U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Mid-Atlantic Region
Prepared by the U.S. EPA Region III Climate Collaborative
October 2022
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To the extent this document mentions or discusses statutory or regulatory authority, it does so
for informational purposes only. This document does not substitute for those statutes or
regulations, and readers should consult the statutes or regulations to learn what they require.
Neither this document, nor any part of it, is itself a rule or a regulation. Thus, it cannot change or
impose legally binding requirements on EPA, States, the public, or the regulated community.
Further, any expressed intention, suggestion or recommendation does not impose any legally
binding requirements on EPA, States, tribes, the public, or the regulated community. Agency
decision makers remain free to exercise their discretion in choosing to implement the actions
described in this Plan. Such implementation is contingent upon availability of resources and is
subject to change.
EPA Publication Number: 903B22001
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Contents
Preface 6
EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator's Statement on Climate Change Adaptation 8
Acknowledgements 9
CHAPTER 1: Introduction 10
CHAPTER 2: Regional Programmatic Vulnerability Assessment 14
Background 14
Regional Description 14
Climate Trends 15
Temperature 15
Precipitation 15
Drought 15
Sea-Level Rise 15
Sectoral Impacts 16
Health Concerns 16
Natural Systems 16
Coastal Systems 17
Agriculture 17
Urban Environments 17
Reducing Risks 17
Selected Programmatic Climate Change Vulnerabilities 18
Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities 18
Increased tropospheric ozone 18
Altered effects on the stratospheric ozone layer 18
Air Quality affected by changes in the frequency or intensity of wildfires 19
Increased exposure to indoor air problems 19
Impacts to energy production and efficiency 20
Extreme weather events may impact air monitoring systems 21
Interactions of sulfur, nitrogen, and mercury deposition within ecosystems 21
Other Impacts 21
Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities 21
Water and energy infrastructure 21
Water quality impacts from climate change 22
Flooding from increasingly frequent intense storm events and sea-level rise 23
Changes to aquatic ecosystems and the composition and distribution of species 24
Robust science and data to support decision-making 25
Safeguard and Revitalize Communities 25
Restoring and Preserving Land 25
Sustainable Materials Management 26
Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment 27
Use of Toxic chemicals 27
Storage of Toxic Chemicals 27
Exposure to Toxic Chemicals from Demolition/Renovation Activities: 27
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Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance 27
EPA Region III Managed Facilities and Operations 28
Philadelphia Office located at 4 Penn Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 29
Environmental Science Center (ESC) located at 701 Mapes Road, Fort Meade, Maryland 29
Wheeling Field Office located at 1060 Chapline Street, Wheeling, West Virginia 29
Chesapeake Bay Program Office located at 1750 Forest Drive, Annapolis, Maryland 30
CHAPTER 3: Priority Actions 31
Priority Actions: Fiscal Year 2022 35
1. Deploy the EPA Region III Climate National Priorities List (NPL) Flooding and Vulnerability Tool 35
2. Support climate resilient infrastructure 37
3. Build and maintain coastal climate resiliency through Blue Carbon resources 39
4. Engage Region III Tribes in a meaningful dialogue on climate change adaptation and resilience 40
5. Implement the Chesapeake Bay Program Climate Directive 41
Priority Actions: Fiscal Year 2023 43
6. Assess air monitoring vulnerability 43
7. Support Federal Facilities with resilience goals 44
8. Advance understanding and implementation of climate-resilient Best Management Practices (BMPs)...45
CHAPTER 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities 47
Air-related Programmatic Vulnerability Assessment 47
Opportunities for Climate Action 47
Community Engagement 47
Grants and other Financial Assistance 49
Within Air and Radiation Division 49
Air Quality and Adaptation 50
9. Engage with communities to address health impacts after adverse events 51
10. Engage climate vulnerable EJ communities 52
11. Review vulnerability of agency and regulated community facilities located in low-lying areas 53
CHAPTER 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities 54
Water Division 54
Chesapeake Bay Program Office 55
Water-related Programmatic Vulnerability Assessment 56
Existing Climate Work 57
Water and Energy Infrastructure 57
Water Quality Impacts from Climate Change 58
Flooding from Increasingly Frequent Intense Storm Events and Sea-Level Rise 58
Changes to Aquatic Ecosystems and the Composition and Distribution of Species 59
Opportunities for Climate Action 59
12. Focus protection and restoration actions to create and maintain resilient watersheds and ecosystems. 61
13. Develop EPA Region Ill-specific "Standard Climate Modules" for each Water Division work unit 63
14. Convene a "Watershed Partnerships Workshop" to address climate adaptation at the watershed scale.64
15. Update the Sea-level-rise Exploration and Assessment (SEA) decision support tool 66
16. Promote successful climate adaptation case studies in EPA's Adaptation Resource Center (ARC-X) tool.67
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17. Apply the Adaptation Design Tool to climate-smart permitting 68
18. Finalize the Region III Disaster Mitigation Implementation Strategy 69
CHAPTER 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities 70
Superfund and Emergency Management Division 70
Land, Chemicals, and Redevelopment Division 70
Opportunities for Climate Action 71
19. Consider climate vulnerabilities at Superfund sites 72
20. Engage Superfund communities on climate 74
21. Prioritize Long Term Stewardship (LTS) assessments for RCRA corrective action facilities located in
floodplains 75
22. Build climate adaptation into Brownfields grants 76
23. Apply Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) to agricultural practices 77
CHAPTER 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment 78
Opportunities for Climate Action 78
24. Incorporate climate considerations into Pollution Prevention (P2) Program grants 79
25. Protect honeybee pollinators using Integrated Pest Management 80
26. Evaluate the impact of unusual weather events on pesticide "spray drift." 81
CHAPTER 8: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance 82
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division & Office of Regional Counsel 82
Opportunities for Climate Action 83
Leveraging Targeting, Data and Tools to Integrate Adaptation 83
Incorporating Adaptation into Resolution of Enforcement Actions 84
27. Use EJ Screen as an enforcement inspection targeting tool 85
28. Increase use of technology to survey large areas to identify areas of focus 86
29. Prioritize inspections of facilities with potential climate adaptation and EJ impacts through the landfill
targeting initiative 87
30. Identify reasons for relocation of facilities 88
CHAPTER 9: Leveraging and Utilizing Science for Climate-resilient Decision Making 89
Applied Science 89
Collaboration to Maximize Knowledge Production 89
Opportunities for Climate Action 90
Summary of Key Actions: 92
CHAPTER 10: Developing Climate Leaders for Tomorrow 93
Education and Capacity Development 93
Recruiting and Sustaining Climate Leadership 95
External Engagement on Education and Capacity Building 95
31. Assess resources and curricula for capacity development 97
32. Develop a recruitment and retention strategy to build climate expertise and leadership in the EPA Region
III workforce 98
33. Build external capacity 99
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CHAPTER 11 Communication and Engagement Strategy 100
Working together 100
Listening to Vulnerable Communities 100
Top-down and Bottom-up Engagement 101
34. Develop and update a targeted outreach and engagement workplan 103
35. Create a toolkit of communication and engagement resources 104
CHAPTER 12: EPA Region III Managed Facilities & Operations 105
Out-Year Planning 106
Future Considerations 106
References 107
End Matter 110
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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
SEP 12 2022
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Preface
Climate change is threatening communities across the nation. Millions of Americans feel the
destructive effects of climate change each year when the power goes down, rivers and lakes
go dry, homes are destroyed by wildfires and communities are flooded by hurricanes.
Underserved communities are especially vulnerable to the climate crisis and are more likely
to experience the negative health and environmental effects of extreme weather events.
The Biden-Harris Administration is actively confronting the climate crisis while also
advancing environmental justice. As part of a whole-of-government approach, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency is strongly committed to taking the actions necessary to
protect human health and the environment and to increase the resilience of the entire nation,
even as the climate changes.
The EPA's commitment to action is reflected in its FY 2022-2024 Strategic Plan and in the
2021 Climate Adaptation Action Plan. Both documents present priority actions the agency
will take to ensure that its programs, policies and operations remain effective under future
climate conditions while we work to support states, territories, tribes and communities in
increasing their own adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change impacts.
From flooding at Superfund sites, to wildfires causing air pollution, to sea-level rise affecting
water quality and infrastructure, the EPA will boldly address climate impacts in both its
programs and the communities it serves. We recognize the importance of tribal, state and
local government partnerships in efficient, effective and equitable implementation of climate
change adaptation strategies. Our plans were informed and improved by input we received in
listening sessions we held to engage these and other partners as we developed these plans.
To ensure we are addressing the climate crisis in a comprehensive way, each of our national
program and regional offices has developed individual Climate Adaptation Implementation
Plans that outline how the EPA will attain the agencywide goals described in the broader
Climate Adaptation Action Plan. These plans describe how programs and regions will
integrate climate adaptation into their programs, partnerships and operations. They also
describe how they will help partners build their resilience and capacity to adapt, while
delivering co-benefits, including curbing greenhouse-gas emissions and other pollution, and
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promoting public health, economic growth and climate justice. Of course, the EPA has a
major role to play on emissions reductions as well, though that is not the focus of these plans.
Indeed, we must focus on both climate adaptation and mitigation to ensure our nation and
communities thrive in an era of climate change.
As part of this effort, we will empower our staff and partners by increasing awareness of how
climate change may affect our collective ability to implement effective and resilient
programs. We will also provide them with the necessary training, tools, data, information and
technical support to make informed decisions and integrate climate adaptation into our work.
The EPA will work to modernize its financial assistance programs to encourage climate-
resilient investments across the nation. We will also focus on ensuring that investments
funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act and other
government programs are resilient to the impacts of climate change. Finally, as our
knowledge advances and as impacts continue to develop, our response will likewise evolve.
We will work to share these developments to enhance the collective resilience of our nation.
The actions outlined in these implementation plans reflect the EPA's commitment to build
every community's capacity to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to and recover from the
increasingly destructive impacts of climate change. Together with our partners, we will work
to create a healthy and prosperous nation that is resilient to the ever-increasing impacts of
climate change which is vital to the EPA's goal of protecting human health and the
environment and to ensuring the long-term success of our nation.
Janet G. McCabe
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EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator's
Statement on Climate Change Adaptation
Like many of you, I recall learning about greenhouse gasses in elementary school - a time when shoveling
the driveway for snow was a common winter chore and flooding was as rare as an east coast earthquake.
Without a doubt, times have changed for us in the Mid-Atlantic Region, as it has for virtually every area
of our world.
Some of EPA's 10 regions are experiencing too little water, leading to utility shortages, crop failure, and
wildfires. Here in Region III, we have the opposite problem... too much water. Increases in extreme
precipitation events can cause flooding that leads to destruction of property, devastation of livelihoods,
and loss of life.
Recent news reports from the last year tell the tale: destructive floods in West Virginia and Philadelphia;
tornados in suburban Maryland; saltwater intrusion contaminating drinking water throughout Delmarva;
shifts in temperatures, rainfall, pests, and diseases affecting crop yields in Pennsylvania; temperatures in
our cities making summer days not just unbearable, but unsafe; sea level rise eroding Delaware beaches,
swallowing the Chesapeake's historic inhabited islands, and undermining the Navy's ability to conduct and
support operations in Virginia, the largest naval base in the world.
The climate we had been accustomed to is no longer a reliable guide for what to expect in the future. And
so, we are stepping up to do our part to minimize the causes and safeguard our people and environment
to its impacts, with a special emphasis on our most vulnerable communities.
This Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan serves as Region Ill's response to President Biden's
Executive Order 14008, "Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad." and Administrator Regan's
direction in EPA's National Climate Adaptation Action Plan. Our plan incorporates climate adaptation into
everything we do at EPA while at the same time working to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
The plan has five overarching goals that guide our actions: 1) supporting community infrastructure and
disaster resilience; 2) improving watershed and ecosystem health; 3) providing training and outreach; 4)
developing maps and tools; and 5) seeking innovation for program and decision support.
The plan describes over thirty adaptation actions under these goals including: ensuring municipal drinking
water and wastewater facilities can withstand climate impacts; understanding how Superfund clean-ups
along our coasts can adapt to more intense storm surges; promoting natural wetlands along rivers and
bays to protect from surges and store carbon; and working with our partners to protect the Chesapeake
Bay.
Above all, our plan is intended to be outcome and action oriented. We will track progress on the actions
described in this plan and work closely with our partners to increase climate resilience for all. We invite
you to join us in this effort, as we are all in this together.
Adam Ortiz
Regional Administrator
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Acknowledgements
This document was prepared by the EPA Region III Climate Collaborative and its members:
Climate Collaborative Steering Committee Members & Coordinators
Leslie Gillespie-Marthaler, Senior Career Official/Coordinator*
Matt Konfirst, Deputy Senior Career Official/Coordinator*
Cathy Magliocchetti, Deputy Senior Career Official/Coordinator*
Dave Campbell, Steering Committee*
Stacie Driscoll, Steering Committee
Mike Dunn, Steering Committee*
Cristina Fernandez, Steering Committee
Karen Melvin, Steering Committee
Laura Mohollen, Steering Committee*
Chad Nitsch, Steering Committee
Alison Riley, Coordinator*
Bo Williams, Coordinator*
Climate Collaborative Members
Emily Bertram
Alice Chow
Garth Connor
Katie Davis
Paul Entwistle
Carol Febbo
Megan Fitzgerald
Megan Goold
Kristen Hall*
Walter Higgins
Amy Johansen
Bill Jenkins*
Cathleen Kennedy*
Kathrina Konfirst
Paula Krall
Andrew Kreider*
Kelly Krock
Su Ly
Clinton McCrowey
Patti Kay Wisniewski
Kyle Zieba*
Andrew Taylor*
Lisa Trakis*
Virginia Vassalotti
Serena Nicols
Nathaniel O'Neal
Elizabeth Ottinger
Hunter Pates
Samantha Rachko
Brian Rehn
Aviva Reinfeld*
Maryanne Ruiz
Gail Scott
Kelly Shenk
Ken Virtue*
Donna Weiss*
Erin Willard*
*Denotes chapter lead
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CHAPTER 1: Introduction
Climate change is here. According to the U.S. Global Change Research Program, the Earth's
climate is warming faster than at any point in the history of modern civilization, primarily because
of emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases from fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and
land-use change. The impacts are on display every day across the nation: sea levels are rising,
intense storms are becoming more frequent and extreme temperatures are continuing to break
records. Each of these impacts has the potential to harm human health and the livelihoods of our
communities, as well as damage critical infrastructure and ecosystems that serve us across the
Mid-Atlantic region and the nation.
This document serves as the EPA Region III response to President Biden's Executive Order 14008,
"Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad." and EPA Administrator Regan's direction to
update regional Implementation Plans as stated in the EPA 2021 Climate Adaptation Action Plan.
This plan is intentionally designed to align with the EPA's Strategic Plan (FY2022-2026) to enhance
EPA Region Ill's ability to support these strategic goals, and to facilitate our ability to report on
progress related to those goals.
The EPA Region III Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan (CAIP) is intended to be a living
document that will be updated annually to demonstrate progress toward priority actions
designed to increase climate resilience across the region. This plan primarily focuses on
adaptation, which means taking actions to prepare for and adjust to both the current and
projected impacts of climate change.
However, EPA Region III is also engaged in
actions to address the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in its
climate mitigation efforts. These two
concepts go hand in hand in combating the
effects of climate change. As GHG
emissions are lowered, it is hoped that
efforts to reduce harmful impacts will be
lessened, but until we can achieve
significant global reductions in overall
atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), we must
plan, prepare, and act to reduce harmful
impacts that are already occurring at a
record pace.
This plan recognizes that not only are our
critical resources and natural ecosystems
vulnerable to the effects of climate change,
but certain populations and communities
can be especially vulnerable to climate
impacts. One of the principles guiding
Climate change adaptation or climate
adaptation means taking actions to prepare for
and adjust to both the current and projected
impacts of climate change.
Adaptive capacity is the ability of a human or
natural system to adjust to climate change
(including climate variability and extremes) by
moderating potential damages, taking
advantage of opportunities, or coping with the
consequences.
Climate resilience can be generally defined as
the capacity of a system to maintain function in
the face of stresses imposed by climate change
and to adapt the system to be better prepared
for future climate impacts.
Climate change mitigation refers to actions
limiting the magnitude and rate of future
climate change by reducing greenhouse gas
emissions.
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EPA's efforts to integrate climate adaptation into its
everyday actions calls for adaptation plans that
prioritize people, places, and infrastructure that are
most vulnerable to adverse climate impacts.
Vulnerable Populations
Children, the elderly, minorities, the
poor, persons with underlying medical
conditions and disabilities, those with
limited access to information, and tribal
and indigenous peoples.
In late 2021, following President Biden's Executive
Orders on climate change and environmental
justice, and under the leadership of our Regional
Administrator, EPA Region III began an analysis of
available data to identify high-priority environmental justice areas of concern, some of the most
environmentally overburdened communities in the Mid-Atlantic. As we initiate a multimedia
effort to address existing injustices, we will work with these communities to help increase
adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change impacts using existing tools and resources.
These efforts will be supplemented through disaster support activities that aim to mitigate
impacts from extreme weather events (e.g., Superstorm Sandy) using a community-driven
solutions approach.
Effective climate adaptation will be designed and implemented with meaningful involvement
from all parts of society. This is what we mean by climate justice. As such, this plan has been
shared publicly and has undergone a deliberate coordination and outreach effort to ensure that
it incorporates meaningful involvement from all parts of society. As this plan is implemented, EPA
Tribal Treaty and Reserved Rights
Under the Constitution, treaties with tribal nations are part of the supreme law of the land.
They establish unique sets of rights, benefits and conditions for the treaty-making tribes who
ceded millions of acres of their homelands to the United States. In return, tribal nations
received recognition of property rights in land and resources as well as federal
protections. Tribal treaty rights have the same legal force and effect as federal statutes, and
they should be integrated into and given the fullest consideration throughout EPA's collective
work. Reserved rights are the rights tribes retain that were not expressly granted to the United
States by tribes in treaties. Treaty and reserved rights, including but not limited to the rights to
hunt, fish and gather, may be found both on and off reservation lands. Agencies should
consider treaty and reserved rights in developing and implementing climate adaption plans to
protect these rights and ensure the Agencies meet their legal and statutory obligations and
other mission priorities as we work to combat the climate crisis.
In September 2021, EPA joined 16 other federal agencies in signing a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) that committed those parties to identifying and protecting tribal treaty
rights early in the decision-making and regulatory processes. Accordingly, EPA will consider and
protect treaty and reserved rights in developing and implementing climate adaptation plans
through strengthened consultation, additional staff training and annual reporting
requirements.
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Region III will identify, engage with, and
assist the populations and communities
most vulnerable to the impacts of climate
change.
EPA Region III and its partners are uniquely
positioned to take effective climate action
through the framework that we already
employ to achieve our respective missions:
promote, incentivize, and enforce.
Promotion includes a vast array of voluntary
initiatives already exemplified through
partnerships across the region.
Incentivization utilizes our collective
resources through both existing and new
funding streams such as the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Public Law
117-58. also known as the "Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law") and applying climate
resilience criteria to those funding resources
along with technical assistance to enable
and implement climate-smart practices.
Enforcement involves updating our policies,
regulations, and guidance over time to
ensure these practices are followed. These
approaches are supported by identification
of data needs and opportunities for
collaboration and coordination with
partners as well as efforts to support science
and research.
In the chapters that follow, the plan
identifies key programmatic vulnerabilities
(see Chapter 2) and actions that will be taken
to address the impacts of climate change
over time. Priority actions are those that will
be elevated for tracking by EPA's Office of
Policy and are identified in Chapter 3. Additional actions have been identified by lead programs
and are described in Chapters 4-8. Each of the actions outlined in this plan generally falls under
one of the five overarching goals established by EPA Region III as illustrated below.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA,
or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law [BIL]) is a historic
investment in the water infrastructure
improvements, pollution cleanup initiatives, and
workforce opportunities necessary to transform
communities around the country. Much of the
federal assistance provided through IIJA will scale
up EPA's existing grant and loan programs, such as
the State Revolving Fund Programs and
Brownfields Grants. It will also be delivered
through the creation of new low-interest financing
programs, primarily for tribes and rural or
disadvantaged communities. With this significant
influx of capital from IIJA, it will be more important
than ever for EPA - and our state, tribal, and local
partners - to invest in resilient infrastructure
projects that withstand climate change for
decades to come.
EPA Region III will take steps to ensure the
outcomes of infrastructure investments using IIJA
funds are resilient to the impacts of climate
change. EPA Region III will explore opportunities
to integrate climate change considerations into its
financial assistance programs in order to expand
support for projects that increase climate
resilience while delivering co-benefits for public
health, the mitigation of greenhouse gases, and
the reduction of other pollution. EPA Region III will
also provide technical assistance to recipients of
IIJA funds to help them make climate smart
infrastructure investments.
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Training and Outreach
Develop internal capacity an
incorporate training and edu
climate change when engagi
communities and partners
Community Infrastructure and
Disaster Resilience
Build climate resilience and
support disaster mitigation in
infrastructure and facilities
projects wherever possible
Watershed/Ecosystem
Health
Build partnerships and
take a systems approach
to climate adaptation in
programs and actions
Program Integration and
Decision Support
Mapping and Tools
Support development of
datasets and tools needed to
better characterize climate
impacts on programs and
Support pilot projects and
innovative approaches to
integrate climate and
environmental justice into
our work.
projects
Figure 1.1 EPA Region III Climate Adaptation Overarching Goals.
In addition to specific actions that address the impacts of climate change, the plan lays out EPA
Region Ill's strategies to:
Integrate science into the foundation of our efforts to combat climate change (see
Develop internal climate leaders of tomorrow through training and education (see
Chapter 10)
Engage with our partners to leverage collective efforts and share knowledge (see
Chapter 11)
Above all, this plan is intended to be outcome- and action-oriented. EPA Region III will track our
progress on priority actions and monitor our ability to work with partners to achieve desired end
states. The plan itself and actions contained within will evolve over time to ensure that we focus
the Region's resources where needed and that we deliver on our commitment to increase climate
resilience for all as an integral part of our mission to protect human health and the environment
in EPA Region III.
Chapter 9)
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CHAPTER 2: Regional Programmatic Vulnerability Assessment
Background
The following is an assessment of the vulnerabilities of selected EPA Region III programs with
respect to the impacts of climate change. It builds upon the work presented in Section 4 of EPA's
2021 Climate Adaptation Action Plan, as well as individual Climate Adaptation Implementation
Plans developed by EPA National Program Offices, (e.g., Office of Air and Radiation, Office of
Water, etc.), and it summarizes vulnerabilities related to the seven goals in EPA's FY 2022-2026
Strategic Plan as they relate to Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis.
This vulnerability assessment also builds upon a previous assessment developed by EPA Region
III in 2014. It has been updated for the current Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan to reflect
advances in peer-reviewed science (climate impacts) and the professional judgment of regional
staff (programmatic impacts). Vulnerability assessment is an ongoing process. This plan will be
executed as a living document that will be updated as needed to account for new knowledge,
data, and scientific evidence about the impacts of climate change on EPA's mission.
Climate trends in EPA Region III (see Climate Trends) will have impacts on specific sectors (see
Sectoral Impacts) and EPA programs (see Selected Programmatic Climate Change Vulnerabilities).
Significant climate change impacts that pose a threat to EPA Region III include:
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Increasing tropospheric ozone
pollution
Effects on stratospheric ozone layer
Increasing extreme temperatures
Increasing frequency and intensity of
wildfires
Increasing water temperatures
A
I
~
ipH
Increasing risk of floods
More frequent precipitation extremes
(heavy precipitation events/droughts)
Increasing intensity of hurricanes
Sea-level rise
Ocean acidification
Figure 2.1- Significant climate change impacts in EPA Region III.
Regional Description
EPA Region III, EPA's Mid-Atlantic region, serves Delaware (DE), the District of Columbia (DC),
Maryland (MD), Pennsylvania (PA), Virginia (VA), and West Virginia (WV). The Region is unique in
that it straddles two different climate regions, as defined by the U.S. Global Change Research
Program (USGCRP)1 - the Northeast (DE, DC, MD, PA and WV) and the Southeast (VA). As a result,
EPA Region III is characterized by a varied climate, which includes snowy winters, vibrant
autumns, and extreme events (such as nor'easters and heat waves) characteristic of the
Northeast, and mild temperatures and high humidity characteristic of the Southeast.
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Additionally, the western portions of EPA Region III (sections of western PA and WV) can exhibit
climate characteristics similar to USGCRP's Midwest region.
EPA Region Ill's geography spans a range of landform types, from the Appalachian Mountains
through the Piedmont Plateau down to coastal areas, that include tidal rivers, estuaries and
barrier islands. The Chesapeake Bay Watershed and the Delaware River Basin include a significant
portion of the Region's rivers, coastline and population centers, including large urban areas like
Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., which are home to sensitive populations and
communities that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of a changing climate. Outside of
urban areas there are streams, wetlands, uplands, and forests with ecological conditions that
range from pristine to degraded. Agricultural, industrial, and residential sectors within the region
use and impact natural resources within these disparate ecosystems, so climate change can have
tangible effects on people's lives and livelihoods.
Certain populations including children, the elderly, minorities, the poor, persons with underlying
medical conditions and disabilities, those with limited access to information, and tribal and
indigenous populations can be especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Also,
certain communities - whether defined by geographic location or other common characteristics
- are particularly vulnerable, such as those located in low-lying coastal areas. This plan will seek
to address vulnerabilities described below in order to increase the climate resiliency of people,
places, ecosystems, and infrastructure that are most vulnerable to adverse climate impacts.
Climate Trends
The following is a summary of the range of climate trends and sectoral impacts that are described
for EPA Region III from USGCRP's State Climate Summaries" and the Fourth National Climate
Assessment1".
Temperature- In EPA Region III, average annual temperatures have increased by 1-2ฐF over the
past century (slightly less than 1ฐF in WV, approximately 1.5ฐF in VA, more than 1.5ฐF in MD and
DC, approximately 2ฐF in PA, and more than 2ฐF in DE). Historically unprecedented warming is
projected across the region by the end of the 21st century. The number and intensity of extreme
heat events are projected to increase, while extreme cold waves are projected to be less
frequent.
Precipitation - In West Virginia, both total annual precipitation and the number of extreme
precipitation events have been above average in the 21st century. Pennsylvania has also
experienced a large increase in heavy rain events. Across EPA Region III, winter and spring
precipitation amounts are projected to increase, as well as the number and intensity of extreme
precipitation events, posing an increased risk of flooding.
Drought - Drought is a periodically occurring natural phenomenon across much of the region.
Higher temperatures are projected to increase the rate of soil moisture loss during dry spells,
resulting in more intense naturally occurring droughts in the future and adverse effects on
agriculture.
Sea-LeveiRise - Global sea level has risen by about 8 inches since 1880 and is projected to rise
another 1 to 4 feet by 2100. Sea-level rise along the EPA Region III coastline has been much higher
than the global rate. For example, the coast of Delaware has seen sea-level rise at a rate of more
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than one foot per century. Sea-level rise will increase the frequency, extent, and severity of
coastal flooding, with the potential for significant environmental and economic impacts,
including shoreline erosion and damage to property and infrastructure.
Sectoral Impacts
Health Concerns - Changing climate threatens the health and well-being of people in the
Northeast through more extreme weather, warmer temperatures, degradation of air and water
quality, and sea-level rise. These environmental changes are expected to lead to health-related
impacts and costs, including additional deaths, emergency room visits and hospitalizations, and
a lower quality of life. Health impacts are expected to vary by location, age, current health, and
other characteristics of individuals and communities.
Rural communities are integral to the Southeast's cultural heritage and to the strong agricultural
and forest products industries across the region. More frequent extreme heat episodes and
changing seasonal climates are projected to increase exposure-linked health impacts and
economic vulnerabilities in the agricultural, timber, and manufacturing sectors. By the end of the
century, over 500 million labor hours could be lost from extreme heat-related impacts. Such
changes would negatively impact the region's labor-intensive agricultural industry and
compound existing social stresses in rural areas related to limited local community capabilities
and associated with rural demography, occupations, earnings, literacy, and poverty incidence.
Reduction of existing stresses on these communities is expected to increase their resilience.
Urban population centers in proximity to local water bodies face a host of impacts. More frequent
and intense precipitation events that result in flooding may lead to an increase in adverse indoor
air quality - and associated health impacts - from mold and mildew. Sea-level rise in more
populated areas will impact the residential, commercial and industrial sectors whose homes,
businesses and facilities lie alongside rivers and streams, leading not only to economic disruption
but to contamination of drinking water, indoor air quality degradation and other health impacts.
The increase in ground-level air pollution and the heat island effect will exacerbate the health
challenges faced by populations already struggling with asthma and related respiratory diseases.
Natural Systems -The seasonality of the Northeast is central to the region's sense of place and is
an important driver of rural economies. Less distinct seasons with milder winters and earlier
spring conditions combined with more frequent flooding events are already altering ecosystems
and environments in ways that adversely impact tourism, farming, forestry, biodiversity, and
culturally important landscapes. The region's rural industries and livelihoods are at risk from
further changes to forests, wildlife, snowpack, and streamflow.
The Southeast's diverse natural systems, which provide many benefits to society, will be
transformed by climate change. Changing winter temperature extremes, wildfire patterns, sea
levels, hurricanes, floods, droughts, and warming ocean temperatures are expected to
redistribute species and greatly modify ecosystems. As a result, the ecological resources that
people depend on for livelihood, protection, and well-being are increasingly at risk, and future
generations can expect to experience and interact with natural systems that are much different
than those that we see today, including through changes to the distribution of medicinal and
culturally important plants.
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Coastal Systems - The Northeast's coast and ocean support commerce, tourism, and recreation
that are important to the region's economy and way of life. Warmer ocean temperatures, sea-
level rise, and ocean acidification threaten these services. The adaptive capacity of marine
ecosystems and coastal communities will influence ecological and socioeconomic outcomes as
climate risks increase.
The Southeast's coastal plain and inland low-lying regions support a rapidly growing population,
a tourism economy, critical industries, and important cultural resources that are highly
vulnerable to climate change impacts. The combined effects of changing extreme rainfall events
and sea-level rise are already increasing flood frequencies, which impacts property values and
infrastructure viability, particularly in coastal cities. Without significant adaptation measures,
these regions are projected to experience daily high tide flooding by the end of the century.
Agriculture- Climate change threatens agricultural productivity through changes in temperature
and precipitation patterns, increased pest and disease pressures, decline in pollinator health,
reduced crop and forage quantity and quality, and infrastructure damage. Agricultural
productivity is additionally threatened by impacts to water supply and increased frequency and
intensity of extreme weather events, which can cause increased soil erosion and threats to soil
health.
Climate change is projected to impact crop production by reducing both quantity and quality of
yields, altering optimal growing season periods, and increasing likelihood of crop failure and
damage. Similarly, livestock production will be impacted by reducing the quantity and quality of
pasture and forage, lowering the yield of feed grain, affecting livestock health, and fostering the
spread and resilience of pathogens and parasites that affect livestock development. These
impacts on food production impact farmers and ranchers and the communities they serve.IV
Urban Environments - Urban residents face disproportionate exposure to cumulative risks, lack
of open and green space, inadequate access to transportation, as well as high rates of asthma
and childhood lead poisoning. The Northeast's urban centers and their interconnections are
regional and national hubs for cultural and economic activity. Major negative impacts on critical
infrastructure, urban economies, and nationally significant historic sites are already occurring
and will become more common with a changing climate.
Many southeastern cities are particularly vulnerable to climate change compared to cities in
other regions, with expected impacts to infrastructure and human health. The vibrancy and
viability of these metropolitan areas, including the people and critical regional resources located
in them, are increasingly at risk due to heat, flooding, and vector-borne disease brought about
by a changing climate. Many of these urban areas are rapidly growing and offer opportunities to
adopt effective adaptation efforts to prevent future negative impacts of climate change.
Reducing Risks- Many communities are proactively planning and implementing actions to reduce
risks posed by climate change. Using decision support tools to develop and apply adaptation
strategies informs both the value of adopting solutions and the remaining challenges. Experience
gained through project implementation provides a foundation to advance future adaptation
efforts. Furthermore, today's emissions choices could generate starkly different climate futures
by mid-century and beyond; the higher the emissions today, the greater the climatic changes and
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resulting impacts tomorrow. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions now reduces the need for
climate adaptation measures in the future.
Selected Programmatic Climate Change Vulnerabilities
The following section discusses how EPA Region III environmental and human health programs
may be vulnerable when faced with the impacts of a changing climate. This selection of
programmatic vulnerabilities will be described in the context of the major goals in EPA's 2022-
2026 Strategic Plan. The issues described here do not reflect a complete listing of vulnerabilities
to EPA programs. EPA Region III, working with other EPA offices and regional stakeholders, will
periodically update the information and scope of the programmatic vulnerability assessment.
Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
Increased tropospheric ozone
The Mid-Atlantic Region currently has three nonattainment areas for the 2015 ozone standard,
affecting more than 12 million residents. Climate change, higher temperatures and weaker air
circulation in the United States will lead to more ozone formation, even if emissions of ozone-
forming chemicals stay constant/ Recent research indicates that climate change could result in
modeled increases in ozone concentrations of up to 2-4 ppb by 2050 and 5-8 ppb by 2095,
relative to the historical periods/1 In addition to the direct impact of temperature change on
ozone formation, an increase in energy demand due to higher average temperatures may also
lead to a worsening of air quality. Sources within or upwind of the region may be required to
implement additional control measures.
In terms of regional resources, greater collaboration with our states will be necessary on planning
and rule development to address any additional challenges in achieving or maintaining
attainment. All three nonattainment areas in the Mid-Atlantic Region are urban areas with
sensitive populations: Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Baltimore. Higher nighttime
temperatures projected in urban areas, as a consequence of both climate change and enhanced
effects from urban heat islands, will likely exacerbate the health impacts from ozone pollution
on urban populations/"
Climate change also has the potential to increase the length of the ozone season/1" Currently,
the ozone season runs from April through October. During this period, daily ozone levels are
recorded and reviewed. An increase in the length of the ozone season would require a longer
reporting period, translating to more time spent for data reviews in the Region. Changes in
weather patterns that cause inversions may also play a role in increasing the number of ozone
days. Although ozone is most likely to reach unhealthy levels on hot sunny days in urban
environments, it can still reach high levels during colder months. Ozone can also be transported
long distances by wind, so even rural areas can experience high ozone levels.
Altered effects on the stratospheric ozone layer
Climate change will likely have effects on the stratospheric ozone layer; however, the interactions
between the changing climate and ozone layer are complex. Climate change affects the ozone
layer through changes in chemical transport, atmospheric composition and temperature. In turn,
changes in stratospheric ozone can have implications for weather and climate in the troposphere.
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Climate change may exacerbate the health effects of ozone layer damage at some latitudes and
mitigate them at others.1"
In order to build adaptive capacity with respect to this vulnerability, EPA Region III may need to
heighten public awareness of the health risks of ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, through
existing EPA partnership programs such as SunWiseฎ. Climate change may also lead to an
increase in the use of cooling devices, such as air conditioners, which contain ozone depleting
substances (ODSs) or ODS substitutes. As a result, EPA Region III may need to make changes to
its current efforts to promote programs such as GreenChillฎ and Responsible Appliance Disposal
in the Mid-Atlantic.
Air Quality affected by changes in the frequency or intensity of wildfires
In the Mid-Atlantic region, there is currently one moderate nonattainment area for the 2012
Particulate Matter (PM)2.5 standard in Allegheny County, PA. While the impact of climate change
on ambient PM2.5 levels remains somewhat uncertain, there is evidence indicating that climate
change will impact PM levels through changes in the frequency or intensity of wildfires."
For example, in 2008, monitors in the Norfolk area of Virginia experienced 24-hour PM2.5 levels
four times (83 ug/m3) the standard due to wildfires in North Carolina. While these fires were not
necessarily caused by climate change, this example portrays the impact of fires on PM levels in
the Region and is indicative of the potential health and environmental concerns.
In 2021, the National Interagency Fire Center's (NIFC) reported a total of 58,733 wildfires across
the country that had burned more than 7.13 million acres, including a series of devastating fires
in California over the summer. Altogether, damage from the 2021 Western fires was estimated
at $10.6 billion.
Ozone, too, has the potential to increase as a result of wildfire smoke. For example, one study of
a fire that occurred in 2015 connected the event with ozone exceedances in Maryland/1
In addition, windblown dust from areas affected by drought can diminish air quality. During the
winter months, climate change increases the frequency of temperature inversions, which can
trap particulate matter, leading to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exceedances.
Increased exposure to indoor air problems
Existing indoor environmental problems may worsen, and new ones may be introduced, as
climate change alters the frequency and severity of adverse outdoor conditions/"
Extreme temperatures will very likely increase, and heavy precipitation events will likely increase
as a result of climate change"1", which, along with increased dampness, moisture, and flooding
affecting homes and occupied buildings may contribute to indoor environmental problems across
the Mid-Atlantic.XIV
Frequent breakdowns in a building's protective envelope, as a result of extreme weather
conditions, may lead to water infiltration into indoor space, increased dampness, and, in turn,
increased exposure to mold and other biological contaminants.xv In addition, much of the housing
stock in urban areas in the Mid-Atlantic region is older than many peer cities, with cities like
Philadelphia where more than half of all dwellings were built before 1950.XVI Older homes are
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prone to mold and mildew issues, and often lack modern climate control systems to help
residents cope with both extreme heat and poor indoor air quality.
Residents may weatherize buildings to increase comfort and save energy. Although in general
these actions should be encouraged, this may lead to a reduction in ventilation and an increase
in indoor environmental pollutants unless measures are taken to preserve or improve indoor air
quality.1 EPA has developed practical guidance for improving or maintaining indoor
environmental quality during home energy upgrades or remodeling in single-family homes and
schools. EPA's guidance and protocols may need to be revised to include state and local
considerations for projected climatic changes. In addition, these programs may need to increase
partnerships with other agencies to address training needs and workforce development for
building owners, managers, and others, as well as develop new tracking mechanisms to assess
the effectiveness of weatherization and remodeling techniques as they relate to indoor
environmental quality.
Changes in the emergence, evolution, and geographic ranges of pests, infectious agents, and
disease vectors may lead to shifting patterns of indoor exposure to pesticides as occupants and
building owners respond to new infestations."
Changes in the climate can also worsen the quality of the air outdoors which infiltrates into
indoor environments. Rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels and warmer temperatures can increase
outdoor airborne allergens which can infiltrate indoor spaces. Warmer temperatures and shifting
weather patterns can lead to more frequent and severe wildfires. Smoke and other particle
pollution generated outdoors, including from wildfire events and dust storms, can infiltrate into
indoor environments and contribute to levels of indoor particulate matter.
The Mid-Atlantic region includes several large urban areas, which are very likely to see increases
in the risk of illness and death related to extreme heat and heat waves. For example, in the 1900s,
Philadelphia averaged four days per year with temperatures above 95ฐF, but by the end of the
century that number could climb to more than 50 days per year.xlx The elderly and those with
existing health problems are particularly vulnerable.xx Increased frequency of extreme weather
events may result in power outages, leading to increased exposure to potentially dangerous
indoor conditions/"1
EPA Region III may need to build its adaptive capacity to these increasing and changing health
risks through its indoor air quality programs, resources, and public outreach and assistance.
Partnerships between EPA Region III and stakeholders, such as state/local governments, non-
profits, etc., will need to be strengthened in order to inform affected populations about adaption
options related to higher temperatures. Strengthening ties between the Region's energy
efficiency and indoor air quality programs will be necessary to address the relationship between
building ventilation during efficiency retrofits and potential indoor air problems that may result.
Impacts to energy production and efficiency
Rising temperatures are expected to increase energy requirements for cooling and decrease
energy requirements for heating. The former will result in significant increases in electricity use
and higher peak demand. The electricity grid itself is also vulnerable to the effects of climate
change, such as extreme weather events and peak demand increases resulting from rising
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temperatures, which could cause interruptions in the electric power supply.xx" Current models
indicate that heat events are likely to intensify peak load on American electrical grids, including
the PJM Interconnection, which services all six states in EPA Region 111 .XXI" The Mid-Atlantic's
urban areas and sensitive populations, such as the elderly, are particularly vulnerable to power
interruptions during extreme weather events like heat waves.
Extreme weather events may impact air monitoring systems
Extreme weather events, including severe winds, flooding and lightning, could cause damage to
the ambient air and RADNET monitoring systems in EPA Region III. Loss of data if monitors are
physically inaccessible for long periods of time is also a concern. The Region will need to continue
to devote resources to ensuring that monitors can be safely accessed and operated. Changes in
meteorology (i.e., increasing temperatures, changes in circulation, inversions) could alter where
maximum concentrations occur, thereby affecting air monitoring network adequacy and EPA's
ability to effectively model future air quality and provide useful information to the public. As the
climate becomes less predictable and more dynamic, EPA's capacity to manage these worsening
endpoints will degrade as the likelihood of extreme events increases and predictions become
more difficult.
Interactions of sulfur, nitrogen, and mercury deposition within ecosystems
While there is limited scientific evidence on this topic, additional research is underway to better
understand how patterns in the atmospheric deposition of sulfur, nitrogen, and mercury with
projected changes in the climate and carbon cycle will affect ecosystem growth, species changes,
surface water chemistry, and mercury methylation and bioaccumulation.xxlv The potential
impacts could have consequences for the effectiveness of ecosystem protection from Agency
emissions reduction programs.
Other Impacts
Modeling uncertainty means that it may be difficult if not impossible to anticipate the evolving
needs of environmental justice and other vulnerable communities in our region. There will likely
be economic impacts on residents and businesses that we cannot currently foresee. EPA will need
to develop its own internal capacity, flexibility, and resiliency, to foster more resilient
communities.
Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Wa ter and energy infrastructure
Deteriorating water infrastructure compounds the climate risk faced by society. Extreme
precipitation events are projected to increase in a warming climate and may lead to more severe
floods and greater risk of infrastructure failure in some regions. Infrastructure design, operation,
financing principles, and regulatory standards typically do not account for a changing climate.
Current risk management does not typically consider the impact of compound extremes (co-
occurrence of multiple events) and the risk of cascading infrastructure failure.xxv
Interdependences across critical infrastructure sectors such as water, energy, transportation,
and telecommunication (and related climate security issues) can lead to cascading failures
during extreme weather and climate-related disruptions/
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Much of the infrastructure in the Northeast, including drainage and sewer systems, flood and
storm protection assets, transportation systems, and power supply, is nearing the end of its
planned life expectancy.XXVM In addition to aging infrastructure, many water systems in the
Northeast are also taxed due to population increases and competition among water needs for
agriculture, municipal use, recreation, and ecosystems. Extreme precipitation events may
exacerbate existing problems in many cities in the Northeast, especially overflows of combined
sewer systems. Drinking water and sewer infrastructure is expensive to build and maintain, and
climate change may present a new set of challenges for designing upgrades to the nation's
drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
Also, a significant fraction of the region's energy infrastructure is located near the densely
populated coasts and tide-influenced bays of the Northeast, from power plants to oil refineries,
to facilities that receive oil and gas deliveries. Rising sea levels are likely to lead to direct losses,
such as equipment damage from flooding or erosion, and indirect effects, such as the costs of
raising vulnerable assets to higher levels or building new facilities farther inland. Although nearly
70% of the Northeast coast has some physical ability to dynamically change, an estimated 88%
of the Northeast population lives on developed coastal landforms that have limited ability to
naturally adapt to sea-level rise.xxvl"
In order to make Northeast systems resilient to the kind of extreme climate-related disruptions
the region has experienced recentlyand the sort of disruptions projected for the futurewould
require significant new investments in infrastructure.XXIX
Water quality impacts from climate change
Projected increases in air temperature and altered precipitation patterns will have direct effects
on water quality, including changes to streamflow, water temperature, and saltwater intrusionxxx
as well as the response of nutrients, sediment, pathogens and cyanobacterial blooms.XXXI Impacts
to water quality are dependent on the interaction between climate-driven changes in the
waterbody, basin-specific water management practices and changes to land use. Climate-driven
changes include:
Changes in streamflow, including those caused by fluctuations in groundwater levels in
shallow aquifers, that impact the efficiency of pollution removal by microorganisms;
Saltwater intrusion to rivers and aquifers exacerbated by sea-level rise, storm surges,
and altered freshwater runoff in coastal areasxxx";
Increased heavy precipitation events that drive more frequent pollutant loading to
water bodiesxxxm;
Excessive runoff and soil erosion from agricultural cropland, which lead to field
production issues and downstream impacts on quality of water resources, including
eutrophication and hypoxia;
Increased risk of algal blooms due to the longer persistence of warm water
temperatures combined with episodic increases in nutrient loadingxxxlv;
Warmer air and water temperatures increasing the survival of waterborne
pathogens.xxxv
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A specific Mid-Atlantic water quality concern is saltwater intrusion in the Delaware River. The
Delaware River Basin covers over 13,500 square miles and includes a 330-mile-long river and bay
that drain portions of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Over 15 million people
rely on its water resources for potable, industrial, and agricultural use. Climate-driven changes
to air and water temperature, precipitation patterns and sea level can produce negative impacts
to water quality, including salinity changes in the river.
The Delaware River Basin Commission monitors the "salt line" location along the tidal Delaware
River as it fluctuates in response to changes in stream flows, which either dilute or concentrate
chlorides in the river. The salt line location plays an important role in the Delaware River Basin
water quality and drought management programs because brackish water moving upstream
from the Delaware Bay during low-flow and drought conditions increases sodium chloride
concentrations in public water supplies, presenting a public health concern.XXXVI As salt-laced
water moves upriver, it also increases corrosion control costs for surface water users, particularly
industry, and can raise the treatment costs for public water suppliers. Salinity levels also affect
aquatic living resources.
The normal location of the salt line is near the mouth of the Delaware Bay at river mile 67;
however, at times it shifts northward. During the summer months of 1999, the salt line moved
to river mile 88 and during the 1960's 'drought of record' the salt line reached its farthest
recorded upstream location at river mile 102, just 8 miles below important drinking water intakes
in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Sea-level rise creates the potential for more frequent and
persistent northward shifts in the salt line.
Flooding from increasingly frequent intense storm events and sea-level ris&""
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Poor, elderly, historically marginalized, recent immigrants, and linguistically or socially isolated
individuals as well as those populations with existing health disparities are more vulnerable to
precipitation events and flooding due to a limited ability to prepare for and cope with such
events.
Sea-level-rise rates in EPA Region III have also led to a doubling or tripling of high-tide flooding
events in some places, causing more persistent and frequent (so-called nuisance flooding)
impacts over the last few decades. When coupled with storm surges, sea level rise can pose
severe risks of flooding, with consequent physical and mental health impacts on coastal
populations.
In addition to property and infrastructure impacts, the facilities and cultural resources that
support coastal tourism and recreation (such as parking lots, pavilions, and boardwalks), as well
as cultural landscapes and historic structures and sites, will be at increased risk from high tide
flooding, storm surge, and long-term inundation. In some locations, these culturally and socially
important structures also support economic activity; for example, many fishing communities rely
on small docks and other shoreside infrastructure for their fishing operations, increasing the risk
of substantial disruption if they are lost to sea-level rise and increasing storm frequency.
Furthermore, preserving cultural landscapes and mitigating flood hazards to historic structures
and sites protects intangible expressions of culture, such as oral traditions, arts, behaviors,
ceremonies, practices, knowledge, and traditional techniques.
Changes to aquatic ecosystems and the composition and distribution of species
Aquatic ecosystems include nontidal rivers, streams and wetlands; marine environments; and
coastal wetlands. EPA Region III includes the entire Chesapeake Bay, which alone accounts for
11,684 miles of shoreline, a length longer than the entire West Coast of the United States.XXXIX
Nontidal rivers, streams and wetlands face a complex array of management challenges and
adaptation requirements due to climate change. Changes in precipitation rates and groundwater
dynamics will alter hydrology, and water chemistry and temperature will be altered due to
atmospheric changes. When combined, these will affect the biological communities within the
aquatic ecosystems. Compounding factors that need to be accounted for include changes in
terrestrial ecosystems and land cover - for example, the amount, composition, and connectivity
of upland forests, floodplains and riparian areas, which will affect the physical and biological
integrity of these waters.
Sea-level rise poses a complex array of management challenges and adaptation requirements
along the coast. For example, in the Chesapeake Bay relative sea level is projected to rise more
than a foot by mid-century and more than two feet by the end of century (under an intermediate-
low scenario)/1 Subsidence of the land produces sea-level-rise rates that are substantially higher
than the global average and among the highest rates in the US outside of Louisiana. The
combination of subsidence and sea-level rise threatens portions of cities, inhabited islands, tidal
wetlands, and other low-lying regions. Climate change also may affect the volume of the Bay,
salinity distribution and circulation, as will changes in precipitation and freshwater runoff. These
changes will affect seasonal oxygen depletion and efforts to reduce the agricultural nitrogen
runoff into water bodies.
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Warmer Chesapeake Bay waters will make survival difficult for northern species such as eelgrass
and soft clams, while allowing southern species and invasive species transported in ships' ballast
water to move in and change the mix of species that are caught and must be managed.
Additionally, more acidic waters resulting from rising carbon dioxide levels will make it difficult
for oysters to build their shells and will complicate the recovery of this key species.
Coastal wetlands often migrate landward, disappear, or change in type in response to sea-level
rise through accretion. Dense coastal development is often protected by shoreline armoring,
which prevents wetland migration and leads to loss of submerged wetlands. Submerged aquatic
vegetation (SAV) also protects shorelines from erosion, improves water quality, and provides
critical habitat for a variety of organisms. Their populations are susceptible to rising water
temperatures and water quality changes due to climate change. Coastal wetlands and SAV are
essential for providing storm surge buffers, preserving estuarine water quality as well as
supporting economically important fish and wildlife habitat. Preserving and restoring coastal
wetlands can absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which has a positive impact on
greenhouse gas emissions; wetland loss, by contrast, releases additional carbon into the
atmosphere.
Robust science and data to support decision-making
Water temperature, precipitation, and sea level are critical variables in almost everything the
Region does in the water program, from setting water quality standards, developing TMDLs, and
issuing NPDES permits to helping build drinking water and wastewater treatment infrastructure.
Having better data and information on how much and how fast water temperature will increase,
how extreme storms may be, and how high and fast sea level will rise will enable EPA Region III
to fulfill statutory and regulatory responsibilities. Developing consistent scientific methods and
robust datasets to support long-term policy decisions on climate change vulnerability
assessments and adaptation planning will help inform these decisions.
Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
Restoring and Preserving Land
Increased flooding and sea-level rise may increase the risk of contaminant releases from
vulnerable Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action sites, Superfund
sites, Brownfield sites, Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) sites, other contaminated sites,
and landfills. Flooding from more intense and frequent storms and extreme storm events could
affect the migration and management of contaminants. Sea-level rise can lead to inundation and
saltwater intrusion which may impact the performance of the remedies and cause the transport
of contaminants at sites in coastal areas. Contaminant migration could also occur after prolonged
power loss at cleanup sites with pump and treat systems dependent on grid electricity.
Impacts may be most severe for cleanup sites that are not yet completed; however, sites with
waste in place following a cleanup and permitted facilities that manage hazardous materials may
also be vulnerable. Sites with on-site containment or treatment remedies within the 100- or 500-
year floodplain of a surface water body and/or within the sea-level rise zone 1.5 meters above
high tide are of particular concern in EPA Region III. Sediment sites with in situ capping remedies
are vulnerable to flood regime changes and re-suspension and deposition of contaminated
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sediment. Flooding from storms and inundation due to sea-level rise could jeopardize land
revitalization efforts including renewable energy generation, greener cleanups, and ecological
revitalization projects, as well as other site reuse or redevelopment plans at Brownfield sites and
completed Superfund Sites.
Increased ambient temperatures and extreme heat may impact the design and operation of
remediation systems. Cleanup sites with waste in place phytoremediation, or a vegetative cap
may be vulnerable in areas that experience drought or changing plant hardiness zones. Slowed
growth rates during heat waves could impact the success of the remedy or revitalization effort,
and excessive vegetation loss could lead to erosion. Coastal, stream, and mountain ridgetop
habitats are examples of ecosystems in EPA Region III that are vulnerable to increases in ambient
temperature.
As storm and flood events increase in frequency and severity, emergency responses to hazardous
materials release and oil spills may also increase. Financial constraints and response capacity for
Emergency Response staff and Response Support Corps are potential vulnerabilities in EPA
Region III. Existing emergency planning and chemical containment strategies at oil and chemical
facilities may not be sufficient. Current landfill capacity may also be insufficient to handle surges
in disposal of hazardous and municipal wastes generated from extreme storm events. Availability
of utilities and transportation infrastructure may be limited as a result of increased impacts to
those systems. Power loss and blocked roads can hamper emergency responses.
Potential impacts to permitted RCRA units may occur. Operations such as open burning may be
impacted by increased wind or precipitation, preventing scheduled burns from occurring.
Impacts on the delay in burning could increase the need for storage capacity (i.e., additional
permitted units). Facilities with permitted surface impoundments, who experience flooding
events, may be required to activate emergency ponds with extended use, creating potential
issues with land disposal regulations and volatile organics. Permitted RCRA piles might also
experience challenges with storage that lead to additional controls to maintain sufficient
management.
Surface impoundments, landfills, and piles covered under RCRA with coal combustion residuals
may also be affected by increased wind, flooding and sea-level rise.
Sustainable Materials Management
Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) includes food waste which composes about 24% of
the waste stream going to landfills/1' contributing to substantial greenhouse gas emissions in
addition to food insecurity (EJ). As a changing climate will impact agricultural production and
output, it will be even more important to prevent wasted food as farms adapt, and to better
divert wasted food from landfills. Similarly, other materials like plastics, metals and construction
and demolition waste will need to be more sustainably managed to adapt to increasing demands
and reducing supply. Disaster debris can also be better diverted from landfill disposal. Potential
vulnerabilities include:
Materials management infrastructure for organics (e.g., composting facilities) in
communities may not have been built to be resilient to new and increased risks caused
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by a changing climate, resulting in larger quantities of disaster debris during a climate
event.
Solid waste management infrastructure including material recycling facilities might be
vulnerable to climate related disruptions, which could affect the disposal or
management of waste and recyclable materials (resulting in an accumulation of
materials), as well as limiting inputs to products made with recycled material.
Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment
Use of Toxic chemicals
A changing climate will likely result in changes in the timing and location of planting crops, which
in turn affects the volume and timing of agricultural chemical use. This change in agricultural
chemical use could impact risk management decisions made by EPA Pesticides and Toxic
Substances Program, particularly with regard to the protection of migrant farm workers.
Changes in temperature and precipitation are expected to lead to increases in mosquitoes and
other pests controlled by regulated pesticides. An associated rise in cases of West Nile Virus and
other diseases carried by mosquitoes may lead to greater public demand for use of pesticides to
control these disease vectors. This may in turn affect the workload of the EPA Pesticides program.
Storage of Toxic Chemicals
Flooding from more frequent intense storms and extreme events could compromise chemical
containment strategies at oil facilities and toxic chemical and pesticide storage facilities. Facilities
located in coastal areas and/or within the 100- to 500-year floodplain of a surface water body
are of concern to EPA Region III. If these facilities do not properly manage the storage of these
chemicals and/or store them at higher elevations, the extreme weather events that are expected
as a result of climate change may result in the release of toxic chemicals into the environment,
including to surface waters via storm water discharges.
Exposure to Toxic Chemicals from Demolition/Renovation Activities:
The extreme weather events that are likely to occur as a result of climate change (e.g., high winds,
heavy precipitation events) may damage community infrastructure (e.g., schools and childcare
facilities) and residential homes. As a result, there may be an increased risk of exposure to lead,
asbestos, and PCBs if buildings are renovated or demolished as part of the recovery efforts.
Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance
EPA protects human health and the environment through vigorous and targeted civil and criminal
enforcement by conducting inspections and investigations to ensure compliance with
environmental laws and regulations. Climate change impacts the manner by which the Region
prioritizes enforcement initiatives. It may also impact how EPA allocates resources, and affect
the Region's ability to inspect, monitor and ensure compliance with environmental laws; this
includes the Region's enforcement powers to address climate vulnerabilities and foster
adaptation to changing climatic conditions. For instance, the Region's Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance Division (ECAD) has the opportunity to address climate change
vulnerabilities facing the region by making a concerted effort to incorporate adaptation as a part
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of settlement negotiations, mitigation projects, injunctive relief, in compliance discussions, or in
other enforcement-related contexts.
Climate change also creates vulnerabilities in the Region's ability to carry out its enforcement and
compliance duties, including:
The increase in intense weather events will lead to an increase in the Region's
involvement in disaster response and remediation. This diversion of staff and resources
may impact traditional enforcement efforts (as well as other EPA programs).
Extreme weather events and changes to weather patterns may also contribute to
pervasive non-compliance among the regulated community. Examples include an
increase in existing infrastructure failures including power outages due to storms or high
demand for cooling and heating, wastewater treatment plants experiencing an increase
in bypasses due to increased contributions to plants exceeding design capacity.
Climate change may affect environmental monitoring and sampling in various media
that informs the Region's compliance and enforcement work. Heavy precipitation
events, floods, severe winds, and tornados have the potential to damage environmental
monitoring equipment, and delay or prevent sampling by hindering access to sites. Sea-
level rise and coastal flooding may also impact EPA Region III and its partners' long-term
sampling locations and may require setting up new sampling sites. Environmental
sampling methods and strategies may be compromised and require modifications.
Climate change impacts may also introduce new chemicals that were not previously
monitored. This may affect the Region's ability to ensure compliance with
environmental requirements by regulated entities and take effective enforcement
action where there may be violations.
With an increase in natural disasters and extreme weather events, regulated parties
may attempt to invoke force majeure clauses more frequently than before. Force
majeure clauses may appear in enforcement agreements such as consent decrees (CD)
and can affect CD obligations or timeliness of injunctive relief when an extraordinary
event occurs. EPA will need to discuss with regulated entities how to account for and
meet obligations despite anticipated extreme weather events.
EPA Region III Managed Facilities and Operations
Threats from climate change include an increase in extreme temperatures, droughts, intensity of
precipitation and ground level ozone pollution, which will affect EPA Region III employees and
facilities.
As discussed in more detail in the subsection "Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities."
climate change may worsen and increase exposure to indoor air quality problems in our buildings
from dampness and mold, and expose occupants to different pests, infectious agents and disease
vectors, as well as any pesticides applied to address these infestations.
More frequent high-heat days could lead to an increase in heat-related illnesses for our
employees, especially older employees and workers doing field work who cannot reduce their
28
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exposure by limiting exertion and time outdoors due to mission requirements. Additionally, hot
summer days can worsen air pollution, especially in urban areas, and threaten the health of
vulnerable employees. This could increase absenteeism and/or reduce the productivity of our
staff.
The increase in frequency and intensity of heavy precipitation events described in the subsection
"Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities" is projected worsen in the future, leading to
more frequent flooding and impacts to our road and mass transit systems.
Climate change impacts, including increased severe weather, may also affect the Region's
Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) that describes efforts to prepare and react to issues
affecting the operation of our facilities. Unique or site-specific vulnerabilities are described
below.
Higher temperatures will likely cause an increase in electricity use and cost in our building to
power air conditioning. This increased use could contribute to stress on the power supply grid
resulting in brownouts, blackouts and the need to use backup power generators.
Philadelphia Office located at 4 Penn Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The EPA Region III Headquarters relocated to a new location at 4 Penn Center as of July 2022.
Approximately 93% of EPA Region Ill's Philadelphia workforce was using mass transit to commute
to work pre-pandemic, a trend that is expected to continue as the office is reoccupied post-
pandemic. Any disruption to the functioning of this system is a vulnerability that would impact
the ability for the workforce to commute to this location. Past examples include a shutdown of
mass transit in Philadelphia due to impacts from Hurricane Sandy.
EPA Regio
n III Philadelphia Federal Employee Mass Transit Participation
Calendar Year
Number of EPA
Philadelphia Gov
Employees
Number of EPA
Philadelphia Gov Mass
Transit Participants
Percentage of EPA
Philadelphia Gov Mass
Transit Participants
2019
628
585
93%
Table 2.1- EPA Region III Philadelphia federal employee mass transit participation prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic
in 2020.
Past periods of drought in the Delaware watershed have resulted in saltwater intrusion causing
concern for the Philadelphia drinking water supply intake on the tidal Delaware River north of
the city. Expected sea-level rise from climate change may exacerbate this vulnerability in the
future.
Environmental Science Center (ESC) located at 701 Ma pes Road, Fort Meade, Maryland
Vulnerability to flooding of the Environmental Science Building should not be an issue. The
building site has a very robust stormwater runoff system that directs rainwater falling on
approximately 70% of the site to a large capacity infiltration basin that can capture all the volume
produced by a two-year storm and almost all the volume of a ten-year storm before there would
be any discharge. However, localized flooding of area roads could still be an issue for the
approximately 160 employees who must commute to the laboratory to do their work and given
the nature of their work have little if any ability to perform their duties from alternate locations.
Wheeling Field Office located at1060 ChapHne Street, Wheeling, West Virginia
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Despite its current location, which is less than a quarter mile from the Ohio River with an
upstream drainage area of approximately 25,030 square miles, flooding of the Wheeling office is
not expected to be a problem. The office is more than fifty feet above the river level and has
never been impacted by historic flood events associated with hurricanes in the drainage area or
other severe weather. As discussed above, localized flooding of area roads could still be an issue
for the approximately 20 Wheeling office employees on their commute to work and for business
travel. As a less modern facility with aged mechanical infrastructure, the Wheeling Office would
be less resilient to dramatic changes in atmospheric temperatures.
Chesapeake Bay Program Office located at 1750 Forest Drive, Annapolis, Maryland
Our Chesapeake Bay Program Office is located in an office complex approximately three miles
from a watershed that contains over 150 major rivers and streams and drains approximately
64,000 square miles. Due to increased flood risk, the office was recently relocated to a site with
a higher elevation. A predicted increase in the intensity of hurricanes could impact the office due
to its proximity to the coast. As discussed in more detail in the subsection "Ensure Clean and Safe
Water for All Communities." sea-level rise is also a threat to this facility as it will compound the
effect of heavy precipitation, increase in flooding and storm surge.
30
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CHAPTER 3: Priority Actions
Chapter 2 examined climate vulnerabilities across Region III. The remainder of this plan is action-
oriented, focusing on programmatic and cross-programmatic activities that bolster climate
resilience in Region III environmental work.
Each action within this plan follows a consistent template that describes the action, including
metrics, challenges, and co-benefits, and clearly links the action to:
Climate impacts and threats identified in the vulnerability assessment (see Chapter 2)
Overarching priority goal(s)
Relevant Long-term Performance Goal(s) from EPA's Strategic Plan (FY2022-2026)
Activity timeframe (period over which the activity will be active)
Specific science needs, if any, required to do the work
Additional narrative will accompany each action template to provide greater detail when
necessary. This format will allow for consistent monitoring and tracking as progress is made. The
template is displayed below:
Action Title.
Climate Threat(s):
Overarching Goal(s):
Performance Goal(s):
m
~
HP II
m
~
Till
> 4
W VSP
PH.
LTPG 1
LTPG 2
LTPG 3
Activity Timeframe:
FY23
FY24
FY25
FY26
Climate Vulnerability
Action
| (Reference to pertinent topics covered in Chapter 2)
Description:
Metric(s):
Project Challenges:
Co-benefits:
Owner Email:
New Work?
Resources Available?
Science Needs
Sample Climate Adaptation Action Template
***HOVERING OVER ANY ICON IN THE DOCUMENT WILL REVEAL THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ICON FROM LEGENDS BELOW. ***
^
LEGEND for CLIMATE THREAT(S) (from Chapter 2 - Vulnerability Assessment): : Increasing tropospheric ozone pollution,
Effects on stratospheric ozone layer, ^ Increasing extreme temperatures, ^ Increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires,
31
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Increasina water temperatures, MH Increasina risk of floods.
Increasing water temperatures, Increasing risk of floods, More frequent precipitation extremes (heavy
_ ,ipH,
precipitation events/droughts), r Increasing intensity of hurricanes, ฆฆ Sea-level rise; ฆฆ Ocean acidification.
LEGEND for OVERARCHING GOAL(S): Community Infrastructure and Disaster Resilience, 1- Program Integration and
(tS) (*fi) /
Decision Support, Mapping and Tools, Watershed/Ecosystem Health, Training and Outreach.
LEGEND for PERFORMANCE GOAL(S): LTPG1 - By September 30, 2026, implement all priority actions in EPA's Climate
Adaptation Action Plan and the 20 National Program and Regional Climate Adaptation Implementation Plans to account for the
impacts of the changing climate on human health and the environment. LTPG 2- By September 30, 2026, assist at least 400
federally recognized Tribes to take action to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, or recover from the impacts of climate change.
LTPG 3- By September 30, 2026, assist at least 450 states, territories, local governments, and communities, especially
communities that are underserved and disproportionally at risk from climate change, to take action to anticipate, prepare for,
adapt to, or recover from the impacts of climate change.
EPA Region III also identified five overarching climate adaptation goals: 1) Community
Infrastructure & Disaster Resilience, 2) Program Integration & Decision Support, 3) Mapping &
Tools, 4) Watershed and Ecosystem Health, and 5) Training & Outreach. Each of the actions in
this plan address one or more of these goals, which are illustrated in Figure 3.1.
Training and Outreach
Develop internal capacity and
incorporate training and education on
climate change when engaging with
communities and partners
Watershed/Ecosystem
Health
Build partnerships and
take a systems approach
to climate adaptation in
programs and actions
Mapping and Tools
Support development of
datasets and tools needed to
better characterize climate
impacts on programs and
projects
Community Infrastructure and
Disaster Resilience
Build climate resilience and
support disaster mitigation in
infrastructure and facilities
projects wherever possible
Support pilot projects and
innovative approaches to
integrate climate and
environmental justice into
our work.
Figure 3.1 - Based on the actions developed for the EPA Region III Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan, five overarching
climate adaptation goals were identified. Each of the actions in this plan address one or more of these goals.
A subset of the actions developed for the plan have been selected as Priority Actions and are
included in this chapter. Priority Actions aim to address all five overarching goals and cover a
broad swath of programmatic and cross-programmatic actions. Priority Actions are not mutually
exclusive but support one another as displayed in Figure 3.2.
Actions that are not identified as Priority Actions, will reside in their respective chapters
throughout the plan and continue to be developed and monitored by the region as they move
32
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forward. As these actions mature in future planning years, they may also be added to the set of
Friority Actions in this chapter.
In subsequent annual updates of the plan, the Priority Actions for each fiscal year in this chapter
will be updated to demonstrate progress, discuss challenges, and identify any changes made to
priority actions since the prior year.
Fiscal Yea
Fiscal Yea
Finalize Region III Climate Implementation Plan.
Deploy the National Priorities List Flooding anc^MnerabjHty^bol^
[Assess air monitoring vulnerability!]
Support Federal Facilities with resilience goals;
[Support climate resilient infrastructure?
.Understand and implement climate-resilient BMPs?
S
Build and maintain coastal resiliency through blue carbon resources^
[Engage Region III tribes on climate change adaptation and resilience!
Implement the Chesapeake Bay Program Climate Directive^
Figure 3.2 - Depiction of the Priority Actions identified for fiscal year 2022 and 2023. Actions that will continue beyond fiscal
year 2023 are indicated by arro ws. Dark blue bars highlight some of the synergies between individual actions.
33
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Priority Action: Finalize Region III Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan
Finalizing the Region III Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan isoneofthe
Priority Actions for fiscal year 2022. It involved updating the 2014 climate
vulnerability assessment, developing actions and Priority Actions for fiscal
years 2022 and 2023, and coordinating across regions and national programs
to eliminate overlap of effort and identify synergies.
34
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Priority Actions: Fiscal Year 2022
Deploy the EPA Region III Climate National Priorities List (NPL) Flooding and Vulnerability
Tool.
[Pg
Climate Threat(s):
Overarching Goal(s):
En] SJ *
Performance Goal(s):
LTPG 1
LTPG 2
LTPG 3
Activity Timeframe:
FY24
FY25
FY26
Climate Vulnerability
| Storm surge, flooding, storm event impacts.
Action
Description:
Finalizeฆ, and deploy (including staff training) the newly developed joint
ORD and EPA climate change mapping tool. This tool can be used to
model and predict flood-related impacts on Superfund Sites for future
events and in real time to measure effects of a current storm.
Metric(s):
Deployment of training- track number of employees trained FY22
Development of a SOP for use FY22
Implementation of tool for standard use/ track number of times
utilized FY23/24
Project Challenges:
Completion of tool development; developing a training.
Co-benefits:
Allow for more resilient and adaptable remedies to be identified and
implemented; potential for more positive impacts to surrounding
communities in addressing climate vulnerabilities.
Owner Email:
Mohollen. Laura
(fpepa.aov;
Kennedv. Cathie
en(3>epa.aov
New Work? No
Resources Available? Yes
Science Needs
m m
^^ntinuec^R^mc^J^uppoi^
35
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Additional Narrative:
This tool has been developed as a joint project between EPA Region III and the Office of
Research and Development. The tool takes a systems-based, two-pronged approach to climate
and flood vulnerability assessment of Superfund National Priority List (NPL) sites and associated
communities. Inundation of hazardous waste sites has the potential to release toxics into
floodwater and transport contaminated soil and sediments into surrounding communities. A
majority of contaminated sites are near low-income housing with already overburdened
populations. However, flood vulnerability assessments typically focus on physical and
infrastructure impacts. This tool comprises 1) screening level metrics to characterize NPL sites
and community vulnerabilities, and 2) community scale information on distribution of
contaminants during flood events under multiple climate scenarios for the most vulnerable sites.
This flexible framework can be readily adopted to assess contaminated sites and community
vulnerabilities to climate, flood, and other natural hazards. The screening level assessment uses
GIS analysis to quantify metrics in three categories: flood, sediment, and environmental justice.
Metrics are then integrated into a community resilience planning tool with the option to weight
the metrics based on user priority needs. This tool provides managers and communities a means
to prepare for future extreme events and informs sites and communities most vulnerable for
further community scale assessment. A clear SOP for use, communications and training plan will
ensure the tool is implemented and utilized fully in the region.
36
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Support climate resilient infrastructure.
Climate Threat(s):
Overarching Goal(s):
M
in
m
HI
Performance Goal(s): |
LTPG 1
LTPG 2
LTPG 3
Activity Timeframe: |
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
FY26
Climate Vulnerability
Infrastructure design, operation, financing principles, and regulatory standards typically do not account
for a changing climate, and current risk management does not consider the impact of compound
extremes (co-occurrence of events) and the risk of cascading infrastructure failure.
Action
Description: Build climate resilience into water, wastewater and stormwater
infrastructure throughout EPA Region III by:
Providing technical assistance and training to water and
wastewater systems focused on capacity development, system
optimization, climate resilience and operator certification.
Providing climate tools to states, local governments and water
and wastewater systems to help mainstream adaptation and
mitigation and encourage investments in resilient infrastructure.
Collaborating with state SRF programs to promote and encourage
targeted outreach efforts toward financially distressed and
disadvantaged communities and those that may be
disproportionately impacted by climate change.
Encouraging states to prioritize funding and technical assistance
to disadvantaged communities that may be disproportionately
impacted by climate change.
Metric(s): Number of water and wastewater systems receiving technical
assistance and training, including capacity development, system
optimization, climate resilience and operator certification
Number of times we share climate tools to states, local governments
and water and wastewater systems to help mainstream adaptation
and mitigation and encourage investments in resilient infrastructure
Number of collaboration opportunities with states
Number of loans/dollar amounts in projects for disadvantaged
communities related to climate adaptation (starting in FY23)
Project Challenges:
Limited opportunities for hands-on efforts; ability to influence state
priorities; acceptance by systems or willingness to change
Co-benefits: Enhances resilience to allow better preparedness, quicker recovery and
addresses hazard mitigation by breaking the cycle of disaster damage,
reconstruction, and repeated damage; protects public health when water
facilities continue to operate.
Owner Email: Wisniewski.Patti-
Kay(S>epa.aov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? Yes
Science Needs
Science needs are not required to implement this project; however, it is likely that science needs could be
identified when collaborating with utilities or the states.
37
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Additional Narrative:
Climate Vulnerability
Deteriorating water infrastructure compounds the climate risk faced by society. Infrastructure
design, operation, financing principles, and regulatory standards typically do not account for a
changing climate, and current risk management does not consider the impact of compound
extremes (co-occurrence of events) and the risk of cascading infrastructure failure. Failure to build
resilience into water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure could impact public health by
the inability to provide clean water and safe drinking water services.
Description
Build climate resilience into water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure throughout EPA
Region III by:
Providing technical assistance and training to water and wastewater systems focused on
capacity development, system optimization, climate resilience and operator certification.
Providing climate tools to states, local governments and water and wastewater systems
to help mainstream adaptation and mitigation and encourage investments in resilient
infrastructure.
Collaborating with state SRF programs to promote and encourage targeted outreach
efforts toward financially distressed and disadvantaged communities and those
disproportionately impacted by climate change, leading to more climate resilient projects.
Encouraging states to prioritize funding and technical assistance to disadvantaged
communities disproportionately impacted by climate change.
Encouraging states to incorporate climate resilience criteria into their SRF priority ranking
systems (Note: Most of our states already do this).
Collaborating with states to focus historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) SRF funding
towards fostering water and wastewater system resilience to all hazards, including new
and emerging threats like cybersecurity.
Working with the states to utilize BIL funding to help water and wastewater agencies
reach GHG reduction targets, incorporate renewable energy generation, invest in carbon
sinks, and other projects that reduce the GHG footprint of the water industry.
Ensuring states are fully implementing the Flood plain Management Executive Order as it
applies to SRF projects.
Advising the states following disasters on the Emergency Use options under SRF and the
EPA/FEMA Disaster memo.
38
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Build and maintain coastal climate resiliency through Blue Carbon resources.
Climate Vulnerability
Communities are looking for solutions to build and maintain resilience to impacts like coastal and
inland flooding, sea-level rise, salt-water intrusion, and erosion, while also meeting other goals, such
as protecting and improving water quality and habitat for economically important living resources.
Wetlands, tidal marshes, and sea grass (SAV) are coastal "blue carbon" resources that represent
potential climate change adaptation, mitigation, and coastal resilience solutions for communities.
Action
Description: Through this Action, CBPO, LSASD, WD and ORD will identify and actively
engage with a community within the Chesapeake Bay watershed to:
Understand the coastal climate adaptation and resilience challenges
they face, and the information, science, and resources needed to
address them.
Identify, analyze, and implement solutions incorporating blue
carbon resources to address local challenges and related priorities.
Develop and transfer methods, approaches, data, or tools that can
be used by the community to monitor and sustain resilient solutions.
As vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and the resources to
address it are not equitably distributed, the chosen community will be a
historically underserved or marginalized coastal community.
Metric(s):
Develop the project scope, identify research needs, and submit
proposals for funding (FY22).
Select a partner community, develop an engagement plan and
identify partner and community science needs (FY23).
Create a method for blue carbon assessment, identify relevant
datasets and create maps (FY 23/24).
Share the assessment and mapping results with Bay Program
partners and stakeholders (FY24).
Conduct research and summarize results (FY24/25).
Develop and implement a communications and engagement plan for
input on assessment/research results and implementation plan,
finalize research results and develop implementation plan (FY25).
Project Challenges:
Effects ofCOVID on meeting with community and project stakeholders
and partners. Staff and funding to support community outreach.
Co-benefits: Coastal blue carbon resources can sequester and store carbon while also
acting to buffer storm surges, prevent erosion, improve water quality,
provide habitat, and support local economies in multiple ways.
Owner Email: Jenkins.Bill(5)ep
a.gov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? No
Science Needs
^W^hmugl^wmmuni^^inc^teikeholdei/partnei^ngagemen^
39
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Engage Region III Tribes in a meaningful dialogue on climate change adaptation and
resilience.
Climate Threat(s):
Overarching Goal(s):
Performance Goal(s):
Activity Timeframe:
Climate Vulnerability
Many communities are proactively planning and implementing actions to reduce risks posed by climate
change. Using decision support tools to develop and apply adaptation strategies informs both the value
of adopting solutions and the remaining challenges. Experience gained through project implementation
provides a foundation to advance future adaptation efforts.
Action
Description:
Host a standalone climate adaptation workshop for federally
recognized tribes in FY2023.
Use the Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) as a forum
for ongoing climate change adaptation information sharing,
training, and capacity building.
Exchange information with the National Tribal Science Council on
national tribal climate change adaptation needs and directions, as
appropriate.
Support and encourage the use of General Assistance Program
(GAP) grants, and other available funds for climate change
adaptation, as particular funds allow (e.g., education of staff and
members, assessing their community and environment, and
developing climate change adaptation plans).
Metric(s): Number of climate adaptation and resilient focused meetings,
workshops, webinars, etc. held over a fiscal year
Count of GAP grants and other available funds used to support climate
change adaptation (starting in FY23)
Project Challenges: Time constraints of tribal staff
Co-benefits: Facilitating these touch points will foster better relationships with EPA and
other federal/state/non-profit and academic institutions
Owner Email: Hamilton.Brian(5)
epa.gov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? Yes
Science Needs
^^on^dentifie^ngh^ww^ee^xpe^^^ommunicat^nfomTation^
40
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Implement the Chesapeake Bay Program Climate Directive.
Climate Threat(s):
Overarching Goal(s):
Performance Goal(s):
LTPG 1
LTPG 2
LTPG 3
Activity Timeframe:
Description: The CBPO will provide core management, scientific, facilitation, technical,
and staffing support to build capacity of CBP to prepare for and respond to
climate change and advance core elements of the Climate Directive:
Address threats of climate change in all aspects of the work by
integrating science and adaptation
Prioritize communities and habitats most vulnerable to ever
increasing risks
Apply the best scientific, modeling, monitoring, and planning
capabilities of the Chesapeake Bay Program
Connect Chesapeake Bay restoration goals with emerging
opportunities in climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience.
Metric(s): Percent of Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement Outcomes with
management strategies or Logic and Action Plans that incorporate
climate risk.
Project Challenges:
Staff and funding to support sustained community engagement;
improving scientific capabilities to monitor, model and assess ecosystem
impacts and response to climate change; capacity of CBP to prepare and
respond to climate change; coordination of climate adaptation efforts
across GITs; developing indicators and tracking/assessing progress on
climate change.
Co-benefits: This action will produce co-benefits across all goals and outcomes of the
Chesapeake Bay Agreement.
Owner Email: WiUiams.James(S>
epa.gov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? No
Science Needs
This action will affect all aspects of the CBP's work, therefore, CBP will need continued efforts to build a
comprehensive understanding of the current science and critical research gaps across the goals and
outcomes of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
41
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Additional Narrative:
Climate Vulnerability
Sea-level rise, warming temperatures, increased precipitation and flooding, species migration, and
eroding shorelines are just a few of the impacts the Chesapeake Bay region is expected to experience.
Description
For this action, the CBPO will support and facilitate implementation of the Chesapeake Executive Council
Directive No. 21-1 Collective Action for Climate Change IClimate Directive) across Chesapeake Bay
Program (CBP) goals, outcomes, and partnership activities. The Climate Directive commits the
Partnership to address the threats of climate change in all aspects of its work to restore the Bay and its
watershed. It builds upon a strong foundation of collaborative science and action established by the
Climate Adaptation Outcome in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
CBPO recognizes that the effects of climate change have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable and
disadvantaged communities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Through this action, the CBPO will guide
and support CBP efforts to increase community engagement and provide underrepresented populations
a seat and opportunity to engage in discussions related to climate adaptation at the CBP and in design of
projects that may affect their communities.
A number of actions included in the EPA Regional Climate Adaptation Implementation Plans have
synergies with or may support implementation of the CBP Climate Directive, including but not limited to
"Build and maintain climate resiliency through Blue Carbon resources", "Focus protection and
restoration actions to create and maintain resilient watersheds and ecosystems", "Create sea-level rise
viewer", and "Promote successful climate adaptation case studies in EPA's Adaptation Resource Center
(ARC-X) tool".
Co-benefits
Goals and outcomes of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement include sustainable fisheries, water quality, vital
habitats, climate change, toxic contaminants, stewardship and diversity among others.
42
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Priority Actions: Fiscal Year 2023
In Fiscal Year 2023 work will continue on the following multiyear actions: 1) Deploy the EPA
Region III Climate National Priorities List (NPL) Flooding and Vulnerability Tool, 2) Support
climate resilient infrastructure, 3) Build and maintain coastal climate resiliency through Blue
Carbon resources, 4) Engage Region III Tribes in a meaningful dialogue on climate change
adaptation and resilience, and 5) Implement the Chesapeake Bay Program Climate Directive.
In addition to continuing work on the above listed multiyear effects the following three actions
will be undertaken in Fiscal Year 2023:
Assess air monitoring vulnerability.
Climate Impact(s):
Overarching Goal(s):
Performance Goal(s):
Activity Timeframe:
~
*
LTPG 3
FY25
FY26
Climate Vulnerability
This action relates to extreme weather events that can affect residential access to monitoring
equipment, principally hurricanes and major flooding episodes.
Action
Description: Evaluate EPA Region Ill's Ambient Air Monitoring Infrastructure to identify
which sites may be vulnerable to flooding, extreme weather, or other
climate impacts, and create a plan of action to address these
vulnerabilities.
Metric(s): Percentage of monitors evaluated
Number of States/localities that have been issued monitoring network
vulnerability recommendations
States that have taken action to include adaptation in their 5-year
network assessment
Project Challenges: Coordination with National level program, potential for project to raise
concerns about siting,
Co-benefits: Protect against loss of data, which may help with local progress toward
NAAQS attainment.
Owner Email: RHey.AHson(S>e
pa.gov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? No
Science Needs
^Acces^^loo^lar^naps^tcA^etemun^it^ulnembili^^
43
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Support Federal Facilities with resilience goals.
Climate Threat(s): U
Overarching Goal(s):
Performance Goal(s):
Activity Timeframe:
Climate Vulnerability
Increased tropospheric ozone; Altered effects on the stratospheric ozone layer; Interactions of sulfur,
nitrogen, and mercury deposition within ecosystems; Vulnerability and uncertainty related to impacts
to water in the Region; Water and energy infrastructure; Use of toxic chemicals; Storage of toxic
chemicals; Exposure to toxic chemicals from demolition/ renovation activities
Action
Description: Federal Facilities Enforcement (FFE) has been difficult to achieve in a
timely manner, and negotiations are protracted. The targeting of federal
facilities located in areas that could be subject to resiliency goals, such
as those located in river valleys or in coastal areas may be able to
support resiliency plans for sea-level rise and worsening flooding, as a
supplement to monetary penalties. Many federal facilities are located in
non-attainment areas where the use of emergency generators in the
summer ozone season may have an increased impact on air quality and
climate health. Chemical storage upgrades provide opportunities in low
lying areas that may be another area for resiliency to combat sea level
rise and worsening flooding.
Metric(s): Number of inspections/offsite compliance monitoring conducted
Potential Mitigation Projects undertaken
Project Challenges:
Partnering with federal facilities in a productive manner, working with
and around federal budgets that may not be easily changed.
Co-benefits: EJ
Owner Email: Willard.ErinM
(S&eDa.aov;
Hall.Kristen(a)e
oa.gov
New Work? No
Resources Available? Yes
Science Needs
Mapping, satellite flood plain, and additional data to show sea level change, rain events and flooding
history in areas with federal facilities to start to develop a baseline trend data set.
44
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Advance understanding and implementation of climate-resilient Best Management
Practices (BMPs).
Climate Threat(s):
Overarching Goal(s):
m
Performance Goal(s):
LTPG 1
LTPG 2
LTPG 3
Activity Timeframe:
Climate Vulnerability
Climate change impacts on air temperature, precipitation volume and intensity, sea-level rise and
saltwater inundation, occurrence of extreme weather events, and derivative hydrological responses
(e.g., soil moisture, partitioning of surface runoff and subsurface flow) affect BMP performance and
resilience, while implementation of "climate smart" BMPs and land-based natural solutions (such as
forest restoration) may provide multiple benefits for climate mitigation and adaptation.
Action
Description: Further data and research are needed to understand the climate change
impacts and adaptation options on BMP performance. There is currently
limited data on BMP climate resilience (i.e., pollutant removal
performance, maintenance, shelf life, siting and design) and adaptation
co-benefits for living resources and habitat. Working closely with
Chesapeake Bay Program partners, the Chesapeake Bay Program Office
will take steps to develop a better understanding of BMP responses,
including new and other emerging BMPs, to climate change conditions
and support implementation of climate adapted BMPs.
Metric(s): The annual implementation of climate adapted BMPs will be tracked with
the CBP's CAST database.
Tree plantings (riparian tree buffers, reforestation, etc.) will be tracked
annually by new acres planted (Tree Composite).
Wetland BMPs will be tracked annually by new/restored wetlands
acres (Wetland Composite).
Climate adapted agricultural BMPs will be tracked annually in acres of
agricultural land treated (Agriculture Composite) and, for Livestock
Waste Management Systems, in animal units (Livestock Composite).
Stormwater Performance Standard BMPs will be measured by the
change in the weighted average performance standard in inches
(Stormwater Composite)
Project Challenges:
The availability of funding and sufficient technical staff to support work;
Need to update stormwater design regulations and standards at the
municipal, local, and state levels.
Co-benefits: Co-benefits of these practices include greenhouse gas mitigation, pollution
mitigation, increased ecosystem resilience, protection of living resources
and habitat, climate justice, improved agricultural soils, reduced flooding,
improved public safety, and property protection.
Owner Email:
Williams.James(a)
eoa.gov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? No
Science Needs
^mpmve^uantificatior^^h^TTonetize^^^enefit^^h^limat^dapte^BMPs^
45
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Additional Narrative:
Description
Working closely with Chesapeake Bay Program partners, the Chesapeake Bay Program Office will
take steps to develop a better understanding of BMP responses, including new and other
emerging BMPs, to climate change conditions and support implementation of climate adapted
BMPs by:
Supporting development of a research agenda on climate change impacts on BMP
performance and adaptation benefits.
Facilitating partner coordination and alignment of programmatic and research activities
related to climate adapted BMPs, stormwater management and natural climate solutions.
Reviewing best management practice design, inspection, and maintenance standards to
account for the impacts of climate change in stormwater and nonpoint source
management.
Communicating technical climate change assessments and research into implementation
by supporting adoption by state and local partners and integration into planning and
programs.
Co-Benefits
Co-benefits of tree planting, cover crops, urban stormwater practices, and tidal marsh restoration
include greenhouse gas mitigation, pollution mitigation, increased ecosystem resilience,
protection of living resources and habitat, climate justice (e.g., by improving flood resilience and
public health protection), and improved agricultural soils. Co-benefits of climate adapted
stormwater BMPs include sediment and nutrient reduction, reduced flooding, improved public
safety, and property protection.
46
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CHAPTER 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities
EPA Region Ill's Air and Radiation Division (ARD) has a long history of engagement on addressing
climate change impacts and protecting the Region's citizens from air pollution through
implementation of the Clean Air Act (CAA). ARD programs are responsible for ensuring
implementation of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) which includes reviewing
permits and approving State Implementation Plan revisions. To complement our regulatory work,
ARD programs include energy efficiency, renewable energy, clean diesel, indoor air quality and
radon outreach programs to reduce emissions of criteria pollutants, greenhouse gases and air
toxics. Extreme temperatures and increased average temperatures, as well as extreme flooding
events in urban areas are the climate change impacts of most concern for ARD. As a result of
climate change impacts in the Region, it is expected that our workload will increase.
Most of ARD's historic and ongoing work on climate relates to developing, supporting and
implementing mitigation strategies to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse
gases, or otherwise minimize air-related impacts on the climate. Many of these activities also
include adaptation elements. For example, grant and partnership programs that address energy
efficiency and fuel use reductions that reduce carbon emissions also undertake community
engagement efforts to help citizens build climate preparedness and promote sustainable and
resilient rebuilding after adverse events. In particular, these programs target overburdened and
communities with environmental justice concerns, which are often highly vulnerable to climate
change impacts.
Air-related Programmatic Vulnerability Assessment
Air pollution is rarely cited first in discussions about the consequences of climate change
adaptation, because the health impacts caused by air quality episodes tend to be less immediate
than those that result from storms and wildfires. However, it is anticipated that in the U.S. there
could be as much as a 50% increase in excess mortality related to climate change ozone impacts
by 2025-2035.xl" And although a great deal of progress has been made towards attainment since
the inception of the CAA and establishment of NAAQS, some areas face ongoing challenges
meeting attainment goals, which could be set back by climate change. Additionally, programs
related to air quality and health will likely be impacted (see Table 4.1).
Opportunities for Climate Action
EPA Region Ill's ARD has for decades engaged in voluntary and partnership programs to address
environmental concerns through non-regulatory methods. While none of the Region's existing
air program activities are specifically targeted at climate adaptation, many do tackle climate
adaptation as a co-benefit of reducing fossil fuel consumption, or through community
engagement programs. Our efforts for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 and FY2023 will build upon these
existing programs.
Community Engagement
ARD will leverage our existing data resources, stakeholder activities, and organizational expertise
to identify communities at greatest risk from climate impacts. These will include:
Neighborhoods located in heat islands and flood plains.
47
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Residences in close proximity to facilities of concern, such as petroleum or chemical
processing plants.
Areas with high asthma rates and other susceptibilities to respiratory and cardiovascular
disease, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable populations and underserved
communities.
Localities with a high percentage of older housing stock.
Tropospheric Ozone
Stratospheric Ozone
NAAQS attainment
Asthma and other health impacts
UV radiation outreach
GreenChillฎ
Responsible appliance disposal
Increased Wildfires
Indoor Environments
NAAQS attainment
Asthma and other health impacts
Toxics
Mold
Infiltration of ambient air pollution,
pollen, indoor pollutants
Increased time spent indoors due to
extreme weather
Energy Production
Air Monitoring
Increased demand
Peak grid
Energy Starฎ
Monitoring network
RADNET
Interactions of Sulfur, Nitrogen and Mercury
Deposition
Engagement
Ecosystem protection
Impacts uncertain
EJ communities
Asthma
Table 4.1 - Review of Air Identified Air Vulnerabilities
EPA Region III has begun an analysis of available data to identify high-priority environmental
justice areas of concern and some of the most environmentally overburdened communities in
the Mid-Atlantic. The multimedia effort to address existing injustices and the cumulative impacts
of pollution in these communities will include help increasing adaptive capacity and resilience to
climate change. ARD staff will develop a comprehensive plan to target those areas for future
engagement, resources, and funding opportunities.
In tandem with our community climate assessment, ARD will work to evaluate vulnerabilities and
needs within our existing stakeholder network, while expanding the network to include new
community-based partners who would benefit from collaboration and engagement. We will
utilize existing networks in moving forward with our adaptation-related activities, such as Energy
Starฎ and SmartWayฎ.
ARD will compile a clearinghouse of informational resources, training materials, potential funding
opportunities (including federal, state, and other financial sources), technical assistance,
mapping, and other resources to assist our community partners. EPA Region Ill's Indoor Air
48
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Program already conducts outreach and education activities and will continue to build upon and
refine those efforts, utilizing the most up-to-date science and best practices.
Grants and other Financial Assistance
ARD administers numerous grant and rebate programs, totaling tens of millions of dollars in
funding each year. In cooperation with our headquarters office, ARD will implement guidance
and directives related to climate change, including climate adaptation measures for our grantees
and rebate recipients. This work will also extend to our work in communities with environmental
justice concerns, which heavily intersect with climate-vulnerable populations.
Through work with our existing partners and programs, we will anticipate and prepare for all new
grant requirements related to adaptation and build upon this work to maximize the impact of the
grant funds spent, and in doing so raise awareness about climate vulnerabilities and tools to
address them. For example, our grantees and subgrantees may be tasked with incorporating
adaptation into the outreach, written materials, and any public events they conduct during
meeting the milestones set out under their grant work plans. Currently, ARD's state partners are
required to report regularly on climate change activities. ARD will include a specific request for
reporting on climate adaptation activities. In addition, ARD will build upon our ongoing climate
work to connect more closely with adaptation activities happening at the state level and will be
better prepared to anticipate needs and issues for communities in those states.
While virtually all the grants we administer are part of national-level programs, EPA Region III will
work with our states to connect with potential grant and rebate applicants and encourage
projects that benefit climate-vulnerable populations. We will attempt to connect these potential
recipients, including organizations that may not have grant writing staff or extensive experience
with project-management, with publicly available trainings and resources to help them improve
their ability to submit and manage successful applications.
Finally, ARD will take steps to connect potential community partners with our existing
stakeholder network, fostering beneficial peer-to-peer relationships and sharing or best practices
and institutional knowledge.
Within Air and Radiation Division
ARD will undertake a project to assess our programmatic infrastructure vulnerabilities. Our staff
will review the greater ambient air quality monitoring network in our states to identify which
locations and assets are susceptible to fires, storms, and flooding, or could otherwise become
damaged or inaccessible because of extreme weather, leading to compromised or lost data. We
will also assess any potential for emergent issues with state or other partners that could impede
our work in the Region. In addition, ARD staff will undergo training when it is offered, as
appropriate, and will identify any training gaps that should be addressed.
Measurement and Evaluation: ARD will continuously work to track progress toward meeting our
goals, which may include:
State reports submitted
Number of stakeholders, partners, and communities identified
Plans for outreach and engagement developed
49
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Informational clearinghouse created and populated
Number of new grant applicants
Number of grant workplans that address climate adaptation
Events, meetings, or trainings held
Program-specific Discussion on Climate Science Needs: Moving forward to make a meaningful
impact on climate adaptation concerns in EPA Region III will require the best available science
and data resources at EPA's disposal. This will include access to mapping software and GIS data,
census and other population data, climate and air quality modeling, existing data tools such as
EJScreen. and other resources to be determined.
One of the biggest challenges the Region faces is translating and utilizing data and science via our
programmatic work to ensure that the assistance and information we provide to communities is
meaningful and useful. Our focus will be on using what we know about climate now to anticipate
future needs and concerns, to help vulnerable populations prepare for the inevitable effects of
climate change where they live. The Region is mindful that community needs, and vulnerabilities
may increase over time, and that we should also be prepared to target resources.
Many of our state partners are engaged in some capacity in adaptation planning activities. We
will coordinate with them and their stakeholders to identify any issues that may arise as such
planning activities move forward.
EPA Region III will work to build internal capacity to be able to incorporate climate change data
into modeling and emissions analyses. Examples include: 1) determining emission trends for
sources associated with climate change impacts (frequent and more intense storms, more high
temperature days), such as portable electric generators and peaking power plants; 2) updating
current datasets used for dispersion modeling to consider human activities like sprawl and
meteorological datasets (rainfall patterns, temperatures, etc.); and 3) the identification and
refinement of GHG emissions data, especially from non-traditional sources.
Air Quality and Adaptation
Although tremendous progress has been made improving air quality across the nation, climate
change makes it more difficult to attain air quality standards and protect the quality of the air we
breathe, posing higher risks to public health, and especially overburdened and vulnerable
populations.
To ensure clean and healthy air for all communities, EPA Region III will take the following actions:
9. Engage with communities to address health impacts after adverse events.
10. Engage climate vulnerable EJ communities.
11. Review vulnerability of agency and regulated community facilities located in low-lying areas.
50
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Engage with communities to address health impacts after adverse events.
THBOT
Climate Vulnerability
This action relates to extreme weather events that can affect residential access to grid power,
principally hurricanes and major flooding episodes, but also heat waves which can also cause blackouts.
Action
Description: Support the management of health needs in vulnerable and overburdened
communities by engaging at-risk communities and connecting them with
resources to address:
safe use of backup generators to maintain medications and
medical devices.
best practices to cope with health impacts related to adverse
weather events.
Metric(s):
Communities/individuals engaged
Project Challenges: Need for FTE, data on market for generators and existing population of
units.
Co-benefits: Possible increased used of more efficient generators, or reduced need if
alternative resources are available.
Owner Email: Riley.Alison(3>e
pa.gov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? No
Science Needs
Data on generation, identification of communities at highest risk (high rates of diabetes, heart disease,
and in flood plains or other vulnerable locations).
51
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Engage climate vulnerable EJ communities.
I Ml I III II
Climate Vulnerability
This action relates to extreme weather events that can affect human health and housing conditions,
principally hurricanes and major flooding episodes, but also heat waves.
Action
Description: Draft a plan to identify and engage high-risk EPA Region III communities
with EJ concerns or experiencing disproportionate adverse impacts to
inform our community engagement efforts. This would build upon work
already completedoverlaying existing maps with maps of flood plains,
heat islands, neighborhoods with older housing stock, etc.
Metric(s):
Successful completion of mapping project.
Project Challenges: Access to data, software, and expertise.
Co-benefits: Information could be useful for a wide array of regional and national
programs and activities, to help target resources at areas of highest need.
Owner Email:
Rilev.Alison(a)ep
a.aov
New Work? No
Resources Available? No
Science Needs
^xistin^TTaps^cces^^pecifi^/ulnembilit]nTTaps^thei^ata^
52
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Review vulnerability of agency and regulated community facilities located in low-lying
areas.
Climate Impact(s):
Overarching Goal(s):
Performance Goal(s):
til
1
HI
n
*
n
LTPG 1
LTPG 2
LTPG 3
Activity Timeframe:
FY22
FY25
FY26
Climate Vulnerability
This action relates to extreme weather events that can affect human health and housing conditions,
principally hurricanes and major flooding episodes, but also heat waves.
Action
Description: Identify Region Ill's facilities (in the regulated community, as well as agency
assets and infrastructure) located in low-lying areas that could be subject
to severe weather and those located near shorelines that pose a hazard to
public health and the environment
Metric(s):
Facilities engaged/evaluated.
Project Challenges:
Access to internal and external data, cooperation from external partners
and stakeholders.
Co-benefits: Partnership building, potential prevention of hazardous incidents.
Owner Email:
Riley.Alison(5)ep
a.gov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? No
Science Needs
^Usting^^/ulnembl^acilities^laps^ossibl^iee^^^at^napping^
53
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CHAPTER 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities
Climate change impacts are experienced though interactions with our water resources and result
in direct and cascading effects on our daily lives in communities and natural environments
throughout EPA Region III. Climate change acts as a threat multiplier, exacerbating existing
stressors that can lead to degraded water quality, destabilization of critical water infrastructure,
economic impacts, harm to aquatic life, and limitations on recreational opportunities. The Water
Division and the Chesapeake Bay Program Office are responsible for protecting built and natural
water resources within EPA Region III.
Water Division
The Water Division (WD) ensures drinking water is safe and restores and maintains watersheds
and their aquatic ecosystems to protect human health, support economic and recreational
activities, and provide healthy habitat for fish, plants, and wildlife.
The Division is responsible for implementing the Clean Water Act (CWA), Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA) and Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), and provisions of the
Ocean Dumping Ban Act across the Mid-Atlantic Region except for inspections and enforcement,
which are principally managed by the Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division (ECAD).
Each branch and section within the WD is responsible for executing their own set of core
functions and actions in a coordinated manner that enables the division to successfully carry out
its mission. The WD accomplishes this primarily through providing oversight to states and in some
cases, through direct implementation of specific programs. WD works closely with the ECAD,
which is principally responsible for compliance inspections and enforcement actions related to
the above listed laws.
The WD coordinates with other divisions within the region to ensure programmatic support,
technical assistance, critical funding of state programs, sound science, environmental justice, and
when necessary, compliance and enforcement. Table 5.1 provides an "at-a-glance" look at critical
functions that the WD manages across the region.
54
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Wetlands
Clean Water
Drinking Water
Partnerships
Wetland Permits
National Pollutant
Public Water
Green
(CWA 404)
Discharge
System Supervision
Infrastructure
CWA 404(c) "veto"
Elimination System
(PWSS)
Flazard Mitigation
and (q) "elevation"
(NPDES) Permits
State capacity
Agriculture
Ocean Disposal
Impaired Waters
Contaminants
National Estuary
Permits
(CWA 303(d))
(PFAS, Lead, etc.)
Program (NEP)
CWA 401(a)(2)
Total Maximum
Operator
No Discharge Zone
Notification of
Daily Loads (TMDL)
Certification
(NDZ)
Permit Application
Water Quality
Water Security
Nonpoint Source
Mitigation Banking
Standards (WQS)
Underground
Program (CWA
Tribal Assumption-
Chesapeake Bay
Injection Control
319)
Treatment as a
Regulatory
(UIC) Permits
Water Pollution
State (TAS)
Requirements
Source Water
Control (CWA 106)
Clean Water State
Protection
Water Quality
Revolving Fund
Drinking Water
Management (CWA
(SRF)
State Revolving
604(b))
Fund (SRF)
Table 5.1- Water Division Programmatic Responsibilities; CWA = Clean Water Act
Chesapeake Bay Program Office
The Chesapeake Bay Program Office (CBPO) provides core scientific and management support
for the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP), a unique, regional partnership that directs the protection
and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. Formed in 1983, the Chesapeake Bay
Program coordinates efforts among six states (MD, PA, VA, WV, DE, NY), the District of Columbia,
the Chesapeake Bay Commission tri-state legislative body, and federal agencies.
The CBP is guided by the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement (Agreement), which
establishes goals and outcomes for sustainable fisheries, water quality, vital habitats, climate
change, toxic contaminants, stewardship and diversity, and other areas. Section 117 of the Clean
Water Act calls for the CBPO to facilitate and coordinate the Chesapeake Bay Program
partnership and authorizes CBPO to administer grant programs and provide technical assistance
to nonprofits, state and local governments, academic institutions, and others to support
implementation and monitoring towards the Agreement and carrying out CBP's mission. CBPO is
also responsible for implementing the requirements of the Chesapeake Bay Accountability and
Recovery Act of 2014.
In 2010, the EPA established the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The Bay
TMDL is designed to ensure all nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution control efforts
needed to restore the water quality standards of the Bay and its tidal rivers are in place by 2025.
The CBPO works with other offices within EPA Region III and EPA, the watershed jurisdictions,
and key federal agencies to review two-year water quality milestones that measure progress
made in achieving the Bay TMDL and the jurisdictions' Watershed Implementation Plans.
55
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Science, Analysis and Implementation
Partnership and Accountability
Implement and coordinate science,
research, modeling, support services,
monitoring, data collection, and other
activities.
Develop information pertaining to the
environmental quality and living
resources of the Chesapeake Bay
ecosystem.
Support the efforts of states and other
partners to attain Chesapeake Bay
water quality standards and meet the
goals of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL.
Coordinate the development and implementation of
specific management strategies and Logic and Action plans
to carry out the responsibilities of the signatories to the
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
Facilitate the partnership's collaborative decision-making
to achieve the goals and outcomes of the Chesapeake Bay
Watershed Agreement through the CBP organizational
structure.
Communicate partnership progress to interested public
through the development and upkeep of metrics, through
social and traditional media and web sites and through
other multi-media approaches.
Table 5.2 - Chesapeake Bay Program Office Programmatic Responsibilities.
Water-related Programmatic Vulnerability Assessment
Climate change is already having an impact on the ability of the WD and the CBPO to fulfill their
congressionally mandated responsibilities. As climate change warms the atmosphere, altering
the hydrologic cycle, changes to the amount, timing, form, and intensity of precipitation will
continue. Other expected changes include the flow of water in watersheds, as well as the quality
of aquatic and marine environments. These impacts are likely to affect the programs designed to
protect water quality, public health, and safety. Table 5.3 indicates which WD and CBPO
programs will be impacted by the vulnerabilities described in Chapter 2.
56
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Water and energy infrastructure
Water quality impacts from climate change
Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)
Agriculture
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
Impaired Waters (CWA ง303(d))/Total
(DWSRF)
Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
Green Infrastructure
Green Infrastructure
Hazard Mitigation
Hazard Mitigation
Operator Certification
National Estuary Programs (NEPs)
Public Water System Supervision (PWSS)
Nonpoint Source (NPS) Program
Water Security/Preparedness
Permits (municipal, industrial,
stormwater/MS4, Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations, UIC, wetlands)
Public Water System Supervision (PWSS)
Source Water Protection (SWP) Program
Water Quality Standards (WQS)
Flooding from increasingly frequent intense
Changes to aquatic ecosystems and the
storm events and sea-level rise
composition and distribution of species
Agriculture
Agriculture
Green Infrastructure
National Estuary Programs (NEPs)
Hazard Mitigation
Nonpoint Source (NPS) Program
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems
Source Water Protection (SWP) Program
(MS4)
Wetlands Permits (CWA ง404)
Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)
Wetlands Mitigation Banking
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
(DWSRF)
Water Quality Standards (WQS)
Water Security/Preparedness
Table 5.3 - Water-related Programmatic Vulnerability Assessment.
Existing Climate Work
Wa ter and Energy Infrastructure
The Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Programs support projects related
to climate change, including Green Project Reserve (GPR)-green projects, Energy and Water
efficiency, groundwater recharge, and stormwater management and encourage State partners
to consider climate related projects, as opposed to solely traditional water infrastructure
projects. Outreach on climate mitigation includes assisting wastewater utilities with more
stringent effluent limits, addressing increased wet weather events and energy conservation.
Public outreach on climate-related activities is achieved through publication of success stories
and sharing State Revolving Fund Fact Sheets with EPA Region III examples with EPA and State
peers.
The Green Infrastructure Team helps manage the Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3)
grants, which specifically require consideration of climate to be ranked higher; coordinates with
regional, national, and interagency workgroups on climate adaptation and disaster mitigation;
57
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and designs and improves tools to support climate adaptation (e.g., Sea Level Evaluation and
Assessment (SEA Tool), EPA's Adaptation Resource Center (ARC-X)).
Priorities for the Nonpoint Source Program are set by the state; however, nonpoint source
solutions include installation of green infrastructure practices that can help manage existing and
projected increases to precipitation.
Nationally, the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program has created an incentive for UIC
Class VI wells for Carbon Capture and Sequestration through the Internal Revenue Service Code
Section Q45 tax credit (see 26 U.S. Code ง 45Q).
Water Quality Impacts from Climate Change
The Water Quality Standards Program utilizes the 2014 EPA report "Being Prepared for Climate
Change: A Workbook for Developing Risk-Based Adaptation Plans." which guides users through
development of a risk-based climate change adaptation plan consisting of a vulnerability
assessment and an action plan to reduce the most pressing risks.
Changes in temperature, stream flow data, precipitation, and sea- level need to be accounted for
in newly issued NPDES permits; Mid-Atlantic Intensity, Duration Frequency (IDF) curves are
currently being updated to show future precipitation data verses past data to be used for design
purposes.
The Source Water Protection Program supports development of Risk and Resilience Assessments
and Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) for public water systems; promotes and supports
implementation of best management practices (BMPs) that protect upstream water supplies
(land preservation, agricultural conservation practices, green infrastructure, etc.); coordinates on
review of Clean Water Act Section 106 grants, which usually include a climate resilience or climate
adaptation component relevant to source water protection; and participate in external source
water collaboratives, states, and other federal agencies (US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Natural Resources Conservation Service, Association of State Drinking Water Administrators), in
order to leverage funding for source water protection.
As part of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, jurisdictions are required to develop actions to address an
increase in nitrogen and phophorous loads due to 2025 climate change conditions in their
Watershed Implementation Plans. For agriculture, many of the actions relate to implementing
"climate-smart" agricultural conservation practices that not only reduce nutrient and sediment
pollution from agricultural lands, but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or store carbon
in the soil and build farm resiliency.
Flooding from Increasingly Frequent Intense Storm E vents and Sea-Level Rise
The Drinking Water Program shares tools and resources with regional water suppliers and state
programs, including Climate Ready Water Utilities and Adaptation Strategies Guide for Water
Utilities and encourages their use to build resilience to the impacts of extreme weather events.
The program also supports states in the development of climate adaptation training for water
utilities. Risk Assessments under America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018 include a
review of severe weather events impacting community water suppliers.
58
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Regionally, the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program is currently permitting an Aquifer
Recharge Project in Hampton Roads, Virginia, to recharge the depleted Potomac Aquifer and to
combat saltwater intrusion and land subsidence.
To address climate mitigation, the NPDES Program has focused on promoting the use of biogas
recovery systems to reduce methane emissions from livestock waste as well as to ensure energy
security and help respond to disasters impacting wastewater treatment plants and working
cooperatively with industry stakeholders and waste officials to reduce or avoid methane
emissions from landfills through the Landfill Methane Outreach Program.
Changes to Aquatic Ecosystems and the Composition and Distribution of Species
The 404 Regulatory Program is exploring how to incorporate climate comments into wetland
permit applications, third-party mitigation and regulatory reviews, including developing a GIS-
based tool to analyze resiliency and climate effects for permit review.
The Enhancing State and Tribal Program is updating its Core Element Framework (CEF) to include
climate change actions that States and Tribes can incorporate when developing their wetland
programs; focusing on climate change, resiliency and marsh migration as priority issues for the
interagency Mid-Atlantic Wetland Workgroup (MAWWG); prioritizing research addressing
climate impacts on wetlands in the 2021/22 Wetland Program Development Grants Request for
Proposal; and examining past grant project accomplishments related to climate change and
marsh migration, sea-level rise and living shorelines.
The Ocean Program is actively working on understanding and communicating the impacts of
ocean acidification, including updating a Story Map to be published on the EPA website.
The National Estuary Program engages in an array of activities with the potential for positive
climate adaptation benefits, including but not limited to preservation and restoration of intertidal
and tidal wetlands and benthic habitats; installation of living shorelines; research programs
related to "blue carbon" (carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems) and carbon
sequestration; and adaptation methodologies.
The Watershed Resources Registry (WRR) is working with state partners to evaluate GIS data
layers that could be added to each WRR and used to develop climate resiliency analyses.
Opportunities for Climate Action
Given the scope and scale of climate impacts on the work being done by the WD and CBPO,
promoting climate resilience and supporting climate justice are both important to sustain and
enhance the investments that have been made in clean and safe water for communities across
EPA Region III. The activities included in the next section of this chapter address a variety of
climate concerns in multiple WD programs and the CBPO. As we complete and learn from these
activities, we will develop additional goals in future years to ensure that climate adaptation is
fully integrated into all EPA Region III water programs.
To ensure clean and safe water for all communities, EPA Region III will take the following actions:
12. Focus protection and restoration actions to create and maintain resilient watersheds and
ecosystems.
13. Develop EPA Region Ill-specific "Standard Climate Modules" for each Water Division work unit.
59
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14. Convene a "Watershed Partnerships Workshop" to address climate adaptation at the watershed
scale.
15. Update the Sea-level-rise Exploration and Assessment (SEA) decision support tool.
16. Promote successful climate adaptation case studies in EPA's Adaptation Resource Center (ARC-
X) tool.
17. Apply the Adaptation Design Tool to climate-smart permitting.
18. Finalize the Region III Disaster Mitigation Implementation Strategy.
60
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Focus protection and restoration actions to create and maintain resilient watersheds and
ecosystems.
Climate Threat(s):
^ฆiii in i r3 ibm * in
Overarching Goal(s):
ฉ
ฎ ฉ @
Performance Goal(s):
LTPG 1
LTPG 2 LTPG 3
Activity Timeframe:
FY22 |
FY23
FY24 FY25 FY26
Climate Vulnerability
Temperature extremes, wildfire patterns, rising sea levels, hurricanes, floods, droughts, and warming
ocean temperatures are expected to significantly alter ecosystems and delivery of the ecological
resources and benefits that people depend on for livelihood, protection, and well-being. The adaptive
capacity and resilience of ecosystems and watersheds will influence ecological and socioeconomic
outcomes as climate risks increase.
Action
Description: This Action will utilize the newly developed Region-wide 1-meter
landcover data and the latest science and tools to identify, assess,
prioritize and map both protection and restoration opportunities that
will maintain and increase watershed and ecosystem resiliency to
climate change. This information will allow Regional Programs, states,
local governments, non-governmental organizations and private
landowners to aggregate and view the protection and restoration
opportunities at multiple scales, from watershed to parcel level.
Metric(s): Secure funding for GIS contractor, engage partners, identify data,
methods and tool needed (FY23).
Select analytical and mapping methods (FY23/24).
Complete analysis, develop maps, and create a prototype
visualization tool (FY24/25).
Solicit feedback from regional programs on products and summarize
the feedback received (FY25).
Modify analytical methods and tool(s) based on feedback, create
host platform, and share data/tools with partners (FY25/26).
Track ongoing utility of products to identify updates/improvements
to data, maps and visualization tool/platform (FY26).
Project Challenges: Staff for data analysis, visualization; and coordination with other federal
and state agencies.
Co-benefits: Protection will: reduce the need for and cost of restoration activities;
sustain or increase the availability of open/green space for recreation;
increase local economic opportunities; and sustain carbon sequestration
function (possibly ensuring access to carbon sequestration markets).
Restoration will: support/create jobs; increase recreational
opportunities, ecosystem services, and carbon sequestration functions.
1 Owner Email: Jenkins.Bill(a)ep
1 a.aov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? No 1
Science Needs
| Modeling and assessing ecosystem and watershed function and changes due to climate change. \
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Additional Narrative:
The information generated can also be combined with other data sets (from tools like EJ Screen
and EnviroAtlas) to further assess protection and restoration opportunities in concert with other
priorities and describe additional benefits. As part of this action, we will also identify
organizations that have the capacity to use this information to plan, collaborate, fund, and/or
implement relevant actions.
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Develop EPA Region Ill-specific "Standard Climate Modules" for each Water Division work
unit.
Climate Vulnerability
Given that this activity encompasses all Water Division programs, it will address the entire range of
vulnerabilities described in Chapter 2.
Action
Description:
All relevant work units in the Water Division will develop a "standard
climate module" to be used in training and outreach activities with
external partners. To ensure message consistency across the agency,
modules will be adapted from those developed by National Program
Offices and then tailored to address Region Ill-specific issues.
Metric(s):
In FY22, each of the seven work units in the Water Division will have
developed a "standard climate module" to be used in training and
outreach activities with external partners.
Project Challenges:
To ensure alignment with National Program Offices, the timing of this
work will be dependent on the timeframe pursued by individual Program
Offices at EPA Headquarters.
Co-benefits:
This action would allow each program office to carefully consider how
climate impacts their program (internal capacity development),
communicate those impact to partners (external engagement), and
provides opportunity for additional partner engagement regarding EPA or
other federal climate resources.
Owner Email:
Konfirst.Matthew New Work? Yes Resources Available? Yes
(fpepa.aov
Science Needs
N/A
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Convene a "Watershed Partnerships Workshop" to address climate adaptation at the
watershed scale.
Climate Threat(s):
Overarching Goal(s):
Performance Goal(s):
Activity Timeframe:
|tii|
LTPG 1
LTPG 2
LTPG 3
FY22
FY24
FY25
FY26
Climate Vulnerability
Water quality impacts from climate change, flooding from increasingly frequent intense storm events
and sea-level rise, and changes to aquatic ecosystems and the composition and distribution of species
are vulnerabilities that impact individual waterbodies and communities. However, the interconnected
nature of stream networks, ecosystems and communities creates an imperative to design solutions at a
larger scale that allows partners the opportunity to take advantage of the co-benefits described below.
Action
Description: The Water Division will facilitate a workshop in FY23 (at the earliest) to
support innovative efforts to incorporate climate adaptation (and avoid
maladaptation) into combined water quality and quantity planning at the
watershed scale. Participants would include existing watershed
partnerships in EPA Region III as well as other Tribalfederal state and
local partners with a focus and/or interest in this topic.
Metric(s): Number of federally recognized Tribes, states, territories, local
governments, and communities, especially communities which are
underserved and disproportionally at risk from climate change that
have presented about ways to take action to anticipate, prepare for,
adapt to, or recover from the impacts of climate change at the
watershed scale.
Number of federally recognized Tribes, states, territories, local
governments, and communities, especially communities which are
underserved and disproportionally at risk from climate change that
participated in the workshop.
Project Challenges:
This workshop could conceivably be of interest to a large number of
partners, which would have an impact on planning, coordination and
technical resources required to hold the event.
Co-benefits: Benefits of integrating climate adaptation into water quality and quantity
planning include efficiency in collection and management of datasets,
leveraging additional partners and funding, and efficiencies gained by
multi-objective planning. The use of green infrastructure to meet some of
these goals also offers the opportunity to take advantage of air quality
and ecosystem co-benefits and ancillary benefits to the community, like
green job creation, outdoor recreation space and increased property
values.
Owner Email:
Konfirst.Matthew
(fpepa.gov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? No
Science Needs
Science needs are not required to implement this project; however, it is likely that science needs could be
identified during the workshop.
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Additional Narrative:
Description
"Participants would include existing watershed partnerships in EPA Region III." These partnerships would
include but are not limited to the Chesapeake Bay Program, National Estuary Programs, state Nonpoint
Source programs, and Urban Waters Partnerships.
"Other federal Tribalstate and local partners with a focus and/or interest in this topic" could include but
are not limited to Federal Emergency Management Agency, USDA, US Department of Transportation,
Silver Jackets teams, watershed groups, and local governments.
Project Challenges
The status of the pandemic and demand for hybrid participation may add resource requirements and
logistical considerations. Given the experience of the pandemic over the past couple of years, there is
increasing comfort with online participation in conferences and workshops, but a transition to a more
hybrid setting may require creative solutions to produce a sense of community and facilitate
collaboration between participants.
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Update the Sea-level-rise Exploration and Assessment (SEA) decision support tool
Climate Vulnerability
When coupled with storm surges, sea-level rise can pose severe risks of flooding, with consequent
physical and mental health impacts on coastal populations. In addition to property and infrastructure
impacts, the facilities and cultural resources that support coastal tourism and recreation as well as
cultural landscapes and historic structures will be at increased risk from high tide flooding, storm surge,
and long-term inundation.
Action
Description: The Water Division, in partnership with the Laboratory Services and
Applied Sciences Division, will develop a sea-level rise data product that
will allow EPA Region III programs to assess the threat of sea-level rise
quickly and easily into specific projects and for specific locations.
Metric(s): By the end of CY22, sea-level-rise data produced by the Sea Level Rise
and Coastal Flood Hazard Scenarios and Tools Interagency Task Force
for the 2022 interagency report will have been processed into GIS
mapping layers.
In FY23 an app will be developed and released publicly to explore sea-
level-rise data generated by the Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flood
Hazard Scenarios and Tools Interagency Task Force.
Beginning in FY23 the number of unique users utilizing the tool will be
tracked.
Project Challenges:
The scientific and modeling foundations for this project have been firmly
established and reviewed, but the work requires substantial processing
time to generate new map layers.
Co-benefits: This app would allow the Region and the Agency to make sea-level related
decisions using a common framework.
Owner Email:
Konfirst.Matthew
(fpepa.gov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? Yes
Science Needs
Successful completion of this project requires technical GIS support from the Laboratory Services and
Applied Sciences Division.
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Promote successful climate adaptation case studies in EPA's Adaptation Resource Center
(ARC-X) tool.
Climate Vulnerability
Given that case studies could be collected from any program across the region, this action could
potentially address any of the climate vulnerabilities addressed in Chapter 2.
Action
Description: This activity will promote successful climate adaptation efforts that have
been implemented by state, local, Tribal or other partners in the Mid-
Atlantic region as a model for other communities to replicate. Success
stories will be developed into case studies that can be incorporated into
EPA's Adaptation Resource Center (ARC-X) tool.
Potential case studies will be identified through the EPA Region III Climate
Collaborative workgroup, and an effort will be made to cover a diversity of
programs and partners. Coordination with the Office of Policy will ensure
that those studies selected for writeup broaden the topic areas covered in
the existing set of ARC-X database.
Metric(s): In FY22-26, a minimum of one Region III case study will be identified
and submitted to the Office of Policy each year (total = 5).
Project Challenges:
Staff may feel they don't have the appropriate expertise to draft a case
study. There may be some hesitancy by managers to commit resources to
this effort or sensitivity about sharing certain aspects of the case study.
Co-benefits: This effort will allow EPA Region III to promote successful climate
adaptation efforts underway across the region. Limited resources preclude
working with every community; however, promoting ideas and
methodologies for climate adaptation projects that have been
implemented successfully by partners is a good way to disseminate
information that could build climate resiliency in a greater number of
communities.
1 Owner Email: Konfirst.Matthew
1 @>epa.Qov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? Yes 1
Science Needs
| N/A |
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Apply the Adaptation Design Tool to climate-smart permitting.
Climate Threat(s):
Overarching Goal(s):
Performance Goal(s):
LTPG 1
m
*
n
LTPG 2
LTPG 3
Activity Timeframe:
FY24
FY25
FY26
Climate Vulnerability
Water quality impacts from climate change include variations in streamflow, water temperature and
saltwater intrusion, which will have to be accounted for while writing and reviewing National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), UIC and wetlands permits. Changes to aquatic ecosystems and
the composition and distribution of species are likely due to climate-driven changes interacting with
water management practices and land-use changes within individual watersheds.
Action
Description: The Adaptation Design Tool (ADT) was created to help coral reef
managers incorporate climate change adaptation into management plans
using existing planned actions as a starting point, and to identify
additional climate-smart strategies as needed. The tool works by guiding
users through a series of worksheets that address three interrelated
questions about climate impacts to the stressors of concern for ecosystem
management actions, climate impacts on planned ecosystem
management actions, and implications for designing adaptation actions
that successfully address resulting vulnerabilities.
This project will repurpose the ADT framework to address climate
considerations in Water Division permitting. The result will be an
application that allows users to produce consistent, thorough, climate-
smart comments during permit review. ADT's guiding questions will be
reimagined to fit a permitting context.
Metric(s): In FY23 a tool will be developed to easily incorporate relevant climate
considerations into permit writing and review.
Number of external partners that have contributed input to the
development of the tool.
Percentage of permits that incorporate comments using the tool.
Project Challenges:
Completion of this project is predicated upon receiving funding through an
EPA Regional-ORD Applied Research Program (ROAR) grant. Potential
challenges to project implementation include how to proceed without
additional funding.
Co-benefits: This project will include collaboration with ORD researchers. One of the co-
benefits is partnership building between EPA Region III and ORD.
Owner Email:
Konfirst.Matthew
(fpepa.gov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? No
Science Needs
Given the Office of Research and Development (ORD)'s role in developing and promoting the Adaptation
Design Tool (ADT), partnership with ORD will be a critical factor in the success of this project.
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Finalize the Region III Disaster Mitigation Implementation Strategy.
!ฆ*! iwOTT
Climate Threat(s):
Overarching Goal(s):
Performance Goal(s):
LTPG 2
LTPG3
Activity Timeframe:
FY24
FY25
FY26
Climate Vulnerability
This project will address the "Flooding from increasingly frequent intense storm events and sea level
rise" as well as "Water and energy infrastructure" and "Water quality impacts from climate change"
vulnerabilities.
Action
Description: The Region III Disaster Mitigation Implementation Strategy describes the
regional roles and responsibilities in carrying out disaster mitigation
through the Promote/lncentivize/Enforce framework.
Metric(s): Success will be measured by getting input from those in related regional
roles and finalizing the document.
Project Challenges:
Getting feedback on the regional roles and responsibilities from
designated personnel.
Co-benefits: Successful implementation of this project will lead to increased regional
coordination and disaster preparedness.
Owner Email: Rachko.samanth
a(a)epa.aov
New Work? No
Resources Available? Yes
Science Needs
I N/A
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CHAPTER 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities
EPA's waste and land clean-up programs play a crucial role in protecting public health and the
environment from exposure to hazardous materials, remediating contaminated property, and
making these properties available for reuse. Changes in climate should be taken into
consideration in order for the Region to continue to serve these important functions. Sea-level
rise, storm and flood events, and increased ambient temperatures are climate change impacts of
particular concern for these programmatic focus areas, as described in Chapter 2. EPA Region Ill's
waste and cleanup activities are addressed in two divisions, the Superfund and Emergency
Management Division (SEMD) and the Land, Chemicals and Redevelopment Division (LCRD).
Superfund and Emergency Management Division
The SEMD is responsible for implementation of activities pursuant to the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), the National Oil and
Hazardous Substance Pollution Contingency Plan (the National Contingency Plan or NCP) and the
National Response Plan. The division assesses and addresses sites contaminated by hazardous
substances and oil spills, prepares for responses to hazardous incidents and potential homeland
security events, and engages in robust community involvement. Local area planning is a key part
of the SEMD's preparedness program and involves coordinating, planning and training local
partners involved in emergency response and chemical response actions. During preparation for
a severe weather event, EPA Region III communicates with local area planning groups, permitted
facilities, state partners, and responsible parties and with our state partners to identify potential
vulnerabilities during the storm event and then to identify, mitigate and remediate any effects
after the weather event has occurred on the sites.
Figure 6.1- Overview of the Superfund remedial process.
Land, Chemicals, and Redevelopment Division
The LCRD is also responsible for safeguarding and revitalizing communities. Its goal is to provide
a safe, clean and sustainable future and is charged with the responsibility of supporting the
Agency's mission by protecting the land and its inhabitants from chemicals and hazardous waste.
It does so by preventing pollution, promoting sustainable materials management, and supporting
redevelopment and community revitalization mandated under several environmental statutes.
These programs include the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Brownfields
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Redevelopment and Sustainable Materials Management. The Division's achievements are
reflected in a number of activities such as:
Continuing partnerships with States and industry on RCRA hazardous waste site
cleanups and redevelopment;
Working with the Army Corp of Engineers through an Intergovernmental Agreement to
assist with RCRA site assessments and cleanups;
Promoting sustainable materials management through partnerships, including
sustainable management of food and electronics and helping the government to be a
"green" leader;
Guarding against mismanagement of hazardous waste;
Working with states to ensure underground storage tanks are intact and sites are ready
for anticipated uses, and
Encouraging site/property revitalization through the Brownfields Revitalization Act,
including awarding grant funds for technical assessments and site cleanups.
o Revitalization and redevelopment of former industrial sites pose an opportunity
to work with our state partners to encourage the implementation of climate
change measures and apply climate adaptation and resilience strategies as part
of revitalization. Although grant solicitation and evaluation criteria are EPA
Headquarters driven, the Brownfields Branch in EPA Region III can perform
targeted outreach to vulnerable communities and educate them on how to
address climate change with their existing projects and in Brownfields grant
applications. EPA Region III Brownfields will integrate climate adaptation into
programs and policies while working alongside states, non-profits, local
governments, and other community groups. Specific metrics will be developed
and tracked to ensure that Brownfield lands are being restored in a climate
conscious approach to revitalization.
Opportunities for Climate Action
In conclusion, impacts from climate change to EPA's waste and land cleanup programs are real
and should be evaluated throughout the life of a project. The priority actions identified in this
section will take steps to ensure climate change vulnerabilities are considered in planning,
evaluating, and remediating our NPL and other land cleanup sites.
To safeguard and revitalize communities, EPA Region III will take the following actions:
19. Consider climate vulnerabilities at Superfund sites.
20. Engage Superfund communities on climate.
21. Prioritize Long Term Stewardship (LTS) assessments for RCRA corrective action facilities located
in floodplains.
22. Build climate adaptation into Brownfields grants.
23. Apply Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) to agricultural practices.
71
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Consider climate vulnerabilities at Superfund sites.
Climate Vulnerability
A range of potential vulnerabilities will be addressed by this action. Ensuring that actions taken in the
Superfund program remain protective includes evaluating climate vulnerabilities from a range of
impacts such as sea-level rise, storm and flood events, increased ambient temperatures.
Action
Description: SEMD will create a divisional Standard Operating Procedure which will
describe how to consider, evaluate, and document potential climate
vulnerabilities throughout the Superfund process (I.e.: site
investigations, removal and remedial activities and five-year reviews).
This action will build upon existing tools and resources such as OLEM
Climate Vulnerability Assessments, climate adaptation guidance from
OLEM and the regional climate mapping tool.
Part of this priority action will include developing template language to
use in the development of a Statement of Work for Superfund activities.
Metric(s): Launch divisional workgroup-FY22
Number of workgroup meetings tracked -FY22/23
Evaluate existing and any new SOPs/ guidance/ BMPs from OLEM-
FY 22/23
If appropriate develop divisional tool FY23
Project Challenges:
Resourcing issues and staff capacity to participate. Adoption at
enforcement led projects and federal facilities.
Co-benefits: Allow for more resilient and adaptable remedies to be identified and
implemented; potential for more positive impacts to surrounding
communities in addressing climate vulnerabilities.
Owner Email: Mohollen.Laura
(a)epa.pov;
Kennedy.Cathie
en(a)epa.aov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? Yes
Science Needs
Science needs previously identified by SEMD include science and tools needed to map, predict and
prepare for climate vulnerabilities at Superfund sites, and ecological impacts, (see Chapter 9)
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Additional Narrative:
The National Contingency Plan dictates that potential site remedies are evaluated by nine criteria
(outlined in 40 CFR 300.430(e)(9)(iii)). The evaluation considers both short- and long-term protectiveness
of human health and the environment, and as such climate vulnerabilities should be considered when
evaluating options for remedy selection. In addition, at Superfund sites where there are contaminants
left in place or during an ongoing remedial action, a Five-Year Review is conducted to evaluate
protectiveness, including vulnerabilities and impacts from a changing climate. Documenting these
evaluations will ensure that any new or previously unidentified climate vulnerabilities are adequately
assessed and tools such as EPA Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM) 2014 Technical Fact
Sheets and the Greener Cleanup Principals will be identified and considered in the evaluations. With the
above action, EPA Region III plans to more consistently and explicitly consider climate into all phases of
evaluating and addressing remedial and removal sites.
73
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Engage Superfund communities on climate.
Climate Threat(s):
ron
hub
Overarching Goal(s):
Performance Goal(s):
LTPG 1
LTPG 2
LTPG 3 |
Activity Timeframe:
FY22
FY23 |
FY24
FY25
FY26 |
Climate Vulnerability
| A range of potential vulnerabilities will be addressed by this action, as outlined in Chapter 2.
Description:
Action
Develop a standard practice to engage communities affected by
Superfund sites and related activities to address relevant climate
concerns (e.g., through a Site's Community Involvement Plan (CIP), Five-
Year Review interviews).
Metric(s): Evaluation of existing/new guidance
Development of template questions or discussion guides.
Project Challenges:
Participation and cooperation from a community affected by Superfund
sites can be a challenge; along with ensuring the feedback received is
truly reflective of local climate considerations.
Co-benefits: Build stronger partnerships and relationships with community members
which may have information on local level climate considerations (i.e.,
local flooding in storm events).
Owner Email: Mohollen.Laura
(a)epa.pov;
Kennedy.Cathie
en(a)epa.aov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? Yes
Science Needs
I N/A
Additional Narrative:
Throughout the Superfund process, EPA conducts early, frequent and meaningful community
engagement. This engagement is both statutorily required and implemented as a best practice.
Ensuring climate considerations are incorporated into this community engagement will be a key
part of ensuring local level and community concerns are understood. By developing a SOP which
outlines standard questions and climate information to consider at a community level will ensure
that engagement is consistent, equitable and defined, allowing EPA to ensure it is incorporated
throughout the project.
74
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Prioritize Long Term Stewardship (LTS) assessments for RCRA corrective action facilities
located in floodplains.
Climate Threat(s):
nl
Overarching Goal(s):
1
mm
Performance Goal(s):
LTPG 1
LTPG 2
LTPG 3 |
Activity Timeframe:
FY22
FY23
FY24
FY25
FY26 |
Climate Vulnerability
Increased flooding and sea-level rise may increase the risk of contaminant releases from vulnerable
Brownfields Redevelopment sites.
Action
Description: LCRD will give (and encourage EPA Region III states to give) higher priority
to Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action (CA)
facilities with completed remedies located within 100-year flood plains for
Long Term Stewardship (LTS) Assessments. In addition, all new Remedy
Decisions, for facilities located in 100-year flood plains, will include
consideration of potential climate change impacts as part of the long-term
effectiveness element of the Remedy Selection balancing criteria.
Metric(s):
Number of LTS assessments conducted within 100-year flood plain.
Number of new Remedy Decisions evaluated for Climate Change
impacts
Project Challenges: This work is integrated in the core program work.
Co-benefits: Disaster preparedness and partnership building
Owner Email: Pizarro.Luis(5)epa
New Work? No
Resources Available? Yes
Science Needs
I N/A
75
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Build climate adaptation into Brownfields grants.
Climate Vulnerability
Increased flooding and sea-level rise may increase the risk of contaminant releases from vulnerable
Brownfields Redevelopment sites
Action
Description: EPA Region III can also work with HQ Office of Brownfields and Land
Revitalization to:
Emphasize climate adaptation as a key part of the Brownfields
applica tion/solicita tion process.
Develop outreach strategies to promote climate adaptations for
grantees.
Have additional funding available for Brownfield cleanups grants
that are pursuing greenspace redevelopment.
Incorporate new technical assistance from EPA contractors to
evaluate a grantee's jurisdiction for maximizing climate
adaptations.
Metric(s): Number of outreach events that incorporate climate adaptations for
brownfields grantees.
Number of Brownfields reuse plans that take changing climate
conditions into consideration.
Project Challenges: Resources and tool development obstacles
Co-benefits: Greenhouse gas mitigation, disaster preparedness and partnership
building.
Owner Email: Gilmartin.Brett(5)
epa.gov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? No
Science Needs
I N/A
76
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Apply Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) to agricultural practices.
Climate Vulnerability
As a changing climate will impact agricultural production and output, it will be even more important to
prevent wasted food as farms adapt, and to better divert wasted food from landfills. Similarly, other
materials like plastics, metals and construction and demolition waste will need to be more sustainably
managed to adapt to increasing demands and reducing supply. Disaster debris can also be better
diverted from landfill disposal.
Action
Description: Consult and partner with states, tribes, territories, local governments,
environmental justice organizations, community groups, businesses, and
other federal agencies to strengthen adaptive capacity and increase the
resilience of the nation, with a particular focus on advancing
environmental justice.
Foster a greater awareness of and promote the benefits of using finished
compost, including carbon sequestration and water retention. Other
benefits include helping to suppress plant disease, improving soil structure
(enabling the soil to better hold on to essential nutrients), enhancing soil
fertility, increasing crop yields, and reducing the need for chemical
fertilizers and pesticides.
Foster a greater awareness of digestate from anaerobic digestion. The
nutrients in digestate can be land-applied and can help promote healthy
soil, including soil structure, root development, resistance against
drought/disease, and increase in crop yields.
Metric(s): Increase organics materials (tons/year processing
capacity/collection infrastructure).
Project Challenges:
EPA has refocused efforts and is in the process of establishing new
performance metrics.
Co-benefits: Greenhouse gas mitigation
Disaster preparedness and partnership building, including through the EPA
Region III Disaster Support Workgroup
Owner Email: Daw.Harry(5)epa.
gov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? No
Science Needs
^Vv^^ein^dd^sse^^h^iationaUevel^
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CHAPTER 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the
Environment
The Land, Chemicals, and Redevelopment Division (LCRD) envisions a Safe, Clean and Sustainable
Future and is charged with the responsibility of supporting the Agency's mission by protecting its
inhabitants from chemicals and hazardous waste and preventing pollution. LCRD's Programs are
mandated under several environmental statutes including the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), Residential Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act, Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA), Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA), Emergency
Preparedness and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) TRI Program, and Pollution Prevention
(P2) Act.
One of the key programs at the intersection of chemical safety and climate adaptation is the P2
program. The goal of the P2 Program is to achieve source reduction including reducing hazardous
material use, water use, emissions and costs at manufacturers and other businesses.
The P2 program provides grant funding that supports the identification of best practices to
reduce toxic chemical use through reduction and/or substitution. These grants fund technical
assistance for states, tribes, local governments, communities and industry.
The program is coordinated at the national level, but EPA Region III participated in the
development of new climate adaptation and mitigation grant criteria and will play a key role in
the selection and management of these grants. The proposed FY22/23 P2 Grant Request for
Application (RFA) will include an evaluation criterion called "Climate Emphasis," which will
provide a point value to the quality and extent to which their narrative describes how the
applicant intends to provide and emphasize P2 technical assistance to address the climate
impacts of business facilities.
Additionally, the P2 program tracks Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (MTCChe) reduced,
which supports climate mitigation efforts. It also measures pounds of hazardous material
reduced, gallons of water reduced, and costs reduced.
Opportunities for Climate Action
To ensure safety of chemicals for people and the environment, EPA Region III will take the
following actions:
24. Incorporate climate considerations into Pollution Prevention (P2) Program grants.
25. Protect honeybee pollinators using Integrated Pest Management.
26. Evaluate the impact of unusual weather events on pesticide "spray drift."
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Incorporate climate considerations into Pollution Prevention (P2) Program grants.
Climate Threat(s):
Overarching Goal(s):
Performance Goal(s):
LTPG 1
LTPG 2
LTPG 3
Activity Timeframe:
FY22
FY25
FY26
Climate Vulnerability
A changing climate can affect exposures to a wide range of chemicals. Exposures may change because of
changing environmental conditions or changing use patterns.
Action
Description: P2 Grants consider climate emphasis as a small point value grantee
application evaluation selection criterion. The P2 program requests that
grantees report MTC02e implementation results annually.
Metric(s):
MTC02e reduced
Project Challenges: Adequate FTE to manage additional Infrastructure grant funds
Co-benefits: Amplification of P2 benefits and best practices
Owner Email:
Piergiovanni.Peter(a)ep
a.gov
New No
Work?
Resources Yes
Available?
Science Needs
I N/A
Additional Narrative:
The EPA Region III P2 Program will award funds to technical providers that assist businesses and
address climate change impacts. This will be achieved through providing technical information,
best practices, and networking to reduce toxic chemical use and address climate change impacts.
79
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Protect honeybee pollinators using Integrated Pest Management.
Climate Vulnerability
A changing climate can affect exposures to a wide range of chemicals. Exposures may change because of
changing environmental conditions or changing use patterns. EPA's efforts to reduce exposures may be
affectedincluding through impacts to pesticide exposure models. Many of EPA's tools and models for
examining exposure to chemicals rely on inputs that are sensitive to climate data.
Action
Description: EPA Region III LCRD is focusing efforts on protecting an essential crop
pollinator, the honeybeeฆ, from detrimental pests and acute pesticide
poisoning through their FY22 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) project.
Metric(s):
Number of participants attending webinar.
Project Challenges: Resources to update tools and methods
Co-benefits: Disaster preparedness, partnership building; decrease in food insecurity due
to more crop availability
Owner Email: Forman.Debra(a)epa.
gov
New Yes
Work?
Resources Yes
Available?
Science Needs
^Update^ata^ool^n^TTethods
Additional Narrative:
EPA Region III LCRD is focusing efforts on a Managed Pollinator Protection Plan (MP3) to control
pests and reduce pesticide application. Specifically, LCRD is focusing efforts on protecting an
essential crop pollinator, the honeybee, from detrimental pests and acute pesticide poisoning
through their FY22 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) project. With the development and
promotion of outreach materials, this project will spread awareness on three honeybee pests, the
Varroa Mite, Greater Wax Moth, and Small Hives Beetle, and IPM strategies to control and
prevent these pests from destroying regional honeybee populations. Utilizing geolocation data of
registered apiaries and stakeholders, the project will pay particular attention to engaging
minority, low-income, and vulnerable communities. LCRD looks to improve the body of knowledge
on pollinator pests, sustainable control, and prevention to increase the region's resilience to
climate change.
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Evaluate the impact of unusual weather events on pesticide "spray drift."
Climate Vulnerability
A changing climate can affect exposures to a wide range of chemicals. Exposures may change because
of changing environmental conditions or changing use patterns. EPA's efforts to reduce exposures may
be affectedincluding through impacts to pesticide exposure models. Many of EPA's tools and models
for examining exposure to chemicals rely on inputs that are sensitive to climate data.
Action
Description: State FIFRA inspectors will collect weather data for the day of the
application from the nearest weather station and review the
certified applicator's records which must include weather data as
part of the inspection. The EPA Region III states have agreed to
compile these findings and report out during year-end reporting in
the FIFRA grant workplans. EPA Region III States have agreed to
include unusual weather observations and overall weather trends
in their reporting. For instance, if a state notices a higher than usual
number of spray drift complaints in a season, they agree to
evaluate weather data for the incidents and report out on any
weather trends which could have led to the higher incidence rates.
Metric(s):
Collection of spray drift incidence rate baseline data
Project Challenges: Adequate State resources, including ability to hire due to COVID.
Co-benefits: Disaster preparedness, partnership building; decrease in food insecurity
due to more crop availability
Owner Email:
Forman.Debra(S>e
pa.gov
New No
Work?
Resources Yes
Available?
Science Needs
^Update^ata^ool^n^nethods
Additional Narrative:
Four of the EPA Region III states have chosen Spray Drift as one of their FIFRA PPG (Performance
Partnership Grant) workplan "pick list" items to report out on annually to address climate
adaptation. The Grant Guidance activities involve the state "monitoring compliance with spray
drift label language and report investigation findings as part of year-end reportingThe states
then agree to perform use inspections involving review of label language to ensure drift
precautions were adhered to during applications.
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CHAPTER 8: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure
Compliance
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division & Office of Regional Counsel
This chapter was developed by the EPA Region III Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
Division (ECAD) and the Office of Regional Counsel (ORC). ECAD is responsible for developing and
implementing enforcement and compliance assurance programs in the Region, by conducting
inspections and investigations and compelling compliance with environmental laws and
regulations. ORC represents the Region in legal matters including civil, criminal, and
administrative cases, and regulatory and permit actions. ORC provides legal support to ECAD to
develop and bring administrative and judicial cases to achieve compliance and negotiate
settlements to enforce environmental laws through the Region.
ECAD has the opportunity to incorporate climate adaptation into its enforcement efforts,
beginning with the identification of inspection targets, the collection of information on facilities
to inform compliance determinations, through the crafting of resolutions in enforcement
negotiations and cases that incorporate, and address climate adaptation needs in the Region.
There is also an opportunity to focus these efforts to address underserved communities facing
environmental justice concerns to help make these communities more resilient to climate
change. ECAD will also coordinate with other EPA organizations, dedicating resources to
incorporating climate adaptation into enforcement, including the Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance.
There are many challenges to incorporating climate adaptation strategies in the enforcement
process. Many environmental laws are designed to preserve an existing environmental baseline
and restore damage to that baseline through enforcement. With climate change, the
environmental baseline is changing and will continue to change. In addition, it is difficult to
predict how this baseline will change in the future.
Adaptation can be reactive to changes already underway, but it can also be anticipatory,
predicting and proactively preparing for future climate change events. This uncertainty, varying
interpretations of risk, and a lack of a defined legal framework for adaptation mean that the
Region will need to approach the integration of adaptation flexibly, on a case-by-case basis,
depending on geography and industry. The Region will need to use the tools at its disposal
creatively in negotiationsincorporating adaptation measures through mitigation projects,
injunctive relief, and other tools that may become available in the future (such as Supplemental
Environmental Projects). Currently, the ability to incorporate climate adaptation measures into
enforcement cases may have varying levels of success because in many instances participation in
adaptation projects may be voluntary, subject to negotiation, and regulated entities will have
different levels of interest and resources to dedicate to adaptation efforts.
Climate change will also require the Region to adapt the ways in which it carries out its
enforcement and compliance duties. As described in Chapter 2. ECAD anticipates that climate
change may impact how the Region prioritizes enforcement initiatives, the allocation of
resources, and the Region's ability to inspect, monitor and ensure compliance with
environmental laws.
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Opportunities for Climate Action
ECAD proposes to incorporate climate change adaptation considerations both in the initial stages
of targeting facilities for inspections and as a part of resolution of enforcement cases, when
feasible.
Leveraging Targeting, Data and Tools to integrate Adaptation
As described below in more detail, several of ECAD's Priority Actions will focus on screening, data
collection, and using tools in the targeting process to identify facilities located in the Region facing
various climate adaptation challenges. In some cases, this involves leveraging tools already
accessible to the agency, but using them in new ways to focus on targeting areas and facilities
that will need to consider adaptation measures. In other cases, ECAD will screen and collect data
on different types of industries and facilities for consideration in its targeting and inspections.
Using Tools to Target for Adaptation: For instance, ECAD already utilizes "EJ Screen" as a means
of identifying Environmental Justice (EJ) areas of concern and to target enforcement efforts in
these areas when possible. EJ Screen's default is to draw a radius of several miles surrounding a
facility or site. ECAD proposes to expand the use of EJ Screen to creatively draw polygons to target
facilities across media in ways that are tailored to the geography and demographics of an area.
This includes considerations that air pollution travels with prevailing winds (often in the
northeast), while water pollution impacts may be in the opposite direction, going downstream.
Other technology can similarly be leveraged to identify new locations requiring enforcement and
adaptation consideration, including Geospatial Measurement of Air Pollution ("GMAP"), Forward
Looking Infrared ("FUR") cameras, Data Analysis and Reporting Tool ("DART"), flyovers with
aircrafts to identify otherwise previously unknown emitting facilities or sectors, and leveraging
satellite data and other tools to identify impacts from other media. ECAD also proposes to use
these technological tools as part of an effort to target, inspect, and monitor smaller landfills and
those solely owned and operated by municipalities.
Screening and Collecting Data to Target for Adaptation: ECAD also proposes to screen and
collect data in certain areas to inform targeting for adaptation purposes. This includes priority
actions to: 1) identify federal facilities located in vulnerable areas and to emphasize adaptation
measures, where applicable, in federal facility enforcement cases; 2) identify and consider in
targeting instances where facilities may move from one area with heavy community involvement
or a low EJ screen score to a new area that may lack community engagement and/or have a
higher EJ screen score; and 3) target facilities in certain sectors that face similar adaptation
challenges and incorporating adaptation measures during permit renewal phases and
enforcement. An example in this last category is a priority action to identify aging wastewater
treatment plants in the Region soon up for permit renewal that will need to adapt to heavy rains
and flooding. These climate change factors could affect these facilities' ability to treat wastewater
effectively. As part of negotiation of an Administrative Order on Consent or consent decree, such
cases could include injunctive relief that includes measuring, monitoring and reporting of
stormwater flows over time, analyzing hydraulic capacity and integrity of piping, pumps and
treatment systems, minimizing infiltration and inflow from greater stormwater flows and higher
water tables, and identifying facility improvements to handle increased frequency and intensity
of wet weather events.
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Incorporating Adaptation into Resolution of Enforcement Actions
ECAD intends to incorporate adaptation considerations in the resolution of all enforcement
actions, when feasible. This includes discussing adaptation challenges with respondents during
negotiations, and incorporating adaptation measures, where feasible, into injunctive relief,
mitigation projects, and Supplemental Environmental Projects (if/when they become available)
in enforcement cases, and in long term planning for incorporation into Consent Decrees. ECAD
also intends to work on enhancing community engagement in judicial cases, and administrative
cases where possible, to solicit input from communities on special projects that could include
adaptation projects. For instance, as a part of resolution of an enforcement case, ECAD and ORC
could include in negotiations updating emergency response plans, stormwater pollution
prevention plans, operation and maintenance standard operating procedures, training, and other
planning documents to address impacts associated with more intense weather events.
ECAD and ORC intend to consult with the HQ Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance,
which, as part of its priority actions, will be designating "adaptation experts," and collating and
creating an inventory of adaptation measures to consider for different types of industries and
locations as a resource to refer to for enforcement cases.
To enforce environmental laws and ensure compliance, EPA Region III will take the following
actions:
27. Use EJ Screen as an enforcement inspection targeting tool.
28. Increase use of technology to survey large areas to identify areas of focus.
29. Prioritize inspections of facilities with potential climate adaptation and EJ impacts through the
landfill targeting initiative.
30. Identify reasons for relocation of facilities.
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Use EJ Screen as an enforcement inspection targeting tool.
Climate Vulnerability
Increased tropospheric ozone; Altered effects on the stratospheric ozone layer; Interactions of sulfur,
nitrogen, and mercury deposition within ecosystems; Water quality impacts from climate change;
Storage and Use of toxic chemicals
Action
Description: Use EJ Screen in an innovative way to target areas with EJ concerns or
areas adjacent to traditional EJ areas that are rural or may not meet the
80th percentile EJ threshold for other reasons. Use "draw polygon" to
target facilities across media in ways that are tailored to the geography
and demographics of an area. For example, a medium size chemical
manufacturer with both a CAA and NPDES permit in a standard
prevailing wind area - CAA impacts will be mostly to the northeast,
while NPDES (andSDWA) impacts will be noted downstream, which may
be in the opposite direction from the air receptors.
Metric(s): Each media to report out on:
Inspections/offsite compliance monitoring in areas with EJ concerns
resulting from use of this tool
Cases investigated or initiated
Project Challenges:
Updated data - some data sets may be years delayed due to data used
and reporting requirements.
Capturing EJ correctly - while this method may allow for expanded
identification ofEJ areas, existing EPA reporting tools may not currently
allow for expanded methods to be used for reporting/recording and this
effort could go un tracked until databases are updated.
Co-benefits: Use of this approach can ensure that each community affected by
different media contributions to pollution are addressed and ensure that
communities that might not fall into a target list on a "standard" EJ
screen can receive attention.
Owner Email: Willard.ErinM
(a)epa.pov;
Hall.Kristen(3>e
pa.gov
New Work? No
Resources Available? Yes
Science Needs
Use ofEJ Screen software, and potentially overlapping technologies like monitoring network data or
maps.
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Increase use of technology to survey large areas to identify areas of focus.
Climate Threat(s): U
Overarching Goal(s):
Performance Goal(s):
LTPG 1
1
*
LTPG 2
LTPG 3
Activity Timeframe:
FY22
FY23
FY25
FY26
Climate Vulnerability
Increased tropospheric ozone; Altered effects on the stratospheric ozone layer; Interactions of sulfur,
nitrogen, and mercury deposition within ecosystems; Vulnerability and uncertainty related to impacts
to water in the Region; Emergency response; Storage of toxic chemicals
Action
Description: Create maps showing data over several days of survey to demonstrate
where emissions may be moving and run EJ Screen/ Non-attainment
overlays on those neighborhoods. Mapping and tracking emissions
movement will better identify at risk communities who may not be
located directly near a facility.
Metric(s):
Number of maps created.
Project Challenges:
Wind rose modeling of this type is very useful but infrequently available
on the small scale that would be provided by this type of monitoring.
Providing more training to additional staff members, may need to utilize
contractors to assist in survey events, formulate trainings, coordinate
with OECA, NEICfor knowledge transfer and OJT opportunities for
training.
Co-benefits: Address EJ concerns, identify previously unknown emitting facilities or
sectors that can become compliance initiatives.
Owner Email: Willard.ErinM
(a)epa.pov;
Hall.Kristen(3>e
pa.gov
New Work? No
Resources Available? Yes
Science Needs
^^mining^naintair^quipment^sea^l^n^ean^bou^me^in^echnologie^
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Prioritize inspections of facilities with potential climate adaptation and EJ impacts
through the landfill targeting initiative.
Climate Threat(s):
m
| |-^^|
IHIIE3
Overarching Goal(s):
Performance Goal(s):
LTPG 1
LTPG 2
LTPG 3 |
Activity Timeframe:
FY22
FY24
FY25
FY26 |
Climate Vulnerability
Altered effects on the stratospheric ozone layer; Increased tropospheric ozone; Water and energy
infrastructure (e.g., Landfill Gas to Energy)
Action
Description:
Focus inspection/compliance monitoring efforts on landfills that have
not reported as being subject to regulatory requirements based on
landfill size and those solely owned and operated by a municipality
because they frequently have fewer resources. Use technology like
GMAP and methane flyovers to further refine targeting lists. Landfills
have the 3rd highest Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions of sources in the
US.
Metric(s):
Number of inspections
1
Project Challenges:
Landfill emissions data are entered by the facility and are dependent
upon theoretical calculations that may not be completely accurate.
Return to compliance frequently lags actions due to the nature of
landfills. EPA should foster a positive relationship with states and local
communities because they are "front line" on landfill compliance due to
rule delegations and permitting
Co-benefits:
EJ
Owner Email:
Willard.ErinM
-------
Identify reasons for relocation of facilities.
Climate Vulnerability
Interactions of sulfur, nitrogen, and mercury deposition within ecosystems; Vulnerability and
uncertainty related to impacts to water in the Region; Restoring and preserving land; Use of toxic
chemicals; Storage of toxic chemicals; Exposure to toxic chemicals from demolition/ renovation
activities
Action
Description: Attempt to identify instances where facilities may move from one area,
with heavy community involvement and public pressure to comply, to
another neighborhood or geographic area with a less sophisticated
community. Review if the new area lacks community engagement and
its EJ Screen score is significant, to better understand and potentially
mitigate and/or prevent this type of physical move to a new location.
Metric(s): Number of facilities that moved from a non-EJ or barely EJ area to
one that is EJ
Project Challenges:
Identify data tools that would allow staff to easily identify facilities with
new addresses
Co-benefits: EJ, community partnership, effective permitting
Owner Email: Willard.ErinM
(a)epa.pov;
Hall.Kristen(3>e
pa.gov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? Yes
Science Needs
ECHO Notify for multiple programs showing changes at facility level; review of other federal and state
agency data sets, like the Department of Labor and state permitting amendments
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CHAPTER 9: Leveraging and Utilizing Science for Climate-resilient
Decision Making
Applied Science
Each EPA Region III program brings essential, and often unique, scientific capability and capacity
to bear on advancing the Agency's mission. That reservoir of talent and expertise will be tapped
to ensure that sound and objective science is used to inform programmatic activities towards the
goal of advancing the objectives with this CAIP and the Agency's climate objectives more broadly.
The Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division (LSASD) serves as a key champion for
science within EPA Region III and will continue to support regional programs and partners to meet
their science, information and knowledge needs by providing laboratory analytical support; data
analysis; visualization/mapping; decision-support tool creation; and field-based work including
monitoring, biological assessment, and analyses.
Scientific knowledge and its application in decision making are critical in guiding the multitude of
actions EPA Region III programs take to help our communities and environment adapt, mitigate,
and create and maintain resiliency to the effects of climate change. The breadth and complexity
of the science and knowledge needed to meet these challenges will require collaboration across
disciplines, sectors, programs, agencies, communities, and science and research organizations. It
will require us to understand climate change science, integrate research across natural, social,
and health sciences and identify knowledge gaps. We also recognize the need to engage the
Region's tribal communities and integrate their Traditional Ecological Knowledge (consistent with
EPA policy) to create a more comprehensive framework for climate solutions.
As such, knowledge synthesis and utilization, including the dialogue that should occur between
science and knowledge producers, "translators," and users, are key elements of our approach.
An important place for us to begin the dialogue on our collective science and knowledge needs
is by asking, "What critical climate change questions do our programs need answers to in order
to inform decision-making?" These dialogues will ensure decision makers have the best available
knowledge and will keep research efforts aligned with user needs.
However, given the scale and urgency of the challenge, and the pervasive and systemic nature of
climate change and its impacts, addressing the science and knowledge needs will require an
increasingly integrated, systems-based approach. This approach will need to advance multiple
program-specific science questions/priorities; consider cross-programmatic and cumulative
effects and impacts in parallel; and integrate social, health, and natural scientific disciplines.
Collaboration to Maximize Knowledge Production
We will coordinate with EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) and the other relevant
national program office on collaboration, networking, and outreach activities to develop a
strategic approach to engaging with them, and other agencies and institutions. ORD and the
other national program offices are developing Climate Adaptation Implementation Plans in
parallel to the EPA Region III Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan. The ORD Plan specifically
identifies climate-related science needs as a focus area and is incorporating those needs into
Strategic Research Action Plans (StRAPs), which serve as blueprints for structuring and
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coordinating research activities. A major part of our approach will be to work hand-in-hand with
our Regional Science Liaison (RSL) and ORD to identify and share our science and knowledge
needs. We have already provided early climate-specific science needs input to ORD during the
current round of StRAP planning. We will also take advantage of collaborative opportunities like
the Regional-ORD Applied Research (ROAR) Program to fulfill the needs identified by our regional
programs.
Given the amount of science and research being conducted and supported by other federal
agencies, state agencies, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), a
key element of our science approach is to establish partnerships with these groups. Primarily, we
want to ensure we are aware of what other groups are doing so we can: leverage and not
duplicate effort; inform others of our needs and work collaboratively to have them filled; and
ensure information and products produced are useable by regional staff, decisionmakers, and
our partners and stakeholders, so as to integrate climate adaptation into our programs and assist
our partners in integrating adaptation into their programs.
EPA Region III is also fortunate to have an existing example of a strong and effective approach to
networking and partnering with other agencies and organizations in the Chesapeake Bay Program
Partnership. The Chesapeake Bay Program Office (CBPO) (see Chapter 5) will be engaged to bring
lessons learned and insights to partnering to the regional level.
Lastly, to ensure integration of climate adaptation science and knowledge into our, and our
partners, day to day operations and programs, we will need to be aware of and facilitate climate
science training and knowledge transfer. A subsequent chapter of this CAIP further details how
this capacity building will be an aspect of our interaction and collaboration with all our regional
programs and partners. Examples may include:
Becoming an internal and external resource for key climate related science areas.
Transferring science, including training and outreach, to regional program staff to
ensure the latest research is being applied in programmatic decision making.
Attending training and events hosted by other agencies and entities to build internal
scientific capacity and foster collaboration.
Creating outreach and knowledge transfer opportunities for potential partners and
stakeholders to create engagement opportunities.
Fostering intra-Agency sharing of relevant research and lessons learned with other EPA
Regions and programs to avoid redundancy and maximize resources.
Opportunities for Climate Action
Although many science and knowledge needs exist, there is already a strong knowledge base on
which to build. The urgency of the climate crisis means that decision makers should not and
cannot wait for identified science needs to be met prior to initiating action. Climate action must
continue in parallel with research activities, drawing on existing knowledge and incorporating
new insights as they become available. To assist with integrating and applying new and existing
science results and knowledge into programmatic activities, and to identify additional needs
through knowledge application, the development of an adaptive management approach to
ensure science needs are routinely evaluated and updated will be initiated.
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Science needs are identified essential elements of many of the priority actions articulated in this
CAIP. These needs are thematically aligned as follows:
Geospatial representation of key climate-related data and related data analytics
o Floodplain maps, satellite imagery, weather-related metrics, industrial
source/infrastructure mapping, health indicators, etc.
Assessment tool development and application
o Sea-level Exploration and Assessment Decision-making Tool
o NPL Flood Vulnerability Tool
o Adaptation Design Tool for climate-smart permitting
Sector-specific and community-based technical assistance
o Resilient infrastructure
o Disaster mitigation
o Health and welfare impacts
A number of years ago, EPA Region III proactively initiated a process for identifying and compiling
an inventory of science and research needs for our divisions and programs led by the Regional
Science Council (RSC), which is made up of scientists from each of the Region's divisions. In 2021,
the existing inventory of regional science needs was augmented to categorize climate-related
and environmental justice science needs. Currently, the list contains approximately 40 different
climate-related science needs. The RSC members reached out to their respective divisions to
compile the list; and going forward, the RSC will lead and be heavily engaged in maintaining,
updating, and helping to fulfill the identified science needs. As mentioned, EPA Region III shared
this list with ORD in the fall of 2021. The EPA Region Ill's top 3 climate science and research needs
as identified in our science need inventory are:
Climate vulnerability assessments using Mid-Atlantic-specific climate scenarios on:
o Water quality and particularly the design/function of water quality Best
Management Practices (BMPs). This aligns with the Chesapeake Executive
Council Directive No. 21-1: Collective Action for Climate Change, which aims to
"update best management practice design standards to account for the impacts
of climate change, using leading predictive models and tools, to ensure
investments made today continue to yield benefits even as the climate changes."
o EPA regulated facilities and associated communities.
Impacts to and design considerations for wetland, stream and terrestrial restoration
under Mid-Atlantic-specific climate scenarios.
Framework and standardized parameter values/thresholds for assessing social,
economic, and psychosocial disruptions to communities from present/future climate
change such as increased storms, sea-level rise and heat waves. Particular attention to
vulnerable communities that would be severely impacted with an emphasis on
children's health.
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The science needs specifically identified in this CAIP will be added to the EPA Region III
comprehensive science needs inventory. The inventory is used to direct and inform our efforts
to meet existing and emerging science needs.
Summary of Key Actions:
Maintain an updated list of regional climate science and knowledge needs, including
consideration of cross-program and system-based needs.
Enlist the RSC's assistance in investigating a potential adaptive management approach
to identifying and integrating science and knowledge into our programmatic activities.
Work with our RSL on sharing and incorporating regional science and knowledge needs
into ORD's planning processes and make connections to relevant ORD research and
programs (e.g., the ROAR Program).
Provide science-based support and assistance to regional programs and partners and
serve as a conduit of needs to other science providers.
Share and utilize insights learned from the vast experience of the CBPO collaborating
and networking to meet science and knowledge needs.
Develop and initiate an approach to interact and collaborate with other federal
agencies, states, NGOs, academic institutions, and Native American communities.
Identify and support training and knowledge transfer opportunities for regional
programs and our state and local government, NGO partners, Tribes, and communities.
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CHAPTER 10: Developing Climate Leaders for Tomorrow
Tackling an existential global environmental crisis such as climate change requires informed and
energized leadership today. The arc of the global community's response to climate change began
decades ago and will require a sustainable cadre of climate leaders well into the future. A
fundamental step toward that goal is for EPA Region III to focus on building the capacity of our
existing staff; recruiting a climate-educated workforce; and providing opportunities for Agency
staff to practice and share their knowledge within the communities in which they live and serve.
Education and Capacity Development
For well over 20 years, EPA Region III has been providing opportunities for its staff to build
individual and programmatic capacity around a full suite of climate-related topics. Much of that
early work focused on raising the climate awareness of all staff, regardless of their position or
organizational function. This type of general capacity-building needs to be maintained as part of
our everyday business for both existing and new staff - every one of us has a role to play.
While the entire EPA Region III workforce must attain a sound basic understanding of the impacts
of climate change and means for making a difference, an ever-growing cohort of regional staff
will need to build advanced technical knowledge and capacity. Again, EPA Region III is by no
means starting at square one with regard to its native technical capacity. Across the Region,
seasoned, as well as more junior staff possess an impressive level of climate-specific technical
expertise and experience. The Region must continue to build on that strong foundation by
developing and sustaining deliberate and coordinated opportunities to enhance our collective
knowledge base around such topics as:
Atmospheric and terrestrial climate change science
Greenhouse gas generation and mitigation
Media-specific climate impacts
Climate adaptation
Legal and regulatory approaches to greenhouse gas control and mitigation
Associated knowledge in demographics, community health, ecosystem services
Proficiency in data science, GIS, modeling, etc.
Emerging technologies and strategies
Reaching staff to deliver foundational knowledge on climate change can be achieved through a
variety of channels. Substantial passive resources exist on EPA's website and through its library
services. Both provide opportunities for self-learners to navigate themselves to a wide array of
similar external resources. Formal trainings delivered across a variety of platforms will provide
staff with a more active and participatory educational experience. Much of the content for such
trainings readily exists and can be leveraged to create and deliver general climate education.
Other education modalities will continue to be used and adapted to provide basic climate content
to staff. These include program-specific training being developed by EPA National Program
Offices (see Table 10.1), mandatory/non-mandatory on-line training, leadership messaging, the
Region's electronic bulletin board ("R3 in the Know"), social media, in-office signage, computer
desktop "signage;" etc.
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Climate Adaptation Training Module by Lead Office
Tentative Availability Date
Office of Policy (OP) - Climate Adaptation 101
Summer 2022
Regulation Writers
End of 2022
Office of Water (OW)
End of 2022
Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM)
End of 2022
Office of Air and Radiation (OAR)
End of 2023
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP)
End of 2023
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA)
End of 2023
Office of Mission Support (OMS)
End of 2023
Office of Homeland Security (OHS)
End of 2023
Office of International and Tribal Affairs (OITA)
End of 2023
Office of Research and Development (ORD)
End of 2023
Table 10.1 - List of climate adaptation training modules being developed by National Program Offices and the tentative date the
training will be available.
In developing and sustaining our existing technical prowess, we can leverage the learning
opportunities described above. It will also require a continuation and expansion of specialized
and targeted educational and capacity building strategies. The Regional Science Council (RSC) has
a long track record of coordinating and delivering technical training to staff. Its more recently
deployed "Regional Science Council Presents" (RSCP) training program provides an ideal platform
to routinely deliver learning events. Each month, at a minimum, the RSCP conducts an
educational event focused on a particular topic relevant to the work and lives of the staff. The
infrastructure of the RSCP will be leveraged to develop a climate-specific training agenda that will
provide content that will target technical learners, as well as more broad-based participants. On
a related note, it is envisioned that the RSCP platform will, as appropriate, be utilized as part of
the Region's coincident efforts to develop environmental justice leaders of tomorrow. There will
be ample opportunity to provide coordinated and integrated content on these two important
and interwoven challenges.
The RSCP represents only one means to bring the necessary technical education resources to
regional staff. The Region's long-standing human resources-based training program will continue
to focus on staff development and will pursue the types of formal internal and external training
events that staff have benefited from for years. This will include procuring training conducted in-
house for large audiences, as well as supporting individualized training provided by external
entities such as academic institutions and non-governmental organizations.
Another essential means for developing technical capacity is through on-the-job training
opportunities. The Region should continue to provide staff with opportunities to build their
knowledge basis and expertise through cross-program and cross-agency temporary work
assignments and details. This type of knowledge transfer will exponentially expand the collective
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expertise while having the collateral benefit of forging new collaborative relationships with
important partners in addressing the climate change challenge.
In a similar fashion, the Agency's and Region's formal Science Program provides unique
opportunities for staff to immerse themselves into the pursuit of highly technical science and
research. Each year, EPA Region III (like each of the other EPA Regions) has the opportunity to
identify priority research needs and to pursue those needs in collaboration with the Office of
Research and Development (ORD). (see Chapter 9) These rigorous research projects allow
regional staff to develop skills and expertise while creating the science to help the Region address
important environmental challenges. Now, and in the future, the challenges of climate change
and environmental justice will play a central role in the Region's decision-making process for
prioritizing where to apply its limited research resources. The Regional Science Program provides
staff with other opportunities to develop essential technical skills through the Regional Research
Partnership Program (R2P2) and the Regional/ORD Community of Science Networking Program
(ROCS-Net).
Recruiting and Sustaining Climate Leadership
It is not enough to ensure existing on-board staff are climate aware and trained. The Agency and
the Region must seek to recruit and retain within its ranks a workforce that comes to us with
advanced education and abilities specific to addressing climate change. In much the same way
the Agency pursues an ever more diverse and representative workforce, we must emphasize the
need for skills and aptitude in the foundational challenges of today and tomorrow such as climate
change and environmental justice. The Region's talented human resources staff will prove to be
effective agents in helping the Region meet this objective. Likewise, all hiring officials will be
aware of the priority to seek recruits that bring these attributes.
In support of the pursuit of climate-ready new hires, regional leadership and human resources
staff can look for innovative ways to adapt existing recruitment and hiring strategies. This
includes targeting higher education institutions that emphasize the development of the skills we
are seeking. We should expand our recent efforts to implement a formal intern program
(Pathways Internships) that will allow us to mentor future employees and perhaps encourage
them to develop the types of skills we need while they are still pursuing their higher education.
The expansive and ever-evolving nature of the climate change challenge necessitates a broader
suite of talents and educational experiences. The Region should also consider expanding the
traditional list of occupational series for which it recruits. Economists and accountants may be
needed to devise and implement market-based solutions. Educators and marketers may support
programming to change public behavior. We should be seeking problem solvers from across the
entire occupational spectrum.
A hiring and retention strategy specific to recruiting and retaining climate expertise and
leadership will be developed and provided to the regional management team as a resource.
External Engagement on Education and Capacity Building
In alignment with this plan's broader communications and engagement strategy (see Chapter
11). the Region will seek to engage with our community partners where we can bring value to
enhancing awareness and understanding about climate change. Often, we can seek to deliver
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capacity building that integrates climate and environmental justice educational resources and
opportunities. Many of the same tools that provide learning opportunities to our own staff can
be used in the community setting. The Agency has already made significant investment in
developing publicly accessible climate change content through its online and social media
platforms. The Region can develop strategies to amplify and draw attention to these resources
during engagement with our local community partners. This would include tailoring the Region's
outward facing messaging and communications to highlight the connections between our
activities and programs and how they are making a difference on climate change.
The Region can also continue its legacy of being active educators in the community, particularly
in partnership with local schools. We will also continue to leverage our prized Environmental
Education Grant program to support environmental education projects that promote
environmental awareness and stewardship and help provide people with the skills to take
responsible actions to protect the environment.
A climate educated EPA Region III workforce can also be a tremendous asset in advancing climate
awareness principles within our own communities. Giving us all an opportunity to put into
practice our knowledge and expertise and to be agents of change where we live.
Throughout all of these activities, we must ensure that we implement engagement strategies
that are inclusive of all of our communities and that are tailored to meet community members
on their terms and within the context of their lives. Particular emphasis and energy should be
focused on reaching those communities that are most impacted by, and least resilient to, the
impacts of climate change. Achieving climate justice requires acknowledging and addressing the
specific challenges faced by low-income residents, the elderly, minority communities, and other
underserved and underrepresented communities.
Activities that advance external engagement and capacity building can be integrated into the
Region's broader external engagement strategies.
To develop climate leaders for tomorrow, EPA Region III will take the following actions:
31. Assess resources and curricula for capacity development.
32. Develop a recruitment and retention strategy to build climate expertise and leadership in the
EPA Region III workforce.
33. Build external capacity.
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Assess resources and curricula for capacity development.
Climate Vulnerability
A climate educated staff and stakeholder community is an essential foundational component of a
strategic effort to make meaningful progress on the full scope of climate adaptation objectives and
goals.
Action
Description: An assessment of current and existing training and educational
resources will be conducted to identify gaps and opportunities. A
compendium of those resources will be developedand broad-based
access will be provided. Companion training curricula will be developed
and tailored for targeted audiences.
Metric(s): Initial performance metrics will focus on the developmental
timeliness and quality of the capacity building products and
processes.
Secondary metrics will be developed to assess training penetration
and knowledge acquisition.
Project Challenges:
Curating an accessible, effective, and relevant suite of resources from
the vast array of existing materials will require challenging assessment
and decision-making. Ensuring that the resources and curricula are
appropriately inclusive will require input from all of the relevant
programs. The resources to develop, coordinate, and deliver educational
content will require broad-based staff support.
Co-benefits: Capacity building and training will provide opportunities for cross-media
awareness and collaboration.
Owner Email:
Campbell.Dave
(fpepa.gov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? Yes
Science Needs
No unique science needs are associated with the training effort. Of course, the majority of the training
will be science-based.
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Develop a recruitment and retention strategy to build climate expertise and leadership
the EPA Region III workforce.
in
En]
ifi
|- phJ|
LTPG 3
FY25
FY26
Climate Vulnerability
The recruitment, development and retention of climate-focused staff and leaders is an essential
foundational component of a strategic effort to make meaningful progress on the full scope of climate
adaptation objectives and goals.
Action
Description: An assessment of current and existing hiring practices will be conducted
to identify best practices for the recruitment of targeted professionals. A
strategic hiring plan will be developed and implemented to recruit
climate professional and leaders. A development and retention strategy
specific to climate professional will be developed and implemented.
Metric(s): Initial performance metrics will focus on the timeliness and quality
of the assessment and hiring and retention strategies.
Secondary metrics will be developed to assess the success of the
strategies using hiring and retention statistics.
Project Challenges:
The development and successful implementation of recruitment and
hiring practices and strategies are complex and challenging exercises.
They often require the integration of a variety of hiring goals and
objectives. Likewise, they require commitment and support from
corporate leadership in order to effectuate culture change within the
recruitment process.
Co-benefits: Novel recruitment practices and pursuit of non-traditional professionals
can bring new talents and expertise to the Region that can be leverage
against other organizational priorities.
Owner Email:
Campbell.Dave
(fpepa.gov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? Yes
Science Needs
^N^miqu^cienc^eed^^^ssociate^fi/itj^h^mcnjitmen^n^^tentior^ffo^.
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Build external capacity.
Climate Vulnerability
A climate educated stakeholder community is an essential foundational component of a strategic
effort to make meaningful progress on the full scope of climate adaptation objectives and goals.
Action
Description: An assessment of current and existing training and educational
resources will be conducted to identify gaps, opportunities and
relevance and appropriateness for public accessibility. A compendium of
those resources will be developedand a broad-based accessibility and
communication strategic plan will be developed in coordination with the
broader external engagement strategy.
Metric(s): Initial performance metrics will focus on the developmental
timeliness and quality of the assessment and accessibility and
communication strategy.
Secondary metrics will be developed to assess training penetration
and knowledge acquisition.
Project Challenges:
Curating an accessible, effective, and relevant suite of resources from
the vast array of existing materials will require challenging assessment
and decision-making. Ensuring that the resources and curricula are
appropriately inclusive will require input from all of the relevant
programs. The resources to develop, coordinate, and deliver educational
content will require broad-based staff support.
Co-benefits: Capacity building and training will provide opportunities for greater
community engagement and collaboration.
Owner Email:
Campbell.Dave
(fpepa.gov
New Work? Yes
Resources Available? Yes
Science Needs
No unique science needs are associated with the external capacity building effort. Of course, the
majority of the training will be science-based.
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CHAPTER 11 Communication and Engagement Strategy
Working together
Region III recognizes that effective communication and engagement with key stakeholders
throughout the MidAtlantic will be critical to the overall success of adaptation action. EPA's
National Adaptation Plan directs this implementation effort to communicate and engage with
Tribes, states, territories, local governments, environmental justice organizations, community
groups, businesses, and other federal agencies to strengthen adaptive capacity and increase the
resilience of the nation, with a particular focus on advancing environmental justice.
As climate change continues to alter the environment, these stakeholders, including the many
diverse communities located throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, will need assistance to develop
mitigation strategies and adapt accordingly. To succeed, Region III will communicate our
priorities, but also develop strategies to hear and understand the needs of our communities,
providing the foundation for more effective engagement and collaboration over the long-term.
Region III plans to focus our initial engagement with the public sector partners in the states, cities,
and local communities thatare often atthe vanguard of climate adaptation. Region III will identify
those communities that are already addressing and planning for climate adaptation to coordinate
efforts, avoid duplication, identify gaps and provide support. This includes, but is not limited to,
coordinating with local sustainability offices, non-governmental organizations, citizen advisory
committees, and local municipalities. This also include EPA Region III offering consultation to the
seven (7) Region III federally recognized tribes and the Seneca Nation of Indians on the draft
Reginal Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan.
Listening to Vulnerable Communities
In addition, the Region will need to identify and engage with the vulnerable populations
throughout the Mid-Atlantic that may be disproportionately impacted by climate change and
otherenvironmental harms, including children, the elderly, minorities, low-income communities,
communities of color, medically vulnerable people, tribal and indigenous peoples, and people
with limited access to information, or limited English proficiency. The Region will identify
communities that may experience direct impacts from climate change, including extreme
weather events, increased and more intense rain events, flooding, sea level rise, more frequent
heat waves, increased use of pesticides due to changes in insect habitats, among other effects.
Region III will continue to collect data on vulnerable communities, research effective adaptation
strategies and best management practices, and will synthesize this information into mapping
tools and other resources to provide to the public through its website, trainings, workshops,
forums and other forms of community engagement. The Region will also continue to build
partnerships with the public, connecting communities with resources and information needed
for adaptation. This means both maintaining existing partnerships and making new partnerships
with regional environmental and climate justice coalitions, local communities, neighborhood and
community advocacy groups, tribes, non-governmental organizations, private entities and
industry, the agricultural sector, state agencies, and other federal agencies to collaborate and
find solutions to continue to protect the environment and public health in the face of climate
change.
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Top-down and Bottom-up Engagement
The region's overall strategy for meeting these engagement objectives will be a combination of
(a) top-down engagement with leadership at the relevant federal, state, and local organizations
paired with support for the (b) bottom-up engagement developed with individual actions in this
plan.
The top down, more centralized engagement at the leadership level will allow us to share
information from this plan and learn about the priorities and actions of partner organizations in
order to determine areas for collaboration. With the launch of this planning process, we will start
our engagement with the organizations that we typically work with as partners with a shared
mission, particularly federal agencies, states, tribes, and local governments. The objectives of
such engagement include:
Seek high level engagement at the state secretary, director level, and then specific
program, as needed, as well as, high-level level engagement with other members of the
federal family.
Share information on each organization's climate adaptation priorities
Identify areas where priorities and actions could be aligned to leverage resources and
outcomes to work together now to increase adaptive capacity.
Clarify ongoing issues or questions that require additional discussion or follow-up for
future planning efforts
The bottom-up, more distributed engagement will need to develop over time as the individuals
and teams working on aspects of this plan determine types of engagement necessary to
implement the priority actions identified in the program specific chapters. Communications and
engagement with the public are woven into many of the Priority Actions referenced in this report
and several Priority Actions specifically focus on external engagement, including:
Building external capacity by assessing and compiling existing and needed training and
educational resources;
Developing a broad suite of communication channels to effectively engage the public.
This includes a mix of technological and traditional tools such as social media, live
streamed video content and targeted advertising, as well as print, television, and radio-
based media. These formats will be utilized collaboratively to ensure information is
equitably shared with the public regardless of disability or access to technology;
Engaging Region III Tribes in a meaningful dialogue on climate change adaptation and
resilience by hosting a climate adaptation workshop for federally recognized tribes,
participating in the Regional Tribal Operations Committee, exchanging information with
the National Tribal Science Council, and supporting and encouraging the use of General
Assistance Program grants for climate adaptation;
Engaging with communities to mitigate health impacts after adverse events by
proactively connecting vulnerable and overburdened populations to essential resources;
Enhancing mapping capabilities to identify communities that have potential
environmental justice concerns in climate vulnerable areas; and
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Building stronger partnerships and relationships with Superfund communities to address
climate concerns.
Other Priority Actions within this plan include communication and engagement components,
including, but not limited to:
Providing training on and encouraging the use of web tools to map vulnerable
communities and to help states and local governments normalize the adoption of
mitigation strategies and encourage investment in resilient infrastructure;
Providing technical assistance and training for water and wastewater treatment systems
to improve climate resilience;
Engaging with a community in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to incorporate blue
carbon resources to address local challenges;
Partnering with federal facilities to achieve resiliency goals;
Facilitating a workshop to incorporate climate adaptation into water quality and
quantity planning at the watershed scale for federally recognized Tribes, states,
territories, local governments, and communities;
Developing outreach events that incorporate climate adaptations for brownfields
grantees;
Consulting and partner with states, tribes, territories, local governments, environmental
justice organizations, community groups, businesses, and other federal agencies to
strengthen adaptive capacity and increase their resilience by applying Sustainable
Materials Management;
Expanding the scope of enforcement to capture more EJ communities by using EJ Screen
in innovative ways to target enforcement inspections and
Fostering relationships with state and local communities to assist in monitoring landfill
emissions and compliance.
To build the necessary infrastructure to support engagement, EPA Region III will take the
following actions:
34. Develop and update a targeted outreach and engagement workplan.
35. Create a toolkit of communication and engagement resources.
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Develop and update a targeted outreach and engagement workplan.
Climate Threat(s):
H
m
nv
EJ
*
Overarching Goal(s):
Performance Goal(s):
LTPG 1
Activity Timeframe: |
Climate Vulnerability
LTPG 2
FY24
LTPG 3
FY26
IAII relevant Vulnerabilities currently listed in this report and additional future vulnerability, if
determine within the engagement process.
Action
Description: The Region III Climate Collaborative, working with the Climate Steering
committee will develop and keep updated a targeted outreach and
engagement workplan for the Climate Adaptation and Implementation Plan
that highlights opportunities to collaborate at the federal, state, tribal and
local levels. The workplan should include a focus on communities that are
underserved and disproportionally at risk from climate change.
Metric(s): Initial performance metrics will be related directly to LTPG 2 and LTPG
3 since effective engagement with stakeholders will be necessary to
influence and then determine how and when an external partner has
taken an action to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, or recover from
the impacts of climate change.
Secondary performance metrics will support relevant outreach and
engagement objectives in each action or priority action.
Project Challenges: Where possible, this the plan should use existing communications
tools (ex. social media, Summits) and established channels (ex.
Priority engagement communities) to help with engagement, and be
cautious about making plans to develop new tools - make the focus
on a commitment to understand and honestly engage with various
communities across the region.
Co-benefits: There may be opportunities to develop specific engagement actions
for future workplans based on what we learn in the priority actions.
Owner Email: Dunn.Michael@epa.gov New Work? Yes |Resources Available? Yes
Science Needs
(Understanding the science needs of partners and delivering science and technical tools and
information to our partners will be a key role of the engagement process.
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Create a toolkit of communication and engagement resources.
Climate Threat(s):
Overarching Goal(s):
Performance Goal(s):
LTPG 1
LTPG 2
LTPG 3
Activity Timeframe: |
Climate Vulnerability
Mil relevant Vulnerabilities currently listed in this report and additional future vulnerability, if
\determine within the engagement process.
Action
Description:
Create a toolkit of communication and engagement resources to
make the Climate Adaptation and Implementation Plan more
accessible and beneficial to communities in the region. Resources
should be developed using the methods and modes of
communication that are most effective based on study of the
audience and engagement goals. Resources could include talking
points, approved slide decks, science resources, fact sheets,
decision support tools, maps, case studies, etc.
The divisional offices have identified general and specific
stakeholder groups that the Region will engage and partner with
to implement the priority actions identified in the program
specific chapters.
Metric(s): Initial performance metrics will track when the resources are
developed, and the toolkit is officially launched
Final performance metrics will track the outputs associated with
using the resources within the toolkit. Ex. how many presentations
are given using the pre-approved slide presentation materials.
Project Challenges: Robust upfront engagement and effective listening will be needed to
ensure resources will be available and appropriate for the communities
that are underserved and disproportionally at risk from climate
change. For example, language and translation services may be
necessary for many communities in the region.
Co-benefits: There may be opportunities to add climate adaptation communication
and engagement messages into other programmatic outreach work by
developing and using the toolkit. For example, including climate
adaptation talking points into RA level event talking points for water
infrastructure events.
Owner Email: Dunn.Michael(5)epa.gov | New Work? Yes \ Resources Available? Yes
Science Needs
(Understanding the science needs of partners and delivering science and technical tools and
information to our partners will be a key role of the engagement process.
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CHAPTER 12: EPA Region III Managed Facilities & Operations
The Region's goal is to ensure that our facilities are climate resilient to minimize the effects of
climate-related impacts on all facets of regional operations, including infrastructure, supply
chains, acquisition, and the workforce that supports the mission. Currently EPA Region III
occupies four physical locations, each supporting the overall regional and national mission of the
agency. The Region has recently relocated some of these offices and has using that opportunity
to take climate change adaptation concerns into consideration during the relocation process.
The geographic setting and programmatic responsibilities create a unique set of climate
vulnerabilities at each location. For instance, all locations may be subject to heavy rain events,
flooding, heat waves, or other weather events that may impact the ability to reach locations via
mass transit. The workforce traveling to the Philadelphia Office relies heavily on the availability
of mass transit, while the Annapolis office was located in a floodplain and had been susceptible
to flooding. EPA Region III facilities include the following locations:
Philadelphia Regional Headquarters Office: located at 4 Penn Center, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
Environmental Science Center (ESC): located at 701 Mapes Road, Fort Meade, Maryland
Wheeling Field Office: located at 1060 Chapline Street, Wheeling, West Virginia
Chesapeake Bay Program Office: located at 1750 Forest Drive, Annapolis, Maryland
In alignment with the EPA 2021 Climate Adaptation Action Plan. EPA Region III will assess risks
and reevaluate its current posture to ensure that stated goals are realistic with respect to current
and future climate impacts. The regional and national plans will ensure that:
EPA will conduct additional facility-specific climate resiliency assessments to identify
new vulnerabilities and determine best practices for withstanding severe weather
events, enhancing Information Technology (IT) security, ensuring resilient power
supplies, and continuing EPA's mission-related work in the event its buildings or
operations are compromised by extreme weather events due to climate change.
The Agency will continue to audit its facilities for safety, physical security, and
sustainability opportunities such as energy reduction, water conservation, and
fleet efficiency to reduce the Agency's greenhouse gas emissions and climate change
impacts. EPA will also use its master planning process, which revisits facility plans every
five years, to consider renovations and other projects to enhance resilience and reduce
the greenhouse gas emissions associated with its operations.
EPA Region III will support the agency's efforts to implement Executive Order (E.O.)
14057, Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs through Federal Sustainability. E.O.
14057 outlines a coordinated, whole-of-government approach, along with individual
agency goals and actions, to transform Federal procurement and operations to reduce
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and environmental impacts, and secure a transition to
clean energy and sustainable technologies. It establishes that the Federal Government
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will lead by example to achieve a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035 and
net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050.
The Region will evaluate its workforce (including federal employees, contracted staff, grantees,
and Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) Program staff), supplies, and equipment to ensure
that there is minimal risk that climate-change events would degrade our ability to carry out our
delegated responsibilities.
Out-Year Planning
EPA Region III has recently relocated two of our four locations, Philadelphia and Annapolis, and
is in the process of relocating the Wheeling office. These facility location moves are expected to
help the Region reduce our total emissions footprint, as well as decrease anticipated operational
effects on our facilities from climate change.
The Philadelphia Regional Headquarters Office will feature more modern environmentally
conscious fixtures, daylighting controls, more efficient mechanicals and include more natural
lighting in spaces.
The Annapolis Office will also feature many of the same improvements and was also chosen in
part because it is less susceptible to flooding. The new facility will be located outside a floodplain
to increase safety of the workforce and the building itself.
While the Region has not yet identified a new location for the Wheeling Office, it will take into
consideration these same types of facility improvements. More modern spaces reduce the
overall risk of facility downtime because equipment is significantly newer and far from the end
of its useful life.
Future Considerations
Determine if policy, guidance, or email notification is warranted to those employees and
contractors conducting field work during excessive heat warning or ozone action days.
Determine the number of employees that are currently using flexiplace and maxi-flex
work schedules.
Determine the number of employees teleworking, along with the average number of
days worked remote per employee.
Identify the number of employees who lack work schedule and/or telework flexibilities
due to resources or job function.
Determine if special criteria are needed applicable to the Philadelphia Regional
Headquarters Office and/or field offices in the event of weather operational disruption.
Determine if a response plan is need in the event of a mass transit disruption due to
weather or other factors, which would prevent Region III Philadelphia-area employees
from reaching the building.
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x" Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. (2011). Climate Change, the Indoor Environment, and Health.
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xi" IPCC. (2012). Summary for Policymakers. In C.B. Field, V. Barros, T.F. Stocker, D. Qin, D.J. Dokken, K.L Ebi, M.D.
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XIV Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. (2011). Climate Change, the Indoor Environment, and Health.
https://www.nap.edu/catalog/13115/climate-change-the-indoor-environment-and-health
xv Ibid.
XVI Zhao, N. (2018, August 27). Age of Housing Stock by State. National Association of Homebuilders Eye on
Housing, https://eveonhousing.org/2018/08/age-of-housing-stock-bv-state-2/
xvii Ibid.
xviii Ibid.
xixThe City of Philadelphia Office of Sustainability. (2021). Philadelphia Climate Action Playbook.
https://www.phila.gov/media/20210113125627/Philadelphia-Climate-Action-Plavbook.pdf
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Scientists, https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/killer-heat-united-states-0
XXI Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. (2011). Climate Change, the Indoor Environment, and Health.
https://www.nap.edu/catalog/13115/climate-change-the-indoor-environment-and-health
xxii USGCRP. (2009). Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States. (T.R. Karl, J.M. Melillo, & T.C. Peterson,
Eds.). United States Global Change Research Program. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, USA.
https://nca2009.globalchange.gov/index.html
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xxv Lall, U., Johnson, T., Colohan, P., Aghakouchak, A., Brown, C., McCabe, G., Pulwarty, R., & Sankarasubramanian,
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(pp. 145-173). U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, USA. DOI: 10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH3 Note:
This is Key Message 2 from Chapter 3.
XXVI Clarke, L, Nichols, L, Vallario, R., Hejazi, M., Horing, J., Janetos, A.C., Mach, K., Mastrandrea, M., Orr, M.,
Preston, B.L., Reed, P., Sands, R.D., & White, D.D. (2018). Sector Interactions, Multiple Stressors, and Complex
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(Eds.), Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II (pp.
638-668). U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, USA. DOI: 10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH17
xxv" Dupigny-Giroux, L.A., Mecray, E.L, Lemcke-Stampone, M.D., Hodgkins, G.A., Lentz, E.E., Mills, K.E., Lane, E.D.,
Miller, R., Hollinger, D.Y., Solecki, W.D., Wellenius, G.A., Sheffield, P.E., MacDonald, A.B., & Caldwell, C. (2018)
Northeast. In D.R. Reidmiller, C.W. Avery, D.R. Easterling, K.E. Kunkel, K.L.M. Lewis, T.K. Maycock, & B.C. Stewart
(Eds.), Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II (pp.
669-742). U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, USA. DOI: 10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH18
xxviii Ibjd.
xxix Ibid.
108
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xxx Paul, M.J., Coffey, R., Stamp, J., & Johnson, T. (2019). A review of water quality responses to air temperature
and precipitation changes 1: flow, water temperature, saltwater intrusion. Journal of the American Water
Resources Association, 55(4), 824-843. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34316251/
XXXI Coffey, R., Paul, M., Stamp, J., Hamilton, A., & Johnson, T. (2018). A review of water quality responses to air
temperature and precipitation changes 2: nutrients, algal blooms, sediment, pathogens. Journal of the American
Water Resources Association, 55(4), 844-868.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gOv/pmc/articles/PMC8048137/# ffn sectitle
xxx" Paul, M.J., Coffey, R., Stamp, J., & Johnson, T. (2019). A review of water quality responses to air temperature
and precipitation changes 1: flow, water temperature, saltwater intrusion. Journal of the American Water
Resources Association, 55(4), 824-843. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34316251/
XXXI" Coffey, R., Paul, M., Stamp, J., Hamilton, A., & Johnson, T. (2018). A review of water quality responses to air
temperature and precipitation changes 2: nutrients, algal blooms, sediment, pathogens. Journal of the American
Water Resources Association, 55(4), 844-868.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gOv/pmc/articles/PMC8048137/# ffn sectitle
xxxiv Ibid.
xxxv Ibid.
xxxvi University of Delaware. (2008). Technical Summary: State of the Delaware Basin Report-A report on the
health of the 13,539-square-mile Delaware River Basin in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
https://www.wrc.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/State-of-the-Delaware-Basin-Report-2008.pdf
xxmii Dupigny-Giroux, LA., Mecray, E.L, Lemcke-Stampone, M.D., Hodgkins, G.A., Lentz, E.E., Mills, K.E., Lane, E.D.,
Miller, R., Hollinger, D.Y., Solecki, W.D., Wellenius, G.A., Sheffield, P.E., MacDonald, A.B., & Caldwell, C. (2018).
Northeast. In D.R. Reidmiller, C.W. Avery, D.R. Easterling, K.E. Kunkel, K.LM. Lewis, T.K. Maycock, & B.C. Stewart
(Eds.), Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II (pp.
669-742). U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, USA. DOI: 10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH18 Note:
Most of this section is condensed and edited from Chapter 18 of NCA4.
xxmiii Hayhoe, K., Wuebbles, D.J., Easterling, D.R., Fahey, D.W., Doherty, S., Kossin, J., Sweet, W., Vose, R. & Wehner,
M. (2018). Our Changing Climate. In D.R. Reidmiller, C.W. Avery, D.R. Easterling, K.E. Kunkel, K.LM. Lewis, T.K.
Maycock, & B.C. Stewart (Eds.), Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate
Assessment, Volume II (pp. 72-144). U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, USA. DOI:
10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH2
xxxix Chesapeake Bay Program. (Accessed 2022, February 16) Facts and Figures. Discover the Chesapeake.
https://www.chesapeakebav.net/discover/facts
xl NOAA. (2017). NOAA Technical Report NOS CO-OPS 083. Global and Regional Sea Level Rise Scenarios for the
United States.
https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/publications/techrpt83 Global and Regional SLR Scenarios for the US final
.pdf
Xl1 EPA. (2020). Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: 2018 Fact Sheet - Assessing Trends in Materials
Generation and Management in the United States, https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-
01/documents/2018 ff fact sheet dec 2020 fnl 508.pdf
xl" Wilson, A., Reich, B.J., Nolte, C.G., Spero, T.L, Hubbell, B., Rappold, A.G. (2016). Climate change impacts on
projections of excess mortality at 2030 using spatially-varying ozone-temperature risk surfaces. Journal of Exposure
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109
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