and surrounding land areas due to heavy precipitation
events (i.e., regional drainage)
flooding of coastal areas and rivers from storm surge due to higher intensity hurricanes,
increased local surface runoff,
increased infiltration of storm water into soils and elevation of water tables, and
increased wind damage and dispersion of contaminants.
Prior to the enactment of environmental laws, industrial wastes were routinely discharged to
rivers, streams and other water bodies. As a result, many contaminants may exist within the
layers of sediment that accumulated over the years. One potential impact of extreme storm
events is the spread of contaminants through erosion, exposure of formerly buried contaminants,
dissolution or suspension of contaminants, and deposition of contaminated soils or sediments.
River flooding that breaches dams may result in the spread of contaminated sediment previously
contained by the dams. Flooding of chemical facilities may mobilize contaminants through
stormwater runoff. Increased precipitation events and hurricanes can potentially impact sites
even if they are remote from coastal areas and rivers.
Extreme weather can delay or impair active removal and remedial operations, and
complicate a remedy due to such impacts as flotation of tanks or drums,, damage of engineered
sediment caps, damage to treatment systems, impacts to contaminated structures, and damage to
containment systems by the forces of wind and water - all of which can create risks to human
health and the environment.
3. Temperature Change
The direct consequence of elevated temperatures on contaminated site cleanups is not
expected to be significant. However, elevated temperatures could lead to increased
pressurization of storage containers, volatilization of hazardous materials, and other factors
which may affect design and operation of remediation systems and emergency response actions.
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Worker health and safety concerns during site operations may also be impacted by higher
temperatures (e.g., handling of pressurized drums, heat stress to responders).
4. Wildfires
The increase in wildfires may impact treatment facilities and above ground storage units. The
disruption of treatment will impact costs and restoration time frames.
5. Ocean Acidification
The acidification of sea water may adversely impact the corrosion and degradation of
pipelines and construction materials (e.g. concrete pads/berms) used to convey, store, or contain
petroleum products at coastal facilities.
6. Increased Water Temperatures
Increased water temperatures may lead to a change in native or endemic organisms available
for biotic degradation of petroleum released to the environment.
B. Program-Specific Vulnerabilities and Potential Actions
1. Longer-term Cleanups (e.g., Superfund Remedial, Superfund Time-
Critical Removal, RCRA Corrective Action, TSCA, Brownfields Cleanup Sites,
and Polychlorinated Cleanup)
Longer-term response cleanups such as the Superfund remedial program and the RCRA
corrective action program are intended to protect human health and the environment, maintain
protection over time, minimize the amount of untreated waste, and reduce ecological risks to
levels that will result in the recovery and maintenance of healthy local populations and
communities of biota. These cleanups are generally viewed as "permanent" solutions. Other
cleanup programs such as the Superfund time-critical removal program address more immediate
threats; however, in many cases these may also result in long-term cleanup remedies.
2. Impacts on Longer-term Cleanups:
Cleanups where waste is left in place (e.g., landfills, cap-in-place remedies) or cleanups that
involve treatment that occurs over a long period of time (e.g., ground water pump & treat
systems) could be especially vulnerable to changes in climate. For cleanup operations that are
typically of much shorter duration (e.g., soil vapor extraction, enhanced thermal treatment), the
impacts of climate change are more predictable and easier to factor into the selection and design
of a particular remedy.
a) Programmatic Vulnerabilities
Physical impacts to Superfund actions of all durations are likely to include the following:
o Both removals and remedial actions may involve labor-intensive operations,
sometimes for an extended length of time, and are therefore vulnerable to the acute
impacts of climate change: e.g. flooding, ground water hydrology, temporary or
long-term power outages, extreme heat, wind impacts.
o Such impacts may complicate assessment phases.
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o There may be heightened risk of physical damage to buildings and other components
of the existing site and the remedy, such as storm movement of drums or other
containers, or damage to booms and other containment structures.
o Off-site disposal, waste transport, equipment capabilities and laboratory capabilities
may be overwhelmed by extreme storm events. Temporary on-site staging of
hazardous materials may be compromised.
o Extreme storm events may provide increased hazards for EPA staff and contractors
on site.
o Climate impacts to infrastructure may hamper response time and capability, including
but not limited to the ability to move equipment and to transport hazardous materials
for disposal.
Programmatic impacts to the Superfund program include an ability to adequately plan for
and execute in a changed environment:
o The preliminary assessment/site investigation (PA/SI) phase of time-critical removal
actions or an Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) are based on existing
information typically historical information, not future predictions. Without
incorporating potential climate change impacts, an accurate risk may not be factored
into planning or prioritization. Assumptions and modeling previously relied upon in
an area may no longer be valid
o The remedy selection process must also adequately consider climate impacts.
Precipitation records and floodplain maps used for remedy selection and design may
not account for future climate change impacts, for example.
o More robust remedies such as excavation and removal of wastes may be required for
sites potentially vulnerable to sea level rise and flooding, increasing short-term costs.
o Climate change may increase the mobility of contaminants and reduce the
effectiveness of containment as a remedy.
o Designs may have to be based on conservative assumptions to reflect uncertainty over
future environmental conditions, including extreme storm events that increase surface
water runoff or infiltration.
o Future population growth will most likely result in people living in areas near
Superfund sites previously less occupied, contributing to a need for reassessment of
scoring, risks and protectiveness of existing sites and remedies. Reevaluation of sites
previously considered for the NPL may be necessary.
o Changes in exposure pathways for both human and ecological receptors will result
from sea level rise, coastline alteration and other factors. These may include such
aspects as changes to drinking water system intakes, floodplain reach to residential
areas, and rates of erosion. Remedy design and standards may need to reflect
projections.
o Climate impacts may also alter the biological communities impacted by a Site, such
as increasing risk to seafood sources.
o Health and Safety Plans should adequately anticipate extreme storm events.
o Not only will potential impacts on ecological receptors differ from past experience,
but also the ecological receptors themselves may differ due to migration of species
and habitat alteration. Remedies should anticipate additional future impacts.
o Increased sophistication of modeling and planning may raise engineering costs as
well as execution costs.
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b) State by State Assessment
Alabama: Coastal areas will be susceptible to flooding and saltwater intrusion. Out of
the 10 largest population centers in Alabama, only Mobile is located on the coast. Most
other large cities are located on or near waterways may be more susceptible to flooding;
infrastructure in cities may be overwhelmed, leading to releases. Currently 15 Superfund
or Superfund Alternative Sites are located in the State; 10 of these sites have ongoing
five-year reviews required by residual waste.
Florida: Most of the state will be susceptible to flooding and coastal areas will be
susceptible to saltwater intrusion. Seven out of 10 of the largest population centers in
Florida are located on the coast (Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Ft.
Lauderdale, Port St. Lucie, and Coral Gables). Because of population and groundwater
impacts, there are more Superfund Remedial sites in Florida than other Region 4 states.
Currently 66 Superfund or Superfund Alternative Sites are located in the State; 39 of
these sites have ongoing five-year reviews required by residual waste.
Georgia: Coastal areas will be susceptible to flooding and saltwater intrusion. Out of the
10 largest population centers in Georgia, only Savannah is located on the coast. Most
other large cities are located on or near waterways and may be more susceptible to
flooding; infrastructure in cities may be overwhelmed, leading to releases. Currently 15
Superfund or Superfund Alternative Sites are located in the State; 9 of these sites have
ongoing five-year reviews required by residual waste.
Kentucky: There are no coastal areas, and saltwater intrusion will not be a concern.
Large cities located on or near waterways, such as the Ohio River, may be more
susceptible to flooding; infrastructure in cities may be overwhelmed, leading to releases.
Currently 14 Superfund or Superfund Alternative Sites are located in the State; 12 of
these sites have ongoing five-year reviews required by residual waste.
Mississippi: Coastal areas will be susceptible to flooding and saltwater intrusion. Out of
the 10 largest population centers in Mississippi, only two (Gulfport and Biloxi) are
located on the coast. Most other large cities are located on or near waterways and may be
more susceptible to flooding; infrastructure in cities may be overwhelmed, leading to
releases. Currently 8 Superfund or Superfund Alternative Sites are located in the State; 1
of these sites has ongoing five-year reviews required by residual waste.
North Carolina: Coastal areas will be susceptible to flooding and saltwater intrusion.
Out of the 10 largest population centers in North Carolina, only Fayetteville, Wilmington
and Greenville are located in the coastal plain. Most other large cities are located on or
near waterways and may be more susceptible to flooding; infrastructure in cities may be
overwhelmed, leading to releases. Currently 41 Superfund or Superfund Alternative
Sites are located in the State; 25 of these sites have ongoing five-year reviews required by
residual waste.
South Carolina: Coastal areas will be susceptible to flooding and saltwater intrusion.
Out of the 10 largest population centers in South Carolina, only Charleston and Mount
Pleasant are located on the coast. Other large cities are located on or near waterways and
may be more susceptible to flooding; infrastructure in cities may be overwhelmed,
leading to releases. Currently 30 Superfund or Superfund Alternative Sites are located in
the State; 22 of these sites have ongoing five-year reviews required by residual waste.
Tennessee: There are no coastal areas, so saltwater intrusion is not a concern. Large
cities located on or near waterways, e.g., the Cumberland and Mississippi Rivers may be
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more susceptible to flooding; infrastructure in cities may be overwhelmed, leading to
releases. Currently 25 Superfund or Superfund Alternative Sites are located in the State;
10 of these sites have ongoing five-year reviews required by residual waste.
Table 4. State Comparisons of Coastline and Superfund Sites
General Coastline1
(statute miles)
Tidal Coastline2
(statute miles)
Superfund and SAS
Sites
Five -Year Review
Sites
Population
Climate-Change
Impact Rank
AL
53
607
15
10
4,822,023
5
GA
100
2344
15
9
9,919,945
4
FL
1350
8426
66
39
19,317,568
1
KY
0
0
14
12
4,380,415
8
MS
44
359
8
1
2,984,926
6
NC
301
3375
41
25
9,752,073
2
sc
187
2876
30
22
4,723,723
o
J
TN
0
0
25
10
6,456,243
7
Notes:
1 Figures are lengths of general outline of seacoast. This does not include freshwater coastlines. Measurements
are made with unit measure of 30 minutes of latitude on charts as near scale of 1 : 1,200,000 as possible.
Coastline of bays and sounds is included to point where they narrow to width of unit measure, and distance
across at such point is included.
2 Figures were obtained in 1939-1940 with recording instrument on the largest-scale maps and charts then
available. Shoreline of outer coast, offshore islands, sounds, bays, rivers, and creeks is included to head of
tidewater, or to point where tidal waters narrow to width of 100 feet.
**Source: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean
Service.
3. Emergency Response Programs
EPA coordinates and implements a wide range of activities to ensure that adequate and
timely response measures are taken in communities affected by hazardous substances and oil
releases where state and local first responder capabilities have been exceeded or where additional
support is needed. EPA's emergency response program responds to chemical, oil, biological and
radiological releases and large-scale national emergencies, including homeland security
incidents. EPA conducts time-critical and non-time-critical removal actions when necessary to
protect human health and the environment by either funding response actions directly or
overseeing and enforcing actions conducted by potentially responsible parties.
EPA Region 4 has an approximate total coast line of 2,035 miles that may be impacted by
large weather events, such as hurricanes. An increase in storm severity and sea level rise may
cause large storm surge damage in communities and industrial facilities along Region 4's coast
line. In addition, inland flooding due to intense and frequent storms may cause extensive flood
damage in communities and industrial facilities that were not predicted to be affected under
current flood maps. These large events will require the need of ample resources of On Scene
Coordinators, Remedial Project Managers and Response Support Corps (RSC) members to be
deployed to respond in the following areas:
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a) Impacts on Emergency Response Programs
Smaller entities with hazardous materials may lack resources for emergency planning,
which may increase the risk of abandoned hazardous materials during a flooding or storm
event.
Local capacity to treat and dispose of hazardous and municipal waste may be
overwhelmed by surges in mixed waste from climatic events.
Releases of hazardous materials or chemicals through high winds, flooding, and storm
surge may create a need for increased frequency and intensity of emergency response for
both hazardous materials and oil. Current response resources, including laboratory
requirements, may not be adequate for responses to extreme events. Specific impacts
include:
o Increased number of brown/black outs will potentially lead to impacts on facility
processes (i.e. runaway reactions, heat reactions, failure of chemical processes)
o Coastal hazardous material and oil facilities may be impacted by extreme events and
storm surge. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has jurisdiction over hazardous
material and oil spills along the coast, but EPA has interagency agreements in place
to support the USCG during responses.
Extreme storm and flooding damage to homes will produce an increase in the amount of
household hazardous waste and white goods (i.e., refrigerators, air conditioners, etc) that
may need to be collected and placed in landfills. An increase in household hazardous and
industrial waste collected during disaster events may strain waste landfill capacity and
require the construction of additional landfill capacity.
Storm surge caused by coastal storms, hurricanes and sea-level rise may adversely impact
industrial facilities located along the coast and cause releases of chemicals, discharges of
oil and mobility of orphan containers (i.e., above-ground storage tanks, drums, and totes)
in the affected area.
o Oil facilities that are required to have Facility Response plans or Spill Prevention,
Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans may experience large impacts due to
extreme rain fall events.
o The Region will need to maintain the Response Support Corps concept to provide
for additional personnel during the Agency response to FEMA disaster declared
responses. This will require the continued recruitment of RSC members, training
and exercises.
Pest type and range may change with climate change, and there may be an increase or
change in type of pesticides stored and transported across the region, resulting in a
potential increase in releases.
Twenty-seven percent of the major roads, 9 percent of the rail lines, and 72 percent of the
ports in Region 4 area are built on land at or below 4 feet above sea level in elevation, a
level within the range of projections for relative sea-level rise in this century. Increased
storm intensity may lead to increased service disruption and infrastructure damage. More
than half of the area's major highways (64 percent of interstates, 57 percent of arterials),
almost half of the rail miles, 29 airports, and virtually all of the ports, are below 23 feet in
elevation and subject to flooding and damage due to hurricane storm surge.
Additional planning for emergency response may be needed:
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o Brown and black-outs may cause releases and the frequency and intensity of storms
may need to be incorporated into current national and area contingency plans.
o Facility Response Plans (FRP) and SPCC plans may not consider climate change
impacts.
o Current regional debris management plans rely on historical climate assumptions and
do not address the increasing uncertainty in climatic extreme events.
o Additional planning may be needed as Stafford Act declaration (federal emergency
declaration) may be more frequent with a changing climate.
o Current energy infrastructure (oil, natural gas, nuclear) in South East may not include
climate change assumptions for emergency planning.
b) State by State Assessment
Alabama: Mobile is the largest city on the State's coast and it is the 27th busiest
container port in the U.S. Areas surrounding Mobile Bay have various chemical and oil
facilities that may be impacted by the storm surge caused by a very large hurricane.
Florida: Of the 10 largest population centers in the State, seven (Jacksonville, Miami,
Tampa, St. Petersburg, Ft. Lauderdale, Port St. Lucie, and Coral Gables) are located on
the coast. The Ports of Miami, Jacksonville, Everglades, Palm Beach and Tampa, are
ranked as the 13th, 14th, 15th, 23rd and 34th busiest container ports in the nation,
respectively. These cities have a significant industrial and population base that has the
potential to produce a large amount of household hazardous waste and industrial waste
resulting from storm surge impacts due to a large hurricane.
o Additionally, the State has a large phosphate mining and phosphate fertilizing
processing industry mostly concentrated in the central Florida region. One of the
byproducts of phosphate fertilizer production is phosphogypsum. There are
currently about 1 billion tons of phosphogypsum stored in 24 stacks in Florida
and about 30 million new tons are generated each year. One of the concerns is a
large weather event (hurricane) could affect the stability of one of these stacks
and may cause a release of low acidic process water to the environment.
Georgia: The City of Savannah is the nation's fourth busiest container port and the
second busiest in the East Coast. A large hurricane can be devastating to the area and
produce a large amount of hazardous materials and debris to be spread through the area.
The State has two CCR Surface Impoundments that were determined to be a High Hazard
Potential by EPA.
Kentucky: The State has experienced flooding in the past and increase in the severity of
rain fall events will continue to cause flooding in the State.
Mississippi: The State's coastline has three cities: Pascagoula, Gulfport and Biloxi.
These cities were affected heavily by Hurricane Katrina and produced large amounts of
household hazardous waste and industrial debris from the hurricane's storm surge. The
Port of Gulfport is the 21st busiest container port in the U.S. and was heavily affected by
Hurricane Katrina. A large amount of the port's cargo was dispersed by the storm surge
into the bordering community.
o The Pascagoula coast has one of the largest refineries in the U.S. and a direct hit
by a large hurricane may cause the release millions of gallons of oil and gasoline
to the Gulf of Mexico. Also, the area has a large phosphate fertilizer
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manufacturing plant that contains large stacks and may release low pH waste
water due to heavy rain events.
North Carolina: The Port of Wilmington is the 19th busiest container port in the nation
and may be vulnerable to storm surge damage resulting from a hurricane. The State is
prone to large flooding associated with rains caused by Hurricanes passing through the
State.
o In 1999, Hurricane Floyd caused extensive flood damage in eastern North
Carolina. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan caused extensive flooding in the Appalachian
Mountain region of western North Carolina. These extreme events produced
large amounts of orphaned containers and household hazardous waste.
o Due to groundwater contamination, Region 4's Superfund Removal program has
had to supply an alternative water source to various communities in the State.
Because of an increase in extreme rainfall events, additional contaminated
groundwater wells may be identified by the State and may require EPA to provide
these communities an alternative water source.
South Carolina: The coastal zone of the State is described as the Low Country and
includes City of Charleston. This city is also a major port and is ranked the 10th busiest
container port in the nation. The area is a flat and is susceptible to flooding, and could be
heavily impacted by coastal storm surge from a major hurricane.
Tennessee: Even though the State does not have a coast line, heavy rainfall can cause
major flooding events. During May of 2010, Nashville and surrounding counties
experienced large rainfall over a two day period that caused extensive flooding in the
area. EPA Region 4 Emergency Response program responded to the area and conducted
assessments of major oil and industrial facilities and recovered orphan containers that
were dispersed by the flood waters. The increase of the severity of rain fall events due to
climate change will produce flooding in the State.
4. RCRA Hazardous Waste Management Facilities
RCRA regulates, among other things, the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous
wastes. Owners/operators of these treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) facilities must
generally obtain a permit for those activities. Facilities that generate hazardous waste and store it
for less than 90 days are also regulated under RCRA. In Region 4, the individual states are
authorized to implement this program in lieu of EPA.
In order to operate as a TSD facility, the owner/operator must comply with numerous
technical requirements, which ensure that covered activities are conducted in a manner that is
protective of human health and the environment. These requirements apply to on-going
hazardous waste management units (e.g., drum and tank storage, surface impoundments, waste
piles), as well as to the closure (i.e., cleaning and decommissioning) of those units that are no
longer in use. TSD facilities must also conduct cleanup of past and present releases of hazardous
constituents.
a) Impacts on RCRA Hazardous Waste Management Facilities
The same climate change impacts that could affect contaminated site cleanups may also
affect the management and operation of hazardous waste facilities. Some examples are:
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Flooding may disrupt the transportation system in place to handle waste. For example,
flooding may disrupt the pick-up of waste in neighborhoods and business or the work
performed at transfer stations. Cities with transfer stations along waterways are at
particular risk.
A major storm event may increase the amount of solid waste generated and lead to the
release of fuel or hazardous materials.
Changes in precipitation may impact waste management practices such as composting
by affecting biological processes.
Vegetative cover on landfills may be compromised due to dry soil conditions.
Tanks containing hazardous waste could be damaged by high winds or flying debris
during hurricanes.
Integrity of drums and drum storage areas could be compromised by flooding, allowing
drums to be floated out of containment barriers, or cause intermingling of incompatible
wastes, etc.
The potential for failure of process equipment (e.g., pressure relief valves, emergency
vent fans and pumps) could increase with increases in winter rain and ice storms.
Over-pressurization of tanks containing volatile wastes and the emergency venting of
these wastes could occur with extreme ambient temperatures.
Buildings or other structures used for indoor storage of waste piles could be damaged or
flooded in a hurricane causing the release of this material.
Emergency evacuation routes for facility personnel and the surrounding community, as
well as facility access by fire and other emergency response vehicles, could be flooded
or otherwise restricted due to an extreme storm event.
States may need to alter selected financial assurance remedies to ensure protection.
While Region 4 states are authorized to implement the RCRA hazardous waste
management program, EPA retains oversight authority to ensure compliance with the statute and
regulations and there may be a need for increased coordination to respond to climate change
impacts. Region 4 will work with state programs and industry to modify operating facility
permits to include enhanced emergency preparedness requirements appropriate for climate
change impacts.
b) Programm atic Vuln er abilities for EPA's over sigh t role
Uncertainties in the underlying assumptions that could affect the design, operation and
management of hazardous waste facilities, including contingency planning (e.g., RCRA
TSD facilities must meet specific requirements if waste management units are located
within a 100-year floodplain).
Financial assurance estimates for closure/post-closure may not reflect changing climate
change impacts on those activities.
5. Oil Program and Underground Storage Tanks
OPA was signed into law in August 1990. The OPA improved the nation's ability to prevent
and respond to oil spills by establishing provisions that expand the federal government's ability,
and provide the money and resources necessary, to respond to oil spills. To reduce the likelihood
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of a spill, regulations issued under CWA Section 31 l(j) (published at 40 CFR Part 112) require
facilities that store oil in significant amounts to prepare SPCC plans and to adopt certain
measures to keep accidental releases from reaching navigable waters. Certain types of facilities
that pose a greater risk of release must also develop plans to respond promptly to clean up any
spills that do occur.151
EPA created the Office of Underground Storage Tanks to carry out a Congressional mandate
to develop and implement a regulatory program for UST systems. EPA works with its state,
territorial, and tribal partners to prevent and clean up releases from UST systems. The greatest
potential threat from a leaking UST is contamination of groundwater, the source of drinking
water for nearly half of all Americans. EPA, states, and tribes work together to protect the
environment and human health from potential UST releases.152
a) Impacts on the Oil and Underground Storage Tank Programs
Region 4 has a universe of USTs, which may be vulnerable to flooding events. Of
particular concern is groundwater contamination from leaks from at risk tanks and
damage to the supporting piping.
Secondary containment and flooding of coastal facilities may be compromised by sea
level rise.
Alterations in shoreline geology and/or sea level rise may increase exposures of USTs or
underground pipeline, increase pressure differences and gradients, and/or alter the flow of
oil and hazardous substances in pipelines.
Increase in precipitation and floods may have many impacts, as follows:
o Decrease the effectiveness of secondary containment.
o Increase flow and pressure to underground infrastructure/structures i.e. pipelines,
wastewater treatment facilities, power plants, and paper mills. Increased flow and
pressure to containment systems may result in back feed and flow of product
resulting in increased discharges of oil.
o Decrease tank headspace thereby displacing buffer space available to prevent
overflow/ overfill, potentially leading to increased oil spills.
o Increase weathering of underground and aboveground storage tanks (ASTs and
USTs).
o Increase flow and changes of navigable water depth, thereby increasing difficulty
in preparing and implementing planning distance, booming strategies, and
cleanup strategies.
Failure of infrastructure (e.g. pipelines, and secondary containment) and damage or
displacement of tanks due to increased intensity of hurricanes and resulting winds and
storm surges. Damage to storage tanks would increase the likelihood of spills to
navigable waters, coastlines and oceans.
Increased degradation and weathering of pipelines and infrastructure due to ocean
acidification resulting in oil spills.
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As SPCC facilities are regulated solely on the probability that an oil spill from that
facility will impact navigable waters, decreasing precipitation days and increasing
drought intensity may reduce the number of facilities that fall under the jurisdiction of the
SPCC program.
Change in native or endemic organism availability for biotic degradation of oil due to
increase in water temperatures.
6. Brownfield Program
While Brownfields Cleanup Sites will potentially be impacted much the same as
Superfund, RCRA Corrective Action, and TSCA sites will be (discussed in section i), effects of
climate change may also be felt by other aspects of the Brownfields Program.
a) Impacts on Brownfleld Program
Brownfield Grantees may have to make changes to their Master Plans as shorelines and
flood zones change. Applicants who receive brownfield grant funds are encouraged to
follow a community-developed Master Plan for redevelopment. Developing such a plan
is an eligible grant expense but preference is generally given to communities who already
have such a plan in place. Region 4 Project Officers should be prepared to allow changes
as needed for climate adaptation.
Development of a climate adaptation strategy for a brownfield site is an eligible grant
expense. EPA Project Officers will have to become familiar with these types of plans so
they can properly advise grantees.
More sites may enter the brownfields inventory as natural disasters lead to release of
hazardous substances and petroleum. EPA may begin experiencing even more
competition for the already dwindling brownfields grant funding.
Flooding could disrupt or delay work at existing Brownfield sites.
V. Goal 4: Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution
A. Pesticides
EPA and the states (usually the State Department of Agriculture) register or license
pesticides for use in the United States. In addition, anyone planning to import pesticides for use
in the U.S. must notify EPA. EPA receives its authority to register pesticides under the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
EPA's Pesticides program covers:
Evaluating Potential New Pesticides and Uses
Providing for Special Local Needs and Emergency Situations
Reviewing Safety of Older Pesticides
Registering Pesticide Producing Establishments
Enforcing Pesticide Requirements
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Risk assessment
Pesticide Field Programs
Climate change may lead to an increase in pesticide use, due to an increase in pests and
diseases which favor warm and humid climates. In the southeast, pesticides are widely used
currently as the climate is hot and humid, and in most areas there is not a cold winter to kill
off pests, thus pest problems tend to be a year-round issue. Many models now show the
winter months in the southeast will become warmer as time goes on. The freeze-free seasons
are lengthening and may result in the cessation of freezing in some areas, which may only
increase the already high pest populations particularly in the northern areas of the region.153
The southeast region has 12 major marine ports,154 and thus the introduction of non-native
pest species is a constant concern.
Currently the southeast is riddled with invasive pest species and it is likely that climate
change will only continue to exacerbate this problem. The potential impacts of increasing
pesticide usage include concerns about human exposure as well as concerns about non-target
organism impacts, such as impacts to pollinators and beneficial insects, endangered species,
aquatic organisms and others. Concerns for groundwater contamination will continue to be
an issue especially in Florida, where the water table is high and soils are permeable. Karst
topography is dominant in the southern part of the region and in parts of Kentucky and
Tennessee.
B. Impacts on Pesticides Program
Region 4 will experience new pest problems, many of which will be from exotic invasive
species.
Changes in pests and pest pressures will result from increases in temperatures and
variations in rainfall patterns.
There would be a potential increase in the need for emergency exemptions (FIFRA
Section 18). These FIFRA exemptions are granted when an emergency pest problem
appears which cannot be controlled effectively by the current pesticides registered for
that pest or commodity, allowing temporary use of chemicals which are not registered for
that use. The Section 18 requests are approved by EPA Headquarters. The regional role
is to provide technical assistance to the states as needed.
Urban populations have spread out into areas which at one time were largely rural which
may increase citizen complaints from individuals living near farms. Region 4 may need
to increase enforcement and compliance monitoring efforts to protect both farmworkers
and residents living near farms.
Increasing pesticides usage to control pests could also lead to increased resistance of the
pest to the chemical being used. Resistance management will therefore become
increasingly important.
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The increase in amount and variability of precipitation projected for Region 4 can create
an expanded mosquito habitat, which could increase exposure to more diseases like
dengue fever and malaria.
The Region will need to be prepared to address needs for aggressive mosquito control as
well as support continued local monitoring of mosquito populations, which is currently
being done by most large mosquito control districts in the southeast. Emergency
exemptions for mosquito control may increase, especially after major weather events
such as floods and hurricanes, which tend to spur populations of A. aegypti and A.
albopictus.
As more Section 18 requests may be anticipated, and more pesticides may be used in
response to climate change, impacts to non-target endangered species will need to be
considered and monitored.
There will likely be an increase in fungal organisms in agricultural and non-agricultural
settings due to extreme rainfall.
Climate impacts may change chemical and non-chemical agricultural practices due to
extreme storms and farmers' inability to work in their fields (e.g. increases the likelihood
of run-off and off target movement of chemical products; limits on the potential use of
certain non-chemical methods such as cultivation because it may not be possible to bring
heavy farm equipment onto wet fields and saturated soils).
Increased use of aerial applications are likely to result in increased pesticide drift due to
extreme storm events.
Drought may lead to an increase in dry condition pests (e.g. mites that feed on a variety
of field, vegetable and fruit crops).
These changes in pesticide choices and quantities will require changes to the pesticide
applicator certification and training programs. Changes in chemical selection could result
in new and increased chemical exposures, especially for indoor applications. Types of new
pest problems could include:
Indoor and outdoor molds and microorganisms which are controlled by disinfectant
pesticide products;
Public health pests such as mosquitoes and ticks;
Forest pests,
Aquatic pests including weeds; and
Various agricultural pests including weeds, insects and plant diseases.
VI. Goal 5 - Enforcing Environmental Laws within Region 4
Region 4 anticipates that in the future, climate change related issues may be raised in the
context of EPA's enforcement program across the media - whether it be as part of a settlement
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negotiation, compliance issue, a mitigation project, a clean-up, or in another enforcement related
context. EPA is already beginning to evaluate objectives associated with assuring compliance
with the greenhouse gas reporting rule, encouraging greenhouse gas emissions reductions
through settlements, and targeting the energy sector compliance with air, water and waste rules.
See, e.g., http://www.epa.gov/enforcement/data/goals.html. Region 4 will continue to work
closely with its EPA HQ counterparts at EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance (OECA) to evaluate and determine appropriate options for considering and
incorporating climate change adaptation principles into the Region 4 enforcement programs.
VII. Facilities and Operations
Climate change poses a range of risks to EPA Region 4's facilities and operations. The
following sections detail the general risks and then delve into the risks specific to each facility.
Note that each facility does not operate in isolation; the climate impacts experienced by each
facility will be greatly influenced by the larger systems (utilities, transportation, communities) of
which it is a part.
A. Severe Weather Preparedness
In response to severe weather conditions that may be attributed to Climate Change, EPA
Region 4 has worked with the Federal Agencies at the Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, the
Atlanta Federal Executive Board (FEB), the Fulton County Emergency Management Agency,
and FEMA to develop procedures to monitor severe weather and provide emergency alert
notifications to Federal Agency Heads in the metro Atlanta area.
EPA and FEMA co-chair the Emergency Preparedness Committee of the Atlanta FEB.
When potentially hazardous weather approaches the Metro Atlanta area the FEB convenes a
weather alert committee by conference call to discuss the potential impact on Federal Buildings
and employees. These calls include representatives for many Federal, State, and Local
emergency and law enforcement agencies to provide the latest projection and assessment of
weather impacts on the Atlanta areas.
The FEB Emergency Preparedness Special Weather Committee issues emergency
advisory notices via phone, email, and telephone message line on early dismissal, delayed
opening, and /or closure of Federal Offices. These alerts may be issued during the work day or
after early morning conference calls at 4:00 am.
The EPA lead Interagency Occupant Emergency Command team at the Sam Nunn
Atlanta Nunn Atlanta Federal Center (SNAFC) has incorporated weather emergencies into the
building's Occupant Emergency Plan. For the past 3 years the SNAFC has conducted Shelter in
Place exercises as part of Georgia's annual state-wide Tornado Drill. Over 5000 Federal
employees and visitors participate in these exercises at the SNAFC each year.
EPA Region 4 has established a Continuity of Operations (COOP) site at the SESD
facility in Athens Georgia. A limited number of essential personnel will report to and work out
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of this primary COOP site if the SNAFC were to be damaged by severe weather. The Region
has a secondary site established at the Emergency Response Warehouse in Norcross Georgia in
case the SESD facility in Athens is not operational. In this instance the executive leadership team
would work out of the Norcross facility. Other employees would work remotely as needed using
established Telework procedures.
EPA, FEMA, and the Atlanta FEB have joined together to plan and conduct a Multi
Agency Continuity of Operations Exercise scheduled for May 2013. The event scenario for this
exercise which will include all federal Agencies in the metro Atlanta area is severe catastrophic
Tornado damage throughout the Atlanta and East Georgia areas. Planning for this event
included a Home Security Executive Education Seminar held on March 19, 2013 attended by
Agency Heads and senior executives from 28 Federal Agencies and representatives from the US
District Courts. The continuity related incident used as the foundation for this executive seminar
was a catastrophic tornado event approaching and then striking the metro Atlanta area.
Discussion included operational roles and coordination between federal Agencies, State and local
governments, and the private sector.
The Continuity of Operations exercise in May 2013 will include all of the Region 4
program offices working in cooperation with their counterparts in EPA Regions 3 and 5.
Specific exercise injects are being developed to test each program's response to damage from the
tornados. This will also be a Devolution of Operations exercise and program managers from the
3 EPA partner regions will work to test our readiness to continue mission essential functions by
staff from another Region if Region 4 cannot functions due to the damage.
B. Overview of Potential Climate Change Impacts
From the facilities and operations perspective, the vulnerabilities associated with climate
change encompass issues of energy, security, water quality and supply, severe weather damage,
personnel safety, physical security, and communication interruptions. These facilities and
operations support the broader agency mission of protecting air, water, and human health
through the provision of functional, appropriate, and safe working spaces for personnel. Beyond
the infrastructure and utilities that serve EPA rented or owned facilities and the operations that
support the function of those facilities, broader impacts of climate change on transportation and
communication systems are also vulnerabilities that EPA Region 4's could experience while
meeting agency goals. While telework policies are in place to address these vulnerabilities, the
magnitude of these impacts may extend to those alternate work locations, causing significant
disruption to employee work and ultimately the EPA Region 4 mission.
However, while operations may be vulnerable in the areas described above, EPA Region 4
has developed a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) to maintain emergency functions should
any particular facility or location be compromised. This plan provides guidance for continued
uninterrupted operations and the performance of essential functions during emergency situations.
The COOP includes provisions for physical relocation from current facilities and resource
planning for up to 30 days.
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C. Region 4 Property Details
1. The SNAFC Building/Complex
The SNAFC Building is located on four acres in downtown Atlanta on the edge of the
central business district, at the MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) Five
Point Station mass transit train system. SNAFC houses 1.1 million sq. ft. of office space and
103,000 sq. ft. of joint use spaces (daycare, fitness center, health Unit, cafeteria, conference
spaces, parking garage) occupied by 23 Federal Agencies. The complex consists of four
connected structures: a twenty-four story high-rise tower, a ten story mid-rise tower, a six story,
historic department store, restored to office use, and an eight story "Bridge" that spans the street
and links the high-rise and mid-rise office buildings. EPA Region 4 is housed in the high-rise
structure, occupying 330,000 rentable sq. ft. (RSF), on floors 9 through 16 and a 3rd floor bridge
Conference Center. The building is serviced by underground utilities for domestic water and
power/electricity and the natural gas is above. All building mechanical systems are on the roof
and the Bridge building has the exhaust and fresh air exchange with two air handler units per
floor in the Tower. Chillers are located in the basement.
2. SESD Laboratory
The Regional 4 laboratory, located at 980 College Station Road, Athens, Georgia, is built
on a hill at an elevation of 714 feet above mean sea level, obviating any risks of direct
flooding. Located on approximately eleven acres of land and is a single story structure of 57,760
RSF and open parking with covered boat/trailer parking structures. The SESD Laboratory is
Region 4's COOP site, located approximately 50 miles North of the SNAFC Complex. For
COOP preparedness, this Laboratory has been equipped with an emergency generator for back-
up power that provides power to all private offices and training room, library and TS rooms. The
emergency power is estimated to last 48 hours between refueling requirements. This time can be
extended by minimizing the laboratory operations and additional fuel deliveries. Water
reclamation systems and interstitial service corridors for serve and utilities between back-to-back
laboratories located adjacent to the ORD Laboratory. The Laboratory is connected to well water.
This Laboratory houses a mail and supply room for continued support during COOP activation.
3. SESD FEC
Located approximately 15 miles from the SESD Laboratory is a single story metal
structure, occupying 13,800 RSF. This is SESD's Field Equipment and Laboratory cleaning and
sterilization Center. This metal structure building has large bay doors and open parking.
4. ERRB Warehouse
Co-located property with connected structures in single-story building with open parking
and large bay doors. The space is a combination of office and warehouse space 15,120 RSF.
The Warehouse is approximately 20 miles North of the SNAFC Complex and is Region 4's
secondary COOP location for the executive leadership team.
5. WPD S. FL Office
Region 4 occupies 3,011 RSF on the first floor of the three-story structure that was the
former Florida Power and Light Hurricane Command Center. Region 4 is in the process of
downsizing this space to approximately 500 RSF for two remaining employees. All the utilities
and power lines are external, above ground utilities and power lines and often lose electricity
with limited emergency back-up power. EPA has an emergency battery UPS to maintain server,
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LAN and router connections. There is a Water Supply Lake approximately 1000 feet away and
an Intercoastal waters about 1 mile away that do not pose high threats for flooding.
6. Gulf of Mexico Program
The Gulf of Mexico Program, an EPA geographic program, occupies office space leased
from NASA at Stennis Space Center (SSC) in Hancock County, Mississippi. The leased space
is located on the 2nd floor of NASA Building 1100 (Main Administrative Bldg). NASA operates
and maintains the office building we occupy, as well as all other facilities and operations,
inclusive of security, fire and emergency services, police, highways, parking, power, water,
sewer, and climate control. NASA has redundant power supply to the Stennis Space Center from
two separate power grids located in the region. In 2012, we participated on a NASA SSC
Stakeholder Conference focused on understanding potential climate change impacts to the SSC
and beginning the adaptation planning process for the facility.
7. EPA's Gulf Ecology Division Laboratory campus
In the wake of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, six of the EPA's Gulf Ecology Division
Laboratory campus' 40 buildings were destroyed. Located on the 16-acre Sabine Island,
off the Florida Panhandle coast, it was especially vulnerable to Ivan's devastating winds
and rain. The destroyed buildings were rebuilt incorporating sustainable technologies to
protect it from coastal hazards and minimize its environmental footprint. Aluminum was
chosen as the primary roofing material since shingles tend to come loose in high winds. Its
light color reflects sunlight to keep cooling costs down. Local building codes required
windows to be equipped with storm shutters or made of high-impact glass. EPA selected
high-impact glass to provide safety and durability and added skylights to reduce artificial
lighting use. Because the buildings are exposed to frequent rain, high humidity, and
corrosive ocean spray, EPA selected a sturdy wood pulp, sand, and cement composite made
of recycled material for the building's siding. The siding is a reflective, UV-resistant,
white color. And a large porch lines the front to lower the building temperatures.155
VIII. Climate Change Impacts on the Most Vulnerable People
Certain parts of the population, such as children, the elderly, minorities and 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
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Plan is 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.
EPA values its unique government-to-government relationship with Indian tribes in
planning and decision making. This trust responsibility has been established over time and
is further expressed in the 1984 EPA Policy for the Administration of Environmental
Programs on Indian Reservations and the 2011 Policy on Consultation and Coordination with
Indian Tribes. These policies recognize and support the sovereign decision-making
authority of tribal governments.
Supporting the development of adaptive capacity among tribes is a priority for the
EPA. Tribes are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to the integral
nature of the environment within their traditional lifeways and culture. There is a strong
need to develop adaptation strategies that promote sustainability and reduce the impact of
climate change on Indian tribes.
EPA engaged tribes through a formal consultation process in the development of the
Agency's Climate Change Adaptation Plan. Tribes identified some of the most pressing
issues as erosion, temperature change, drought and various changes in access to and
quality of water. Tribes recommended a number of tools and strategies to address these
issues, including improving access to data and information; supporting baseline research to
better track the effects of climate change; developing community-level education and
awareness materials; and providing financial and technical support At the same time,
tribes challenged EPA to coordinate climate change activities among federal agencies so
that resources are better leveraged and administrative burdens are reduced.
This Implementation Plan identifies specific steps that will be taken to partner with
tribal governments on an ongoing basis to increase their adaptive capacity and address
their adaptation-related priorities. These collaborative efforts will benefit from the
expertise provide by our tribal partners and the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)
they possess. TEK is a valuable body of knowledge in assessing the current and future
impacts of climate change and has been used by tribes for millennia as a valuable tool to
adapt to changing surroundings. Consistent with the principles in the 1984 Indian Policy,
TEK is viewed as a complementary resource that can inform planning and decision-making.
Networks and partnerships already in place will be used to assist tribes with climate
change issues, including Regional Tribal Operations Committees, the Institute for Tribal
Environmental Professionals and the Indian General Assistance Program (IGAP}.
Additionally, efforts will be made to coordinate with other Regional and Program Offices in
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EPA, since climate change has many impacts that transcend media and regional boundaries.
Transparency and information sharing will be a focus, in order to leverage activities
already taking place within EPA Offices and tribal governments.
A. Children
Children are likely to suffer disproportionally from both the direct and indirect adverse
health effects of climate change.156 Children are more vulnerable to environmental health risks
resulting because of their developing systems, immature body organs, and weaker immune
systems. Young children breathe more rapidly and inhale more air relative to their body weight
than adults. Their metabolic rate is faster and they proportionately consume more fluids and
food than that of adults. Their kidneys excrete toxicants and wastes at a slower pace compared to
adults. Children are less able to protect themselves and their behavior, such as crawling on the
ground and putting hands and foreign objects into their mouths, exposes them to different
environmental hazards.
The Region's CEH Program goals are aligned with EPA's strategic goals of improving air
and water quality, cleaning up communities, ensuring the safety of chemicals and preventing
pollution. With the support of the Region's Program Offices and partnership with other
organizations, the CEH program has conducted education and outreach and supported
interventions at schools, daycare centers and in communities throughout the Region. The
program has also provided support to address children's health hazards associated with
environmental disasters or in higher risk communities.
1. Air Quality
The climate-change aspect of rising temperatures may detrimentally impact air quality in
Region 4 by increasing ground-level or "bad" ozone formation, formed by nitrogen oxides
chemically reacting with volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight.157 Ground-level
ozone is the major ingredient of smog and may lead to detrimental effects to children's health,
particularly asthmatics. When children spend time outdoors during high-level ozone days, they
may become more vulnerable to ozone health effects,158 which include wheezing and coughing,
inflammation of airways, lung function impairment, and infections in the lower respiratory
tract.159
Changes in long-term weather patterns may result in more wildfires and drier soils, and
increased emissions of smoke and dust-related particulate matter. When inhaled, fine particles
associated with wildfire smoke and dry-soil dust can cause serious respiratory health problems of
coughing and breathing difficulty, lung-function impairment, asthma attacks, and chronic
bronchitis.160 Rates of preterm births, low birth weight, and infant mortality have been found to
increase in those communities with high particulate pollution exposure.161
2. Indoor Air
In the United States, children spend an estimated 90 percent of their time indoors.162 The
anticipated climate change attributes of heavy rains, increasing temperatures, and high-humidity
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cycles will facilitate this trend. Consequently children will likely have increased exposure with
identified indoor air agents of concern: heat and biological materials - pollen, molds and
infectious agents, and air pollutants.163
3. Infectious Diseases
The expected changes in temperatures and rainfall in Region 4's climate is likely to facilitate
the growth, survival, and transmission of vector-borne infectious diseases. Vector-borne is a term
used to describe disease transmission by insects, animals, birds, and other living organism.
Emergence of new infectious diseases, and changes in the evolution and geographic ranges of
pests, infectious agents, and disease vectors, may lead to shifting patterns of indoor pesticide use
and creation of new pesticides. The Region anticipates children may be detrimentally affected by
anticipated changes in both indoor and outdoor pesticide use.
4. Flooding
The Atlantic and Gulf coasts are vulnerable to storms and hurricanes. Six of the eight states
that have the experienced highest number of hurricanes are in Region 4.164 Vulnerable
populations, such as children, the elderly, and pregnant women could experience both direct and
indirect consequences of floods. Direct exposures result in risks for drowning, injuries from
debris, chemical contamination, and hypothermia. There are also risks associated with the
damage done by the water to the natural and built environments which include infectious
diseases, carbon monoxide poisoning, respiratory problems, malnutrition, physical and mental
trauma, poverty related diseases, and diseases associated with displaced populations.
5. Clean Water
Warmer seas could contribute to the increased intensity, duration, and extent of harmful algal
blooms. Harmful algal blooms also occur in freshwaters, and as these waters warm it is expected
algal blooms will increase in frequency and intensity. Children are especially vulnerable when
they swim in surface waters, and eat contaminated shellfish because their immune systems are
developing and they consume more food and drink more water-per-pound of body weight than
adults.
6. Safe Drinking Water
Lack of safe drinking water may cause gastrointestinal diseases that may be fatal for some or
detrimentally impact other children's health.165 The climate change aspects of extreme and
severe weather may result in the breakdown of sanitation and sewer systems resulting in
exposure to unsafe flood and storm water exposure and unsafe drinking water increasing the
potential for children's exposure to disease-causing organisms, such as gastroenteritis and
infectious diarrhea.
7. Impacts on Region 4 Children's Environmental Health (CEH) Program
While the CEH program focuses on reducing environmental health threats to our most
vulnerable populations, adequate resources and regulatory authority may present impediments in
addressing the multitude of potential environmental health issues that may result from the
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impacts of climate change. Region 4's CEH Program has some tools and resources to conduct or
promote limited educational, outreach and intervention activities addressing CEH issues
associated with climate change. The CEH program will have to develop additional tools and
resources to address the unique concerns facing the most vulnerable groups in the most
vulnerable communities.
B. Elderly Population
The vulnerable population, in addition to children, includes the elderly. Elderly is usually
defined as those adults who are 65 years of age or older. Approximately 13.8 % of the population
within Region 4 is elderly according to the 2010 US Census with Florida having the largest
number of elderly. The projections for 2020 show an increasing trend in population growth for
every state.
Percent 65 Years and Over For Region 4 States:
1980 to 2020
01
o
-a
ra
in
Ul
c
01
Q.
30.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
Source: US Bureau of the
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
Alabama
11.3
12.9
13.2
13.8
16.7
Florida
17.3
18.2
19.6
21.0
25.6
Georgia
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.7
15.0
Kentucky
11.2
12.6
12.8
13.5
16.9
Mississippi
11.5
12.4
12.7
13.4
16.6
North Carolina
10.3
12.1
13.1
14.4
18.1
South Carolina
9.2
11.3
12.3
13.3
16.8
Tennessee
11.3
12.6
12.9
14.0
17.6
United States
11.3
12.5
12.8
13.3
15.7
The elderly are very vulnerable and susceptible to the effects of climate change that cause
extreme weather conditions such as floods, storm surges, high winds, heat waves and hurricanes.
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In general, the elderly are very vulnerable due to various physiological, psychological, and
socioeconomic factors that they cope during these extreme weather conditions.
Physiologically, they are already having higher prevalence of certain chronic diseases,
medical conditions, and functional limitations that are exacerbated and impairments aggravated.
An increase in ground-level ozone that occurs with climate change can lead to respiratory
problems, such as asthma, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD),
premature mortality. In addition, an increased number of emergency room visits and hospital
admissions are experienced among the older adults. Extreme heat can induce heat-related
mortality, heat exhaustion, heat strokes, dehydration, acute renal failure, and cardiopulmonary
diseases.
Psychologically, the elderly are affected because of their functional limitations and
mobility impairments that are present due to their decline in muscle strength, coordination, and
cognitive functions that have occurred from illness, chronic diseases, or injuries in the older
adults. The elderly are very sensitive to any extreme changes and environmental exposures
resulting in decreased adaptive capacity to mentally adapt to these changes.
Socioeconomically, the older adults, especially, those living in poverty are deeply
affected by not able to pay for air conditioning or well-constructed housing which would have
helped them handle the extreme heat waves and hotter days. The elderly also have difficulties to
access adequate transportation or other social services when needed during times of crises.
Finally, they might not have sufficient financial support with lack of insurance and limited
personal finances that lead to elderly not able to cope.
C. Environmental Justice
Empirical studies have shown that certain types of communities tend to suffer a
disproportionate impact of environmental harms causing health-related concerns. Race and
income distribution are the two most important determinants of an environmental justice
community. EPA defines environmental justice as "the fair treatment and meaningful
involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the
development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and
policies."166
Climate change poses special environmental justice challenges for communities that are
already overburdened with pollution and environmentally-related illnesses. One challenge is a
population's ability to prepare, respond, and recover when a disaster does occur. Hurricane
Katrina helps illustrate the issue of environmental justice in the Southeast. When Hurricane
Katrina struck Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, it struck the three poorest states in the
country; two of the states are located in Region 4.167 The people most disproportionally impacted
by the flooding and destruction of Hurricane Katrina were disadvantaged, mainly black
communities.168
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In general, environmental justice communities tend to be located next to or near potentially
harmful areas. The charts below present the poverty status and racial demographics in Region 4
states.169
Subject
REGION IV STATES
Population (as of April 1, 2010)
Population for whom poverty
status is determined
Under 18 years
Related children under 18 years
65 years and over
White alone, not Hispanic or
Latino
Hispanics
Minority
Total
61,082,315
59,932,739
14,044,902
13,933,500
8,424,993
38,137,978
6,692,784
21,794,761
Below
Poverty Level
-
10,067,497
3,564,293
3,515,407
860,595
4,809,917
1,734,054
5,797,580
Percent
below
Poverty Level
-
17.7%
25.4%
25.2%
10.2%
12.6%
25.9%
26.6%
Considering all the individual states in Region 4, the poverty status for children, elderly
people, and minority is highest in the state of Mississippi.170 Poverty status for these same
categories, on average across the Region, is high in the states of Alabama, Kentucky, South
Carolina, and Tennessee.171
Total Population
% White
% Black
% Asian
% American Indian
% Other Race
% Multiracial
% Minority
% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
61,082,315
70.8
21.3
2.1
0.5
3.2
2.1
36.2
11.1
Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi have the highest percent minority of all the individual
states in Region 4.172 Florida also has the highest percent Hispanic or Latino of any race.173
Environmental justice communities are concerned with the air pollutants contributing to the
issue of climate change, in particular the coal-fired power plants that emit greenhouse gases and
contribute to coal ash that must be stored and disposed. Mercury, arsenic and lead are also of
major concerns. According to the American Lung Association, African-Americans are twice as
likely to die from asthma attacks and Puerto Ricans have the highest asthma prevalence.174
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Moreover, African-American, Hispanic, and Asian-Pacific Islander women who were pregnant
were much likely than pregnant White women to live in areas with higher levels of air
pollution.175
Climate change will have an adverse effect on human health, especially within environmental
justice communities. Some of the human health consequences of climate change include asthma,
respiratory allergies, and airway diseases, cancer, cardiovascular disease and stroke, food borne
diseases and nutrition, heat and weather-related morbidity and mortality, and waterborne
diseases.176
D. Tribal Governments
The United States has a unique legal relationship with Tribal governments based on the
Constitution, treaties, statutes, Executive Orders, and court decisions. This relationship includes
recognition of the right of Tribes as sovereign governments to self-determination, and an
acknowledgment of the federal government's trust responsibility to Tribes. EPA works with
federally-recognized Tribes on a government to government basis and, in keeping with the
federal trust responsibility, consults with and carefully considers the interest of Tribes when
making decisions and taking actions that may have Tribal impacts.177
Tribal communities are disproportionately vulnerable to climate change impacts, largely
as a result of their close connection to the land, water, and natural resources. Tribes have limited
relocation options due to reservation boundaries, and often depend upon their traditional
homelands for natural resources to sustain economic, cultural, and spiritual practices. The
accumulated knowledge and understanding of a Tribe's environmental connection with their
homelands, or Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), is intrinsically linked to Tribal cultural
practices and threats to resources on which they depend.178 A combination of qualitative data,
gathered with TEK, and western science is needed to comprehensively understand and address
Tribal climate change impacts. In Region 4, shifting habitats of to traditional food sources and
medicinal plants have been observed based on TEK.
Economic impacts related to climate change are also anticipated. For example, the
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians manages a successful commercial trout fishery that attracts
thousands of fishermen to the area year-round. North Carolina trout populations are predicted to
experience significant reduction as a result of climate change; the estimated welfare loss is $5.63
to $53.18 per angler per single occasion.179 A loss of this magnitude could drastically impact the
viability of the Tribe's fishery program and overall economic well-being.
There are six federally-recognized Tribes in Region 4: Eastern Band of Cherokee
Indians, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Catawba Indian Nation, Seminole Tribe of
Florida, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, and Poarch Band of Creek Indians (Figure
below). Each Tribe is geographically diverse with unique government structures, priorities and
challenges. EPA is committed to strengthening its partnership with Tribes on priorities related to
climate change adaptation and to supporting the development of Tribal adaptive capacity.180 The
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vulnerabilities listed below identify potential areas in which Region 4's ability to be responsive
to Tribal climate change adaptation priorities and adaptive capacity building needs may be
impacted.
EPA Region 4 Federally-Recognized Tribes
Band 01 Cltoctflw
Ill.fl.Hl Njnon
Scmlnolo Tflb* o( Florida
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1. Resources
Tribal environmental programs are severely understaffed and underfunded. In some cases,
Region 4 Tribal environmental departments are staffed by as few as two environmental
professionals responsible for the development and implementation of environmental programs.
Fiscal Year 2015 EPA funding needs for Region 4 Tribes are estimated at$ 9.7M; Tribes are
currently funded at less than 25% of the projected need.181 Anticipated Region 4 resource
vulnerabilities include:
Lack of funding to assist Tribes in climate change adaptation planning and related activities,
such as increased air quality monitoring due to the potential of more frequent wildfires.
Increased demand for technical resources, such as access to climate change information, tools
and professionals, as well as innovative approaches to assist in developing climate change
adaptation plans or address climate change priorities due to limited staff availability at Tribal
level.
Increased demand for training and information dissemination regarding climate change
adaptation and potential adverse effects of climate change.
2. Education and Outreach
Tribes are subject to geographical impacts and, as sovereign nations, have unique government
structures, planning processes, and capabilities for adaptation and response. Generally, there are
few resources available to EPA for ascertaining regional and individual Tribal climate change
impacts, priorities, and readiness capabilities. Anticipated Region 4 education and outreach
vulnerabilities include:
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General lack of staff education and awareness of climate change priorities and impacts unique
to Region 4 Tribes, including those related to Tribal boundaries and economic, cultural and
spiritual practices.
Lack of knowledge of existing Tribal climate change readiness and adaptive capacity.
General lack of staff education, awareness and incorporation of TEK in Agency decision-
making and planning, including traditional practices that may exclude climate change
adaptation planning.
3. Communication and Collaboration
Climate change related priorities, responsibilities and activities vary by governmental agency.
Tribes work with federal, state and local governments, and are often required to be responsive to
complementary or duplicative requests for consultation and information sharing. Anticipated
Region 4 communication and collaboration vulnerabilities include:
Need for increased federal coordination and collaboration to share climate change adaptation
efforts, as well as to inform, discuss and consult with Tribes on climate change actions,
concerns, interests and priorities. Federal coordination, collaboration and consultation have
been requested by Region 4 Tribes.
Need for increased cross-program coordination and collaboration to inform, discuss and
consult with Tribes on EPA and Region 4 specific climate change actions, decisions, and
opportunities, such as adaptation planning process and anticipated climate change impacts to
the Region.
Jurisdictional challenges with adjacent local and state governments may impact collaboration
opportunities and access to resources.
IX. Vulnerability Assessment Table
See Appendix A.
128 Final draft U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Climate Change Adaptation Plan (June 29, 2012).
129 EPA's five national strategic goals are outlined in the "Fiscal Year 2011-2015 EPA Strategic Plan," September
30, 2010, http://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan.html.
130 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.)
131 Id.
132 Chang, H.H., J. Zhou, and M. Fuentes, 2010: Impact of climate change on ambient ozone level and mortality in
southeastern United States. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 7, 2866-2880.
133 Id.
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134 On December 14, 2012, the EPA strengthened the annual PM2 5 NAAQS from 15.0 micrograms per cubic meter
(ug/m3) to 12.0 ug/m3.
135 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.
136 Gramley, M. 2005. Fire in the South: A Report by the Southern Group of State Foresters. Winder GA: Southern
Group of State Foresters, http://216.226.177.78/PDFs/fire in the south.pdf (accessed January 15, 2012). See also
the Southeast Climate Assessment (Ingram, K.T., K. Dow, L. Carter (2012): Southeast Regional Technical Report
to the National Climate Assessment.
137 Barnard, W., W.Sabo. 2003. Review of 1999 NEI (version 2, final) and recommendations for developing the 2002
VISTAS inventory for regional haze modeling (area and point sources). Prepared for VISTAS, Asheville, NC,
U.S.A. See also the Southeast Climate Assessment (Ingram, K.T., K. Dow, L. Carter (2012): Southeast Regional
Technical Report to the National Climate Assessment.
138 Rappold, A.G. Peat Bog Wildfire Smoke Exposure in Rural North Carolina Is Associated with Cardiopulmonary
Emergency Department Visits Assessed through Syndromic Surveillance., 10: Environmental Health Perspectives,
2011. See also the Southeast Climate Assessment (Ingram, K.T., K. Dow, L. Carter (2012): Southeast Regional
Technical Report to the National Climate Assessment.
139 JFSP 2013 Funding Announcement, http://www.firescience.gov/AFPs/13-l-01/13-l-
01 RFA Announcement.pdf.
140 JFSP 2013 Funding Announcement, http://www.firescience.gov/AFPs/13-l-01/13-l-
01 RFA Announcement.pdf.
141 Climate Change, Indoor Air Quality And Health Prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of
Radiation and Indoor Air (August 24, 2010) By Paula Schenck, MPH A. Karim Ahmed, PhD Anne Bracker, MPH,
CIH Robert DeBernardo, MD, MBA, MPH, Section of Occupational and Environmental Medicine University of
Connecticut Health Center Section for Indoor Environments and Health. Available at
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pdfs/uconn climate health.pdf
142 Institute of Medicine, Climate Change, the Indoor Environment, and Health (Washington, DC: The National
Academies Press, 2011).
143 Id.
144 The Coastline of the U.S. (NOAA/PA 71046; 1975).
145 USD A, ERS based on data from the 2002 Census of Agriculture.
146 http://fiatools.fs.fed.us/fido/ (2004/2005 estimates).
147 Estuaries of the United States, Vital Statistics of a National Resource Base, NOAA, National Ocean Service,
October 1990.
148 Wetlands Losses in the U.S., 1780's to 1980's, Report to Congress, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
149 http://water.epa.gov/scitech/climatechange/2012-National-Water-Program-Strategy.cfm
National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change (2008).
151 http://www.epa.gov/regionl/superfund/er/oilstor.html.
152 http://www.epa.gov/oust/cat/ca 11 34.pdf
153 http://scenarios.globalchange.gov/regions/southeast-and-caribbean
154 http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/USA.php
155 Sustainable Facilities at EPA: The Gulf Ecology Division Laboratory, Computational and Geospatial Sciences
(COS) building http://www.epa.gov/oaintmt/documents/gulfJ5reeze_green_report_508.pdf
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156 Pediatrics, Global Climate Change and Children's Health, Committee on Environmental Health, 2007;120; 1149,
Available at http://pediatrics.aappublications.Org/content/120/5/1149.full.pdf Pediatrics, Global Climate Change and
Children's Health, Committee on Environmental Health, 2007;120; 1149, Available at
http://pediatrics.aappublications.Org/content/120/5/1149.full.pdf
157 Climate Change A. Osborne, Climate Change and Children's Environmental Health, ENRI-506, Extension
Associate for Environmental and Natural Resource Issues, University of Kentucky (July 2008), available at
http://www.ca.uky.edu/enri/CEH/ENRI%20506.pdf
158 Id.
159 Climate Change & Children's Health (December 2009) EPA-100-K-09-008.
160 Climate Change & Children's Health (December 2009) EPA-100-K-09-008.
161 Kim JJ. American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Environmental Health. Ambient Air Pollution:
Health Hazards to Children. Pediatrics. 2004; 1699-1 707
162 Climate Change, Indoor Air Quality And Health, prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of
Radiation and Indoor Air (August 24, 2010) By Paula Schenck, MPH A. Karim Ahmed, PhD Anne Bracker, MPH,
CIH Robert DeBernardo, MD, MBA, MPH, Section of Occupational and Environmental Medicine University of
Connecticut Health Center Section for Indoor Environments and Health. Available at
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pdfs/uconn climate health.pdf
163 Id.
164 Blake, E., Jarrell; I; Rappaport, E., U.S. Mainland Hurricane Strikes by State, 1851-2004, NOAA Technical
Memorandum NWS TPC-4. Available at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/paststate.shtml
165 A. Osborne, Climate Change and Children's Environmental Health, ENRI-506, Extension Associate for
Environmental and Natural Resource Issues, University of Kentucky (July 2008), available at
http://www.ca.ukv.edu/enri/CEH/ENRI%20506.pdf
lee office of Environmental Justice website: http://epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/index.html
167 Congressional Research Service Report for Congress. November 5, 2005. Hurricane Katrina: Social-
Demographic Characteristics of Impacted Areas.
168 Id.
169 US Census Bureau website: http://www.census.gov/
170 Id.
171 Id.
172 Id.
173 Id.
174 Congressional Research Service Report for Congress. November 5, 2005. Hurricane Katrina: Social-
Demographic Characteristics of Impacted Areas.
175 Id.
176 National Institute of Environmental Health Services. A Human Health Perspective on Climate Change: A Report
Outlining the Research Needs on the Health Effect of Climate Change, www.niehs.nih.gov/climatereport.
177 EPA Policy for the Administration of Environmental Programs on Indian Reservations, 1984;
http://www.epa.gov/indian/pdf/indian-policy-84.pdf
178 National EPA Tribal Science Council,
http://epa.gov/osp/tribes/pdf/Integration TEKEnvironmentalSciencePolicvDecisionMaking%20Tribal%20Prioritv
Final.pdf
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179 SoEun Ahn, et al., Economic Analysis of the Potential Impact of Climate Change on Recreational Trout Fishing
in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, pp 493-509, Climate Change (2000), Volume 45 Issue 3-4
180 Draft EPA Climate Change Adaptation Plan, June 29, 2012.
181 Region 4 RTOC Environmental Priorities; National Tribal Caucus presentation, March 2013
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PART 3
PRIORITY ACTIONS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION 80
II. EPA REGION 4'S ADAPTATION STRATEGY 81
A. ADAPTATION: ACTIONS TO UNDERSTAND AND RESPOND TO UNAVOIDABLE CHANGES 81
B. EDUCATION: ACTIONS TO INFORM INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS 82
III. FY 2011-2015 EPA STRATEGIC PLAN MEASURES 82
A. GOAL 1- TAKING ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND IMPROVING AIR QUALITY WITHIN REGION 4 83
1. Ozone 83
2. Paniculate matter 83
B. GOAL 2-PROTECTING EPA REGION 4's WATERS 83
1. Watershed Planning 84
2. Water Quality Standards 84
3. Water Quality Monitoring, Assessing and Reporting 84
4. Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) 84
5. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) 84
6. Non-Point Source (NPS) 84
7. Wetlands (CWA 404) 85
8. Dredging/Ocean Dumping 85
9. National Estuary Program and South Florida 85
10. Drinking Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Infrastructure 85
11. Drinking Water Quality 85
C. GOAL 3-CLEANING UP COMMUNITIES AND ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 86
1. Longer-term Cleanups (e.g., Superfund Remedial, Superfund Time-Critical Removal, RCRA Corrective
Action, TSCA) and RCRA Hazardous Waste Management Facilities 86
2. Emergency Response Program 86
3. RCRA and Brownfields 86
4. Oil Program (e.g., Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC)/Facility Response Plans (FRP)
Facilities) 87
D. GOAL 4- ENSURING THE SAFETY OF CHEMICALS AND PREVENTING POLLUTION 87
E. GOALS- ENFORCING ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS WITHIN REGION 4 87
1. The Office of NEPA 87
IV. PROTECT EPA'S FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS 88
A. CLIMATE EVENTS 88
B. SUSTAINABILITY 88
V. FACTOR LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS INTO ADAPTATION EFFORTS 89
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VI. STRENGTHEN ERA'S STAFF AND PARTNERS' ADAPTIVE CAPACITY THROUGH TRAINING 89
VII. PARTNER WITH TRIBES TO INCREASE THEIR ADAPTIVE CAPACITY 90
A) RESOURCES 90
B) EDUCATION AND OUTREACH 90
c) COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION 91
VIM. FOCUS ON MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE AND PLACES 92
A) CHILDREN'S HEALTH PRIORITY ACTIONS 92
B) ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 92
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I. Introduction
The EPA's draft Climate Change Adaptation Plan identified nine agency-wide priorities for
integrating climate change adaptation into its programs, polices, rules, and operations.182 EPA's
priorities are to:
Fulfill the FY 2011 -2015 EPA Strategic Plan measures.
Protect EPA's facilities and operations.
Factor legal considerations into adaptation efforts.
Strengthen EPA's staff and partners' adaptive capacity through training.
Develop decision-support tools to facilitate EPA staff and partners' integration of climate-
change adaptation planning into their programs and operations.
Identify cross-EPA climate adaptation science needs.
Partner with tribes to increase their adaptive capacity.
Focus on most vulnerable people and places.
Measure and evaluate performance.
The Regions have been tasked with using the Agency's draft plan as guidance for their
respective independent, stand alone plans.183 The Regions have been requested to clearly
articulate our criteria used to identify priority actions since limited and uncertain resources make
it impossible to undertake all our proposed actions. According to the Agency's draft plan,
Regional priority actions could range from addressing those vulnerabilities identified in the
Region's vulnerability assessment to building Regional staff adaptive capacity through training.
Some of the criteria Region 4 considered included, but were not limited to:
Does the action support and align with other Region 4 priorities and actions, i.e.
Strategic Plans?
Is the action a priority for our partners?
Does the action have an impact on reducing risk?
Does the action protect a critical resource/investment?
Is EPA uniquely situated to address the action?
When is the climate risk likely to occur?
Can the action be accomplished within current budget?
Will the action be sustainable/durable?
Region 4 identified priority actions it could take to ensure that we can continue to accomplish
our mission and operate at our multiple locations. The following priorities represent EPA Region
4's commitment to address the known programmatic vulnerabilities and to continue to identify
other vulnerabilities that may occur over time due to climate change. By listing an action as a
priority, the Region is not making a budgetary commitment to take or complete that action or to
take or complete it by a particular point in time. The Region's ability will depend on resource
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availability - which is uncertain. The Region has proposed actions it thinks are consistent with
its role as a Regional office and can do as resources are available or when it can accomplish the
priority concurrent with or as part of its ongoing activities.
As Regional Offices have been developing their priority actions, two categories of priority
actions have emerged: region specific and "national-level" priority actions. The "national-level"
priority actions are those that must be taken before the Regional Offices can appropriately
implement climate change adaptation within their region. Appendix B is Region 4's Priority
Action Matrix that identifies each priority action as a National and/or region specific action and
notes whether Region 4 will need more coordination, policy, and/or guidance from EPA
Headquarters.
II. EPA Region 4's Adaptation Strategy184
Region 4 is currently updating its Fiscal Year 2013-14 Draft Energy and Climate Change
Strategy (Strategy) to describe the actions it would pursue to help the Southeastern United States
address clean energy and climate change challenges. Two sections of this Strategy, Adaptation
and Education, address the Region's concentration on climate change adaptation. In performing
this work, the Region will use good science and state of the art analysis and will work to
continually improve its ability to measure positive change. The Region will also continually
evaluate and, as appropriate, adjust our base regulatory and assistance programs to account for
climate change.
A. Adaptation: Actions to Understand and Respond to Unavoidable
Changes
The Region 4 will assist its state, local, and tribal governments and Federal resource
managers to prepare for and respond to climate-related changes such as sea-level rise, weather-
related impacts on agriculture, changes in water quality and availability, and impacts on human
health and ecosystems. Specifically, as budgets allow, the Region will work with its
stakeholders to develop and implement strategies to respond to local concerns and to share these
methods with other communities through such potential actions as:
Promote EPA's Clean Energy-Environment State Partnership that encourages states to
develop and implement cost-effective clean energy and environmental strategies.
Promote EPA's Climate Ready Water Utilities and Climate Ready Estuaries programs that
aid respective water sectors to understand climate science and adaptation options, as well as
assess climate change vulnerabilities, implement adaptation strategies, educate stakeholders,
and share lessons learned.
Promote the Sun Wise Program to teach the public how to protect themselves from
overexposure to the sun through the use of classroom-, school-, and community-based tools.
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Reduce the potential for wildfires and limit impacts on particulate matter air quality through
prescribed fire and smoke management efforts with the Southeast Regional Partnership for
Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS).
Work with local/state/federal emergency preparedness and response counterparts and
businesses to develop and implement strategies to address adaptive measures needed for
climate-related changes and work with state and industry to add enhanced emergency
planning in operating permits.
Promote the Southeastern Ecological Framework as a tool for evaluating and adapting to
climate change impacts on important ecosystems and services across eight Southeastern
states.
B. Education: Actions to Inform Internal and External Stakeholders
Region 4 will work to educate internal and external stakeholders on the science of climate
change, energy efficiency and conservation, mitigation and adaptation activities, and
revitalization through the following potential actions:
Implementing activities that support national Climate for Action Education and Outreach
Campaign.
Working with the Region's National Estuary Programs and other coastal communities to
assess vulnerabilities from and to adapt to climate change impacts.
Promoting EPA's Smart Growth program to help communities grow in ways that expand
economic opportunity, protect public health and the environment, and create and enhance the
places that people want to live and work.
Promoting the revitalization of contaminated land to productive environmental and economic
reuse, with an emphasis on green technologies.
Implementing additional activities that educate the public on climate change.
III. FY 2011-2015 EPA Strategic Plan measures
The following is Region 4's discussion on a goal by goal basis of possible priority actions
the Region may take to integrate climate change adaptation into its programs and operations. In
general, the Region does not engage in rule making activities with the exception of TMDL
development, Offshore Dredged Material Disposal Site designations, and SIPs? For these
limited rule making opportunities, the Region can incorporate as appropriate and consistent with
Program Office guidance the best available climate change adaptation science to inform its
decision making.
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A. Goal 1- Taking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air
Quality within Region 4
Region 4 will pursue the following Region-specific actions to address climate change
vulnerabilities related to our goal Improving Air Quality.
1. Ozone
Tropospheric (ground level) ozone pollution is likely to increase in Region 4 due to
increased temperatures in the future. The Region will work with its partners at the state, local,
and tribal levels to help them meet the ozone NAAQS.
o 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).
o Criteria considerations impacts are medium for timing, medium for
geographic/demographic scale, medium for programmatic scale, and low for physical.
2. Particulate matter
High local PM events are likely to increase due to changes in frequency or intensity of
wildfires. The Region will work with its partners at the state, local, and tribal levels to help them
reduce the potential for increased wildfires and limit the impacts on air quality.
o Mitigation actions can be implemented to reduce the potential for wildfires and
resulting PM impacts. These actions include increased use of prescribed fires or
alternative treatment options (e.g., mechanical clearing or herbicide treatments) to
reduce the build-up of fuel loads in areas prone to wildfires.
o Smoke management is one of the important issues related to both wildfire and
prescribed fire management. In the Southeast, Region 4 participates in a partnership
of federal and state agencies called the Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning
and Sustainability (SERPPAS). EPA has worked with the other partner agencies to
develop a document containing Smoke Management Recommendations for
prescribed fire. These recommendations could be applied more broadly to promote
awareness of use of prescribed fire, which will reduce wildfire potential while also
minimizing impacts on PM air quality. (Region-specific action)
o Criteria considerations impacts are medium for timing, medium for
geographic/demographic scale, medium for programmatic scale, and low for physical.
B. Goal 2 - Protecting EPA Region 4's Waters
Region 4 has identified the following actions to begin to address climate change
vulnerabilities related to our goal of Protecting America's Waters. Many of these actions will
benefit from the development and implementation of appropriate national guidance to promote
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consistency across the states. The Region will implement these actions in coordination with any
related national guidance.
1. Watershed Planning
Encourage green infrastructure and low-impact development to protect water quality, to
make watersheds more resilient and to reduce the demand for additional water resources.
Work with USGS to become knowledgeable in the best methods to model for current and
projected low flow and high flow conditions in gauged and ungauged rivers and streams.
2. Water Quality Standards
Use the Triennial Review of state water quality standards to work with states and tribes
on changes in stream use classification or standards, where necessary, due to climate
change induced increasing temperatures or changes in stream flow.
Encourage states and tribes to develop appropriate coordination processes between
water quality and water supply decisions to ensure proper implementation of state water
quality standards.
3. Water Quality Monitoring, Assessing and Reporting
Evaluate Region 4 states' and tribes' current monitoring and assessment practices to
encourage the capturing of extreme low flow or other climate related conditions,
including: 1) appropriate biological monitoring and assessment techniques, and 2) water
monitoring system design.
Work with states, tribes, and other water monitoring partners to help establish a long term
monitoring program to track potential changes in temperature, flow, aquatic biological
communities, habitat, and chemical constituents that are occurring over time at important
sentinel reference sites in the SE Region.
4. Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL)
Guidance from the Office of Water on methods and approaches is needed prior to the
Region identifying specific regional actions.
5. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
Encourage States to update fact sheets at permit reissuance to include the most up-to-date
critical low flow as possible and to calculate reasonable potential based on those values.
Continue to work with states on the incorporation of green infrastructure components in
MS4 permitting.
6. Non-Point Source (NPS)
Work with states and tribes to include climate change adaptation provisions in revised
Nonpoint Source Management Plans to provide flexibility to fund programs and projects
to assess, evaluate, plan and implement climate change adaptations.
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7. Wetlands (CWA 404)
Consider the effects of climate change as appropriate when evaluating Least
Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternatives (LEDPA) in the context of CWA
Section 404 Wetlands Permitting.
Ensure water conservation and efficiency measures are considered, where appropriate, as
part of wetlands 404 permitting before new water resource projects are approved.
8. Dredging/Ocean Dumping
Promote the beneficial use of suitable dredged material to support environmentally sound
projects to protect from sea level rise and storm surge.
Develop protocols to address the likely increase in emergency dredging from hurricanes
of increased intensity and other extreme precipitation events that may cause unexpected
sedimentation and shoaling.
9. National Estuary Program and South Florida
Promote the Climate Ready Estuary program in Region 4 National Estuary Programs
(NEPs).
Promote the development of NEP coastal watershed management plans that consider
climate change.
Promote the development of vulnerability assessments by Region 4 NEPs.
Work with the NEP's to revise and update the NEP Comprehensive Conservation and
Management Plans (CCMPs) to address vulnerabilities to climate change.
Work with the Gulf of Mexico Program Office, Region 6 and the Gulf of Mexico
Alliance to address climate change in projects and programs under the BP Deepwater
Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restore Act procedures.
Work with the Governor's South Atlantic Alliance to include climate change
considerations into South Atlantic Alliance efforts.
Continue to work with Monroe County, Florida (Florida Keys) to implement climate
change in water quality management planning for protection of the Florida Keys National
Marine Sanctuary.
10. Drinking Water, Wastewater and Storm water Infrastructure
Guidance from the Office of Water on methods and approaches is needed prior to the Region
identifying specific regional actions.
11. Drinking Water Quality
Include assistance to the utilities in developing vulnerability assessments to the
anticipated effects of climate changes through the Region's Energy Management
Initiative to reduce energy consumption at wastewater and drinking water utilities.
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C. Goal 3 - Cleaning up Communities and Advancing Sustainable
Development
1. Longer-term Cleanups (e.g., Superfund Remedial, Superfund Time-
Critical Removal, RCRA Corrective Action, TSCA) and RCRA Hazardous Waste
Management Facilities
Identify and assess the potential vulnerability of NPL sites within delineated GIS-mapped
zones (i.e., sea level rise, flooding due to storm surge, and flooding due to higher
precipitation events) based on a consideration of site-specific factors (e.g., local
topography, design and duration of cleanup remedies, potential risk to the cleanup).
Based on the findings from the evaluation of potentially vulnerable NPL sites, develop an
action plan to evaluate the vulnerability of other contaminated sites (e.g., brownfields,
Superfund Time-Critical Removal, RCRA corrective action) and RCRA Hazardous
Waste Management Facilities.
In conjunction with tribes and state agencies, initiate an interagency dialog to plan and
coordinate efforts to consider climate change impacts at contaminated site cleanups and
RCRA hazardous waste management facilities.
Incorporate energy efficiency and conservation into green site remediation practices
funded by EPA, and encourage efficiency and conservation in actions conducted by
responsible parties.
2. Emergency Response Program
Utilize GIS-based mapping tools to locate potentially vulnerable critical public
infrastructure (e.g., drinking water facilities, waste water treatment facilities) and sources
of potential hazardous material releases (e.g., oil facilities) to aid in planning for and
responding to emergency events.
Conduct an assessment of the hazardous waste disposal infrastructure to determine
whether it can manage potential disposal needs during a changing climate and whether
facility operations will be impacted (e.g. accessibility, capacity, and disposal techniques).
3. RCRA and Brownfields
Expand green remediation practices such as those which promote waste reduction,
materials re-use and recycling, energy and water efficiency and conservation, use of
alternate and renewable energies, and promotion of cleaner or reduced emissions.
Integrate materials recovery principles, practices and programs into the Region's
Brownfields and Revitalization program and projects.
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4. Oil Program (e.g., Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure
(SPCC)/ Facility Response Plans (FRP) Facilities)
Create layers in GIS to enhance existing mapping tools demonstrating potential impact
areas, flood zones, storm surge areas etc.
Identify SPCC and FRP facilities within EPA Region 4 and include in updated mapping
tools.
Include consideration of climate change impacts in EPA Region 4 management reviews
of current and future SPCC and FRP facilities.
D. Goal 4 - Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution
Promote EPA's Green Building and Sustainable Materials Management challenge
programs to encourage healthier and more resource-efficient models of construction,
renovation, operation, maintenance and demolition of buildings.
E. Goal 5 - Enforcing Environmental Laws within Region 4
1. The Office of NEPA
Section 309 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) confers upon EPA broad review responsibilities for
federal actions. It authorizes EPA to review certain proposed actions of other federal agencies in
accordance with NEPA and to make these reviews public. If the proposing agency does not
make sufficient revisions such that the project remains environmentally unsatisfactory, EPA may
refer the matter to the Council of Environmental Quality.
The EPA Administrator has delegated to the Office of Federal Activities, the national
program manager role, and the ten Regional Administrators for review of specific regional
actions. Materials Which EPA Reviews Under Section 309 Authority include, proposed
legislation and regulation, Environmental assessment (EA), Environmental impact
statement(EIS), draft and final, any proposal that the lead agency maintains does not require an
EIS but that EPA believes constitutes a major federal action significantly affecting the
environment so as to require an EIS.
Region 4's Office of NEPA will
Work to with NEPA to appropriately incorporate climate change into their environmental
assessments and to promote consistency with respective Climate Change Adaptation
plans.
Region will work with other federal agencies to appropriately address vulnerable people
and places as they are impacted by climate change.
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The above actions were identified because they can be incorporated into the Region's NEPA
staff routine activities. The Region NEPA Office often assists federal agencies implementing
major federal actions having significant environmental impacts to identify appropriate
alternatives and mitigation of impacts, including cumulative effects, to account for climate
change. Moreover, the NEPA Office commonly serves an internal regional coordinating role to
bring in all relevant and applicable regional program review on these projects. And as
appropriate, the NEPA office facilitates discussions between affected communities and the
federal agencies to resolve project conflicts. Additionally, EPA's unique CAA Section 309
authority gives it the opportunity to raise those projects of significance to the Council of
Environmental Quality for appropriate resolution.
IV. Protect EPA's Facilities and Operations
A. Climate Events
The Region 4 office is located in downtown Atlanta, GA, sufficiently located distant from
any major water body or coastal area. The relevant potential climate change impacts to this
office are in the form of intense storm-related flooding, particularly the tunnel connecting office
buildings and the subway system.
Additionally, tornado activity can be a problem as evidenced by the March 14-15, 2008,
tornado outbreak within Region 4. A tornado caused widespread damage across downtown
Atlanta, including to the CNN Center and to the Georgia Dome. EPA Region 4's office building
is within a block of the Georgia Dome and near several other city buildings damaged by the
storm.
The Region has Continuity of Operations (COOP) procedures in place. It is increasingly
incorporating technology to allow work to effectively occur remotely should storm damage the
Region's building making it inaccessible for routine business. In order to ensure effectiveness ad
preparedness, several priority actions have been identified
Investigate alternative lodging availability at the Alternate COOP Site.
As a GSA building occupant, EPA Region 4 will promote facility efficiencies.
Continue to use EMS to promote sustainable business practices including energy
efficiency and renewable energy strategies that promote LEED certification.
Maintain the staff s capacity to work remotely
B. Sustainability
In 2009, Executive Order 12514: "Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and
Economic Performance" was signed to "establish an integrated strategy towards sustainability in
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the Federal Government and to make reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) a priority for
Federal agencies." To ensure that EPA Region 4's buildings meet the requirements and reflect
our mission, the Agency implements a range of strategies to reduce the environmental impact of
its facilities and operations supporting sustainability.
Develop interagency federal sustainability team to promote greening federal facilities in
Atlanta. Recruit Federal Green Challenge partners from federal departments to reduce
their climate change impacts.
Support the development of sustainable recycling infrastructure and commodities markets
through partnerships with state and regional recycling coalitions, by developing and
supporting product stewardship and extended producer responsibility models, and
through efforts to encourage the recovery and recycling of organic waste streams.
Recruit partners to implement the SMM Food Recovery Challenge to increase
economically valuable and environmentally responsible use and diversion of organic
waste away from land-filling to minimize the creation and release of methane.
V. Factor Legal Considerations into Adaptation Efforts
As policy and/or guidance from Program Offices become available, the Region will
implement climate change adaptation planning and priority actions consistent with EPA's
statutes and regulatory authorities.
No Priority Actions identified
VI. Strengthen EPA's Staff and Partners' Adaptive Capacity through
Training
The Region sponsored a Climate Change Adaptation kick-off session, on March 18, 2013, as
the first step in making its management and staff aware of the Agency's climate change
adaptation planning efforts and the National Climate Assessment efforts at providing regional
climate scenarios.
The Region recognizes climate change adaptation training is only as useful as it is relevant to
staffs daily programmatic activities. The Region believes appropriate climate change
adaptation-related training will inform staff how EPA intends to: 1) incorporate best available
climate-change science into Agency's programs consistent with EPA's statutory and regulatory
authority and the various Program Office guidance and 2) interpret existing statutory and
regulatory authority to support climate change adaptation related activities to insure nation-wide
consistency in implementing the Agency's mission.
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Encourage regional employees to take EPA Headquarters created training regarding
climate change adaptation.
Utilize Region 4's Energy and Climate Change Steering Committee and Workgroups to
monitor opportunities to educate and outreach to employees and look for areas where
climate change adaptation can be incorporated.
Look for opportunities to bring in guest speakers to lecture employees about climate
change and potentially how other agencies are tackling adaptation.
VII. Partner with Tribes to Increase their Adaptive Capacity
Region 4 has invited consultation with the six-federally recognized Tribes on climate change
adaptation planning, and will continue to coordinate and support Tribal climate change
adaptation efforts consistent with the Agency's statutory and regulatory authorities, program
office guidance, and resources.
a) Resources
Coordinate with the Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) and individual
Tribes to identify climate change priorities, assess Tribes' climate change adaptation
readiness and determine training, technical assistance and/or resource needs.
Determination of needs will include identification of applicable audiences (i.e., Tribal
Leaders, environmental staff, community, or other stakeholders). (Region specific action)
o Criteria considerations impacts are high for timing, small for
geographic/demographic scale, medium for programmatic scale, and low for
physical.
Request clear guidelines from National Program Managers to Project Officers and Tribes
about the management of available funds to grant awards addressing climate change
adaptation activities. As an example, revise the OAR and EPA's Tribal Air Grants
Framework: Menu of Options to include Climate Change Adaptation work as an option
as appropriate and following the Clean Air Act. (National specific action)
o Criteria considerations impacts are medium for timing, small for
geographic/demographic scale, medium for programmatic scale, and low for
physical.
b) Education and Outreach
Facilitate a workshop or training for Tribal environmental staff on climate change
impacts and priorities. Training may be provided through existing resources, such as the
Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) at Northern Arizona University.
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ITEP is currently planning a training in the southeast in Fall, 2013. (Region specific
action)
o Criteria considerations impacts are high for timing, small for
geographic/demographic scale, medium for programmatic scale, and low for
physical.
Collaborate with R4 Energy and Climate Change Coordinator and Divisions to
incorporate Tribal component(s) in energy and climate change website. (Region specific
activity)
o Criteria considerations impacts are medium for timing, small for
geographic/demographic scale, medium for programmatic scale, and low for
physical.
Incorporate Tribal climate change priorities, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and
related information into training opportunities for Region 4 staff. (Regional and National
action)
o Criteria considerations impacts are medium for timing, small for
geographic/demographic scale, medium for programmatic scale, and low for
physical.
c) Communication and Collaboration
Coordinate with federal partners on a regular basis to share climate change related efforts,
and to streamline education, outreach and consultation with Tribes, where appropriate.
Region 4 is hosting the first southeast federal Tribal liaisons meeting on March 19.
(Region specific action)
o Criteria considerations impacts are high for timing, small for
geographic/demographic scale, medium for programmatic scale, and low for
physical.
Enhance interagency cross-program coordination and collaboration opportunities to
inform, discuss and consult with Tribes on EPA climate change actions and decisions.
(Region specific action)
o Criteria considerations impacts are high for timing, small for
geographic/demographic scale, medium for programmatic scale, and low for
physical.
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VIII. Focus on Most Vulnerable People and Places
a) Children's Health Priority Actions
Conduct an inventory of tools and materials available to address issues faced by
children and pregnant women. Many of these existing tools may need to be updated
or modified to more effectively target specific populations and risks. (National-level
action)
Promote and disseminate tools and materials to address issues targeting children and
pregnant women. The use of partners and stakeholders can be utilized to assist in
preparation and then equipped to support our information dissemination campaign.
(National-level and Region-specific action)
Educate and conduct outreach directed to pediatric health care professionals to
enhance their understanding of the threats on children's health, and participate as
children's advocates for strong mitigation and adaptation strategies. Pediatric health
care professionals can be leaders in a move away from a traditional focus on disease
prevention to a broad, integrated focus on sustainability as synonymous with health.185
(National-level and Region-specific action)
Conuslt with the Southeast Pediatric Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) as a resource to
address environmental health medical conditions that may be exacerbated by climate
change. The expertise available through the National PEHSU Network should be
expanded to include perinatology. The PESHU Network should also be equipped to
provide expertise though consultations and training to public health officials and
health care providers and to the general public through the media and direct
intervention. (National-level and Region-specific action)
b) Environmental Justice
Host climate change and adaptation educational workshops for environmental justice
communities.
Partner with other federal and state agencies and non-profit organizations to inform
environmental justice communities of various activities and programs.
Promote and distribute climate change and adaptation tools and materials via emails,
listserv, and mailings.
Create a train-the-trainer climate change and adaptation workshop where community
partners are able to lead climate change and environmental justice workshops.
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182 Final draft U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Climate Change Adaptation Plan (June 29, 2012).
183 Final draft U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Climate Change Adaptation Plan (June 29, 2012).
184 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 Energy and Climate Change Strategy Fiscal Year 2013-14
DRAFT 3-13-13.
185 Pediatrics, Global Climate Change and Children's Health, Committee on Environmental Health, 2007; 120;
1149, Available at http://pediatrics.aappublications.Org/content/120/5/1149.full.pdf
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PART 4
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
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I. Introduction
This section describes how Region 4 plans to update the information and analysis in this
implementation plan, evaluate the success of any activities, and continually improve the process
of programmatic climate adaptation over time. The Region will implement measures and
evaluate performance consistent with the Agency's statutory and regulatory authorities, Program
Office guidance, and resources. Over the coming years, Region 4 will build and strengthen its
adaptive capacity and work with its partners to build capacity in states, tribes, and local
communities. We 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.
II. Phased Approach
Region 4 plans to conduct a baseline assessment of all its priority actions to determine the
status and the potential for completion of each action. Additionally, Region 4 will finalize its
Fiscal Year 2014 Energy and Climate Change Strategic Plan and ensure alignment with this
implementation plan.
The National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change found the most
amenable approach for evaluating progress is to assess institutional progress toward becoming a
resilient and adaptive program. The Region 4 plan utilizes this approach. Region 4 is adopting a
phased approach that uses indicators of progress and emphasizes peer-to-peer learning rather
than a top-down mandate. A similar approach is in use in the United Kingdom (UK DEFRA,
2010).
Region 4's Phased Approach tracks the region's institutional process and progress in
incorporating climate change considerations into EPA programs. Outputs will not be counted per
se; rather, the collectivity of actions and their products will demonstrate the weight of evidence
for determining the status of adaptation activities. The following Table presents a summary of
the seven phases of the Region 4 approach. Recognizing that it may take years or decades to
achieve adaptive preparedness and resilience, Region 4 designed phases for which progress
could be demonstrated within a relatively short time frame (1 to 3 years).
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Phases of Adaptive Management
Phases
Explanation
Examples of Evidence of Achievement
1. Initiation
Conduct a screening assessment of
potential implications of climate
change to mission, programs, and
operations.
Preliminary information is developed to evaluate
relevance of climate change to the mission or
program; a decision is made as to whether to
prepare a response to climate change; further
exploration of climate change implications has
been authorized.
Accountabilities and responsibilities are
assigned at appropriate levels within the
organization and resources are available to
develop a more in-depth assessment.
2. Assessment
Conduct a broader review to
understand how climate change affects
the resources in question.
Work with stakeholders to develop an
understanding of the implications of
climate change to the mission, pro-
grams, and operations.
Review science literature and assessments to
understand how climate change affects the
resources being protected (threat to mission);
Engage internal staff and external stakeholders
in evaluation.
Identify climate change issues and concerns and
communicate with internal and external
stakeholders and partners.
Identify which specific programs are threatened
and what specific information or tools need to be
developed.
Communicate findings to partners and
stakeholders and engage them in dialogue on
building adaptive capacity.
3. Response
Development
Identify changes necessary to continue
to reach program mission and goals.
Develop initial action plan.
Identify and seek the research, infor-
mation, and tools needed to support
actions.
Begin to build the body of tools, infor-
mation, and partnerships needed to
build capacity internally and
externally.
Develop initial program vision and goals for
responding to climate change.
Identify needed response actions or changes that
will allow the organization to begin to address
climate impacts on its mission.
Initiate strategies and actions in a few key areas
to begin to build organizational ability to use
climate information in decision processes.
Identify program partners' needs for building
adaptive capacity.
Begin working with an external "community of
practice" to engage in tool and program
development.
Rudimentary methods are put in place to track
progress.
Develop a research strategy and partnerships to
obtain additional needed research.
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4. Initial
Implementation
Initiate actions in selected priority
programs or projects.
Make it clear within the organization that
incorporating climate change into programs
is critical.
Initiate actions and plans identified in
StepS.
Initiate cooperative projects with partners.
Develop a range of needed information and
tools.
Begin to institute changes to incorporate
climate change into core programs.
Some program partners have begun to
implement response actions.
5. Robust
Implementation
Programs are underway and lessons
learned are being applied to additional
programs and projects.
Lessons learned are evaluated and strategies are
refined.
Efforts are initiated to consider climate change
in additional, or more complex, program
elements.
Continue to institute institutional changes to
incorporate climate change into core programs.
External communities of practice are in place to
support ongoing capacity development.
6.
Mainstreaming
Climate is an embedded, component
of the program.
The organization's culture and policies are
aligned with responding to climate change.
All staff have a basic understanding of
climate change causes and impacts.
All relevant programs, activities, and decision
processes intrinsically incorporate
climate change.
Methods for evaluating outcomes are in
place.
7. Monitoring
and Adaptive
Management
Continue to monitor and integrate
performance, new information, and
lessons learned into programs and
plans.
Progress is evaluated and needed changes
are implemented.
As impacts of climate change unfold,
climate change impacts and organizational
responses are reassessed.
The intention is to use this approach to follow progress related to each program as the plan is
implemented. The phase identified for each program is or will be a composite summary of the
overall implementation. At this time, no attempt has been made to identify the phase of each
individual action and Region 4 will begin its baseline assessment once there has been additional
time to consider performance measures and consult with Headquarters and other Regions on the
best practices.
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Appendix A - Region 4 Summary of Region 4 Program Vulnerabilities to Climate Change Impacts by EPA Strategic Goal
5-28-2013 Draft
Goal3 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS b
Climate Change Likelihood of
Impactd Impacte
EPA PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS
Likelihood
Focus of Associated EPA Program
EPA Program
will be
Affected by
Impactf
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Likelihood
01 Regional
Program
will be
Affected by
Impact
Region 4 Programmatic Impacts
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Increased
tropospheric
ozone
pollution in
certain regions
Increased
frequency or
intensity of
wildfires
Increasing
extreme
temperatures
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Effects on the
stratospheric
ozone layer
Likely
Likely2 n
Very Likely3
Likely3
Likely4
Protecting public health and the
environment by approving state
programs to meet National Ambient
Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
and implementing programs in
Indian Country.
Protecting public health and the
environment by setting National
Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) and implementing
programs to help meet the standards
Protect public health by promoting
healthy indoor environments
through voluntary programs and
guidance
Restoring the stratospheric ozone
layer
Preventing UV-related disease
Providing a smooth transition to
safer alternatives
High
Medium
Medium
High
Could become more difficult to attain NAAQS
for ozone in many areas with existing ozone
problems.
Could complicate Agency efforts to protect
public health and the environment from risks
posed by paniculate matter (PM) and ozone
pollution in areas affected by more frequent
wildfires.
Could increase public health risks, including
risks for the young, the elderly, the chronically
ill, and socioeconomically disadvantaged
populations
Unable to restore ozone concentrations to
benchmark levels as quickly at some latitudes
High
Medium
Medium
Medium
There could be more ozone exceedances in current
nonattainment areas (Atlanta, Birmingham, Memphis,etc) and
new non attainment areas that were previously attaining.
An increase in wildfire activity could cause more frequent
elevated PM events, which would be hazardous to human
health.
Could see an increase in flooding which can contribute to mol<
and increased exposure to indoor chemicals as people stay
indoors during heavy precipitation.
Could see more power outages which can lead to increases in
PM2s emissions from backup electricity and heat sources.
Continued decreases in ozone-depleting halocarbon emissions
are expected to reduce their relative influence on climate
change in the future; however potential for increased use of
pesticides that contains ozone-depleting halocarbon emissions
Climate Change may exacerbate health effects of ozone layer
damage at some latitudes and mitigate them at others.
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Goal3 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Climate Change Likelihood of
Impactd Impacte
EPA PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS
Effects on
response of
ecosystems to
atmospheric
deposition of
sulfur,
nitrogen, and
mercury
Likelyf
Focus of Associated EPA Program
Ecosystem protections from Agency
emissions reduction programs
Likelihood
EPA Program
will be
Affected by
Impactf
Low
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Based on evolving research, could have
consequences for the effectiveness of
ecosystem protections under those programs
Likelihood
of Regional
Program
will be
Affected by
Impact
Low
Region 4 Programmatic Impacts
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Sea-level rise
Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought
intensity
Ocean
acidification
Increased
water
temperatures
Likely3
Likely3
Restoring and protecting | High
watersheds, aquatic ecosystems and
wetlands
Very likely6
Likely7
Certain8
Very Likely9
Increased number of sewer overflows and
wastewater bypasses, as well increased
pollutant loads in runoff, fouling streams and
threatening public health.
Challenges to coastal wetlands' ability to
migrate.
Reduced streamflow, altering the aquatic
environments and increasing impairments.
Continued stress on coral reefs.
Shifts in aquatic habitat will threaten the
economic and cultural practices of tribal
communities.
High
Watershed Management
Higher air and water temperatures combined with nutrient
pollution may result in increased growth of algae and microbe;
that threaten aquatic ecosystems.
Higher air and water temperatures may increase pollutant
concentrations and lower dissolved oxygen levels, potentially
resulting in additional water bodies not meeting water quality
standards and being listed as impaired.
Areas experiencing periods of less precipitation, drought, lowe
stream flow and limited ground water recharge may result in
less water flow for dilution of permitted discharges, alterations
of aquatic environments, and increased impairments.
Areas with increased intensity of drought or that may
experience increases in events such as wildfires may see
alterations in the structure and function of watersheds
potentially affecting regional and state wetlands delineation
and protection programs.
Increased intensity of rainfall events and storms may cause an
increase in the number of sewer overflows and wastewater
bypasses, fouling streams and requiring increased water qualit
enforcement.
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Goal3 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Climate Change Likelihood of
Impactd Impacte
EPA PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Sea-level rise
Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought
intensity
Ocean
acidification
Increased
water
temperatures
Likely'
Likely3
Very likely6
Likely7
Certain8
Very Likely9
Focus of Associated EPA Program
Restoring and protecting
watersheds, aquatic ecosystems and
wetlands
Likelihood
EPA Program
will be
Affected by
Impactf
High
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Increased number of sewer overflows and
wastewater bypasses, as well increased
pollutant loads in runoff, fouling streams and
threatening public health.
Challenges to coastal wetlands' ability to
migrate.
Reduced streamflow, altering the aquatic
environments and increasing impairments.
Continued stress on coral reefs.
Shifts in aquatic habitat will threaten the
economic and cultural practices of tribal
communities.
Likelihood
of Regional
Program
will be
Affected by
Impact
High
High
Region 4 Programmatic Impacts
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Water Quality Standards
Warmer waters and other ecological shifts will threaten aquatii
habitats and aquatic species, such as cold water fisheries and
potentially requiring changes in State stream
classificationsSalinity changes due to seal level rise may creats
a need to reclassify some water bodies from fresh to salt
water. Sea-level rise may also result in a shifting from fresh
water communities to salt water communities, such as is
happening in the Chassohowitzka River System in
Florida. Increased anthropogenic use of freshwater upstream
may be a significant contributor in converting fresh to salt
water.
Monitoring, Assessing and Reporting
Stream ecosystems will be affected directly, indirectly, and
through interactions with other stressors. Biological responses
to these changes will vary regionally and could include altered
community composition, interactions, and functions. .
Monitoring locations may need to be re-located in order to
effectively monitor and assess changes in stream ecology or
water quality.
Timing of monitoring may need to change in order to pick up
seasonal shifts and the full range of climate vulnerability,
especially for recreational and aquatic life uses.
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Goal3 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Climate Change Likelihood of
Impactd Impacte
EPA PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Sea-level rise
Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought
intensity
Ocean
acidification
Increased
water
temperatures
Likely'
Likely3
Very likely6
Likely7
Certain8
Very Likely9
Focus of Associated EPA Program
Restoring and protecting
watersheds, aquatic ecosystems and
wetlands
Likelihood
EPA Program
will be
Affected by
Impactf
High
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Increased number of sewer overflows and
wastewater bypasses, as well increased
pollutant loads in runoff, fouling streams and
threatening public health.
Challenges to coastal wetlands' ability to
migrate.
Reduced streamflow, altering the aquatic
environments and increasing impairments.
Continued stress on coral reefs.
Shifts in aquatic habitat will threaten the
economic and cultural practices of tribal
communities.
Likelihood
of Regional
Program
will be
Affected by
Impact
High
High
Region 4 Programmatic Impacts
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
TMDLs
Some areas may experience periods of less precipitation,
drought, lower stream flow and limited ground water recharge
resulting in less water flow for dilution of permitted
discharges, alterations of aquatic environments, and increased
impairments; these considerations will need to be taken into
account in the development of new TMDLs, and potentially
result in the need for revision of existing TMDLs.
Some areas may experience episodes of increased intense
precipitation resulting in increased runoff of pollutants; these
considerations will need to be taken into account in the
development of new TMDLs, and potentially result in the neec
for revision of existing TMDLs.
NPDES Program
Areas experiencing periods of less precipitation, drought, lowe
stream flow and limited ground water recharge will result in
less water flow for dilution of permitted discharges, alterations
of aquatic environments, and increased impairments. National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits wil
need to take these factors into consideration during permit
renewal or new permit issuance. These precipitation changes
are compounded in certain areas by increased human uses of
the water resources.
Increased intensity of rainfall events and storms may cause an
increase in the number of sewer overflows and wastewater
bypasses, fouling streams and requiring increased water qualit
enforcement.
Increased aquatic temperatures may result in the need to
modify existing discharge limits.
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Goal3 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Climate Change Likelihood of
Impactd Impacte
EPA PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Sea-level rise
Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought
intensity
Ocean
acidification
Increased
water
temperatures
Likely'
Likely3
Very likely6
Likely7
Certain8
Very Likely9
Focus of Associated EPA Program
Restoring and protecting
watersheds, aquatic ecosystems and
wetlands
Likelihood
EPA Program
will be
Affected by
Impactf
High
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Increased number of sewer overflows and
wastewater bypasses, as well increased
pollutant loads in runoff, fouling streams and
threatening public health.
Challenges to coastal wetlands' ability to
migrate.
Reduced streamflow, altering the aquatic
environments and increasing impairments.
Continued stress on coral reefs.
Shifts in aquatic habitat will threaten the
economic and cultural practices of tribal
communities.
Likelihood
of Regional
Program
will be
Affected by
Impact
High
High
Region 4 Programmatic Impacts
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Wetlands
Areas with increased intensity of drought or that may
experience increases in events such as wildfires may see
alterations in the structure and function of wetlands and
watersheds potentially affecting regional and state wetlands
delineation and protection programs.
Sea-level rise combined with coastal development will
challenge the ability of coastal wetlands to migrate, potentially
affecting coastal wetland protection programs. This migration
will likely result in loss of coastal wetlands where developmer
has encroached on natural migration pathways.
Drying out of seasonal wetlands with increased drought could
affect wetland delineations and programs.
Physical damage or elimination of wetlands and dune
structures that protect them due to hurricanes and other
seasonal changes could affect wetland delineation and
restoration efforts.
Dredging/Ocean Dumping
Increased need and frequency of ocean dumping due to
increased precipitation and rainfall intensity that cause erosion
and sedimentation of rivers, channels and harbors.
Shifting sediments and forming of shoals due to higher
intensity storms that impede safe navigation in harbors and
channels may require increased use of emergency dredging.
Need for dredged materials to protect shorelines, beaches,
dunes and marshes from sea level rise may stress existing
regulatory programs.
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Goal3 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Climate Change Likelihood of
Impactd Impacte
EPA PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS
Focus of Associated EPA Program
Likelihood
EPA Program
will be
Affected by
Impactf
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Likelihood
of Regional
Program
will be
Affected by
Impact
Region 4 Programmatic Impacts
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Likely3
Likely3
Restoring and protecting
watersheds, aquatic ecosystems and
wetlands
Sea-level rise Very likely6
Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought
intensity
Ocean
Likely
Certain8
acidification Very Likely 9
Increased
water
temperatures
High
Increased number of sewer overflows and
wastewater bypasses, as well increased
pollutant loads in runoff, fouling streams and
threatening public health.
Challenges to coastal wetlands' ability to
migrate.
Reduced streamflow, altering the aquatic
environments and increasing impairments.
Continued stress on coral reefs.
Shifts in aquatic habitat will threaten the
economic and cultural practices of tribal
communities.
High
National Estuary Program/South Florida
Successful implementation of NEP Comprehensive
Conservation and Management Plans may be adversely
affected. Efforts to restore or enhance water quality, habitat,
living resources, hydrologic alterations, and human uses may
be affected.
Increased ocean temperatures and acidification resulting from
the absorption of CO2 will continue to stress coral reefs
potentially affecting coral reef protection programs.
-------
Goal3 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Climate Change Likelihood of
Impactd Impacte
EPA PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Sea-level rise
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Increasing
flood risk
Likely3
Likely3
Very likely6
Likely3
Likely7
Focus of Associated EPA Program
Drinking water, wastewater and
stormwater infrastructure
Likely
Likelihood
EPA Program
will be
Affected by
Impactf
High
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Water infrastructure could be rendered
inoperable or damaged, needing substantial
repair/replacement
Drinking water intakes and wastewater outfalls
could be affected
Integrity of coastal water infrastructure systems
could be put at increased riskT
Drinking water and wastewater utilities may
need an 'all hazards' approach to planning for
emergencies and extreme weather events.
Problems of safety as well as access to clean
and safe water may be exacerbated for all
communities
Likelihood
of Regional
Program
will be
Affected by
Impact
High
Region 4 Programmatic Impacts
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Higher air and water temperatures combined with nutrient
pollution will result in increased growth of algae and microbes
that affect drinking water treatment needs.
Increased intensity of rainfall events and storms could
contribute to additional infiltration/inflow in wastewater
conveyance systems, which could cause an increase in the
number of sewer overflows and wastewater treatment plant
overloads, requiring expensive modifications and
improvements to both wastewater conveyance and treatment
systems.
Increased drought will place demands on both surface and
ground water resources resulting in water supply problems.
Reduction in assimilative capacity of existing surface waters
due to reduced stream flows and/or increased temperatures
could lead to more stringent discharge limits on existing
wastewater facilities, resulting in the need for expensive
improvements or upgrades to maintain permit compliance.
Sea level rise could result in: 1) saltwater intrusion into the
collection system of wastewater treatment systems; 2) wet
wells in pumping systems leading to increased corrosion
damage to pumping equipment, and treatment plant tankage
and equipment; withdrawals and 3) malfunction of gravity
conveyance systems and discharges.
Increases in flooding from extreme precipitation, storm surges
and loss of wetlands could cause damage to infrastructure
resulting in increased needs for SRF funding.
Source water intake changes may be needed due to droughts
and summertime extreme heat. Coastal aquifers may
experience salt water intrusion where are outstripping recharge
and increased pressure head from higher sea levels may worse:
this problem resulting in the need for relocation of water and
wastewater facilities.
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Goal3 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Climate Change Likelihood of
Impactd Impacte
EPA PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Sea-level rise
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Increasing
flood risk
Likely3
Likely3
Very likely6
Likely3
Likely7
Likely
Focus of Associated EPA Program
Drinking water, wastewater and
stormwater infrastructure
Likelihood
EPA Program
will be
Affected by
Impactf
High
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Water infrastructure could be rendered
inoperable or damaged, needing substantial
repair/replacement
Drinking water intakes and wastewater outfalls
could be affected
Integrity of coastal water infrastructure systems
could be put at increased riskT
Drinking water and wastewater utilities may
need an 'all hazards' approach to planning for
emergencies and extreme weather events.
Problems of safety as well as access to clean
and safe water may be exacerbated for all
communities
Likelihood
of Regional
Program
will be
Affected by
Impact
High
High
Region 4 Programmatic Impacts
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Drinking water and wastewater utilities emergency planning
for extreme weather events may need to be reviewed and
modified to account for climate change. Vulnerable and
economically deprived communities may be particularly at
risk, both for access to clean and safe water as well as for their
ability to respond to emergencies during extreme
events. Coastal and mountain communities will be particularly
vulnerable.
Changes in rainfall patterns may lead to additional water
supply infrastructure, with associated impacts on ecosystem
fragmentation, aquatic life, physical stability, water quality,
disruption of sediment and nutrient dynamics, downstream
users, and system losses due to increased evaporation from
impoundments. CWA Section 404 permit applications for
reservoir creation in response to drought have increased in
some states.
Nonpoint Source Management
Increased intensity of rainfall events and storms will cause
increased pollutant loads in runoff, and the velocity of runoff
will scour and erode creek beds.
Accounting for greater quantities of runoff and pollutants,
with more variability, from both urban and suburban
stormwater and agricultural sources will stress existing
nonpoint source best management programs.
Decreasing frequency of precipitation days and more
concentration of runoff in intense storms, which is likely to be
more damaging to aquatic habitats, and carry more erosion-
related pollutants into water bodies will stress existing
nonpoint source best management programs.
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Goal3 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Climate Change Likelihood of
Impactd Impacte
EPA PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS
Focus of Associated EPA Program
Increased
water
temperatures
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Sea-level rise
Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought
intensity
Loss of
Snowpack
Very Likely The quality and availability of safe
drinking water
Likely
Very Likely
Likely
Very likely
Likelihood
EPA Program
will be
Affected by
Impactf
Medium
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
High water temperatures and increased
stormwater runoff will increase the need for
drinking water treatment, raising costs.
May cause saltwater intrusion in surface water
and ground water placing increased demands on
drinking water treatment.
Water supplies may be affected, forcing
communities to seek alternative sources.
Water demand may shift to underground
aquifers or prompt development of reservoirs or
underground storage of treated water, requiring
EPA to ensure safety.
Likelihood
of Regional
Program
will be
Affected by
Impact
High
Region 4 Programmatic Impacts
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Higher air and water temperatures will promote increased
growth of algae and microbes, which will increase the need foi
drinking water treatment and potentially affect the aesthetic
quality of drinking water supplies.
Increased storm water runoff will wash sediment and other
contaminants into drinking water sources, requiring additional
treatment.
Sea-level rise could increase the salinity of both surface water
and ground water through saltwater intrusion, encroaching
upon coastal drinking water supplies. Additionally, extreme
weather events such as hurricanes and extreme droughts could
impact and potentially permanently affect both the availability
and quality of drinking water sources. In southeastern areas
with saltwater intrusion, Region 4 states may receive more
permit applications and issue more permits for Class V aquifei
recharge injection wells under the Underground Injection
Control (UIC) program in an attempt to combat the effects of
saltwater intrusion caused by sea-level rise.
Reduced annual precipitation or increased intensity and
duration of drought in some regions will affect water supplies,
causing drinking water providers to reassess supply plans and
consider alternative pricing, allocation and water conservation
options.
In areas with less precipitation, public water supply systems
water demand may rely more heavily on underground aquifers
or development of underground storage of treated water to
supplement existing sources. Changes in the salt front of
estuaries and tidal rivers due to sea level rise and over use of
fresh surface and ground water resulting in flow changes may
result in increased pressure to manage freshwater reservoirs to
increase flows and attempt to maintain salinity regimes, in
order to protect estuarine productivity and drinking water
supplies.
Page 106
-------
Goal3 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Climate Change Likelihood of
Impactd Impacte
EPA PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS
Focus of Associated EPA Program
Likelihood
EPA Program
will be
Affected by
Impactf
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Likelihood
of Regional
Program
will be
Affected by
Impact
Region 4 Programmatic Impacts
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Sea Level Rise Very likely6 Cleaning up Contaminated Sites and
Increasing Likely7 Waste Management
heavy
precipitation
pvpnt^i
^f \ ^/HLo
Increasing risk
Likely7
of floods
Changes in
temperature
Increasing
O
, . y
hurricanes
Decreasing
seasonal
precipitation
days/drought
conditions
Very likely3
Low
Increased risk of contaminate release from EPA
Sites
May need to alter selected remedies to ensure
protection.
Medium
High
High
Low
High
- TJirrl-i
riign
Superfund
Sea level rise may adversely impact contaminated sites in
coastal areas in 6 of 8 Southeastern states through inundation,
storm surge, and salt water intrusion
The Southeast is very likely to experience extreme storm
events that could cause the release and affect the migration anc
management of contaminants through increased flooding,
surface water runoff, infiltration into soils, and changes to
water table levels).
Contaminated sites could experience increased wind damage
and dispersal of contaminants through higher intensity
hurricanes, particularly at coastal and near-coastal locations, o
along major rivers.
Increased ambient temperatures could impact the design and
operation of remediation systems due to extreme heat (e.g.,
increased pressurization of storage containers) and increased
number of rain and ice storms during winter
Decreased precipitation days and increasing drought intensity
could increase risk of wild fires and affect the design and
operation remediation systems and restoration efforts at
contaminated sites
Extreme storm events and other climate change impacts may
create sudden, unexpected conditions at contaminated sites tha
complicate cleanup actions, impose significant cleanup costs,
and further endanger the health and safety of responders
-------
Goal3 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Climate Change Likelihood of
Impactd Impacte
EPA PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS
Sea Level Rise
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Increasing risk
of floods
Changes in
temperature
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Decreasing
seasonal
precipitation
days/drought
conditions
Very likely6
Likely7
Likely7
Very likely'
Focus of Associated EPA Program
Cleaning up Contaminated Sites and
Waste Management
Likelihood
EPA Program
will be
Affected by
Impactf
Low
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Increased risk of contaminate release from EPA
Sites
May need to alter selected remedies to ensure
protection.
Likelihood
of Regional
Program
will be
Affected by
Impact
Medium
High
High
Low
High
High
Region 4 Programmatic Impacts
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
RCRA
The same climate change impacts that could affect
contaminated site cleanups may also affect the management
and operation of hazardous waste facilities.
Over-pressurization of tanks containing volatile wastes and the
emergency venting of these wastes could occur with extreme
ambient temperatures.
Buildings or other structures used for indoor storage of waste
piles could be damaged or flooded in a hurricane causing the
release of this material.
Region 4 has a universe of underground storage tanks which
may be vulnerable to flooding events. Of particular concern is
groundwater contamination from leaks from at risk tanks and
damage to the supporting piping.
Failure of infrastructure (e.g. pipelines, and secondary
containment) and damage or displacement of tanks due to
increased intensity of hurricanes and resulting winds and storn
surges.
Increased degradation and weathering of pipelines and
infrastructure due to ocean acidification resulting in oil spills.
More sites may enter the brownfields inventory as natural
disasters lead to release of hazardous substances and oil. EPA
may begin experiencing even more competition for the already
dwindling brownfields grant funding.
Flooding could disrupt or delay work at existing Brownfield
sites.
Page 108
-------
Goal3 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Climate Change Likelihood of
Impactd Impacte
EPA PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Increasing risk
of floods
Sea level Rise
Changes in
temperature
Decreasing
seasonal
precipitation
days/drought
conditions
Likely
Likely
Very Likely
Likely
Likely
Focus of Associated EPA Program
Emergency Response
Likelihood
EPA Program
will be
Affected by
Impactf
High
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Increased need for emergency response.
Possible limitations to response capability due
to staff and financial resource constraints.
Likelihood
of Regional
Program
will be
Affected by
Impact
High
Region 4 Programmatic Impacts
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Smaller entities with hazardous materials may lack
resources for emergency planning, which may increase th<
risk of abandoned hazardous materials during a flooding c
storm event.
Insufficient capacity to handle surges in treatment and
disposals of hazardous and municipal waste as well as
mixed waste from climatic events
Releases of hazardous materials or chemicals through higl
winds, flooding, and storm surge and a need for increased
frequency and intensity of emergency response for both
hazardous materials and oil. Current response resources,
including laboratory requirements, may not be adequate
for responses to extreme events. Specific impacts include
o Increased number of brown/black outs will potentially
lead to impacts with facility processes (i.e. runaway
reactions, heat reactions, failure of chemical
processes)
o Coastal hazardous material and oil facilities may be
impacted by extreme events and storm surge. The
United States Coast Guard (USCG) has jurisdiction
over hazardous material and oil spills along the coast.
but the U. S. EPA has interagency agreements in plac
to support the USCG during responses.
Storm surge caused by coastal storms, hurricanes and sea-
level rise and flooding may cause the destruction of many
homes in the impacted area. This will produce an increase
in the amount of household hazardous waste and white
goods (i.e., refrigerators, air conditioners, etc) that may
need to be collected and placed in landfills.
Storm surge caused by coastal storms, hurricanes and sea-
level rise may adversely impact industrial facilities locate<
along the coast and cause releases of chemicals, discharge
of oil and spread orphan containers (i.e., above ground
storage tanks, drums, totes) in the affected area.
Page 109
-------
Goal3 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Climate Change Likelihood of
Impactd Impacte
EPA PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Increasing risk
of floods
Sea level Rise
Changes in
temperature
Decreasing
seasonal
precipitation
days/drought
conditions
Likely
Likely
Very Likely
Likely
Likely
Focus of Associated EPA Program
Emergency Response
Likelihood
EPA Program
will be
Affected by
Impactf
High
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Increased need for emergency response.
Possible limitations to response capability due
to staff and financial resource constraints.
Likelihood
of Regional
Program
will be
Affected by
Impact
High
Region 4 Programmatic Impacts
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Twenty-seven percent of the major roads, 9 percent of the
rail lines, and 72 percent of the ports in the Region 4 area
are built on land at or below 4 feet in elevation, a level
within the range of projections for relative sea-level rise ii
this region in this century. Increased storm intensity may
lead to increased service disruption and infrastructure
damage. More than half of the area's major highways (64
percent of interstates, 57 percent of arterials), almost half
of the rail miles, 29 airports, and virtually all of the ports,
are below 23 feet in elevation and subject to flooding and
damage due to hurricane storm surge.
Additional planning for emergency response may be
needed:
o Brown and black-outs may cause releases and the
frequency and intensity of storms may need to be
incorporated into current national and area
contingency plans.
o Facility Response Plans (FRP) and Spill Prevention
and Control Countermeasures (SPCC) plans may not
consider climate change impacts.
o Current regional debris management plans rely on
historical climate assumptions and do not address the
increasing uncertainty in climatic extreme events.
o Additional planning may be needed as Stafford Act
declaration (federal emergency declaration) may be
more frequent with a changing climate.
o Current energy infrastructure (oil, natural gas,
nuclear) in Southeast may not include climate change
assumptions for emergency planning.
Page 110
-------
Goal3 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Climate Change Likelihood of
Impactd Impacte
EPA PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS
Focus of Associated EPA Program
Increasing
extreme
temperatures
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Very likely3
Likely3
Protecting human health and
ecosystems from chemical risks.
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Section
18 emergency exemptions
FIFRA compliance monitoring
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
programs
Likelihood
EPA Program
will be
Affected by
Impactf
Low
Low
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Likelihood
of Regional
Program
will be
Affected by
Region 4 Programmatic Impacts
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Assure that chemical exposure models reflect
changes in the environment
Changing in planting timing or location may
affect the volume and timing of agricultural
chemical use which could impact the
appropriate risk management decisions.
Low
High
Region 4 may experience new pest problems, many of which
will be from exotic invasive species.
Changes in pests and pest pressures due to increases in
temperatures and variations in rainfall patterns.
There would be a potential increase in the need for emergency
exemptions (FIFRA Section 18). These FIFRA exemptions ar
granted when an emergency pest problem appears which
cannot be controlled effectively by the current pesticides
registered for that pest or commodity, allowing temporary use
of chemicals which are not registered for that use
Increasing pesticides usage to control pests could also lead to
increased resistance of the pest to the chemical being used.
Resistance management will therefore become increasingly
important.
The increase in amount and variability of precipitation
projected for Region 4 can create an expanded mosquito
habitat, which could increase exposure to more diseases like
dengue fever and malaria.
Emergency exemptions for mosquito control may increase,
especially after major weather events such as floods and
hurricanes, which tend to spur populations of A. aegypti and A.
albopictus.
Increase in fungal organisms in agricultural and non-
agricultural settings due to extreme rainfall.
Increase in dry condition pests due to drought (e.g. mites that
feed on a variety of field, vegetable and fruit crops).
These changes in pesticide choices and quantities will require
changes to the pesticide applicator certification and training
programs. Changes in chemical selection could result in new
and increased chemical exposures especially for indoor
applications.
Page 111
-------
Goal3 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Climate Change Likelihood of
Impactd Impacte
EPA PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS
Focus of Associated EPA Program
Likelihood
EPA Program
will be
Affected by
Impactf
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Likelihood
of Regional
Program
will be
Affected by
Impa~
Region 4 Programmatic Impacts
Example of Risks if Program were Impacted
Increased
Water
Very likely9 Water usage at EPA facilities
Office building inaccessible due to
Temperatures Likely7
Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought
intensity
Increased high
wind event
intensity, e.g.,
tornado
Increasing risk
of floods
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Sea level rise
Increasing
extreme
temperatures
Likely7
Likely3
tornado damage
Operations of Agency facilities,
personnel safety, physical security,
and emergency communications
Very likely6 Emergency management mission
Very likely3 support (protective gear and
acquisition)
High
Medium
Water temperatures impact research activities
or cooling requirements.
Facilities could be located in areas with water
shortages
Facilities in coastal or flood-prone areas
Personnel engaged in field work and vulnerable
to extreme temperatures or events
Security, lighting and communication systems
without backup power
Personnel and real property supporting
emergency response and management
High
High
Droughts could affect energy use - may experience periods of
"brown outs"
Air temperatures impact cooling/energy demand, water
temperature impact cooling equipment efficiency.
Region 4's Gulf Breeze Lab is located on Sabine Island on
Florida Panhandle
The Region has the largest coastal population exposure.
-------
Footnotes for Summary of Climate Change Vulnerabilities to Climate Change Impacts by
EPA Goal Table
aThis table summarizes vulnerabilities by goal for four of the five goals in EPA's Strategic
Plan. Goal 5 "Enforcing Environmental Laws" is not included in this table. Please note that
the table also summarizes vulnerabilities to EPA facilities and operations; this is not part of
the EPA Strategic Plan goal structure but is an important element of EPA's vulnerability
assessment. Please see Section 2 of this document for a fuller discussion of impacts.
bClimate Change Impacts are based upon peer-reviewed scientific literature
c Programmatic Impacts are based upon EPA best professional judgment at this time.
d Impacts can vary by season and location.
e In general, the sources cited in this section use Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) likelihood of outcome terminology where the term 'very likely' means 90-100%
probability and the term 'likely' means 66-100% probability. For some impacts in the table,
additional discussion on the likelihood term is provided in the associated footnote.
f High assumes the program will be affected by the impact; Medium assumes the program
could be affected under some conditions by the impact; Low assumes that there is a
potential for the program to be impacted or uncertainty currently exists as to the potential
nature and extent of the impact. This assessment is based on best professional judgment
within EPA at this time. Please note, this column does not reflect several important
considerations. For example it does not distinguish timeframes (current, near-term, long-
term). It does not account for regional and local variations. And it does not reflect the
priority of actions the agency may undertake now or in the future.
1) 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. Qjn, 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.
2) C.B. Field et al., "North America," Chapter 14 in Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and
Vulnerability, Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change, ed. M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P. Palutikof, P.J. van der Linden and C.E. Hanson
(Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA: Cambridge University Press, 2007).
3) IPCC, 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. Stacker, D. Qjn, 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.
4) 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 table the word "likely" has been used as a proxy for "expected."
5) Burns, D.A., 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, p. 114.
6) IPCC, 2012: "It is very likely that mean sea level rise will contribute to upward trends in extreme coastal
high water levels in the future."
7) 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.
8 ) NRC, 2010: National Research Council of the National Academies, America's Climate Choices: Panel on
Advancing the Science of Climate Change, 2010. p 41. "One of the most certain outcomes from increasing
COz concentrations in the atmosphere is the acidification of the world's oceans." For purposes of this table,
the term "certain" is used.
9) USGCRP, 2009: p. 46. [In the case of freshwater] "Increased air temperatures lead to higher water
temperatures, which have already been detected in many Streams, especially during low-flow
periods." For the purposes of this table "very likely" is used.
10) Bates, B.C., Z.W. Kundzewicz, S. Wu and J.P. Palutikof, Eds., 2008: Climate Change and
Water. Technical Paper of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC Secretariat,
Geneva, p. 130
11) Ingram, K.T., K. Dow,L. Carter (2012): Southeast Regional Technical Report to the
National Climate Assessment.
Page 113
-------
Page 114
-------
Appendix B
Region 4 Priority Actions Matrix
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Climate Change
Impact
The Region 4
will assist its
state, local, and
tribal
governments and
Federal resource
managers to
prepare for and
respond to
climate-related
changes.
Increased
tropo spheric
ozone pollution
Increased
frequency or
intensity of
wildfires
Increasing
extreme
temperatures
Focus of Associated
Region 4 Program
Region will work
with its stakeholders
to develop and
implement strategies
to respond to local
concerns and to
share these methods
with other
communities
Protecting the public
health and the
environment by
approving state
programs to meet
NAAQS and
implementing
programs in Indian
Country
Protecting the public
health and the
environment by
approving state
programs to meet
NAAQS and
implementing
programs in Indian
Country
Protecting the public
health
Priority Actions
As budgets allow:
Promote EPA's Clean Energy-
Environment State Partnership.
Promote the Southeastern Ecological
Framework as a tool for evaluating and
adapting to climate change impacts on
important ecosystems and services
across eight Southeastern states.
Implement activities that support
national Climate for Action Education
and Outreach Campaign.
Promote EPA's Smart Growth
program to help communities grow in
ways that expand economic
opportunity, protect public health and
the environment, and create and
enhance the places that people want to
live and work.
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).
Promote awareness of the use of
prescribed fires or alternative treatment
options to reduce build-up of fuel loads
in areas prone to wildfires
Broaden Smoke Management
Recommendations for prescribed fires
developed by SERPPAS
Promote SunWise Program to teach
public how to protect themselves from
overexposure to the sun.
National or
Regional Action
National = N
Regional = R
Both = B
B
R
B
B
B
R
R
B
Action requires National
Guidance or
HQ Coordination
Yes = Y
No = N
Unknown = U
Y
N
N
u
Y
Y
N
Page 115
-------
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Climate Change
Impact
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Sea-level rise
Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought
intensity
Increased
water temp.
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Sea-level rise
Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought
intensity
Increased
water temp.
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Sea-level rise
Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought
intensity
Increased
water temp.
Focus of Associated
Region 4 Program
Restoring and
protecting
watersheds, aquatic
ecosystems and
wetlands
Watershed
Planning
Restoring and
protecting
watersheds, aquatic
ecosystems and
wetlands
Water Quality
Standards
Restoring and
protecting
watersheds, aquatic
ecosystems and
wetlands
Monitoring,
Assessing and
Reporting
Priority Actions
Encourage green infrastructure and
low-impact development to protect
water quality, to make watersheds
more resilient and to reduce the
demand for additional water resources.
Work with USGS to become
knowledgeable in the best methods to
model for current and projected low
flow and high flow conditions in
gauged and ungauged rivers and
streams.
Use the Triennial Review of state
water quality standards to work with
states and tribes on changes in stream
use classification or standards, where
necessary due to climate change
induced increasing temperatures or
changes in stream flow. .
Encourage states and tribes to develop
appropriate coordination processes
between water quality and water
supply decisions to ensure proper
implementation of state water quality
standards.
Evaluate Region 4 states' and tribes'
current monitoring and assessment
practices to encourage the capturing of
extreme low flow or other climate
related conditions, including: 1)
appropriate biological monitoring and
assessment techniques, and 1) water
monitoring system design.
Work with states, tribes, and other
water monitoring partners to help
establish a long term monitoring
program to track potential changes in
temperature, flow, aquatic biological
communities, habitat, and chemical
constituents that are occurring over
time at important sentinel reference
sites in the SE Region.
National or
Regional Action
National = N
Regional = R
Both = B
B
B
R
R
R
B
Action requires National
Guidance or
HQ Coordination
Yes = Y
No = N
Unknown = U
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Page 116
-------
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rotecting America's V
CM
c3
0
Climate Change
Impact
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Sea-level rise
Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought
intensity
Increased
water temp.
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Sea-level rise
Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought
intensity
Increased
water temp.
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
PVPTlt^
CVCllLo
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Sea-level rise
Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought
intensity
Increased
water temp.
Focus of Associated
Region 4 Program
Restoring and
protecting
watersheds, aquatic
ecosystems and
wetlands
TMDLs
Restoring and
protecting
watersheds, aquatic
ecosystems and
wetlands
NPDES
Restoring and
protecting
watersheds, aquatic
ecosystems and
wetlands
Non-Point Source
(NFS)
Priority Actions
Guidance from the Office of Water on
methods and approaches is needed
prior to the Region identifying specific
regional actions.
Encourage States to update fact sheets
at permit reissuance to include the
most up-to-date critical low flow as
possible and to calculate reasonable
potential based on those values.
Continue to work with states on the
incorporation of green infrastructure
components in MS4 permitting.
Work with states and tribes to include
climate change adaptation provisions
in revised Nonpoint Source
Management Plans to provide
flexibility to fund programs and
projects to assess, evaluate, plan and
implement climate change adaptations.
National or
Regional Action
National = N
Regional = R
Both = B
N
R
R
Action requires National
Guidance or
HQ Coordination
Yes = Y
No = N
Unknown = U
Y
N
N
Y
Page 117
-------
Climate Change
Impact
Increasing
heavy
precipitation
events
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Sea-level rise
Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought
intensity
Ocean
acidification
Increased
water temp.
Increasing
heavy precip.
events
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Sea-level rise
Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought
intensity
Ocean
acidification
Increased
water temp.
Focus of Associated
Region 4 Program
Restoring and
protecting
watersheds, aquatic
ecosystems and
wetlands
Wetlands
Restoring and
protecting
watersheds, aquatic
ecosystems and
wetlands
Dredging/Ocean
Dumping
Priority Actions
Consider the effects of climate change
as appropriate when evaluating Least
Environmentally Damaging
Practicable Alternatives (LEDPA) in
the context of CWA Section 404
Wetlands Permitting.
Ensure water conservation and
efficiency measures are considered,
where appropriate, as part of wetlands
404 permitting before new water
resource projects are approved.
Promote the beneficial use of suitable
dredged material to protect from sea
level rise and storm surge.
Develop protocols to address the likely
increase in emergency dredging from
hurricanes of increased intensity and
other extreme events that may cause
unexpected sedimentation and
shoaling.
National or
Regional Action
National = N
Regional = R
Both = B
B
B
B
Action requires National
Guidance or
HQ Coordination
Yes = Y
No = N
Unknown = U
Y
N
IN
u
Y
Page 118
-------
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Climate Change
Impact
Increasing
heavy precip.
events
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Sea-level rise
Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought
intensity
Ocean
acidification
Increased
water temp.
Increasing
heavy precip.
events
Increasing
intensity of
hurricanes
Sea-level rise
Increase flood
risk
Focus of Associated
Region 4 Program
Restoring and
protecting
watersheds, aquatic
ecosystems and
wetlands
National Estuary
Program/South
Florida
Drinking water,
wastewater and
stormwater
infrastructure
Priority Actions
Promote the Climate Ready Estuary
program in Region 4 National Estuary
Programs (NEPs).
Promote the development of NEP
coastal watershed management plans
that consider climate change.
Promote the development of
vulnerability assessments by Region 4
NEPs.
Work with the NEP's to revise and
update the NEP Comprehensive
Conservation and Management Plans
(CCMPs) to address vulnerabilities to
climate change.
Work with the gulf of Mexico Alliance
to include climate change
considerations in projects and
programs under the BP Deepwater
Horizon Natural Resource Damage
Assessment and Restore Act
procedures.
Work with the Governor's South
Atlantic Alliance to include climate
change into South Atlantic Alliance
efforts.
Continue to work with Monroe County
Florida, (Florida Keys) to implement
climate change in water quality
management planning for protection of
the Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary.
Guidance from the Office of Water on
methods and approaches is needed
prior to the Region identifying specific
regional actions.
National or
Regional Action
National = N
Regional = R
Both = B
R
R
R
R
B
R
R
N
Action requires National
Guidance or
HQ Coordination
Yes = Y
No = N
Unknown = U
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
U
Y
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&
1
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O
Climate Change
Impact
Increasing
heavy precip.
events
Sea-level rise
Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought
intensity
T J
Increased
water temp.
Increasing heavy
precipitation
events
Changes in
temperature
Focus of Associated
Region 4 Program
The quality and
availability of safe
drinking water
Drinking Water
Quality
Cleaning up
contaminated sites
and waste
Longer-term
Cleanups
Priority Actions
Work with tribes on efforts towards
sustainable infrastructure and
participate on national workgroups
aimed at directing tribal water systems
towards sustainable
operation/maintenance of tribal water
systems.Include assistance to the
utilities in developing vulnerability
assessments to the anticipated effects
of climate changes through the
Region's Energy Management
Initiative to reduce energy
consumption at wastewater and
drinking water utilities.
Identify and assess the potential
vulnerability of NPL sites within
delineated GIS-mapped zones based on
a consideration of site-specific factors.
Develop an action plan to evaluate the
vulnerability of other contaminated
sites (e.g., brownfields, Superfund
Time-Critical Removal, RCRA
corrective action) and RCRA
Hazardous Waste Management
Facilities.
In conjunction with tribes and state
agencies, initiate an interagency dialog
to plan and coordinate efforts to
consider climate change impacts.
Incorporate energy efficiency and
conservation into green site
remediation practices funded by EPA,
and encourage efficiency and
conservation in actions conducted by
responsible parties.
National or
Regional Action
National = N
Regional = R
Both = B
B
B
N
R
R
Action requires National
Guidance or
HQ Coordination
Yes = Y
No = N
Unknown = U
N
Y
Y
U
N
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1)
fl
. . o
Climate Change
Impact
Increasing heavy
precipitation
events
Changes in
temperature
Increasing heavy
precipitation
events
Changes in
temperature
Increasing heavy
precipitation
events
Changes in
temperature
Increasing
extreme
temperatures
Focus of Associated
Region 4 Program
Cleaning up
contaminated sites
and waste
Emergency
Response
Cleaning up
contaminated sites
and waste
RCRA/Brownflelds
Cleaning up
contaminated sites
and waste
Oil Program
Protecting human
health and
ecosystems from
chemical risks
Priority Actions
Utilize GIS-based tools to locate
potentially vulnerable critical public
infrastructure and sources of potential
hazardous material releases to aid in
planning for and responding to
emergency events.
Conduct an assessment of the
hazardous waste disposal infrastructure
to determine whether it can manage
potential disposal needs during a
changing climate and whether facility
operations will be impacted.
Work with local/state/federal
emergency preparedness and response
counterparts and businesses to develop
and implement strategies to address
adaptive measures needed for climate-
related changes and work with state
and industry to add enhanced
emergency planning in operating
permits.
Expand green remediation practices.
Promote revitalization of contaminated
land to productive environmental and
economic reuse, with an emphasis on
green technologies.
Integrate materials recovery principles,
practices and programs into the
Region's Brownfields and
Revitalization program and projects.
Create layers in GIS to enhance
existing mapping tools demonstrating
potential impact areas, flood zones,
storm surge areas etc.
Identify SPCC and FRP facilities
within EPA Region 4 and include in
updated mapping tools.
Include consideration of climate
change impacts in EPA Region 4
management reviews of current and
future SPCC and FRP facilities.
Promote EPA's Green Building and
Sustainable Materials Management
challenge programs to encourage
healthier and more resource-efficient
models of construction, renovation,
operation, maintenance and demolition
of buildings.
National or
Regional Action
National = N
Regional = R
Both = B
B
R
B
R
R
R
R
Action requires National
Guidance or
HQ Coordination
Yes = Y
No = N
Unknown = U
Y
N
U
N
N
N
U
N
N
N
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ities and Operatic
o
PH
Climate Change
Impact
Earlier timing of
spring events
Increasing heavy
precipitation
events and risk of
floods
Increased
frequency and
intensity of
wildfires
.Decreasing
precipitation
days and
increasing
drought intensity
Increasing
extreme weather
events
Decreasing
climate change
impacts
Focus of Associated
Region 4 Program
Water and energy
usage at EPA
facilities
Operations of
Agency facilities,
personnel safety,
physical security
and emergency
communications
Encouraging
sustainability
practices within the
region 4 offices and
surrounding area.
Priority Actions
Work with NEPA to appropriately
incorporate climate change into their
environmental assessments and that
NEPA analysis is consistent with
respective Climate Change Adaptation
plans.
Region will work with other federal
agencies to appropriately address
vulnerable people and places as they
are impacted by climate change.
Continue to use the Region's EMS to
promote sustainable business practices,
energy efficiency, renewable energy
strategies, and maintain LEED
certification
As a GSA building occupant, EPA
Region 4 will promote facility
efficiencies.
Investigate alternative lodging
availability at the Alternate COOP
Site.
Maintain the staffs capacity to work
remotely
Develop interagency federal
sustainability team to promote
greening federal facilities in Atlanta.
Recruit Federal Green Challenge
partners from federal departments to
reduce their climate change impacts
Support the development of
sustainable recycling infrastructure and
commodities markets through
partnerships with state and regional
recycling coalitions, by developing and
supporting product stewardship and
extended producer responsibility
models, and through efforts to
encourage the recovery and recycling
of organic waste streams.
Recruit partners to implement the
SMM Food Recovery Challenge to
increase economically valuable and
environmentally responsible use and
diversion of organic waste away from
land-filling to minimize the creation
and release of methane
National or
Regional Action
National = N
Regional = R
Both = B
R
D
JX
R
R
R
R
Action requires National
Guidance or
HQ Coordination
Yes = Y
No = N
Unknown = U
U
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
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00
.3
.3
E
Climate Change
Impact
Cumulative
Climate Change
Impacts to Tribes
Focus of Associated
Region 4 Program
Increase employee
knowledge
regarding climate
change adaptation
and encourage
consideration while
performing job
duties
Region 4' swill
coordinate with its
six-federally
recognized Tribes
and support Tribal
climate change
adaptation efforts
consistent with the
Agency's statutory
and regulatory
authorities, program
office guidance, and
resources.
Priority Actions
Encourage regional employees to take
EPA Headquarters created training
regarding climate change adaptation.
Utilize Region 4's Energy and Climate
Change Steering Committee and
Workgroups to monitor opportunities
to educate and outreach to employees
and look for areas where climate
change adaptation can be incorporated.
Look for opportunities to bring in
guest speakers to lecture employees
about climate change and potentially
how other agencies are tackling
adaptation.
Coordinate with the Regional Tribal
Operations Committee (RTOC) and
individual Tribes to identify climate
change priorities, assess Tribes'
climate change adaptation readiness
and determine training, technical
assistance and/or resource needs.
Request clear guidelines from National
Program Managers to Project Officers
and Tribes about the management of
available funds to grant awards
addressing climate change adaptation
activities.
Facilitate a workshop or training for
Tribal environmental staff on climate
change impacts and priorities.
Collaborate with R4 Tribal
components) in energy and climate
change website.
Incorporate Tribal climate change
priorities, Traditional Ecological
Knowledge, and related information
into training opportunities for Region 4
staff.
Coordinate with federal partners on a
regular basis to share climate change
related efforts, and to streamline
education, outreach and consultation
with Tribes, where appropriate.
Enhance interagency cross-program
coordination and collaboration
opportunities to inform, discuss and
consult with Tribes on EPA climate
change actions and decisions.
National or
Regional Action
National = N
Regional = R
Both = B
g
R
R
R
N
R
R
B
R
B
Action requires National
Guidance or
HQ Coordination
Yes = Y
No = N
Unknown = U
Y
N
N
IN
N
Y
N
N
Y
N
N
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Inerable Popula
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o
1
1
>
Climate Change
Impact
Climate Change
Impacts to
Children's
Health
Climate Change
Impacts to
Environmental
Justice
Communities
Focus of Associated
Region 4 Program
Priority Actions
Conduct an inventory of tools and
materials available to address issues
faced by children and pregnant
women.
Promote and disseminate of tools and
materials to address issues targeting
children and pregnant women.
Educate and conducnt outreach
directed to pediatric health care
professionals to enhance their
understanding of the threats on
children's health.
Consult with the Southeast Pediatric
Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) as a
resource to address environmental
health medical conditions that may be
exacerbated by climate change.
Host climate change and adaptation
educational workshops for
environmental justice communities.
Partner with other federal and state
agencies and non-profit organizations
to inform environmental justice
communities of various activities and
programs.
Promote and distribute climate change
and adaptation tools and materials via
emails, listserv, and mailings.
Create a train-the-trainer climate
change and adaptation workshop
where community partners are able to
lead climate change and environmental
justice workshops.
National or
Regional Action
National = N
Regional = R
Both = B
N
B
B
B
R
B
B
R
Action requires National
Guidance or
HQ Coordination
Yes = Y
No = N
Unknown = U
Y
Y
N
N
N
Y
Y
N
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