&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
2015 Workplan:
National Water Program
Response to Climate Change
Office of Water
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
June 2015
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June 2015
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Table of Contents
Introduction 1
National Water Program: Climate Change 2
Actions for 2015
A) Water Infrastructure 3
B) Watersheds and Wetlands 17
C) Coastal and Ocean Waters 30
D) Water Quality 44
E) Working with Tribes 55
F) Cross-Cutting Program Coordination 59
Appendices
1. EPA National Water Program: Climate Change Priority Actions 65
2. EPA Regional Water Programs: Climate Change 66
Common Priority Actions
3. EPA Regional Water Programs: Climate Change 68
Innovations
4. Potential State Agency Clean Water and Drinking Water 70
Climate Change Adaptation Actions
5. EPA National Water Program Climate Change Workgroup Members 72
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Introduction
M National Water Program 2012 Strategy:
J Response to Climate Change
This Workplan describes the actions that the National Water Program is
planning to take in 2015 to implement the National Water Program 2012
Strategy: Response to Climate Change.
The National Water Program at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) released the National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to
Climate Change {2012 Strategy) in December 2012 as an update to the
climate change strategy released in 2008. The 2012 Strategy describes long-
term goals for the management of sustainable water resources in light of
climate change. It is intended to be a roadmap to guide program planning
and inform decision-makers during the Agency's planning and budgeting
process.
This Workplan builds on substantial work conducted in 2012-2014 to implement the 2012
Strategy. These implementation actions by EPA water programs at the national and regional
levels are described in annual "highlights of progress" reports for 2012-2014 (available here).
The five long-term programmatic "vision
areas" described in the 2012 Strategy
provide the framework for this Workplan.
These five areas are:
1. water infrastructure;
2. watersheds and wetlands;
3. coastal and ocean waters;
4. water quality; and
5. working with Tribes.
The Workplan includes a brief summary of the 19 goals and 53 supporting actions described in
the 2012 Strategy that support each of these five vision areas. For each of the 19 goals, the
Plan describes specific implementation actions expected to be taken in 2015 by:
y National water program offices within the Office of Water at EPA Headquarters;
> Water programs in the ten EPA regional offices; and
> EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) offices and laboratories.
These national and regional actions, supported by research initiatives, constitute the best
progress that the Agency is able to make toward achieving climate change adaptation goals for
EPA water programs given the resources that are presently available.
Working
Watersheds
and
Wetlands
Coastal
and
Oce3m
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The program office within the
Office of Water responsible for the
national adaptation action is also
identified (see text box for
abbreviations of national water
program offices).
In 2014, each EPA national
program office and Regional office
developed a general climate change
adaptation implementation plan (found here). Each plan includes "priority actions" and many
of these actions continue to be priorities in 2015. "Priority actions" from the Office of Water
Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan for national programs are identified
throughout the document and are summarized in Appendix 1.
In addition, water programs in EPA's ten Regional offices play an important role in adapting
clean water and drinking water programs to a changing climate. Each regional office developed
a climate change adaptation implementation plan last year and many of the actions in these
plans relate to water programs. In addition, regional water programs worked with the Office of
Water to identify a common set of priority actions and these actions are listed in this document
under the goal that the action supports and are summarized in Appendix 2. Finally, Regional
water programs are implementing an impressive range of innovative programs and policies for
climate change adaptation that respond to the specific challenges in that Region. These
innovations are identified throughout the document and are summarized in Appendix 3.
In 2015, the National Water Program is committed
to working with State agencies to build the program
and policy foundation to support climate
adaptation actions by States that implement clean
water and drinking water programs. EPA identified
ten actions that state agencies might take to adapt
to a changing climate in the Fiscal Year 2015
Addendum to the 2014 National Program Guidance.
These ten actions are identified in Appendix 4.
To prepare for and support state work to
implement climate adaptation actions, EPA has
organized a series of Headquarters/Regional office
teams to address key policy topics that need to be
better defined to support state implementation
actions in 2015 and later years. These five policy
initiatives are listed below and identified in text
boxes at appropriate places in this Workplan.
EPA National Water Program Offices
OGWDW:
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
OST:
Office of Science and Technology
OW/IO:
Office of the Assistant Administrator for Water
OWM:
Office of Wastewater Management
OWOW:
Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
Headquarters/Region
Climate Program/Policy
Development Teams
1) Clean Water/Drinking Water State
Revolving Loan Funds (OWM/OGWDW/
Regions 6 and 9)
2) NPDES Permits (OWM/Regions 5 and 8)
3) Water Quality Planning and
Management (OWOW/Region 1 and 10)
4) Water Quality Criteria and Standards
(OST/Regions 4 and 7)
5) Sanitary Surveys (OGWDW/Regions 2, 3
and 6)
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National Water Program: Climate Change
Actions for 2015
A) Water Infrastructure:
Vision Statement: In the face of a changing climate, resilient and adaptable
drinking water, wastewater and stormwater utilities (water sector) ensure
clean and safe water to protect the nation's public health and environment
by making smart investment decisions to improve the sustainability of their
infrastructure and operations and the communities they serve, while
reducing greenhouse gas emissions through greater energy efficiency.
Goal 1: Build the body of information and tools needed to incorporate
climate change into planning and decision making
~~~ Strategic Action 1: Improve access to vetted climate and hydrological science,
modeling, and assessment tools through the Climate Ready Water Utilities
program.
~~~ Strategic Action 2: Assist wastewater and water utilities to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and increase long-term sustainability with a combination of energy efficiency,
co-generation, and increased use of renewable energy resources.
~~~ Strategic Action 3: Work with the States and public water systems, particularly small
water systems, to identify and plan for climate change challenges to drinking water
safety and to assist in meeting health based drinking water standards.
~~~ Strategic Action 4: Promote sustainable design approaches to provide for the long-term
sustainability of infrastructure and operations.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> Issue an updated Version 3.0 of the Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool
(CREAT) to improve this tool to help water utilities in development of climate resilience
plans. CREAT 3.0 will be upgraded from desktop software to a web-based tool, among
other improvements. EPA will conduct two pilots of the beta 3.0 web tool - one in
March 2015 with the water utility in Oakland, California and the other in mid-April 2015
Goal
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in Spartansburg, South Carolina. CREAT 3.0 will be made available as a free download on
the EPA website in fall 2015. (OGWDW)
> Promote the use of CREAT by water utilities, including providing technical
assistance to 23 drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities in
conducting comprehensive climate-related risk assessments using CREAT
in ongoing collaborative process as part of a Water Utility Climate
Resilience Support Project. (For a list of participating utilities, visit:
http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/climate/index.cfm.) (OGWDW)
National
Priority
Action
> Using CREAT, provide four utility training workshops to be held in the vicinity of Los
Angeles, California; Portland, Oregon; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Des Moines, Iowa.
Twenty to thirty utilities will be trained in each workshop. (OGWDW)
> Provide three coastal resilience trainings for water sector utilities and technical
assistance providers. These two-day training events will focus on how drinking water,
wastewater, and stormwater utilities can understand and adapt to impacts from coastal
storm events and related threats using two new EPA tools: CREAT and the Storm Surge
Inundation and Hurricane Strike Frequency Map. Locations are as follows:
June 16-17, 2015: Boca Raton, Florida
June 25-26, 2015: Mobile, Alabama
July 21-22, 2015: West Babylon, New York
> Provide assistance to Georgetown University Climate Center to re-launch the EPA
Climate Ready Water Utilities Toolbox on the Georgetown Climate Clearinghouse
website. (OGWDW)
> Carry out climate resilience and sustainability pilots to focus in on sustainability and
financial components to help select the best adaptation strategies and improve
implementation. Regional workshops to be held in Faribault, Minnesota and Blair,
Nebraska. (OGWDW)
> Work with Rural Community Assistance Partnership and other
associations to update the "Preparing for Extreme Weather Events:
Workshop Planner for the Water Sector" based on feedback from
Emergency Response/Climate Ready Water Utilities workshops and
technical assistance providers. Focus on making tool web-based,
updating data/content, and improving the facilitation process. (OGWDW)
National
Priority
Action
> Continue to develop an interactive, multimedia guide to assist water utilities in
increasing their drought preparedness and resilience. This drought response guide is
based on lessons learned from six water utilities across diverse regions of the country.
(OGWDW)
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> Encourage the Clean Water and Drinking
Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF and
DWSRF) to incorporate climate change
considerations into their processes.
(OWM/OGWDW)
Activities planned in 2015 include:
o Continue a dialogue on "SRF Program Response to Climate Change Adaptation
Needs" (OGWDW and OWM)
o Begin development of a paper on CWSRF eligibilities, which will include
information on eligible climate and extreme weather resilience projects. (OWM)
o Continue meetings of the Headquarters-Regional SRF climate project team to
explore ways to further promote the incorporation of climate change
considerations at the state level. The Team will build on its benchmarking work
to communicate to States what is being done in the SRFs to consider climate
change and to encourage States to build on those efforts. Actions include
promoting peer-to-peer learning opportunities and sharing and highlighting best
practices. (OGWDW and OWM and Regions 6 and 9)
o Develop an indicator measure for the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 National Water
Program Guidance concerning the integration of climate resilience
considerations into SRF programs. (OGWDW and OWM)
> Work with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and state energy offices to initiate
energy management training programs for drinking water and wastewater utilities in
several States, modeled after the successful efforts led by OWM and several EPA
Regions. The training programs will focus on helping water and wastewater utilities
assess their current energy usage, undertake energy audits, identify energy efficiency
projects, and help these utilities identify and apply for federal, state, or local funding.
(OWM)
> Continue to work with assistance providers like the National Rural Water Association as
they train small systems using the Rural and Small Systems Guidebook for a
Sustainable Utility. (OWM)
> In collaboration with utility stakeholders, including the Water Environment Federation,
National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), and others, continue to
promote the use of best practices that highlight a range of sustainable management
practices for utilities to consider, including those that help build climate resilience
based on EPA's "Moving Towards Sustainability: Sustainable and Effective Practices for
Creating Your Water Utility Roadmap." (OWM)
> Under the Promoting Sustainable Rural Water and Wastewater Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA), EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will continue
National I Headquarters/Region
Priority Climate Project Team:
Action I State Revolving Funds
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to collaborate on promoting sustainable practices such as asset management and
energy efficiency. (OWM)
> Plan a videoconference to help EPA Regions engage SRFs on climate change and
extreme weather issues (in addition to other sustainability topics). (OWM and
OGWDW)
> Work with utilities and communities to analyze a range of infrastructure alternatives
using the Alternatives Analysis Criteria Guide. (OWM)
Regional Program Actions
Actions Common to All Regions
> Promote Community Engagement on Climate Resilience Using Tools from the Climate
Ready Water Utilities (CRWU) Initiative and Climate Ready Estuaries (CRE)
Program: Work with municipal and private utilities to promote the use of CREAT to
recognize and respond to climate change risks and support communities in building
climate resilience using tools such as the new workbook for developing risk-based
climate adaptation plans developed by the National Estuary Program.
> Work with State Revolving Loan Fund Programs to recognize climate change impacts.
Additional Regional Actions
Region 1
> The State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program will continue to use its annual SRF reviews to
encourage States to consider resiliency projects in their SRF funding decisions each
year.
> Continue support for energy efficiency improvements at water utilities. One drinking
water facility has reached Zero Net Energy, three wastewater facilities are near Zero Net
Energy, and at least eight others are working on plans to reach this goal. Completion
dates for proposed Zero Net Energy facilities are mostly unknown, while others have
completion dates between 2016 and 2018.
> Partner with U.S. Department of Energy and National Science Foundation to develop a
research agenda to help wastewater facilities more easily reach Zero Net Energy
through new methods such as microbial fuel cells.
> Partner with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) to leverage resources to enhance capabilities of wastewater and
drinking water utilities to recover from power outages. An outreach campaign will be
developed to market the use, by utilities, of a USACE database of critical generators.
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> Conduct a Water-Energy Interdependency Workshop for water utilities in western
Massachusetts.
> Conduct two Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) Tabletop
Exercises/Workshops in Maine and Connecticut.
> Complete a Water Health and Economic Analysis Tool (WHEAT) pilot in North Kingston,
Rhode Island.
> Plan and initiate two Small System Resilience Pilots, based on tools developed through
the national pilot with the Berwick, Maine Water System.
> Work with Massachusetts Water Works Association to assess the adequacy of drinking
water construction design standards in addressing future impacts from climate change.
> Work with the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission to develop
climate preparedness guidance for water and wastewater facilities with a focus on
preparing for extreme weather events.
Regional
Climate
Innovation
> As a follow-up to the New England Hurricane Summit held in 2013, which
focused on key issues and lessons learned from Tropical Storm Irene and
Hurricane Sandy, coordinate with state Emergency Management Assistance
Compacts and water sector contacts to discuss ways to establish an inter-
state water mutual aid program for New England.
> Continue to enhance partnerships with FEMA and USACE to advance water emergency
response preparedness in New England, including promoting use of the Emergency
Power Facility Assessment Tool (EPFAT), a database of electrical and generator
capabilities for water systems.
> Continue to enhance partnerships between EPA, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD), and Connecticut and Rhode Island state water agencies to
coordinate support for Hurricane Sandy relief resiliency efforts for water and
wastewater utilities.
> Work with EPA OGWDW on two CREAT pilots in Manchester-by-the-Sea,
Massachusetts and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Region 2
> Continue to participate in the Hurricane Sandy Recovery Office's Wastewater Technical
Coordination Team. Activities include a meeting in January 2015 which featured
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speakers on power supply issues for the wastewater sector covering topics such as
combined heating and power, biogas collection, energy efficiency, and microgrids for
wastewater treatment power needs.
> Continue to participate along with state water and wastewater system representatives
in the New Jersey Water Sector Security Working Group Meetings. The working group
is a water security advisory committee that ensures the protection, preparedness and
resiliency of New Jersey's critical water and wastewater system infrastructure.
> Continue to provide support for the National Disaster Resilience Competition in 2015.
This Competition will award $1 billion in HUD/Rockefeller Foundation funding to design
resilient recovery activities across the U.S. plus $181 million in funding for areas affected
by Hurricanes Sandy and Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee in the Northeastern United
States. Phase 1 winners will be announced in June 2015 and Phase 2 winners in
December 2015. (See HUDNo 14-109 for more information).
> The Hurricane Sandy Green Team will implement the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding
Strategy and implement and construct recovery projects and ideas with regards to
environmental compliance, green infrastructure, climate change, sustainability, and
resilient solutions.
> Region 2's experience with the Hurricane Sandy recovery will be used by EPA nationally
to develop a Recovery Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and identify a Recovery
Coordinator in each Region.
> Region 2 and the Climate Ready Water Utilities Initiative will host CREAT training in
Region 2 for water and wastewater utility staff.
Region 3
> Continue efforts to work with state and local partners to raise awareness of water
utility energy efficiencies by:
o Partner with the State of Maryland to develop a water/wastewater energy
efficiency partnership with the goal assisting local facilities in obtaining a free
energy assessment and educating staff, management, and governance on
energy.
¦ Team will conduct 10 energy audits at wastewater treatment plants, and
¦ Hold 2 energy workshops for water and wastewater operators,
o Continue to work with existing clients on energy efficiency projects in
Pennsylvania and Delaware,
o Partner with the Eastern Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Operator's
Association to conduct a one-day energy efficiency training at Whitpain
Township, Pennsylvania on 6/17/15 and present a water/wastewater continuing
education 3-5 credit hour course related to energy efficiency.
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o Continue to encourage State Capacity Development programs include energy
efficiency in their workplans by incorporating:
¦ energy conservation in the assessment and ranking of drinking
water systems, and
¦ energy conservation in a State's Capacity Development Strategy
when revising its Strategy.
Regional
Climate
Innovation
> Participate with energy and waste program staff on cross-program workgroups related
to anaerobic digestion and biogas.
> Continue use of annual SRF reviews to encourage States to consider climate change,
resiliency, and sustainability projects in their SRF funding decisions each year.
Region 4
> Assist and support the development of Energy Management Initiatives with Tennessee
Department of Environment and Conservation, Alabama Department of Environmental
Management, and Region 4 Tribes with United South and Eastern Tribes. (As resources
allow additional States will be added.)
> Include assistance to 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.
> Coordinate with SRF Managers on incorporating components of green infrastructure
and energy management into water and wastewater capital project loans.
> Work on development of screening criteria to identify water and wastewater facilities
on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts that may be at risk of inundation in the event of a
storm event and storm surge comparable to Hurricane Sandy using the recently
developed Storm Surge Inundation Map and other tools.
> Assist and support the Climate Ready Water Utilities Initiative's CREAT technical
assistance pilot projects at wastewater and drinking water utilities in Lee County,
Alabama and at the Seminole Tribe Utilities in Florida.
> Provide outreach to States on available resources to assess drinking water and
wastewater sector resiliency to severe climate impacts.
Region 5
> Increase climate-readiness at water utilities using sustainable water infrastructure
approaches by:
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o Incorporating sustainable water infrastructure conditions into National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, compliance assistance and
enforcement settlements, where appropriate;
o Promoting energy management and other sustainable at utilities as resources
allow, specifically through the Ohio Energy Pilot; and
o Promoting awareness and encourage use of the Climate Ready Water Utilities
Tools with an aim toward incorporating climate change impacts into resiliency
planning by drinking water and wastewater utilities.
Region 6
> Host Climate Resiliency Workshops featuring CREAT in Austin and Houston, Texas, and
at the Pueblo of Sandia, New Mexico.
> Continue focus on drought planning and response.
> Promote energy efficiency at water utilities through a series of workshops, focusing on
the U.S.-Mexico Border area.
> Continue to require that ten percent of regional DWSRF and CWSRF programs support
green projects.
> Work in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Middle Rio Grande
Council of Governments, and other federal and state agencies to develop a climate
change planning scenario project that identifies the benefits of adaptive practices for
transportation and other infrastructure choices in light of a changing climate.
Region 7
> Work with three water utilities which agreed to be part of the CREAT Training with the
Climate Ready Water Utilities Initiative.
> Work with Missouri in encouraging water utilities at the local level to use the
Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool (VSAT) and Water Health and Economic Analysis
Tool (WHEAT) Training.
> Work with Region 7 States regarding options related to inclusion of climate change
considerations in the Safe Drinking Water Act Sanitary Survey program.
> Encourage the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds to incorporate
climate change considerations into their intended use plans and point systems.
> Utilize SRF's revised Annual Review Checklists which incorporate sustainability and
climate change questions. Communicate with state programs regarding nontraditional
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program eligibilities, including an entire section on climate and extreme weather
resilience.
> Encourage sustainable practicing such as green infrastructure and energy reduction in
supplemental environmental projects when negotiating enforcement. Monitor results
of such actions.
Region 8
> Hold a Region 8 Water Climate Change Workshop with the EPA Headquarters to conduct
an in-person training session on the recently updated Vulnerability Self-Assessment
Tool (VSAT) and Water Health and Economic Analysis Tool (WHEAT) in June 2015 in
Helena, Montana. Region 8 will assist in planning and coordination, WSD will handle all
aspects of the training (through professional trainers), register participants, and provide
all training materials.
> Work with EPA Headquarters to provide assistance using CREAT in Region 8 with two
water system utilities: 1) Bozeman, Montana, and 2) Helena, Montana. Communities
will receive technical assistance in the use of the CREAT.
Region 9
> Work with ORD to publish and conduct outreach on "Food Waste to Energy," a
publication describing the feedstock, technologies, partnerships, and funding
mechanisms six Water Resource Recovery Facilities have pursued to implement co-
digestion projects and increase on-site renewable energy production.
> As follow-up to a 2014 workshop in California entitled "Water Sector Emergency
Response, Extreme Event, and Climate Variability Planning," support the preparation of
Drought Resilience guidance based on the experience of the Tuolumne (California)
Utilities District. EPA Headquarters plans to complete this guidance in spring of 2015.
> Provide training to state DWSRF programs on drinking water system water loss control
approaches with hands-on and interactive water auditing practice using the American
Water Works Association's (AWWA) Free Water Audit Software. Reducing real losses in
water systems is an ideal drought mitigation approach with substantial economic and
environmental co-benefits.
> Work with EPA Headquarters to provide technical assistance using CREAT for utilities in
San Diego, Redwood Valley, and Los Angeles, California.
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Region 10
> Work with the Climate Ready Water Utilities Initiative to conduct risk assessments for
Homer, Alaska and Sandpoint, Idaho. Region 10 will work with CRWU to organize and
host a two-day workshop in April 2015 in Anchorage for Alaska drinking water and
wastewater utilities on using CREAT.
> Continue to hold discussions with each state during its annual SRF reviews to
encourage the States to consider resiliency projects in their SRF funding decisions.
> Work to provide drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater facilities with up-to-
date information on projected impacts from climate change to their utilities.
Office of Research and Development Projects and Initiatives
> Partner with U.S. Army to demonstrate approaches to minimizing water use by taking a
systems-oriented approach to design and operation. This "Net Zero" partnership is
expected to develop cost-effective tools, technology, and approaches for sustainable
water resource management and performance verification data for new, decentralized,
cost effective, energy efficient waste water treatment technologies.
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Goal 2: Support Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) to
sustainably manage water resources
~~~ Strategic Action 5: Understand and promote through technical assistance the
use of water supply management strategies.
~~~ Strategic Action 6: Evaluate and provide technical assistance on the use of water
demand management strategies.
~~~ Strategic Action 7: Increase cross-sector knowledge of water supply climate challenges
and develop watershed specific information to inform decision making.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> In cooperation with EPA Regional offices, expand the number of
WaterSense partners nationally and in each Region, with a goal of a 150
additional partners annually. Include a measure addressing this work in
the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 National Water Program Guidance. (OWM)
> WaterSense will continue to carry out the H20tel Challenge. As part of the 2015
program, EPA is encouraging WaterSense partners to join a Recruiting Rally to sign
hotels up for the Challenge, the winner of which will be rewarded with free technical
assistance for hotels in their area. Participating hotels will also be provided additional
tools and training. (OWM)
> WaterSense plans to release a final specification for flushometer-type commercial
toilets. Subject to the progress of research, the program also plans to release draft
specifications for soil moisture based irrigation controllers and landscape irrigation
sprinklers. (OWM)
Regional Program Actions
Actions Common to All Regions
> Develop Regional WaterSense Partners: Work with States, Tribes, municipalities, non-
profit organizations, and businesses to promote the WaterSense Program in the region.
Additional Regional Actions
Goal
2
National
Priority
Action
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Region 1
> Promote WaterSense Program and support New England WaterSense Partners
including:
o Support regional WaterSense partners in program campaigns (i.e. Fix-a-Leak-
Week; H20tel Hotels Challenge; Shower Better; Sprinkler Spruce-up etc.);
o Recruitment, outreach, media support, and presentations at various Region 1
meetings, events;
o Participate in New England Water Works Association (NEWWA) Water Resources
Committee; and
o Participate in the WaterSense Coordinators National Workgroup.
Region 2
> Region 2's WaterSense program is working with Clearwater, an environmental
organization located in the Hudson Valley, New York, to help them develop an online
radio spot about the WaterSense program.
> Collaborate with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Office of Climate Change's Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program on the
WaterSense program. The CSC is a state-local partnership to meet climate challenges in
ways that are consistent with community goals and its membership includes over 140
cities, villages, towns, and counties. The Region 2 WaterSense liaison is on the CSC
webinar agenda for 2015 to present WaterSense to the Climate Smart Communities
program.
Region 3
> Promote the WaterSense program including:
o Fix a Leak Week (March 2015);
o Earth Day activities (April 2015)
o Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (May 2015)
o National Drinking Water Week (May 2015);
o Maryland Rural Water Conference (May 2015)
o Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Conference (August 2015)
o Delaware Green Tourism Conference (September 2015)
o Participate in the WaterSense National Workgroup (conference calls, national
coordinator meeting, and other related activities); and
o WaterSense Coordinators Conference Call (every quarter).
> Region 3 is conducting a study in the Delmarva Peninsula to evaluate the effects that
climate change imposes on socio-economic and natural resources. The objective of
this study is to build upon the integrated sustainability approach championed by ORD
using the Triple Value (3V) Model. This study will set the stage to developing a cohesive,
integrated strategy for achieving environmental, economic, and social progress. The
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project is a collaborative effort among the Region, ORD, and Delaware, Maryland, and
Virginia.
Region 4
> Develop consumer water conservation awareness and regional metrics of water
conservation.
Region 6
> Provide Urban Waters Federal Partnership support to City of New Orleans proposal
development for the HUD National Disaster Resilience Competition. City will be
proposing project features that will address integrated water management in more
sustainable and resilient ways.
> Recruit thirty additional WaterSense partners each year as part of a regional water
efficiency and conservation campaign.
Region 8
> Promote early collaboration among federal agencies/States/Tribes/municipalities on
water supply projects and other water infrastructure to encourage the consideration of
climate change impacts.
Region 9
> Work with the national WaterSense program on Water Loss Control, including follow-up
from a webinar on this topic in 2014, providing an overview of free water loss control
tools, and describing successful water loss control programs and policies.
> Work with the national WaterSense program and Stop Waste.org to include
WaterSense products in Quantity Quotes, an on-line bulk purchasing
platform. With this fast and simple tool, institutional customers
(e.g. multifamily building owners, public housing authorities, etc.) have been
able to locate ENERGY STAR products, contact suppliers, and negotiate
prices. Beginning in January 2015, these customers will be able to use this
same tool to obtain WaterSense products (January 2015).
Regional
Climate
Innovation
> Coordinate with HUD and the national WaterSense program to develop a webinar series
for HUD project officers and grantees. The series will provide introductory information
about relevant tools and resources and help HUD incorporate water efficiency into
its core programs (January through August 2015).
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Region 10
> Expand outreach opportunities to potential WaterSense partners as well as
broadening the use of WaterSense certified fixtures through the following activities:
o Work with EPA Region 9, EPA Headquarters, and HUD on a series of webinars to
introduce HUD Headquarters and Regional staff to WaterSense and related
programs.
o Enhance the H2otel Challenge by holding a Sustainable Lodging Workshop for up
to 80 hotels from Washington State in May.
o Work with Seattle Public Utilities on a Public Service Announcement,
o Present on WaterSense at continuing education courses for real estate agents
and appraisers.
o Work with Cascade Water Alliance and the Master Builders Association joint
BuiltGreen/WaterSense certification and incentive program for builders
including Habitat for Humanity,
o Partner with our entities in Idaho and Eastern Washington on Fix-A-Leak Week
press and social media to encourage the public to reduce the more than a trillion
gallons of treated water that is wasted every year on leaks.
Office of Research and Development Projects and Initiatives
> Partner with the U.S. Army to demonstrate approaches to minimizing water use by
taking a systems-oriented approach to design and operation. This "Net Zero"
partnership is expected to develop cost-effective tools, technology, and approaches for
sustainable water resource management and performance verification data for new,
decentralized, cost effective, energy efficient waste water treatment technologies.
> Work on research to assess the vulnerability of Pacific Northwest hydrologic
landscapes and streamflow to climate change will report on a changes analysis for
Oregon, Washington, and Idaho hydrologic landscapes.
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B) Watersheds and Wetlands:
Vision Statement: Watersheds are protected, maintained and restored to
ensure climate resilience and to preserve the social and economic benefits
they provide; and the nation's wetlands are maintained and improved using
integrated approaches that recognize their inherent value as well as their role
in reducing the impacts of climate change.
Goal 3: Identify, protect, and maintain a network of healthy
watersheds and supportive habitat corridor networks
~~~ Strategic Action 8: Develop a national framework and support efforts to
protect remaining healthy watersheds and aquatic ecosystems.
~~~ Strategic Action 9: Collaborate with partners on terrestrial ecosystems and hydrology so
that effects on water quality and aquatic ecosystems are considered.
~~~ Strategic Action 10: Integrate protection of healthy watersheds throughout the
National Water Program core programs.
~~~ Strategic Action 11: Increase public awareness of the role and importance of healthy
watersheds in reducing the impacts of climate change.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> EPA's Healthy Watersheds Program (www.epa.gov/healthywatersheds) continues to
work with States to build the capacity to identify and protect our nation's remaining
healthy watersheds and to build the resilience of these watersheds to a changing
climate. (OWOW)
> The Healthy Watersheds Program will complete three projects to further assess and
identify healthy watersheds: a Montana Prairie Pothole Assessment; A Report on the
Aquatic Ecological Health of the Clinch and Powell River System; and the Tennessee
Integrated Assessment of Watershed Health report. These efforts continue to build
state and local capacity to identify and protect healthy watersheds using a systems
approach that recognizes watersheds as dynamic, interconnected ecosystems. (OWOW)
Goal
3
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> The Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant Program will be launched in summer 2015
to accelerate and expand the strategic protection of healthy freshwater ecosystems and
their watersheds across the country to expand the program's reach into numerous
watersheds across the country. The grant will leverage a moderate federal investment
with other partners and resources to grow state healthy watersheds programs and to
sponsor local projects to protect and maintain intact watersheds. The successful grantee
will administer a sub-award program to support either healthy watershed program
development projects or local demonstration/training projects. (OWOW)
Regional Program Actions
Region 1
> Work with the Resilient Taunton Watershed Network using a tool developed in 2014 to
conduct municipal outreach and work to build capacity at the local and regional level to
target actions to improve climate resilience.
> Complete the RARE (Regional Applied Research Effort) project to refine the Watershed
Management and Optimization Support Tool (WMOST V2) to consider how to meet
high and low flows in the Monponsett Pond Watershed in Halifax, Massachusetts using
green infrastructure and other water management techniques in the most cost effective
manner.
> Work with University of Massachusetts Conservation Assessment and Prioritization
System (CAPS) to consider how to better use the CAPS data in targeting protection of
vulnerable wetlands and areas of high ecological integrity and in improving stream
continuity for habitat protection and climate resilience.
Region 3
> Continue to support the Watershed Resources Registry (WRR) as a watershed level,
web-based GIS (geographic information system) planning tool. The WRR has potential
to be used as a tool for climate change adaptation planning. The WRR team will work to
ensure climate change related information layers are included in in the WRR.
> With the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office, develop communication strategies about
the importance and role of healthy watersheds and a healthy watersheds protection
goal for the Draft Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
Office of Research and Development Projects and Initiatives
> Produce a report on the impacts of nitrogen deposition on plant biodiversity that
accounts for the interactive impacts with climate change. This work connects with
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modeling efforts to understand connections between hydrology, climate change, and air
quality, with a focus on impacts to ecosystems and ecosystem services.
> Using multimedia modeling that integrates atmospheric behavior and hydrology with
effects of climate change, produce scenarios of air-water nitrogen budgets and
associated ecosystem services for the Mississippi River basin. This effort will link
multiple, media-specific behavior and impact models to gain a systems-based
understanding of these interconnected systems.
> Research the interactive effects of climate change and nitrogen deposition on
ecosystems and ecosystem services and produce a report on how climate change
affects the impacts nitrogen emissions and deposition on various ecological critical
loads.
> Model ecosystem response to changes in climate and nitrogen loading in watersheds.
The model will be calibrated and validated for specific watersheds to ensure it is able to
adequately represent actual system behavior.
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Goal 4: Incorporate climate resilience into watershed restoration and
floodplain management.
~~~ Strategic Action 12: Consider a means of accounting for climate change in EPA
funded and other watershed restoration projects.
~~~ Strategic Action 13: Work with federal, state, interstate, tribal, and local partners to
protect and restore the natural resources and functions of riverine and coastal
floodplains as a means of building resiliency and protecting water quality.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
Goal
4
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> The National Water Program will implement newly established Flood Risk Management
Standard. This work will include review of interagency implementing guidelines for the
Standard and application of the Standard to water programs as appropriate. (OW/IO)
Regional Program Actions
Region 1
> Work with Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and a community (probably
Colchester, Vermont) to pilot flood resilience checklist and consider ways to connect
wetland restoration and flood protection for climate resilience.
Region 2
> The Region continues to be involved with the Hurricane Sandy Recovery Office's Coastal
Flood Management Technical Coordination Team. The team is working on, for
example, a living breakwaters project off Staten Island and a review of National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) planning considerations including Coastal Zone
Management Act and living shorelines and the Corps "Systems Approach to Geomorphic
Engineering (SAGE)."
Regions 2 and 3
> The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary continues efforts toward climate change
adaption planning by expanding upon the work of the climate change adaptation plan
of 2010 developed through Climate Ready Estuaries program funding. They continue to
host workshops and develop education materials for municipalities within the Basin.
Projects underway include:
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o promoting a living shorelines process document that combines their knowledge
of the Delaware Estuary Living Shorelines Initiative planning, installation, and
outreach processes and best practices;
o holding biannual climate outreach roundtables; and
o recruiting communities for the Weathering Change program in which the
agencies work with the community to help them understand the weather-
related changes that are beginning to happen in their community.
Region 4
> Work with Gulf of Mexico Alliance to include climate change considerations in projects
and programs under the British Petroleum (BP) Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource
Damage Assessment and Restore Act procedures.
> Work with the Governors South Atlantic Alliance to include climate change
considerations into Alliance efforts.
Region 6
> Continue efforts with Urban Waters small grants grantees in education and outreach
of green infrastructure, wetland recitation, and awareness of the Lake Pontchartrain
ecosystem in Louisiana.
Region 8
> Continue working on incorporating climate resiliency into Colorado flood recovery
efforts, including water/wastewater infrastructure and river/watershed planning
support based on resiliency, sustainability, green infrastructure, climate adaptation, and
smart growth principles.
Office of Research and Development Projects and Initiatives
> EPA's Office of Research and Development and NOAA will produce a final report based
on stormwater and climate change workshops held in the Great Lakes and Chesapeake
Bay. The report focuses on lessons learned about the impacts of climate and land-use
change on water quality and precipitation-driven flooding, and the implications for
stormwater management. The report explores stormwater adaptations, particularly
green infrastructure or other low-impact development strategies; and identifies
information gaps and other barriers preventing local-level consideration and
implementation of these strategies. The report will be final in 2015.
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Goal 5: Watershed protection practices incorporate source water
protection to protect drinking water supplies
~~~ Strategic Action 14: Encourage States to update their source water delineations,
assessments or protection plans to address anticipated climate change impacts.
~~~ Strategic Action 15: Continue to support collaborative efforts to increase state and local
awareness of source water protection needs and opportunities, and encourage inclusion
of source water protection areas in local climate change adaptation initiatives.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> A Headquarters/Region team will continue to review
options related to inclusion of climate change
considerations in the Safe Drinking Water Act Sanitary
Survey program which provides for on-site review of
drinking water systems on a three year rotating basis.
The workgroup will consult with States on a draft
updated Sanitary Survey Learners Guide, including weather-related resiliency aspects,
and have a final revised Guide to share with EPA Regions and States for training
purposes by the end of the fiscal year. (OGWDW)
> The Office of Water will review opportunities to enhance Drinking Water Mapping
Application for Protecting Source Waters (DWMAPS) with updated FEMA floodplain
maps and with assessments of streamflow based on precipitation models or scenarios.
These tools could assist States and public water systems plan for potential climate
change effects on their water resources. (OGWDW)
> The Office of Water will seek opportunities to encourage federal agencies, States, and
public water systems (PWSs) to include climate change adaptation in state or local
source water protection initiatives, and to include source water protection in climate
change adaptation initiatives, pending availability of funding. (OGWDW)
Regional Program Actions
Region 1
> Promote integration of Clean Water Act/Safe Drinking Water Act (CWA/SDWA) and
understanding of climate change impacts through a regional pilot to map impaired
waters against drinking water sources in New Hampshire and coordination with other
water programs (e.g. 319/Nonpoint Source).
Goal
5
Headquarters/Region
Climate Project Team:
Sanitary Surveys
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> Advance state-wide Source Water Protection Collaboratives in Maine and Connecticut.
> Continue partnerships with U.S. Department of Agriculture National Resources
Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) and U.S. Forest Service to support source water
protection in priority watersheds.
> Coordinate with Region 1 emergency preparedness and enforcement programs to
implement key actions of the Merrimack River Initiative to protect source water
quality including GIS mapping of contaminant threats, outreach to underground storage
tank owners, healthy community grants, water utility coordination, and emergency
preparedness workshops.
Region 3
> Work with States and source water protection partners to raise awareness of climate
change impacts and encourage the incorporation of climate adaptation actions into
source water assessments and protection plans.
> Work with States to increase CWA and SDWA collaboration for source water
protection.
> Support the efforts of the Source Water Collaborative.
Region 5
> Target highly vulnerable public water systems for source water protection by:
Regional
Climate
Innovation
o Continuing to revise guidance/process document to include climate
change considerations in source water assessments and protection
plans. Begin implementing the revised guidance through technical
assistance and outreach:
¦ Reference the updated methodology in the Wisconsin Community Action
Program (WISCAP), Midwest Assistance Program (MAP), and Inter-Tribal
Council of Michigan (ITCMI) renewed contracts to direct technical
assistance providers to use the revised methodology and conduct
adaptation activities with climate-related resources when assisting Tribes
with source water protection projects,
o Providing outreach/education on climate readiness and Source Water Protection
to systems vulnerable to impacts of climate change,
o Revising State Annual Resource Deployment Plan encouraging State Source
Water Protection (SWP) programs to consider climate change in updated
assessments and protection activities.
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Region 7
> Work with States to increase CWA and SDWA collaboration for source water
protection and reduction of non-point source pollution.
> Work with States during SRF set-aside workplan reviews to encourage source water
delineations, assessments or protection plans.
Region 8
> Provide funding through the Region 8 Nonpoint Source Program for fire-afflicted
communities to improve source water protection. The State of Colorado set aside
$400,000 funding in 2013 for nonpoint source-eligible activities and will continue to
work in 2015 with that funding to address recovery from the Waldo Canyon and High
Park fires.
Office of Research and Development Projects and Initiatives
> Develop decision support tool and technical guidance on aquifer storage and recovery
(ASR) practices with the goal of improving sustainability of water resources under future
climate and land use conditions.
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Goal 6: Incorporate climate change considerations into the wetlands
program, including the Clean Water Act 404 program
~~~ Strategic Action 16: Consider the effects of climate change, as appropriate, when
making significant degradation determinations in the Clean Water Act (CWA)
Section 404 wetlands permitting and enforcement program.
~~~ Strategic Action 17: Evaluate, in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
how wetland and stream compensation projects could be selected, designed, and sited
to aid in reducing the effects of climate change.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> OW and ORD are working in collaboration on a framework and inventory of relative
wetland vulnerabilities at multiple scales, based on integration of information on
vulnerability assessment methods and wetlands classification systems. The results are
intended to support efforts of OW programs (e.g., Clean Water Act Section 404
Program, Healthy Watersheds Initiative, and National Wetlands Condition Assessment)
and other stakeholders to integrate climate change considerations into wetlands
programs and activities. A stakeholder workshop consisting of experts from EPA and
other federal and state agencies, the Association of State Wetland Managers, academia,
consulting firms, and non-governmental organizations was held in January 2015 to
obtain feedback on the approach and preliminary results. A draft of the framework and
inventory, examining wetlands attributes of extent and community composition, will be
ready for review in the autumn of 2015. (OWOW)
> OW will continue the analysis and implementation phase of the Clean Water Act Section
404 Program Assessment in cooperation with the USACE which may include evaluating
the potential to propose one or more climate change action items as an area of joint
work. (OWOW)
Regional Program Actions
Region 1
> Establish a climate working group with Resource Agencies and the USACE to identify
actions that integrate climate change considerations into CWA Section 404 and Section
10 permits.
Goal
6
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> Continue partnership with the USACE to promote low-impact development (LID) in
CWA Section 404 projects through the pre-application process.
> Provide priority points in the Wetland Program Development Grants Competition for
projects targeting climate change adaptation.
Region 4
> Consider 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.
Region 7
> Work with the USACE and Clean Water Act Section 404 programs to
incorporate climate change impacts in permits, compensation plans and
draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) documents.
Region 10
Regional
Climate
Innovation
> Continue to include climate change analyses in Environmental Impact Statements
(EISs) under EPA Region 10's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section
404 programs related to water issues.
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Goal 7: Improve baseline information on wetland extent, condition and
performance to inform effective adaptation to climate change
~~~ Strategic Action 18: Expand wetland mapping by supporting wetland mapping
coalitions and training on use of the new federal Wetland Mapping Standard.
~~~ Strategic Action 19: Produce a statistically valid, ecological condition assessment of the
nation's wetlands.
~~~ Strategic Action 20: Work with partners and stakeholders to develop information and
tools to support long term planning and priority setting for wetland restoration projects.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> The Wetlands Program Development Grants are supporting projects relevant to
developing information and tools related to climate change and long term planning and
priority setting for wetland restoration projects. To increase coastal resiliency, EPA is
supporting two projects that will enhance appropriate use and understanding of living
shorelines:
o Via a Wetland Program Development Grant, Restore America's Estuaries will
develop and operate a Living Shorelines Academy to advance the use of living
shorelines by providing targeted outreach and training to a range of
stakeholders. The Academy will include a web-based national data repository,
regional training workshops, and a national technology transfer meeting.
o The Delaware Center for Inland Bays and Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
will conduct marine contractor trainings on the proper use and installation of
living shorelines as an alternative to traditional erosion control structures such
as bulkheads and seawalls. Contractors in Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey
will be invited. (OWOW)
> In 2015, EPA expects to complete its analysis of the data and release the results of the
first National Wetland Condition Assessment (NWCA) for public comment. The NWCA
is a statistical survey of the quality of our Nation's wetlands. This assessment data will
help provide a baseline of wetland condition that will help understand changes in
wetland condition over time as a result of climate change and other factors. (OWOW)
> EPA is currently supporting a number of Regional Wetland Program Development
Grants to support updating the National Wetlands Inventory to ensure that mapping
efforts are current. (OWOW)
Goal
7
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Regional Program Actions
Region 1
> Continue to work with Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) and
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to address the threats of sea level rise
to coastal wetlands. CZM is generating site-specific information and maps to identify
and communicate vulnerability, risk, and impacts to Massachusetts's coastal wetlands
under various scenarios of sea level rise. The data and information generated will result
in more accurate and informed forecasting of coastal wetland changes, including areas
of loss, areas where marsh migration may be supported, and areas that are predicted to
undergo changes in wetland types.
> Continue to work with the Maine Department of Conservation's Natural Areas
Program to start identifying sites with high resilience to climate change for targeted
protection efforts, based on the results of the "Conservation Planning for Tidal Marsh
Migration Due to Sea Level Rise" project. The goal of this project is to minimize net loss
of tidal marsh habitat and its incumbent functions and values by identifying and
initiating conservation planning for landscapes that will be needed to accommodate
marsh migration.
Region 3
> Continue to actively engage with ORD's National Center for Environmental Assessment/
Global Change Impacts & Adaptation Program's Wetland/Climate Vulnerability
Assessment Project. The project aims to identify wetlands and functions sensitive to
climate change impacts and assess approaches for integrating climate science into OW
programs (e.g., CWA Section 404 and Healthy Waters Initiative) practices. The Mid-
Atlantic has been selected as a case study due to the comprehensive wetland database
available for this work. The project and its resultant framework and inventory will be an
important resource for the Region's climate change adaptation program.
> Work collaboratively with state partners to build their capacity to develop and
implement wetland monitoring and assessment programs to establish current wetland
condition. Region 3 has several States with comprehensive wetland monitoring
programs. Collection of wetland condition data will help States to predict and adapt to
future climate changes. Region 3 affectively using the Wetland Program Development
Grants to do this work incorporating climate adaptation priorities in the Request for
Proposals.
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Region 8
> Emphasize importance of preservation, restoration and management of
wetlands and riparian natural resources as potential tools in response to
climate change impacts to land use decision makers by focusing the
Enhanced State and Tribal Program on pilot communities who would be
receptive to using tools developed through the wetlands grants
program to identify priority wetlands for protection.
Regional
Climate
Innovation
Office of Research and Development Projects and Initiatives
> Develop an inventory of wetland vulnerabilities based on integration of vulnerability
assessment methods, resilience theory, and wetlands classifications. This includes
characterizing resilience and vulnerability across a range of spatial scales; analyzing
vulnerability assessment and adaptation methodologies through the use of case studies;
and providing information on vulnerabilities and potential adaptation responses for EPA
wetland regulatory programs.
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C) Coastal and Ocean Waters
Vision Statement: Adverse effects of climate change and unintended adverse
consequences of responses to climate change have been successfully
prevented or reduced in the ocean and coastal environment. Federal, tribal,
state, and local agencies, organizations, and institutions are working
cooperatively; and information necessary to integrate climate change
considerations into ocean and coastal management is produced, readily
available, and used.
Goal 8: Collaborate to ensure information and methodologies for ocean
and coastal areas are collected, produced, analyzed, and easily available
~~~ Strategic Action 21: Collaborate to ensure that synergy occurs, lessons learned
are transferred, federal efforts effectively help local communities, and efforts are
not duplicative or at cross-purposes.
~~~ Strategic Action 22: Work within EPA and with the U.S. Global Change Research
Program and other federal, tribal, and state agencies to collect, produce, analyze, and
format knowledge and information needed to protect ocean and coastal areas and
make it easily available.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> Climate Ready Estuaries will publish its fourth lessons learned document; featuring the
work of National Estuary Programs. Work will begin on the fifth document in the series.
(OWOW)
> Protection of coral reefs from the impacts of climate change requires federal, state, and
territory governments to form partnerships with other key players, including industry, to
reduce the rates of greenhouse gas emissions. As coral reefs continue to decline
globally, reef managers must strengthen efforts to build resilience into their ecosystems
by working with communities to address local threats. Through involvement with the
United States Coral Reef Task Force Climate Change Working Group, EPA will continue
support the development of these efforts. (OWOW)
Goal
8
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> EPA will participate in a range of interagency efforts to coordinate climate change
adaptation efforts of various federal agencies including:
o National Ocean Policy implementation plan and related working groups; and
o Interagency Ocean Acidification Working Group. (OWOW)
> EPA is working with other federal agencies to identify the carbon sequestration benefits
associated with coastal wetlands. This "blue carbon" ecosystems are significant in
national greenhouse gas (GHG) accounts and are being lost at an alarming rate. These
ecosystems also provide benefits such as habitat, storm protection, water quality and
recreation. (OWOW)
> In Fiscal Year 2014, EPA funded its first blue carbon pilot project, with Tampa Bay
National Estuary Program (NEP). Tampa Bay project will quantify GHG reductions from
acres of blue carbon ecosystems protected and restored by the NEP over past 10 years.
In 2015, EPA will work with NEPs to develop potential blue carbon projects. Examples
of potential NEP pilot projects:
o assessment and feasibility studies, including mapping
o on-the-ground validation of inventory methods
o cost/benefit analyses
o documentation and sharing of best practices
o outreach and education (OWOW)
Regional Program Actions
Region 1
> As federal co-chair for the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) in 2015, and co-
chair of NROC's Ocean and Coastal Ecosystem Health Committee, EPA Region 1 will
continue to participate in a wide range of interagency efforts to collect and
disseminate data on ocean uses and natural resources that will support climate change
vulnerability assessments and adaptation planning (see www.northeastoceandata.org).
> Region 1 and NROC partners will complete marsh migration guidance material for
coastal managers based on analysis of various models and a highly successful workshop
in December 2014. EPA also will continue to help coordinate the marsh migration
"community of practice" that's evolved out of this effort to advance a regional approach
on marsh migration management and policy implications.
> Region 1 will continue to co-chair steering committee that's leading a joint effort by
NROC and the Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal and Ocean Observing
Systems to develop an Integrated Sentinel Monitoring for Climate Change in
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Northeastern Marine and Estuarine Ecosystems "science and implementation plan" by
April 2015. The plan will be used to help secure additional funding to develop a regional
strategy and establish a sentinel monitoring network.
Region 3
> The Region will continue to collect water quality information in the Delaware Estuary
and in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (a coastal region running from Massachusetts to North
Carolina). Once this information has been analyzed, the data will be released to the
Mid-Atlantic States to assist and contribute to sound environmental management
decisions regarding climate change and the associated effects of climate change. This
information, and the methodologies associated with collecting this information, is being
coordinated with ORD.
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Goal 9: EPA geographically targeted programs support and build networks
of local, tribal, state, regional and federal collaborators to take effective
adaptation measures for coastal and ocean environments
~~~ Strategic Action 23: Work with the National Water Program's larger geographic
programs to incorporate climate change considerations, focusing on both the natural
and built environments.
~~~ Strategic Action 24: Address climate change adaptation and build stakeholder capacity
when implementing National Estuary Program Comprehensive Conservation and
Management Plans and through the Climate Ready Estuaries Program.
~~~ Strategic Action 25: Conduct outreach and education, and provide technical assistance
to state and local watershed organizations and communities to build adaptive capacity
in coastal areas outside the NEP and Large Aquatic Ecosystem programs.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> Encourage the National Estuary Programs and other watershed managers
at the state and local level to use the Watershed Climate Change
Adaptation Planning Workbook developed by the National Estuary
Program. (OWOW)
> EPA will work with National Estuary Programs to include climate risk vulnerability in
Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plans (CCMPs) as these plans are
revised and updated over the next several years. (OWOW)
> Climate Ready Estuaries will provide technical assistance to NEPs and grant funding to
demonstrate how climate change adaptation can improve habitat and water quality.
(OWOW)
> Climate Ready Estuaries will be supporting the National Estuary Programs so they can
create risk-based climate change vulnerability assessments. These will be among the
first risk-based plans in the country and will serve as national examples of how to assess
climate change risk. (OWOW)
Regional Program Actions
Action Common to All Regions
Goal
9
National
Priority
Action
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> Promote Use of Tools from CRWU and CRE: Work with municipal and private water
utilities to promote the use of CREAT to recognize and respond to climate change risks,
and with National Estuary Program partners to promote the use of the new Climate
Ready Estuaries Vulnerability Assessment Handbook to develop local climate resilience
plans.
Additional Regional Actions
Region 1
> Work with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on their Casco Bay Maine
Climate Change Adaptation Project as part of their Regional Resiliency Assessment
Program that is focusing on critical infrastructure, including wastewater and drinking
water.
^ Work with ORD and the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program to initiate RARE
(Regional Applied Research Effort) and RESES (Regional Sustainable Environmental
Science) climate change projects for the Mattapoisett Water System and other
watershed communities in Massachusetts
> Work with the six New England National Estuary Programs to scope out a joint project
to conduct vulnerability assessments for their respective Comprehensive Conservation
and Management Plans under a single contract, as required by new national program
guidance.
> The Long Island Sound Study and Mass Bays Program will incorporate actions to
address climate change in their respective updated Comprehensive Conservation
Management Plans (CCMP).
> The Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program will work with state and local partners to
implement its recently completed vulnerability assessment of water infrastructure
and environmental justice communities in the New Bedford Harbor area funded under
the Climate Ready Estuaries program.
Region 2
> The Peconic Estuary Program (PEP) received funding from the Climate Ready Estuaries
program to update beginning in 2015 the Critical Lands Protection Strategy to include
lands that are vulnerable to climate change impacts.
> The Peconic Estuary Program will be working on an action plan called "Actions Now and
for the Future" that will describe specific projects and their timelines to be taken over
the next five years. Climate change is included as a key subject, and the document
describes PEP's strategy and intended actions on incorporating climate change into the
Program. Goals that will be achieved over time include providing tools to local
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governments and other stakeholders to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the
Peconic Estuary, ensuring climate change is considered in prioritizing and selecting PEP
projects, educating stakeholders about the impacts of climate change on estuary
resources.
> The Barnegat Bay Program is continuing to promote and develop climate adaptation
strategies and tools in support of the Climate Ready Estuaries program, including
providing technical assistance to the Ocean County Office of Emergency Management in
their multi-jurisdictional natural hazards mitigation plan and Ocean County Department
of Planning in the Long Term Community Recovery plan.
Region 3
> With the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, continue to provide resources and
information to municipalities within the Delaware Estuary regarding climate change
adaptation efforts and working through hurdles. The Partnership for the Delaware
Estuary, a Climate Ready Estuary, will continue to find resources to conduct living
shoreline pilot installations and maintenance within the Estuary.
> Support the Maryland Center for Inland Bays and the Delaware Inland Bays National
Estuary Programs in their climate change adaptation efforts, through activities
including: incorporation of climate change and sea level rise in public outreach and
communications; including climate change considerations in comprehensive
conservation management plans (CCMPs); and convening partners to consider climate
change adaptation across watersheds.
> The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) has an active collaboration with several climate
change researcher teams using the CBP's integrated airshed, watershed, and estuary
models of the Chesapeake. The work is providing the CBP information for a 2017
assessment of the influence of climate change on the Chesapeake TMDL (Total
Maximum Daily Load). Collaborators include Penn State, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS),
EPA's Global Change Research Program, and the University of Maryland. Products to
date include progress on an optimized watershed management for the Patuxent that
estimates additional management needed to offset climate change impacts, and a case
study application in the Chesapeake Bay Program addressing water quality management
decisions in the face of climate change and other relevant uncertainties.
Region 4
> Promote the Climate Ready Estuaries program in Region 4 NEPs and work with the
NEPs to revise and update the NEP Comprehensive Conservation and Management
Plans (CCMPs) to address vulnerabilities to climate change.
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Region 5
> Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) will continue to restore and maintain
the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem in the
face of climate change by:
o Adjusting long-term monitoring program schedules and methodologies, as
appropriate.
o Integrating climate change into Great Lakes Restoration Initiative-funded projects
and other GLNPO funding mechanisms to ensure that the latest science informs
project design.
o Directing necessary revisions to Great Lakes strategic implementation documents,
while working with federal, state, tribal and binational partners, using the latest
climate change information.
Region 6
> Support the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program project as they conduct a
programmatic climate change vulnerability assessment, develop adaptation
strategies, and educate stakeholders about projected climate change impacts in coastal
marsh habitats in the Coastal Bend area of Texas. The projects results will be
disseminated more broadly through the Climate Ready Estuaries program.
> Support the efforts of three NEPs (Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, Galveston
Bay Estuary Program, and Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program) along the
Gulf of Mexico in their efforts to develop sea level rise adaptations and to support
coastal natural resource and community resiliency.
> Provide project engineering and design, project management, ecological science
technical services, and public outreach support in the ongoing efforts of the interagency
Coastal Wetlands, Planning, Protection and Restoration Act program to restore coastal
wetland habitat in Louisiana.
Region 9
> "As part of the Making a Visible Difference in Communities initiative, Region 9 is working
with American Samoa on climate change resiliency. The effort will include long-term
infrastructure planning, potentially using CREAT (late Fiscal Year 2015 - Fiscal Year
2016), and assessing coral reef vulnerability as a result of ocean acidification and
nonpoint source and stormwater pollution."
> Update the Coral Reef Strategy for Hawaii and the Pacific Islands to highlight
accomplishments from the 2013 strategy and lay out actions for the next year to reduce
pollution threats to coral reefs. This work will include coordination of coral reef
programs (e.g. Coral Reef Task Force, local watershed projects, local coral management
36
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efforts), and integration of coral reef protection with EPA programs across divisions at
Region 9 and at Headquarters. The Region will provide leadership on ocean acidification
and impacts to coral reefs within EPA and to the Coral Reef Task Force.
Region 10
> Work with the Puget Sound National Estuary Program to continue funding projects
that promote and support adaptation and resiliency to climate change impacts.
Draft and/or incorporate grant assistance agreement criteria - consistent with
regional and national programs- to integrate climate adaptation and resiliency into
Puget Sound Geographic Program funded projects.
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Goal 10: Address climate driven environmental changes in coastal areas
and ensure that mitigation and adaptation are conducted in an
environmentally responsible manner
~~~ Strategic Action 26: Support coastal wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water
infrastructure owners and operators in reducing climate risks and encourage adaptation
in coastal areas.
~~~ Strategic Action 27: Support climate readiness of coastal communities, including hazard
mitigation, pre-disaster planning, preparedness, and recovery efforts.
~~~ Strategic Action 28: Support preparation and response planning for diverse impacts to
coastal aquatic environments.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
Goal
10
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> Complete development of initial screening criteria to identify water and
wastewater facilities on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts that may be at risk
of inundation in the event of a storm surge comparable to Hurricane
Sandy and work with utilities to address risks. (OW/IO, OGWDW, and
Region 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6)
National
Priority
Action
> Work with NOAA and the National Hurricane Center to develop an interactive web-
based Storm Surge Inundation Map that illustrates storm surge inundation scenarios
based on FEMA flood plain maps and sea, lake, and overland surge from hurricanes
(SLOSH) models. Map launched on EPA website in January 2015. An additional layer
which displays historical hurricane strike data in coastal counties will be added to the
map in 2015. All map data will be incorporated into CREAT. (OGWDW)
> Host at least one webinar in coordination with NOAA on the water sector and climate
change. Session will include a presentation on CREAT and pilots. (OGWDW)
> Promote the Extreme Events Workshop Planner designed to provide everything a utility
needs to plan, customize, and conduct a workshop focused on planning for more
frequent and more intense extreme events. Five extreme event scenarios are included
in the Workshop Planner: flooding; drought; sea level rise; wildfire; and reduced
snowpack. (OGWDW)
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Regional Program Actions
Region 2
> The Delaware Estuary Science & Environmental Summit, entitled "Balancing Progress
and Protection", was held in January in Cape May, New Jersey with about 250 people
will be in attendance and additional on-line participants. Region 2 presented on tidal
wetland monitoring and ecosystem valuations. The summit featured over 120
presentations on subjects including: climate change and resilience of ecosystems, water
quality, wetland assessment methods, living shoreline techniques, stormwater
management, nitrogen management for lawns, green infrastructure at school yards, and
green jobs for youth and education and outreach to schools.
> Region 2 has been participating in the newly created Jamaica Bay Science and
Resilience Institute Public Agency Council which has worked on assisting the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers with its Rockaway/Jamaica Bay Reformulation Study. The Council
will begin long term planning work which would initially focus on evaluation and
integration of existing computer models for the bay.
> In early 2015, the scientific journal Ecological Indicators will make available in its
online edition an article by members of Long Island Sound Study's Sentinel Monitoring
for Climate Change program. The article describes how the multi-state work group
collaborated to develop a program that would provide warning of climate change
impacts to the Long Island Sound estuarine and coastal ecosystems. The Sentinel
Monitoring program started in 2008 with a goal to facilitate timely management
decisions and adaptation responses to climate change impacts. The article describes a
novel approach for strategic planning that combines available regional-scale predictions
and climate drivers (top down) with local monitoring information (bottom up) to
identify candidate sentinels of climate change. The article discusses how six high priority
sentinels were identified for inclusion in pilot-scale monitoring programs from a list of
37 sentinel indicators.
> Work in collaboration with FEMA, NOAA, New York State, and Suffolk and Nassau
Counties on piloting the use of CommunityViz (a scenario planning tool),
Health Impact Assessments, and Ecosystem Services Assessments in the
recovery process. These tool will incorporate important climate data such
as sea level rise. Region 2 participated in a week-long CommunityViz
training in January 2015 along with 30 participants from federal, state,
and local agencies. Participants learned about how to incorporate data
from EPA's Environmental Justice (EJ) Screen, FEMA' HAZUS and NOAA's Digital COAST
tools into CommunityViz and also were educated about a range of sustainable
community planning tools.
Regional
Climate
Innovation
39
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Region 3
> Region 3 is supporting the Hampton Roads Sea Level Rise Adaptation Pilot as it moves
forward by providing the science and tools necessary to respond to the impacts of
climate change. This is a two year "whole government" initiative aimed at bringing the
full force of coordinated government and the community together to address sea level
rise and other climate induced changes expected in the Hampton Roads region.
Region 4
> 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.
> Region 4 will work with EPA Headquarters in the development of screening criteria to
identify water and wastewater facilities on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts that may be at
risk of inundation in the event of a storm event and storm surge comparable to
Hurricane Sandy.
>
Continue to cooperate with FEMA on implementing the Memorandum of Agreement
signed in 2010 on the use of smart growth approaches in communities that have been
impacted by disasters, and to provide information to communities that are planning to
minimize weather-related impacts.
>
Work with EPA Headquarters in piloting Regional Flood Resilience
Pilot Project for groups of water and wastewater utilities in
Florida.
Regional
Climate
Innovation
Region 6
> Promote the beneficial use of suitable dredged material to support environmentally
sound projects to provide protection from sea level rise and storm surge.
> Promote landscape scale coastal protection by constructing and providing technical and
planning assistance for coastal restoration and adaptation projects.
Office of Research and Development Projects and Initiatives
> Complete an assessment of the vulnerability of near coastal species and habitats to
climate change for the Pacific Coast, including Alaska. This project applies a
generalized rule-based and modeling framework to predict species and habitat
vulnerability based on generally available data. Relative vulnerability predictions are
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based on species' biogeographic distributions and life history attributes and habitat
exposures; synthesize climate projections over regional scales; and enhance the Sea
Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM).
-------
Goal 11: Ocean environments are protected by EPA programs that
incorporate shifting environmental conditions and other emerging threats
~~~ Strategic Action 29: Consider climate change impacts on marine water quality in
National Water Program ocean management authorities, policies, and programs.
~~~ Strategic Action 30: Use available authorities and work with the Regional Ocean
Organizations and other federal and state agencies through regional ocean groups and
other networks so that offshore renewable energy production does not adversely affect
the marine environment.
~~~ Strategic Action 31: Support the evaluation of sub-seabed sequestration of C02 and any
proposals for ocean fertilization.
~~~ Strategic Action 32: Participate in interagency development and implementation of
federal strategies through the National Ocean Council (NOC) and the NOC Strategic
Action Plans.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> EPA will continue participation in the Resiliency and Adaptation to Climate Change and
Ocean Acidification Subcommittee of the National Ocean Council to develop and
implement Action Plans, including interagency initiatives related to climate change.
(OWOW)
> As part of EPA's ongoing efforts to assess the current state of the science regarding
ocean and coastal acidification, the Agency will continue to collaborate with the West
Coast Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Science Panel and the Northeast Coastal
Acidification Network (NECAN). Moving forward in 2015, the Agency will be seeking to
expand our collaborations to include other regional scientific groups, interested States,
and other stakeholders. (OWOW)
> EPA will continue to examine the role that the Clean Water Act and existing voluntary
programs could play in addressing ocean and coastal acidification. The Agency will also
assess how lessons learned from efforts to address ocean and coastal acidification
might be transferable amongst regions of the US encountering ocean and coastal
acidification. (OWOW)
> EPA will continue to work with other agencies and the international community to
provide technical guidance on sub-seabed carbon sequestration and marine geo-
engineering and coordinate with federal partners in addressing proposals for carbon
sequestration in the sub-seabed or other proposals, such as potential fertilization of the
ocean. (OWOW)
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> Collaborate with EPA National Center for Environmental Economics to develop
ecosystem services valuation methodologies to quantify the economic impacts of
acidification on fisheries in the Pacific Northwest (Puget Sound) and Northeast (Gulf of
Maine). (OWOW)
> Partner with Washington State Department of Ecology to develop models to determine
relative contributions of land-based pollution sources to acidification conditions in
Puget Sound. (OWOW)
Regional Program Actions
Region 1
> Continue to participate on the Northeast Coastal Acidification Network (NECAN)
Steering Committee to help coordinate research and management of coastal
acidification issues, including two publications summarizing findings of the April 2014
"State of the Science" workshop; a series of stakeholder engagement workshops; and
working with EPA Headquarters, the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, and University of
New Hampshire to establish a new ocean acidification monitoring station in Casco Bay
Region 3
> Region 3, along with Region 2, is a member of in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning
Body. This group was created as a result of the National Ocean Policy and an Executive
Order to collaborate more effectively and efficiently with state and tribal governments
regarding ocean planning. The Charter for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body
(Mid-Atlantic RPB) was signed in 2014. The Mid-Atlantic RPB is currently working on
finalizing the outline of a Regional Ocean Action Plan. The objective of the Regional
Ocean Action Plan is to set forth clear goals and objectives associated with sound
decision making regarding ocean planning while considering the effects of
anthropogenic (i.e. offshore drilling) and natural (climate change) activities.
Region 10
> Work with the States of Washington and Oregon, NOAA, and the
University of Washington to better coordinate activities and research
related to ocean acidification in the Pacific Northwest. Also, Region 10
will complete a Regionally Applied Research Effort to examine isotopic
analyses of nitrogen to look at how eutrophication interacts with
acidification in Puget Sound.
Regional
Climate
Innovation
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D) Water Quality
Vision Statement: Our Nation's surface water, drinking water, and ground
water quality are protected, and the risks of climate change to human health
and the environment are diminished, through a variety of adaptation and
mitigation strategies.
Goal 12: Protect waters of the United States and promote management
of sustainable surface water resources
~~~ Strategic Action 33: Encourage States and communities to incorporate climate
change considerations into their water quality planning.
~~~ Strategic Action 34: Encourage green infrastructure and low-impact development
protect water quality and make watersheds more resilient.
~~~ Strategic Action 35: Promote consideration of climate change impacts by National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting authorities.
~~~ Strategic Action 36: Encourage water quality authorities to consider climate change
impacts when developing wasteload and load allocations in TMDLs where appropriate
~~~ Strategic Action 37: Identify and protect designated uses that are at risk from climate
change impacts.
~~~ Strategic Action 38: Clarify how to re-evaluate aquatic life water quality criteria on
more regular intervals; and develop information to assist States and Tribes who are
developing criteria that incorporate climate change considerations for hydrologic
condition.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> Continue to engage outside partner groups and nonprofits through the Green
Infrastructure Collaborative. Facilitated by EPA's Green Infrastructure Team, this group
will work closely together to align public and private knowledge and resources to
promote the multiple benefits of green infrastructure. (OWM)
> Provide green infrastructure technical assistance to 25 communities for projects
including green infrastructure design, cost-benefit assessments, and integration of
green infrastructure into resiliency planning efforts. (OWM)
Goal
12
to
44
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> Hold green infrastructure design charrettes in 4-6 communities in 2015. Workshops
will focus on leveraging green infrastructure to build community resiliency. (OWM)
> Complete a mobile application version of the Stormwater Calculator,
including the Climate Change Extension component as a way to
enhance its utility and promote its use. (OST/ORD)
> Continue working with the National Research Council on their
Beneficial Use ofGraywater and Stormwater: An Assessment of Risks, Costs, and
Benefits study as they look at the potential role of green infrastructure and graywater
reuse in improving the quality of water in urban watersheds. A final report is expected
to be issued around March 2015. (OWM)
> A Headquarters/Regional team will review issues related to
climate change in Clean Water Act water quality criteria and
standards and identify possible options for addressing climate
change in the context of the Water Quality Standards
Program. (OST)
Headquarters/Region
Climate Project Team:
Water Quality Criteria
and Standards
> Draft a white paper providing information States and Tribes can use to
protect aquatic life from negative effects associated with alteration of
hydrologic conditions, including potential effects from climate change.
(OST)
National
Priority
Action
> A Headquarters/Regional team will develop a Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) document to address incorporation of climate change into water
quality standards. (OST)
> A Headquarters team will research the impacts of low (critical) flows on temperature
to better protect aquatic life from thermal impacts during low flows. (OST)
National
Priority
Action
> A Headquarters/Regional team will work
to identify ways to better integrate
climate change considerations into water
quality management planning projects
and processes and develop an initial
report. This project will include
cooperation with state organizations to identify state agency best practices for climate
change adaptation for clean water and drinking water programs. (OW/IO)
Headquarters/Region
Climate Project Team:
Water Quality
Management Planning
> EPA and the National Resources Conservation Service are developing an Interagency
Agreement to collaborate on the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices to
protect and improve water quality and enhance climate resilience and mitigation
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approaches. The Interagency Agreement will go into effect during 2015 and will guide a
variety of projects where both organizations have common interests, including the
effects of climate on agriculture.
> EPA will continue working on a NPDES Strategy to develop the means to incorporate
climate change considerations into the NPDES program. This includes: improving tools
and methods to account for increased variability in stream flow, receiving water
temperatures and precipitation, encouraging prevention and treatment technologies
such as green infrastructure and water and energy efficiency, increasing awareness
among permit writers of the climate vulnerabilities of wastewater treatment facilities,
and working with partners such as USDA to evaluate the risk of Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operation (CAFO) wastewater discharges associated with climate change.
(OWM)
Regional Program Actions
Region 1
> Continue to serve on the steering committee of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Northeast Climate Science Center to identify key research needs for effects of climate
induced changes on thermal regimes.
Region 2
> New Jersey Futures, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and EPA will
have a series of workshops in early 2015 focusing on the appropriate use of green
infrastructure in Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) long-term control plans and
financing options. The first workshop, Reinvesting in Urban Water Infrastructure
through Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plans was held on January 8,
2015 in Newark, New Jersey. These workshops will supplement the workshop held in
September 2014 with New Jersey CSO permittees on how to develop acceptable Long-
Term Control Plans (LTCPs) as required under their draft permits. The workshop will
include sessions on financing water infrastructure upgrades, green infrastructure and
community involvement.
Region 3
> Continue support the Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Initiative as a peer-
to-peer support network and capacity building program for communities interested in
adopting green infrastructure. Continue research on identification of effective Gl
technologies related to stormwater, flooding, and resilience.
> Work actively with state partners to develop meaningful water quality standards for
wetlands that can be used to better understand and manage wetlands that may be
impacted by changing climatic conditions.
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Region 4
> Use the Triennial Review of state water quality standards to work with States on
changes in stream use classification or standards, where necessary, due to climate
change induced increasing temperatures or changes in stream flow.
> Encourage States to develop explicit criteria for low flow protection.
> 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 to include climate change adaptation provisions
in the state's revised Nonpoint Source Management Plans to
provide flexibility to fund programs and projects to assess, evaluate,
plan and implement climate change adaptations.
Regional
Climate
Innovation
> Work with urban and environmental justice communities to promote and implement
green infrastructure into the communities to reduce flooding, combined sewer
overflows, and water quality impairments in these urban communities.
> Region 4 will promote the use of the Stormwater Management Model with the
Climate Adjustment Tool (SWMM-CAT) to utilities doing planning on improvements to
their stormwater infrastructure.
Region 5
> Continue encouraging the use of green infrastructure and integrate efforts with Region
5's Sustainability and Communities Team.
> Streamline and standardize water quality standards decision-making processes to
ensure timely, protective decisions by:
o Determining, in consultation with EPA Headquarters, the flexibility allowed to
change designated uses in surface waters that are adversely impacted by climate
change and communicate clear guidance to States and Tribes;
o Identifying "best practices" among States and Tribes to streamline variance and
use designation change submissions.
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Region 6
> Promote use of green infrastructure and continue recognition of green
infrastructure projects in the Region including addressing new
opportunities in designing parking lots to use trees to manage
stormwater and urban heat (see Regional Sustainability Environmental
Sciences Research Program Project: Parking Lot Strategies to Mitigate
Storm Water Quality/Volume and Urban Heat Island Effect Using Trees in Green
Infrastructure).
Regional
Climate
Innovation
Region 7
> Co-chair EPA Headquarters/Regional project team working to identify ways to better
integrate climate change considerations into water quality management planning
projects and processes.
> Work within region and outside agencies to promote low impact development practices
(i.e.; green infrastructure, water conservation practices, and energy conservation).
These actions include Green Infrastructure Technical Assistance to communities,
integrated planning in Springfield, Missouri and Lawrence, Missouri and municipal
separate storm sewer system (MS4) annual reports from Kansas City, Missouri, Kansas
City, Kansas, St. Louis, Muscatine, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska.
> Highlight one Clean Water Act Section 319 watershed project from each State that
incorporates the use of green infrastructure.
> Annually track the implementation of green infrastructure best management practices
in watershed projects funded and leveraged through the Clean Water Act Section 319
program.
Region 8
> Continue education and outreach on the use of green infrastructure and
implementation of green infrastructure in planning and construction and integrate
efforts with the Urban Partnership and the Partnership for Sustainable Communities.
Region 9
> Promote the inclusion of climate change and asset management planning requirements
for sanitary and storm sewer systems in NPDES permits. The region launched a website
(http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/npdes/asset-mgmnt/index.html) in the first
quarter of Fiscal Year 2015 to provide recommendations and examples of how to
include asset management provisions in NPDES permits, including a focus on climate
change. Region 9 will begin drafting relevant language in EPA-issued permits in Guam
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by the end of Fiscal Year 2015 and will work with the California State and Regional
Water Boards on possible inclusion of relevant provisions in state permits.
Region 10
> Follow-up from the two-day workshop held in November 2014 on the impacts of
climate change on stream temperature on cold-water fisheries in the Pacific
Northwest. The planning committee will be putting together a summary of the meeting
and other materials to communicate the findings of the group.
> Work with the USACE and the Climate Impacts Group on a project
called the Time of Emergence. The project will identify the time at
which a distinctive trend due to climate change is projected to
emerge from the noise of natural climate variability. This concept,
referred to as "time of emergence," can help guide the prioritization
and timing of climate change adaptation activities. The project is
expected to be completed in the spring of 2015.
Regional
Climate
Innovation
Office of Research and Development Projects and Initiatives
> Publish final reports from the ORD Science to Achieve Results (STAR) grantees on
research results examining the consequences of global change for water quality,
including a bibliography of the research reports and articles published by grantees.
> Fi nalize a report on the use and applicability of Robust Decision Making (RDM)
methods to selected Office of Water programs, focusing on TMDL program. This
project examines how RDM approaches can be applied by OW and others in a decision
making process that accounts for the deep uncertainties posed by climate change.
> Develop information on suburban watershed nitrogen retention, specifically to estimate
the effectiveness of stormwater management structures. This effort will incorporate
the projected impacts of climate change to understand how water quality management
approaches may be affected.
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Goal 13: As the Nation makes decisions to reduce its greenhouse gas
emissions and develop alternative sources of energy and fuel, the
National Water Program will work to protect water resources from
unintended adverse consequences
~~~ Strategic Action 39: Continue to provide perspective on the water resource implications
of new energy technologies.
~~~ Strategic Action 40: Provide assistance to States and permittees to assure that geologic
sequestration of carbon dioxide (C02) is responsibly managed.
~~~ Strategic Action 41: Continue to work with States to help them identify polluted waters,
including those affected by biofuels production, and help them develop and implement
Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for those waters.
~~~ Strategic Action 42: Provide informational materials for stakeholders to encourage the
consideration of alternative sources of energy and fuels that are water efficient and
maintain water quality.
~~~ Strategic Action 43: As climate change affects the operation or placement of reservoirs,
EPA will work with other federal agencies and EPA programs to understand the
combined effects of climate change and hydropower on flows, water temperature, and
water quality.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
^^1
Goal
13
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> To ensure protection of underground sources of drinking water (USDWs), OGWDW
worked with co-regulators, industry, and other stakeholders to develop draft technical
guidance clarifying Underground Injection control Class II permitting requirements for
hydraulic fracturing with diesel fuels (DFHF). The draft guidance explained the Agency's
interpretation of the SDWA statutory term "diesel fuels" for permitting purposes and
provided guidance recommendations for the EPA's permit writers to consider when
establishing permitting requirements for DFHF activities. EPA released the draft
guidance on February 12, 2014. Final guidance will be published in 2015. (OGWDW)
> In 2014, EPA issued an interpretive memorandum and revised technical guidance for
DFHF permitting (see note above). Permitting recommendations in the technical
guidance were written for EPA permit writers but States with primary enforcement
authority will find them useful in protecting USDWs in their individual states and
programs. Throughout 2015, OGWDW will work with co-regulators and other
stakeholders to encourage best practices and ensure that oil and gas development
occurs safely and responsibly, in a way that protects drinking water resources.
(OGWDW)
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> OGWDW is working with the carbon dioxide (C02) sequestration permit applicants to
evaluate and approve Class VI permits for Geologic sequestration projects. (OGWDW)
Regional Program Actions
Region 7
> With EPA Headquarters assistance, review and process anticipated Class 6 underground
injection control (UIC) permit application.
> Through Wichita State University Environmental Finance Center grant encourage energy
efficiency and alternate sources of energy during workshops and energy assessments.
Region 8
> Continue to participate in the Geological Sequestration (GS) workgroup to develop
guidances, share permitting experiences, resources, and technical information, to
facilitate implementation of C02 geological sequestration final rules designed to protect
drinking water resources, while encouraging successful deployment of commercial scale
sequestration projects. Work with States (notably Montana, Wyoming and North
Dakota) to help them obtain primacy for the Class VI UIC program, and issue permits for
projects where state primacy has yet to be established.
Office of Research and Development Projects and Initiatives
^ Develop an assessment of possible future regional water usage for energy production.
The study is examining how energy system water demands might change under
different scenarios that constrain greenhouse gas emissions and water use limits, and
is evaluating some of the environmental implications for the different scenarios.
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Goal 14: Collaborate to make hydrological and climate data and
projections available
~~~ Strategic Action 44: Monitor climate change impacts to surface waters and
ground water.
~~~ Strategic Action 45: Collaborate with other federal agencies to develop new methods
for use of updated precipitation, storm frequency, and observational streamflow data,
as well as methods for evaluating projected changes in low flow conditions.
~~~ Strategic Action 46: Enhance flow estimation using National Hydrography Dataset Plus
(NHDPIus).
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> A Headquarters and Region team will review options
related to inclusion of climate change consideration in the
NPDES permit program. This project includes
collaborative work with USGS to complete multiple
improvements to DFLOW, a statistical tool that calculates
critical flow statistics used in developing water quality based effluent limits. The tool is
expected to be available for use by mid-2015. (OWM)
> Work to complete Phase I of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) national Monthly
Water Balance Model (MWBM), upon which the initial core modeling is done;
coordinate with launch of the USGS web portal. (OWOW)
> In 2015, EPA will incorporate the ability to evaluate climate impacts in the new
Hydrologic and Water Quality System (HAWQS) model. HAWQS will include the ability
to allow modelers to modify parameters to conduct 'what-if' evaluations both with user
generated data and with pre-set scenarios using CMIP-3 (phase 3 of the Coupled Model
Intercomparison Project). A user's guide will accompany the new features. (OW/IO)
Regional Program Actions
Region 2
> EPA Region 2 received funding to conduct ambient monitoring and to pay for repairs to
EPA facilities and vessels damaged during Hurricane Sandy. The purpose of this two
year effort is to evaluate the effects of Sandy on water quality in coastal zones. The
work was done to determine the effects of Sandy on levels of contaminants in
sediments and receiving waters of sub-basins impacted by combined sewer overflows,
sanitary sewer overflows, bypassing of wastewater treatment plants, and runoff or
Goal
14
Headquarters/Region
Climate Project Team:
NPDES Permits
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discharge from hazardous waste sites. Most of the sampling was done in 2013 and
most of the sample analysis and quality assurance was completed in 2014. EPA is
currently working on data analysis in 2015. The information will be used to determine
whether additional action or monitoring may be needed. A longer term purpose will be
to develop a monitoring plan that can serve as a model for future storm response.
> Region 2 will be conducting field sampling activities in summer and autumn 2015 to
support future requirements for denitrification and outfall relocation at the Bay Park
sewage treatment plant in Nassau County, New York. The Bay Park facility was heavily
impacted by Hurricane Sandy and is being reconfigured in order to be more resilient to
storm surges and sea level rise and also reduce the impact of its effluent on the water
quality of Reynolds Channel by building a deep ocean outfall. The results of this field
study could also be used in the System-Wide Eutrophication Model (SWEM) for broader
considerations such as long term impacts on other areas of the New York Bight.
Region 4
> Evaluate Region 4 States' 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 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 Southeast Region.
Region 5
> Improve information on climate change impacts on surface water quality and quantity
available and used for regulatory and assistance actions by:
o Identify key climate change data sources and parameters for monitoring
different waterbody types. Determine what data are not currently being
collected by state and tribal monitoring programs.
o Provide to States and Tribes information to consider when updating their
monitoring strategies, specifically water quality data gaps and incorporate
climate change considerations into updated monitoring strategies, where
possible.
o Work with States to further refine biological monitoring tools (e.g., indices)
(Illinois, Indiana) and to develop biological criteria (Minnesota, Wisconsin) that
can capture evidence of nonattainment of aquatic life uses that may be due to
climate change.
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o Present options/recommendations regarding potential for a regional monitoring
network to facilitate data collection on climate change impacts to surface water.
Office of Research and Development Projects and Initiatives
> Incorporate the capability to estimate the effects of climate change on water
temperature into linked atmospheric, hydrologic, watershed and ecosystem models.
This project will assess and develop appropriate connections between a coupled
meteorological/atmospheric/hydrology model set and ecosystem models and benefit
cost models to support multi-media, multi-pollutant and health and welfare benefit/cost
assessments of management strategies.
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E) Working With Tribes
Vision Statement: Tribes are able to preserve, adapt, and maintain the
viability of their culture, traditions, natural resources, and economies in the
face of a changing climate.
Goal 15: Incorporate climate change considerations in the implementation
of core programs and collaborate with other EPA Offices and federal
Agencies to work with Tribes on climate change issues on a multi-media
basis
~~~ Strategic Action 47: Through formal consultation and other mechanisms, incorporate
climate change as a key consideration in the revised National Water Program Tribal
Strategy and subsequent implementation of CWA, SDWA, and other core programs.
~~~ Strategic Action 48: Incorporate adaptation into tribal funding mechanisms, and
collaborate with other EPA and federal funding programs to support sustainability and
adaptation in tribal communities.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> Continue to support the EPA National Water Program State and Tribal Climate Change
Council as a vehicle for sharing information and hearing the views of States and Tribes
on climate change issues. (OW/IO)
> Include a presentation on tribal climate change recommendations and findings at the
Tribal Lands and Water Forum, co-sponsored by EPA and the Institute for
Environmental Professionals, planned for August 2015. (OW/IO)
> Develop a summary of approaches that to date, Tribes have taken to develop climate
change vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans, and supporting tools and
resources that Tribes have used. (OW/IO)
> Identify climate change activities as a priority in the new EPA Office of Water Tribal
Strategy, which will be developed over the course of 2015. (OW/IO)
Goal
15
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Regional Program Actions
Region 1
> Facilitate a federal-tribal communications collaborative, which will involve dialog among
tribal environmental directors and regionally-based federal tribal liaisons on climate
change and other cross-cutting issues. A steering committee will develop the
framework for the collaborative and will set agendas and strategies.
Region 4
> Work with two Tribes to perform energy management initiative assessments of water
and wastewater system.
> Coordinate with the Indian Health Service on energy efficiency analysis tools that can
be used when designing water system modifications.
Region 7
> Through Tribal Set-Aside infrastructure dollars for CWA and SDWA, evaluate
infrastructure projects utilizing climate change considerations.
Region 9
> Utilize revised project ranking criteria for the Fiscal Year 2015 Drinking
Water State Revolving Fund Tribal Set-Aside grant program to give higher
priority to tribal systems experiencing serious drought impacts (i.e. systems
with water supply deficiencies that present a serious health risk). The
revised criteria also incentivize water conservation by requiring a higher cost share for
projects from systems where water usage is greater than 150 gallons/person/day.
Regional
Climate
Innovation
Region 10
> Work with Tribes receiving Indian Environmental General Assistance Program funds to
identify possible projects to make communities more resilient to climate change.
Office of Research and Development Projects and Initiatives
r* Conduct research to evaluate associations between extreme weather events and health
endpoints using existing health and weather databases. This work includes waterborne
disease; how weather events associated with climate change alter the risk of
waterborne and infectious disease; and the sub-populations at increased risk of disease
associated with climate change.
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Goal 16: Tribes Have Access to Information on Climate Change for
Decision-making
~~~ Strategic Action 49: Collaborate to explore and develop climate change science,
information, and tools for Tribes, and incorporate local knowledge.
~~~ Strategic Action 50: Collaborate to develop communication materials relevant for tribal
uses and tribal audiences.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> Continue to support the EPA National Water Program State and Tribal Climate Change
Council as a vehicle for sharing information and hearing the views of States and Tribes
on climate change issues. (OW/IO; see also Goal 17)
Regional Program Actions
Region 1
> Coordinate with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies in providing
support and developing a path forward for addressing shoreline erosion as a result of
higher intensity storms which is threatening tribal homes and the Tribe's wastewater
treatment facility at the Passamaquoddy Tribe - Pleasant Point reservation.
Region 9
> Continue to provide technical assistance to Tribes for evaluating drought mitigation
options and drought contingency planning. For example, during the second half of
Fiscal Year 2015 the Region will hold several drought workshops around the California to
help participants initiate a water auditing process using American Water Works
Association's (AWWA) Free Water Audit Software. We will ensure that a portion of the
drought mitigation funding provided to any tribe will be dedicated to promoting water
system and supply resiliency to anticipated future droughts.
> In January 2015, convene a drought interagency meeting among federal and state
agencies (including California Area Indian Health Service, HUD, USDA, Bureau of Indian
Affairs, California Office of Emergency Services, and others) to identify and coordinate
sources of funding to develop sustainable drought mitigation projects. Region 9 will
review/consider eligible projects under our current infrastructure program authorities
and guidance (Drinking WaterTribal Set-Aside and Clean Water Indian Set-Aside) to
support sustainable and drought related projects.
Goal
16
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Region 10
> Work with tribal consortium in the Pacific Northwest (e.g., Northwest Indian Fisheries
Commission) to better understand tribal needs related to water. EPA Region 10 will
hold three calls in FY 2015 to share information and discuss possible collaborative
activities.
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F) Cross-Cutting Program Support
The cross-cutting program support element of the 2012 Strategy includes three goals:
> Goal 17: Communicate, Collaborate, and Train;
> Goal 18: Track Progress and Measure Outcomes; and
> Goal 19: Identify Climate Change and Water Research Needs.
Specific actions to be implemented in 2015 in support of these goals are described below.
Goal 17: Communicate, Collaborate, and Train
~~~ Strategic Action 51: Continue building the communication, collaboration, and
training mechanisms needed to effectively increase adaptive capacity at the
federal, tribal, state, and local levels.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
Goal
17
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> Engage key stakeholders in climate change adaptation work by
continuing to support the EPA National Water Program State and Tribal
Climate Change Council that advises the National Water Program and
engaging additional stakeholders using a range of forums and
mechanisms. (OW/IO)
National
Priority
Action
> Update the National Water Program climate change website to improve
communication of climate change and water information. (OW/IO)
> Revise the training module on climate change and water programs included within the
internet-based modules that constitute the Watershed Academy. (OW/IO)
> Work with federal interagency groups to develop technical training on climate change
and water issues through the University Corporation on Atmospheric Research (UCAR).
(OW/IO)
> Serve as Co-chair of the interagency Federal Water Resources and Climate Change
Workgroup charged with implementing the National Action Plan: Priorities for
Managing Freshwater Resources in a Changing Climate. (OW/IO)
> Serve as Co-chair of the climate resilience workgroup of the Advisory Committee on
Water Information. (OW/IO)
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> Support development and implementation of interagency climate adaptation actions
related to water resources called for in Report to the President by the State, Local, and
Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience and in the Priority
Agenda: Enhancing Climate Resilience of America's Natural Resources. (OW/IO)
Regional Program Actions
Program Actions Common to All Regions
> Participate in the National Water Program Climate Change Workgroup: Maintain
current participation in the EPA National Water Program Climate Change Workgroup,
including identifying a single point of contact for the regional water program.
> Support the EPA Office of Water Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan:
Help to develop and implement the EPA-wide Climate Change Adaptation
Implementation Plan (and coordinate between the National Water Program 2012
Strategy and the EPA regional climate change adaptation implementation plans.
> Build Internal Climate Change Communications: After the completion of the EPA
Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan, draw on materials developed by the
Office of Water to provide training for regional water program staff on the challenges
that climate change poses for water programs and familiarize them with the National
Water Program 2012 Strategy and regional climate adaptation plans through a variety of
means such as "all hands" meetings, webinars, seminars, and dissemination of the
plans.
> Build External Climate Change Communications: Support national program efforts to
inform and educate water program managers in the public and private sectors on
climate change and water issues through a variety of means such as identifying key
stakeholders and expanding professional networks, improving educational outreach
efforts on national and regional EPA climate change websites and in other media, and
disseminating clear and credible messaging on climate change science and impacts.
> Address Climate Change in Meetings with States and Tribes: In program meetings with
States and Tribes in 2015, include discussion of ongoing Agency and regional climate
change adaptation planning, the National Water Program 2012 Strategy, and climate
change activities related to state water programs as appropriate.
> Support Coordination among Federal Agency Regional Offices: Coordinate with the
Regional offices of other federal agencies on climate change adaptation matters and
participate, where appropriate, with related interagency cooperative and collaborative
efforts to address climate change challenges on a regional scale.
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Additional Regional Actions
Region 1
> Beta test and update Region's new Resilience and Adaptation in New England (RAINE)
data base for Region 1 intranet site.
> Finalize region's Vulnerability Assessment Tool data base for Region 1 intranet site.
Regions 1, 2, and 3
> Region 1 has been working with NOAA to develop the www.NECIimateUS.org website,
which will be a website where regional climate change related documents will be
made available to the public. Region 1 will work to engage other Northeast EPA
Regions to continue to populate the website with regional climate change related
document, tools, reports and data.
Regions 2 and 3
> In 2013, fifteen federal agencies formed Federal Climate Partners, an
interagency, working group to address climate change issues in the Mid-
Atlantic region - from New York to Virginia. During the first year, the
group held three conference calls, where EPA was able to learn from each
department/agency about their climate change work. During 2015, the
Federal Climate Partners will continue to network, share information, and
begin to leverage efforts to better prepare the Region for the impacts of climate change.
Regional
Climate
Innovation
Region 5
> The Region will engage the Midwest Natural Resources Group of federal agency senior
managers to promote cooperation on climate change adaptation and to implement
"Guiding Principles for Adapting to Climate Change for the Midwest Natural Resources
Group."
Region 6
> Provide training for regional staff and managers on climate change adaptation.
> Meet with tribal and environmental justice communities at least once a year to provide
training on climate science and adaptation opportunities and practices.
Region 7
> Work with state partners and other organizations to:
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o Promote Water and Climate Change Adaptation Training for Water Program
Staff;
o Be a WaterSense Partner;
o Promote Use of CREAT by Local Water Utilities;
o Adapt SRFs to Climate Change;
o Implement Updated NPDES Permit Tools and Training Related to Changes in
Flows and Water Temperature; and
o Address Climate Change in the Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) program
Capacity Development Program.
Region 8
> Develop a Region 8 website that is linked with the National Water Program Climate
Change website, as well as other sites such as the Western Water Assessment, the
Western State Water Council, and the U.S. Drought Portal.
> Conduct training/outreach to Region 8 Tribes, municipalities, and other stakeholders
on climate resiliency and the tools/programs/resources EPA has available to assist in
various areas. For instance, Region 8 will work with the Wyoming Association of Rural
Water Systems to conduct a day-long sustainability workshop for drinking water systems
in Lander, Wyoming in February 2015.
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Goal 18: Tracking Progress and Measuring Outcomes
~~~ Strategic Action 52: Adopt a phased approach to track programmatic progress
towards Strategic Actions; achieve commitments reflected in the Agency Strategic
Plan; and work with the EPA Workgroup to develop outcome measures.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> The National Water Program will publish a report describing highlights of progress in
implementing the 2012 Strategy in 2014. This report includes the 2014 assessment of
progress using the seven phases of implementation described in the 2012 Strategy.
(OW/IO)
> The National Water Program will publish a workplan describing the actions that
national water program offices and regional offices will implement in 2015 to advance
the 2012 Strategy. (OW/IO)
> The National Water Program will work with States and stakeholders to develop
measures relating to progress in adapting water programs to climate change to be
including in the Fiscal Year 2016-17 National Water Program Guidance. (OW/IO)
Goal
18
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Goal 19: Climate Change and Water Research Needs
~~~ Strategic Action 53: Work with the Office of Research and Development (ORD),
other water science agencies, and the water research community to further
define needs and develop research opportunities to deliver the information
needed to support implementation of this 2012 Strategy, including providing the
decision support tools needed by water resource managers.
[Note: Text above from 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change]
2015 Implementation Actions
National Program Actions
> The National Water Program and ORD will conduct a "Water Quality Assessment"
(WQA), to review and synthesize available scientific information on the potential
effects of climate change on water quality. The goal of this effort is to make scientific
information about climate change more useful and accessible to EPA Program Offices
and Regions to support mainstreaming climate concerns into all aspects of the national
water program. This effort involves three parts: 1) science syntheses; 2) program links;
and 3) web portal.
The science syntheses will be summaries of the science literature relevant to selected
issues of concern to the EPA water program. The Program Links will be short summaries
of relevant scientific information specifically tailored to the needs of different EPA water
programs and activities. A web portal will make this information accessible and will be
updated over time. ORD and OW expect to have most if not all of these reports
complete in 2015.
Office of Research and Development Projects and Initiatives
> Working with EPA Office of Water, Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Policy, and
Regions, identify EPA-wide climate adaptation priority science needs as part of the EPA
Climate Adaptation Plan actions. This effort is expected to identify cross-cutting issues
such as understanding climate data sources and limitations.
Goal
19
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Appendix 1:
National Water Program Priority Actions
The Office of Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan released in 2014 identified
"Priority Actions" to be implemented by national water program offices.
1. Encourage water utilities to use the Climate Resiliency Evaluation and Awareness Tool
(CREAT) and develop Version 3.0 of this tool.
2. Promote use of an Extreme Events Workshop Planner designed to provide everything a
water sector utility needs to plan, customize, and conduct a workshop focused on planning for
extreme events including flooding, drought, sea level rise and storm surges, wildfire, and
reduced snowpack.
3. In cooperation with EPA Regional offices, expand the number of WaterSense partners
nationally and in each Region, with a goal of a 150 additional partners annually.
4. Encourage the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds to incorporate climate
change considerations into their processes.
5. Encourage the National Estuary Programs and other watershed managers at the state and
local level to use the Watershed Climate Change Adaptation Planning Workbook developed by
the EPA National Estuary Program.
6. Complete development of initial screening criteria to identify water and wastewater facilities
on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts that may be at risk of inundation in the event of a storm surge
comparable to Hurricane Sandy and work with utilities to address risks.
7. Complete technical development of the Climate Change Extension within the Stormwater
Calculator and identify and implement enhancements to improve its utility.
8. Work with EPA Regional office counterparts to identify ways to better integrate climate
change considerations into water quality management planning projects and processes and
develop an initial report.
9. Draft a white paper providing information States and Tribes can use to protect aquatic life
from negative effects associated with alteration of hydrologic conditions, including potential
effects from climate change.
10. Engage key stakeholders in climate change adaptation work by continuing to support the
EPA National Water Program State and Tribal Climate Change Council that advises the
National Water Program and engaging additional stakeholders using a range of forums and
mechanisms.
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Appendix 2:
EPA Regional Water Programs: Climate Change
Common Priority Actions
The Office of Water Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan identifies climate change
adaptation activities that each Regional water program will attempt to carry out in 2014 and
following years.
1. Participate in the National Water Program Climate Change Workgroup: Maintain current
participation in the National Water Program Climate Change Workgroup, including
identifying a single point of contact for the regional water program.
2. Support the EPA Office of Water Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan: Help
to implement the EPA-wide Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan (and
coordinate between the National Water Program 2012 Strategy and the EPA regional
climate change adaptation implementation plans.
3. Build Internal Climate Change Communications: After the completion of the EPA Climate
Change Adaptation Implementation Plan, draw on materials developed by the Office of
Water to provide training for regional water program staff on the challenges that climate
change poses for water programs and familiarize them with the National Water Program
2012 Strategy and regional climate adaptation plans through a variety of means such as "all
hands" meetings, webinars, seminars, and dissemination of the plans.
4. Build External Climate Change Communications: Support national program efforts to
inform and educate water program managers in the public and private sectors on climate
change and water issues through a variety of means such as identifying key stakeholders
and expanding professional networks, improving educational outreach efforts on national
and regional EPA climate change websites and in other media, and disseminating clear and
credible messaging on climate change science and impacts.
5. Address Climate Change in Meetings with States and Tribes: In program meetings with
States and Tribes in 2015, include discussion of ongoing Agency and regional climate change
adaptation planning, the National Water Program 2012 Strategy, and climate change
activities related to State water programs as appropriate.
6. Support Coordination among Federal Agency Regional Offices: Coordinate with the
Regional offices of other federal agencies on climate change adaptation matters and
participate, where appropriate, with related interagency cooperative and collaborative
efforts to address climate change challenges on a regional scale.
7. Promote Community Engagement on Climate Resilience Using Tools from the Climate
Ready Water Utilities (CRWU) Initiative and Climate Ready Estuaries (CRE) Program: Work
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with municipal and private utilities to promote use of CREAT to recognize and respond to
climate change risks and support communities in building climate resilience using tools such
as the new workbook for developing risk-based climate adaptation plans developed by the
National Estuary Program.
8. Develop Regional WaterSense Partners: Work with States, Tribes, municipalities, non-
profit organizations and businesses to promote the WaterSense Program in the region.
9. Work with State Revolving Loan Fund Programs to recognize climate change impacts.
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APPENDIX 3
EPA Regional Water Programs:
Climate Change Innovations
Water programs in EPA's ten Regional offices play an important role in adapting clean water
and drinking water programs to a changing climate and are implementing a range of innovative
programs and policies for climate change adaptation that respond to the specific challenges in
that Region. These innovations are identified throughout the document and are summarized
below by the goal that they support.
A) Water Infrastructure
1. Establish an inter-state water mutual aid program for New England water utilities
(Region 1)
2. Encourage State Capacity Development programs to include energy efficiency in their
workplans (Region 3)
3. Work with the WaterSense program and Stop Waste.org to include WaterSense
products in Quantity Quotes, an on-line bulk purchasing platform (Region 9)
B) Watersheds and Wetlands
4. Target highly vulnerable public water systems for source water protection (Region 5)
5. Work with USACE to incorporate climate change impacts in permits, compensation
plans, and draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) documents (Region 7)
6. Focus on pilot communities interested in using tools to identify priority wetlands for
protection (Region 8)
C) Coastal and Ocean Waters
7. In collaboration with partners pilot use of CommunityViz, a scenario planning tool that
incorporates important climate data such as sea level rise (Region 2)
8. Pilot Regional Flood Resilience project for groups of water and wastewater utilities in
Florida (Region 4)
9. Work with States, NOAA, and the University of Washington to coordinate activities and
research related to ocean acidification in the Pacific Northwest (Region 10)
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D) Water Quality
10. Work with States to include climate change adaptation provisions in the state's
Nonpoint Source Management Plans (Region 4)
11. Promote use of green infrastructure and continue recognition of green infrastructure
projects in the Region including addressing new opportunities in designing parking lots
to use trees to manage stormwater and urban heat (Region 6)
12. Design project to identify the time at which a distinctive trend due to climate change is
projected to emerge from the noise of natural climate variability (Region 10)
E) Working with Tribes
13. Utilize revised project ranking criteria for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
Tribal Set-Aside grant program to give higher priority to tribal systems experiencing
serious drought impacts (Region 9)
F) Cross-cutting Program Coordination
14. Fifteen federal agencies formed Federal Climate Partners, an interagency, working
group to address climate change issues in the Mid-Atlantic region (Regions 2 and 3)
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Appendix 4
Potential State Agency
Clean Water and Drinking Water
Climate Change Adaptation Actions
#
Actions for Climate Change Adaptation
State
Water
Quality
Agency
State
Drinking
Water
Agency
1
Promote Water and Climate Change Adaptation Training for
Water Program Staff: Encourage State staff implementing water
programs to take online training addressing the challenges that a
changing climate poses for meeting clean water and drinking water
goals.
*
*
2
Be a WaterSense Partner: Promote water use efficiency by
wastewater treatment plants and drinking water systems in the
State by joining the WaterSense program as a partner and
participating in a State water conservation program.
*
*
3
Promote Use of Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool
by Local Water Utilities: Support wastewater treatment plants and
drinking water systems in use of the CREAT tool to assess the
vulnerability of plants to a changing climate and identify response
actions.
*
*
4
Adapt State Revolving Loan Funds (SRFs) to Climate Change:
Adopt climate change considerations in management of SRF
drinking water and clean water SRF programs.
*
*
5
Consider Climate Change Impacts in Triennial Review of State
Water Quality Standards: Work collaboratively with Regions to
consider if there is the need to begin to address climate change
impacts in water quality standards.
*
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6
Report Climate Change Related Impacts on Waters of the State in
Integrated Reports Under Clean Water Act Section 303(d) and
305(b): Discuss and identify the possibility of States' abilities or
inabilities to include in integrated reports under Sections 303(d)
and 305(b) assessment of trends in water conditions related to a
changing climate, including water temperature, in-stream flow, and
pH, and the likely impact of future climate change on waters,
including attainment of water quality standards generally.
*
7
Update State Water Quality Management (WQM) Plans to
Address a Changing Climate: Consider the need to revise and
update State Water Quality Management Plans developed under 40
CFR 130.6 to describe how core clean water program components
addressed in the plans could be adapted to recognize the
anticipated long-term changes in water conditions in the State as a
result of a changing climate.
*
8
Update Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Processes to
Address Climate Change: Review existing certification procedures
under section 401 of the Clean Water Act to identify how climate
change impacts on waters, including expected changes in stream
flow and water temperature, could be considered in reviews of
federal permits or licenses for under section 401, including reviews
of major construction projects such as dams.
*
9
Implement Updated NPDES Permit Tools and Training Related to
Changes in Precipitation and Water Temperature: Where
available, apply updated models and practices for assessing
vulnerability of water quality to increasing variability of
precipitation, in-stream flows (high and low) and warming water
temperature; apply updated models and practices in fit-for-use
green infrastructure approaches.
*
10
Address Climate Change in Community Water System Sanitary
Surveys: Identify elements of the sanitary surveys for community
water systems that address the risks to drinking water systems
posed by climate change and address these risks as part of sanitary
surveys on a 3/5 year basis.
*
Note: EPA recognizes that some state water programs may have competing needs that may
impede their ability to undertake these actions.
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Appendix 5
National Water Program Climate Change Workgroup
Principal Members
EPA Headquarters
Office of Water: Immediate Office - Mike Shapiro, Jeff Peterson, Karen Metchis, Elana
Goldstein, Nathan Sell (ORISE)
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water - Curt Baranowski, Mike Muse
Office of Science and Technology - Rachael Novak
Office of Wastewater Management - Veronica Blette, Sarita Hoyt, Lynn Stabenfeldt
Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds - Michael Craghan, Kathleen Kutschenreuter
EPA Regions
Region 1 - Mel Cote
Region 2 - Alexandre Remnek
Region 3 - Regina Poeske, Jennie Saxe
Region 4 - Robert Burns
Region 5 - Kate Balasa
Region 6 - Jim Brown, Barbara Keeler, Robert Todd
Region 7 - Mary Mindrup, Amy Shields
Region 8 - Brent Truskowski
Region 9 - Suzanne Marr, John Kemmerer
Region 10 - Paula Van Haagen, Mike Cox, Krista Mendelman
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&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
Office of Water (4101M)
Washington, D.C. 20460
EPA-850-R-15-003
June 2015
http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange
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