NATIONAL WATER PROGRAM
STRATEGY:
RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
KEY ACTION UPDATE
FOR 2010-2011
Office of Water
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
August 2010
EPA 800-R-10-002
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Table of Contents
List of Acronyms iii
Disclaimer vi
The National Water Program vi
Executive Summary vii
Acknowledgments ix
I. Water Impacts of Climate Change: A Recap 1
II. National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change 2
Introduction 2
Goals 3
Themes 3
Next Steps 4
III. 2010-2011 Key Action Update 5
1. Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Related to Water 5
A. Water-Related Energy Conservation/Production 5
B. Water Use Efficiency 7
C. Carbon Capture and Sequestration 8
2. Adapting Water Programs to Climate Change 10
A. Drinking Water, Water Quality, and Effluent Standards 11
Drinking Water Standards 11
Water Quality Standards 11
Effluent Standards 13
B. The Watershed Approach 13
Water Monitoring and Data 14
Watershed Management Tools 15
Protecting Coastal Estuaries 15
Restoring Impaired Waters 16
Nonpoint Pollution Control 17
C. NPDES Permits 18
Adapting the NPDES Permit Program 18
D. Water Infrastructure 20
SRFs and Climate Change 20
Climate Ready Water Utilities 21
E. Wetlands Management 23
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3. Climate Change and Water Research
25
A. U.S. Government Research
26
B. EPA ORD Water Research
26
Ecosystem Services Research Program
27
Water Quality Research Program
27
Drinking Water Research Program
28
C. EPA ORD Global Change Research
29
4. Water Program Education on Climate Change
30
5. Water Program Management of Climate Change
33
IV. Regional Strategies and Actions
37
Region 1
37
Region 2
39
Region 3
41
Region 4
42
Region 5
43
Region 6
47
Region 7
48
Region 8
48
Region 9
49
Region 10
53
Appendix
55
Summary Tables - Climate Change Actions by Lead Office and Region
Headquarter Programs Key Actions
Regional Programs Key Actions
References and Web Sites
55
55
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List of Acronyms
ACOE Army Corps of Engineers
AEIO American Indian Environmental Office
AMWA Association for Metropolitan Water Agencies
ARRA American Reinvestment and Recovery Act
AWWA American Water Works Association
BECC Boarder Environment Cooperation Commission
BPJ Best Professional Judgment
C3 Climate Change Collaboration
CAA Clean Air Act
CAFO Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation
CASA Conservation Alliance of Southern Arizona
C-CAWWS Climate Change and Water Working Group
CCS Carbon Capture and Sequestration
CCWG Climate Change Working Group
CEQ Council for Environmental Policy
CEU Continuing Education Unit
CHP Combined Heat and Power
CRE Climate Ready Estuaries
CREAT Climate Resilience Education and Awareness Tool
CRWU Climate Ready Water Utilities
CUPSS Check Up Program for Small Systems
CWA Clean Water Act
CZARA Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments
Dl Direct Implementation
DNR Department of Natural Resource
DO Dissolved Oxygen
DOE Department of Energy
DOI Department of the Interior
DWRP Drinking Water Research Program
ECHs Energy Conservation Measures
EMS Environmental Management System
EO Executive Order
EPRI Electric Power Research Institute
ESRP Ecosystem Services Research Program
GAP General Assistance Program
GCCN Global Climate Change Network
GCM Global Climate Model
GHG Greenhouse Gas
GLNPO Great Lakes National Program Office
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GPRA Government Performance and Results Act
GRCP Global Change Research Program
GS Geological Sequestration
HSPF Hydrologic Simulation Program Fortran
ICLUS Integrated Climate and Land-use Change Scenarios
ICS Incident Command System
IDEM Indiana Department of Environmental Management
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
ISGS Illinois State Geological Survey
LAE Large Aquatic Ecosystem
LEED Leadership for Energy & Environmental Design
LID Low Impact Development
LTCPs Long-term Control Plans
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
MPRSA Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act
MRR Mandatory Reporting Rule
NARS National Aquatic Resource Surveys
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NDWAC National Drinking Water Advisory Council
NEP National Estuary Program
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NJDEP New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
NOAA National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NRC/NAS National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences
NWP National Water Program
NYSDEP New York State Department of Environmental Protection
OAR Office of Air and Radiation
OCSPP Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
OECA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
OEI Office of Environmental Information
OEJ Office of Environmental Justice
OGWDW Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water
OITA Office of International Activities and Tribal Affairs
OPEI Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation
ORD Office of Research and Development
ORSANCO Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission
OSA Office of the Science Advisor
OST Office of Science and Technology
OSTP Office of Science and Technology Policy
OSV Ocean Survey Vessel
OSWER Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
OW Office of Water
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OWM Office of Wastewater Management
OWOW Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
P2 Pollution Prevention
POTWs Publically Owned Treatment Works
qPCR Quantitative Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
RCM Regional Climate Models
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RR Reporting Rule
SCAP Southern California Alliance of Publicly Owned Treatment Works
SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act
SERMARNAT Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
SI Sustainable Infrastructure
SRF State Revolving Fund
STC3 State-Tribal Climate Change Council
SWAT Surface Water Assessment Tool
TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load
TRI-TAC League of California Cities, the California Association of Sanitation Agencies, and
the California Water Environment Association Technical Advisory Committee
UIC Underground Injection Control
USCRTF U.S. Coral Reef Task Force
USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
USGCRP U.S. Global Change Research Program
USGS U.S. Geological Survey
WARN Water/Wastewater Agency Response Networks
WERF Water Environment Research Foundation
WestFAST Western Federal Agency Support Team
WQBEL Water-Quality Based Effluent Limitations
WQRF Water Quality Research Program
WRF Water Research Foundation
WWTF Wastewater Treatment Facilities
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Disclaimer
This National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change provides an
overview of the likely effects of climate change on water resources and the Nation's
clean water and safe drinking water programs. It also describes specific actions the
National Water Program intends to take to adapt program implementation in light of
climate change. As such, we hope this document provides useful information and
guidance to the public regarding those matters. To the extent the document mentions
or discusses statutory or regulatory authority, it does so for informational purposes only.
The document does not substitute for those statutes or regulations, and readers should
consult the statutes or regulations themselves 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. The use of words like "should," "could," "would," "will," "intend," "may,"
"might," "encourage," "expect," and "can," in this document means solely that something
is intended, suggested or recommended, and not that it is legally required, or that any
expressed intention, suggestion or recommendation imposes legally binding
requirements on EPA, States, the public, or the regulated community. Agency decision
makers remain free to exercise their discretion in choosing to implement the actions
described in this Strategy.
The National Water Program
The National Water Program is a cooperative effort by Federal, State, Tribal, and local
governments to implement core laws, including the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA),
the Clean Water Act (CWA), and the Marine, Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act
(MPRSA), to protect and improve the quality of the Nation's waters. Key elements of
this effort are intended to:
• Assure that water provided by public water systems is safe to drink;
• Protect and restore the quality of rivers, lakes, and streams;
• Improve the quality of estuarine, coastal, and ocean waters;
• Protect wetlands; and
• Restore the quality of large aquatic ecosystems around the country such as the
Chesapeake Bay, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico.
For over thirty years, EPA has worked with other Federal agencies and State, Tribal,
and local governments to implement a wide range of programs to protect the Nation's
waters. EPA works closely with other Federal agencies, such as the Department of
Agriculture, Department of Interior, and Department of Commerce. Many of the Federal
water quality programs authorized by Congress are now delegated to States and Tribes
that implement the programs with the support of grants from EPA. Local governments
play a critical role in this effort as the managers of the drinking water and waste
treatment infrastructure and are supported with financing assistance through the State
Revolving Fund (SRF) loan programs.
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Executive Summary
This document updates the 2008 National Water Program Strategy: Response to
Climate Change. The 2008 Strategy included forty-four "Key Actions" that the
Workgroup planned to undertake during 2008 and 2009 that could be initiated within
existing resources. EPA Regions were also asked to develop response actions.
Over the past two and a half years the National Water Program (NWP) has been
implementing the Key Actions in both headquarters and regional offices resulting in
significant momentum (See:
http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange/implementation.html).
This 2010-2011 Update is intended to update the Key Actions for work in the near term
under current resources. On a parallel track, the NWP is examining the long-term
strategic issues that climate change presents to the NWP to develop a new Strategic
Plan by 2012 that recognizes a comprehensive Federal government approach that is
under development by the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force, co-
chaired by the Council for Environmental Quality (CEQ), the Office of Science and
Technology Policy (OSTP), and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA). EPA and the Department of the Interior (DOI) co-chair the Task
Force's Water Workgroup with over a dozen Federal agencies whose missions are
affected by the water-related impacts of climate change (See:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/adaptation).
Many developments are underway throughout EPA to address both mitigation and
adaptation to climate change. The NWP is collaborating with every part of EPA to
develop greater capacity to address climate change, including:
• Office of Air and Radiation (OAR);
• Office of Research and Development (ORD);
• Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation (OPEI);
• Office of Environmental Information (OEI);
• Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP);
• Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER);
• Office of the Science Advisor (OSA); and
• Office of International Activities and Tribal Affairs (OITA).
This 2010-2011 Update includes 49 Key Actions distributed under five goals:
GOAL Number of Key Actions
Goal 1: Mitigation of Greenhouse Gases 7
Goal 2: Adaptation to Climate Change 26
Goal 3: Change Research Related to Water 4
Goal 4: Education on Climate Change 5
Goal 5: Program Management for Climate Change 7
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For Mitigation, the NWP is involved in water use efficiency (WaterSense, water reuse),
carbon sequestration (geologic, sub-seabed), and energy efficiency and co-generation
at water treatment plants.
To facilitate Adaptation, several voluntary programs are underway, including Climate
Ready Estuaries, Climate Ready Water Utilities, Green Infrastructure, and WaterSense.
Other Adaptation actions involve deployment of training, tools, funding and partnerships
to build resilience, including climate and emergency preparedness and response, SRF
funding, BASINS Climate Assessment Tool training, linking ecological and landscape
models, and participation in the Coral Reef Task Force.
Several other Adaptation activities are underway in core programs under both the
SDWA and the CWA. Examples include efforts to prevent contamination of drinking
water sources, assessing risks of waterborne disease, developing biological indicators,
examining the implications of ocean acidification on water quality criteria, examining
criteria for hydrologic conditions, and including climate-sensitive parameters in national
waterbody surveys. Other evaluations underway include considering climate
implications for future effluent guidelines, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) water
quality analyses, the Coastal Wetlands Initiative, CWA Section 404 permitting, National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, nonpoint source
management, and how climate change factors into the proposed stormwater
rulemaking.
Under the Research goal, the NWP will continue collaborating to ensure that research
plans inform adaptation and mitigation activities. The NWP will participate in the current
Federal dialogue about the relative roles and functions of the U.S. Global Change
Research Program (USGCRP), the NOAA Climate Service, and development of the
National Climate Service. In addition, the NWP will partner with water research
associations, NOAA, and ORD to plan a Research Forum to further inform research
planning activities.
The Education goal builds awareness both within EPA and within NWP constituent
communities. Activities include seminars, webinars, an e-newsletter, incorporating
climate change into other programmatic trainings, and public presentations. The NWP
is also currently revamping its climate change web page.
The Program Management goal ensures that climate change is integrated into ongoing
program management planning and evaluation activities, including maintaining an active
climate change workgroup and working closely with Regions to implement adaptation
activities. Notably, as the Agency continues working to address environmental justice,
climate change must be an important part and the NWP will actively engage in that
dialogue. In addition, the NWP is involved in activities across EPA and the Federal
government to build robust capacity to address climate change, including maintaining
the informal 'AdaptNet,' working with OPEI's climate change team, and participating on
the CEQ Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force.
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The principles of adaptive management require flexibility - and the NWP will look for
opportunities to fine-tune program activities as we work with our inter-governmental
partners and stakeholders on this important issue.
Acknowledgments
EPA Office of the Assistant Administrator for Water
Michael Shapiro (Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water and Workgroup
Chair), Joel Corona, Elana Goldstein, Karen Metchis, John Powers
Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water
Curt Baranowski, Ann Codrington, Elizabeth Corr, Keara Moore, Mike Muse,
David Travers, Lauren Wisniewski
Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
Paul Cough, Rachel Fertik, John Whitler
Office of Wastewater Management
Veronica Blette, Randy Hill, Sarita Hoyt, Jan Pickrel, Martha Segall
Office of Science and Technology
Diane Eignor, Rachael Novak, Suzanne Rudzinski
Office of Research and Development
James Goodrich, Tom Johnson, Jeff Yang
Office of Air and Radiation
Rona Birnbaum, Jeremy Martinich, William Perkins
EPA Regional Offices
Region 1: Stephen Perkins, Ken Moraff, Mel Cote
Region 2: Patricia Pechko
Region 3: Joe Piotrowski
Region 4: Bob Howard, Gail Mitchell, Linda Rimer
Region 5: Kate Balasa, John Haugland, Tinka Hyde
Region 6: James Brown, John Bowie
Region 7: Karen Flournoy
Region 8: Carol Russell
Region 9: Michael Mann, Cheryl McGovern, Karen Schwinn
Region 10: Paula VanHaagen
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Large Aquatic Ecosystem (LAE) Program
LAE Program Office: Abby Nickels, Nell Orscheln
Chesapeake Bay Program: Joe Piotrowski
Columbia River Basin: Paula Van Haagen
Great Lakes: John Haugland
Gulf of Mexico: John Bowie
Lake Champlain: Stephen Perkins
Long Island Sound Study: MarkTedesco, Lynne Hamjian
Pacific Islands: Michael Mann
Puget Sound-Georgia Basin: Paula Van Haagen
San Francisco: Karen Schwinn
South Florida: Bob Howard
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I. Water Impacts of Climate Change: A Recap
The 2008 Strategy reflects information about water-related impacts of climate change,
as documented in reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Since the publication of the 2008 Strategy, the USGCRP (formerly known as the U.S.
Climate Change Science Program) published a series of Scientific Assessment
Products, culminating in the June 2009 synthesis report titled "Global Climate Change
Impacts in the United States." The report reviews the scientific findings of the 2007 and
earlier IPCC reports as well as more recent scientific findings. It describes both ongoing
and expected future impacts of climate change for the United States overall as well as
regional and sectoral assessments (available at: http://www.globalchange.gov/).
In December 2009, the EPA issued the "Endangerment and Cause or Contribute
Findings for Greenhouse Gases under the Clean Air Act." The finding and the
supporting Technical Support Documents and the Response to Comments also discuss
observed and expected impacts of climate change in the U.S. (available at:
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/endangerment.html).
A review of these documents reinforces the findings that climate change has significant
implications for water resources and water programs, and the conclusions of the NWP
Climate Change Workgroup are that these implications need to be addressed in each
part of the NWP in order to continue to achieve EPA's mission of protecting human
health and the environment.
The reader is referred to the original 2008 Strategy for a full discussion of climate
change impacts to water resources and water programs. However, the impacts to water
resources can be very briefly summarized as follows:
Increases in Water Pollution Problems due to warmer air temperatures will result
in warmer water, causing an increase in the number of waters recognized as
"impaired."
More Extreme Water-Related Events, including heavier precipitation in tropical and
inland storms, will have adverse effects on water quality and aquatic system
health.
Changes to the Availability of Drinking Water Supplies due to droughts,
changing patterns of precipitation and snowmelt, increased evaporation, and
saltwater intrusion will result in changes to the availability of water for public
water supply as well as for use in agriculture, industry, and energy production.
Waterbody Boundary Movement and Displacement will occur as rising sea levels
move ocean and estuarine shorelines and as changes in water flow and
precipitation affect the size of wetlands and lakes.
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Changing Aquatic Biology as warmer water and changing flows result in
significant deterioration of aquatic ecosystem health in some areas.
Collective Impacts on Coastal Areas will result from a combination of sea level
rise, increased damage from floods and storms, changes in drinking water
supplies, and increasing temperature and acidification of the oceans.
II. National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate
Change
Introduction
The 2008 Strategy was developed by the NWP Climate Change Workgroup, which
began work in March 2007, culminating in publication of the 2008 Strategy in
September 2008. The 2008 Strategy provides an overview of the impacts of a changing
climate on water resources and water programs and describes overall goals for the
water program response. It included forty-four "Key Actions" that the Workgroup
planned to undertake during 2008 and 2009 that could be initiated with existing
resources.
Over the past two and a half years, the NWP, including both the Office of Water and the
Water Divisions of the ten EPA Regions, has been implementing the Key Actions and
building a foundation for action on both mitigation and adaptation. This 2010-2011
Update is intended to update the Key Actions to guide work in the prospective near
term. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges ahead and to examine some
of the new opportunities. Note that one of the key actions during this period is to
examine the long-term strategic issues that climate change presents to the NWP in
order to develop a new Strategic Plan by 2012.
Climate change is a complex problem that requires adaptive management, an approach
that EPA has long advocated for issues such as watershed management. The EPA
Office of Water (OW) defines adaptive management as:
"...the process by which new information about the health of the
watershed is incorporated into the watershed management plan. Adaptive
management is a challenging blend of scientific research, monitoring, and
practical management that allows for experimentation and provides the
opportunity to "learn by doing." It is a necessary and useful tool because
of the uncertainty about how ecosystems function and how management
affects ecosystems (EPA 2003)."
This definition readily applies to the challenge of adapting to climate change.
Characterizing climate change as a complex problem is an understatement - and
identifying appropriate actions requires flexibility to evolve as information is updated and
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understanding is deepened. In that light, some of the Key Actions in the 2008 Strategy
have been deleted, either because they were completed, or because in retrospect they
proved to offer less value in light of other opportunities. Some have been reframed as
understanding grew and progress was made. Some activities were added as
opportunities presented themselves. In any case, the current array of Key Actions
reflects a growing capability at EPA and stronger partnerships with our Federal, State,
Tribal and public partners. We expect that these Key Actions will also evolve over the
next two years.
Goals
This 2010-2011 Update retains the structure of the 2008 Strategy, organizing the Key
Actions under five major goals. However, many of the Key Actions could rightfully be
included in more than one goal area, such as the WaterSense program that contributes
to both mitigation and adaptation. For simplicity, however, Key Actions were grouped
into one goal. The five goals are:
Goal 1: Water Program Mitigation of Greenhouse Gases: Use core water
programs to contribute to greenhouse gas mitigation.
Goal 2: Water Program Adaptation to Climate Change: Adapt implementation of
core water programs to maintain and improve program effectiveness in the
context of a changing climate and assist States and communities in this effort.
Goal 3: Climate Change Research Related to Water: Strengthen the link between
EPA water programs and climate change research.
Goal 4: Water Program Education on Climate Change: Educate water program
professionals and stakeholders on climate change impacts on water resources
and water programs.
Goal 5: Water Program Management of Climate Change: Establish the
management capability within the NWP to engage climate change challenges on
a sustained basis.
Themes
In developing Key Actions to support the five major goals, several important
crosscutting themes, or principles, are kept in mind:
1. Develop Data to Adapt to Climate Change: Water managers need information
and baseline data to understand how climate change is altering the environment
and inform long-term planning.
2. Develop Analytic Tools: Water managers need a wide range of new analytic
tools to understand and address water resources impacts of climate change.
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3. Plan for Extreme Water Events: Water managers need to expand efforts to
plan for and respond to extreme weather events resulting from climate change,
including storms, floods, and a lack of water.
4. Increase Watershed Sustainability and Resilience: Many elements of a
"watershed approach" will increase the resiliency of watersheds to climate
change and increase the sustainability of aquatic systems.
5. Strengthen Partnerships: Water program managers need the help of many
partners, including Federal agencies and State, Tribal, and local governments.
Next Steps
With the publication of this 2010-2011 Update to the NWP Response to Climate
Change, the NWP continues to affirm its commitment to confront the challenge of
climate change. Through implementation of the Key Actions described in this
document, and through ongoing collaborative partnerships, we will continue to seek
ways to build climate change into our base programs, assist our constituents and
partners to do the same, and to, where possible, "erase the lines" that artificially
separate programs into stovepipes while retaining the distinct authorities and
mechanisms that each program brings to solving the problem. Further, as we have
done in the previous two years, we will monitor the implementation of these actions and
provide periodic public reports of progress.
In addition, EPA Regional Offices are working to address climate change impacts that
are of greatest significance to each Region. They are working with their Regional multi-
media counterparts as well as with their State, Tribal, local and public partners to foster
appropriate solutions. Taken as a whole, the Office of Water and the ten EPA Regions
are building a broad array of tools, information, partnerships, pilots and programs to
continue to improve the understanding of both the impacts of climate change on water
resources and the range of actions that might further improve the NWP response to
climate change.
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III. 2010-2011 Key Action Update
This section describes 49 Key Actions that the NWP is undertaking during 2010-2011.
Many are ongoing activities; some are activities that the NWP would be implementing
regardless but that take on greater importance in light of climate change, and some are
new areas of exploration. As discussed in the Introduction of Section II to this
document, solving a complex problem like climate change will require both sustained
activity and adaptive management - and the NWP will work to ensure that its activities
reflect both.
The Key Actions are organized by Goal:
Goal 1: Water Program Mitigation of Greenhouse Gases;
Goal 2: Water Program Adaptation to Climate Change;
Goal 3: Climate Change Research Related to Water;
Goal 4: Water Program Education on Climate Change; and
Goal 5: Water Program Management of Climate Change.
1. Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Related to Water
Goal 1: Water Program Mitigation of Greenhouse Gases: Use water programs to
contribute to greenhouse gas mitigation.
Much attention has been given lately to the "energy-water nexus." Water intended for
human use requires significant amounts of energy for pumping, treating, or heating.
Conversely, production of energy and fuel places great demand on water supplies.
Energy efficiency preserves water for both human and ecological use. Conversely,
conserving water and using it efficiently not only reduces emissions of greenhouse
gases, but it also helps to stretch dwindling water supplies for municipal, agricultural
and energy uses, and for preservation of ecological flows.
This interconnection makes it difficult to characterize a Key Action as either mitigation or
adaptation, when in fact it is both. For the sake of simplicity, we are placing both types
of actions - energy and water efficiency - under Goal 1.
A. Water-Related Energy Conservation/Production
OBJECTIVE: Promote water-related energy conservation.
KEY ACTION #1: Improve Energy Efficiency at Water and Wastewater Utilities.
The NWP will continue to work with the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) to promote
energy performance benchmarking programs, use of energy audits and energy tracking
systems, use of alternative energy sources within plants (e.g.. solar, wind, hydro),
installation of Combined Heat and Power systems for heat and energy generation in
facilities that use anaerobic digesters, and will provide State and local governments
information on available and emerging treatment technology. [Formerly Key Action #1]
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Energy use by drinking water and wastewater facilities for pumping and treating water
accounts for approximately three percent of the United States' energy consumption
(Reardon, 1994). Drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities have the potential
to achieve a 15-30 percent energy savings by implementing energy conservation
measures alone (CEC, 2007). Many facilities have the capacity to generate and use
energy from low-head hydroelectric, solar and/or wind power, while wastewater
treatment facilities also have the capacity to generate energy from capture and use of
biogas produced during anaerobic digestion of wastewater solids and to use a variety of
technologies for recovering energy from sewage sludge or converting it into a fuel
source.
To assist utility owners, managers, and operators of publicly owned treatment works
(POTWs) that may be considering implementing energy conservation measures, the
Office of Wastewater Management (OWM) is developing a report on Evaluation of
Effective Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) at POTWs, which will include case
studies of successful energy conservation projects designed to promote energy
conservation at POTWs. The program is also developing a Combined Heat and Power
(CHP) Technology Evaluation and Guidance document for utility managers of
POTWs with anaerobic digesters that provides evaluations of CHP technologies for
onsite heat and power production and other uses of biogas, including assessments of
electrical efficiency, energy production rates, gas clean-up requirements, greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions, costs, and payback periods. Both reports should be completed
by the fall of 2010.
OWM is continuing to work with Regions, States, and utilities to promote energy
management at water and wastewater utilities based on the 2008 Energy Management
Guidebook for Wastewater and Water Utilities. To date, a total of 19 introductory
workshops to familiarize utilities with the steps in the Guidebook have been held with
over 1,500 people in attendance. As a result of the introductory workshops, seven
Regions are now working more closely with over 90 utilities to implement energy
management programs based on the Guidebook, including energy assessments using
Portfolio Manager. OWM and Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water (OGWDW) are
also working together to develop an energy audit tool for small water and wastewater
utilities. Following pilot testing, we hope to have the final audit tool available for use in
2011.
OGWDW is also developing a pocket guide on ECMs for drinking water facilities and a
factsheet for conducting an energy audit in the water sector. These deliverables should
be completed by the end of 2010.
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B. Water Use Efficiency
OBJECTIVE: promote efficient use of water to reduce energy use and to
conserve water supplies.
Water efficiency offers climate change mitigation opportunities as reducing demand also
reduces the energy requirements associated with moving and treating water. Water
efficiency is also a component of adaptation strategies because it helps utilities reduce
demand when they are stressed by water scarcity. Adaptation is supported particularly
when water efficiency/conservation efforts are carried out within a broader context of
integrated water resources management, including strategies to ensure availability of
public water supplies. EPA has a number of program activities that are focused on
reducing demand, ensuring more efficient use of water by utilities and industry, and
identifying alternative supplies of water.
KEY ACTION #2: Implement the WaterSense Program. EPA will continue to
implement the WaterSense program by developing specifications for additional
products, increasing the number of program partners, and educating the public about
the importance of water efficiency. Depending on available resources. EPA may
expand the program further into the commercial and institutional sector. [Formerly Key
Action #2]
The WaterSense program, which was launched by EPA in 2006, sets specifications for
the labeling of products that are at least 20 percent more efficient than current
standards while performing as well or better than less-efficient counterparts. The label
helps consumers and businesses identify water efficient products and services that will
promote water savings.
The WaterSense program will continue to develop specifications for products and
services that will provide for water savings both indoors and outdoors. In 2010, the
program will issue a final specification for showerheads and continue work towards a
final specification for weather-based irrigation controllers. The program will continue to
incorporate messaging about energy savings that can be achieved with water efficiency
and support efforts of other Federal agencies to implement water efficiency actions that
likewise achieve energy efficiency. The program is working on a specification that would
result in the first co-labeled product (pre-rinse spray valves) with EnergyStar and will
seek opportunities to identify additional products that would benefit from co-labeling.
The program will also participate in Federal collaboration efforts managed by the
Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Management Interagency Water Working
Group to implement water efficiency provisions associated with Executive Order (EO)
13514 (Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance).
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KEY ACTION #3: Develop Water Resources Management Tools. The NWP will
issue guidance and conduct training to help drinking water utilities control and mitigate
water loss in distribution systems through leak detection and repair and metering and to
address water efficiency, water availability, and water variability. [Formerly Key Action
#4]
A major opportunity for improving water efficiency is the repair of leaking distribution
systems, which can commonly result in the loss of ten percent or more of a city's treated
water. Significant amounts of water can be saved by implementing water loss
accounting, actively implementing leak detection technologies, and making timely
investments in leak correction. In addition, correcting infiltration and inflow in
wastewater collection systems can significantly decrease the volume of wastewater
required to be treated resulting in decreased energy and chemical demand.
In 2010, OGWDW will issue a guidance focused on control and mitigation of drinking
water losses in distribution systems.
KEY ACTION #4: Assess Water Reuse. The NWP will continue to coordinate with the
National Academy of Sciences and other stakeholders to assess water reuse as an
approach for meeting future water supply needs and use the assessment to potentially
revise EPA's 2004 Guidelines for Water Reuse. [Formerly Key Action #5]
Technology to recycle and reuse wastewater is being used by communities in water
scarce areas. As in the case of industrial water use, reuse of municipal wastewater
reduces energy use and costs and thus reduces GHGs. It also can benefit aquatic
ecosystems by recycling water to beneficial uses within a community and reducing
demand for water from other locations. In 2004, EPA published guidelines for water
reuse (available at http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pubs/625r04108/625r04108.pdf),
OW is funding the Water Science and Technology Board of the National Research
Council of the National Academy of Sciences (NRC/NAS) to conduct a study on
"Assessment of Water Reuse as an Approach for Meeting Future Water Supply Needs."
After the final report is received in early 2011, EPA will consider how to incorporate the
recommendations into case studies, fact sheets, and technical guidance. Information
about the study is available at:
http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/projectview.aspx?key=48995.
C. Carbon Capture and Sequestration
OBJECTIVE: Assure that commercial scale geologic sequestration of carbon
safeguards drinking water and the ocean environment.
The President has established an Interagency Task Force on carbon capture and
sequestration (CCS) to develop a Federal strategy to speed the commercial
development and deployment of new coal technologies. The Task Force, co-chaired by
the DOE and EPA, is developing a proposed plan to overcome the barriers to the
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deployment of CCS within ten years, with a goal of bringing five to ten commercial
demonstration projects online by 2016 (See:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/ccs).
A critical element of ensuring that these projects can move forward is providing
regulatory clarity. EPA has a key role in designing an appropriate regulatory framework
to ensure the safety, efficacy, and environmental soundness of CCS. EPA has three
regulatory efforts underway focused on injecting and storing carbon dioxide
underground. These include:
• New Federal requirements under the SDWA for carbon dioxide (CO2) geologic
sequestration wells, which build on the regulatory framework of the existing
Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program and consider the unique
characteristics of carbon dioxide and the large volumes that may be injected.
• Under the Clean Air Act, a GHG reporting proposal that would establish
monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements at CO2 storage sites; the
requirements are harmonized with UIC data collection requirements to fully utilize
data gathered by the UIC permit and avoid redundancies.
• A proposed rule is currently being developed under the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (RCRA), that, when finalized, would provide clarity with regard
to the status of CO2 as a hazardous waste.
KEY ACTION #5: Finalize Geologic Sequestration Regulations. EPA will finalize
regulations for siting and managing geologic sequestration (GS) projects to prevent
endangerment of underground sources of drinking water. [Formerly Key Action #8]
In light of the growing interest in CCS, EPA is reinforcing guidance to States, Tribes and
Regions on using existing authorities to permit promising CO2 storage projects even
while new Federal regulations are being finalized. EPA will also finalize regulations for
siting and managing GS projects to prevent endangerment of underground sources of
drinking water. EPA will support implementation of the rule by issuing guidance on key
issues and working to build technical capacity in the States and Regional direct
implementation (Dl) programs.
EPA program managers are working with State/Tribal permitting agencies on early
projects to ensure timely identification and resolution of issues. Current options for
permitting UIC wells which inject CO2 include Class I (industrial), Class II, or Class V.
The Agency has issued guidance for UIC Class V experimental technology wells (see
UIC Program Guidance #83, 2007,
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/pdfs/guide_uic_carbonsequestration_final-03-
07.pdf). The guidance outlines key technical considerations for permitting CO2 injection
for GS. Meanwhile, States, Tribes and Regions can use existing authorities to permit
promising CO2 storage projects.
KEY ACTION #6: Support Evaluation of Sub-Seabed and Ocean Sequestration of
CO2. EPA will work with other interested agencies and the international community to
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develop guidance on sub-seabed carbon sequestration and will address any requests
for carbon sequestration in the sub-seabed or "fertilization" of the ocean, including any
permitting under MPRSA or the UIC program that may be required. [Formerly Key
Action #10]
Carbon can be sequestered in geologic formations under the seabed as well as on land.
The 1996 Protocol to the London Convention on ocean dumping ("London Protocol")
regulates sub-seabed sequestration of CO2 streams from CO2 capture processes for
sequestration. Parties to the London Convention and London Protocol are developing
guidance for sub-seabed carbon sequestration. The NWP and the OAR are
participating in this effort.
The United States is working toward ratification of the London Protocol, including the
proposal of amendments to the MPRSA, to implement the treaty.
2. Adapting Water Programs to Climate Change
Goal 2: Water Program Adaptation to Climate Change: Adapt implementation of
core water programs to maintain and improve program effectiveness in the context of a
changing climate.
Given that most of the impacts of climate change are linked to the hydrologic cycle,
most of the Key Actions in the 2008 Strategy and again in this 2010-2011 Update, are
clustered under the Adaptation goal. However, despite the sense of urgency to 'adapt,'
much is yet to be learned, tested, and developed. The five cross-cutting themes that
were articulated in the introduction help to illuminate and articulate the importance of the
various Adaptation Key Actions in this section:
• Develop Data to Adapt to Climate Change;
• Develop Analytic Tools;
• Plan for Extreme Water Events;
• Increase Watershed Sustainability and Resilience; and
• Strengthen Partnerships.
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A. Drinking Water, Water Quality, and Effluent Standards
OBJECTIVE: Water standards continue to protect human health and the
environment as the climate changes.
Drinking Water Standards
KEY ACTION #7: Gather Input or Information on the Impacts of Climate Change
and the Potential Contamination of Drinking Water Sources and Water Supplies.
The NWP is requesting input and/or information on climate change and how it could
impact the nature and extent of contaminants in drinking water supplies and systems.
[Formerly Key Action #12]
As part of the publication of the second Six Year Review, the Agency is requesting that
the public provide any information or data that illustrates the impacts of climate change
(e.g., changes in rainfall, drought, temperature, and snow/ice cover) on the occurrence
of contaminants in drinking water, both in source water and in tap water. The Agency is
also requesting data on changes in the variability of occurrence and impacts on drinking
water treatment to address occurrence or variability changes. The Agency will review
any information provided by commenters to determine whether it provides insights on
the impacts of climate change on regulated or unregulated contaminants and how they
should be addressed. EPA will consider this information in future evaluations of
drinking water contaminants.
KEY ACTION #8: Assess Clean Water Microbial Criteria and Risks of Waterborne
Disease. The NWP will assess the potential for changes in waterborne disease profiles
and other water-related disease vectors as a result of climate change, including
recommendations for appropriate responses (e.g.. revision of biological/pathogen
criteria for surface waters). [Formerly Key Action #13]
To better understand the potential problems posed to drinking water systems, the Office
of Science and Technology (OST) will assess implications of climate change for
biological contaminants and pathogens in surface waters and evaluate needed
response actions, including the potential revision of criteria under the SDWA (e.g.,
individual contaminants) and the CWA (e.g., source water quality). Additionally, OST is
assessing effects of changes in environmental parameters (e.g., temperature and
rainfall) on recreational waters and will study tropical climates as a surrogate for
waterbodies affected by climate change.
Water Quality Standards
KEY ACTION #9: Consider Criteria for Hydrologic Conditions. In anticipation of
impacts from intensification of the hydrologic cycle such as velocity and sediment
loadings in some streams, rivers, and estuaries, the NWP will review the potential for
development of narrative criteria for hydrologic conditions to protect designated uses.
[Formerly Key Action #14]
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OST has examined the policy and technical implications of development of narrative
criteria for hydrologic conditions. OST will provide technical and policy support to
Regions, States, and Tribes interested in developing such criteria for implementation to
protect designated uses.
KEY ACTION #10: Develop Biological Indicators and Methods. The NWP will
improve the biological information base to better manage water resources in a changing
climate, including developing guidance on coral reef bioassessments and biological
criteria. [Formerly Key Action #15]
In response to problems posed by climate change, the following tools and procedures
will need to be fully developed and implemented:
• Measurement of biological condition and detection of changes;
• Models to forecast hydrologic and water quality changes; and
• Partnerships with land use managers.
The program will need the ability to measure and detect modifications in biological
conditions as a result of climate change impacts. This may involve more extensive
biological monitoring, development of indices and indicators that are sensitive to climate
change impacts, and methods to link monitoring results with the effects of other
stressors. This biological information base will be crucial to managing adaptation and
deciding when compensation is appropriate (e.g., change activity in the watershed to
maintain biology) and when revised goal setting is appropriate (i.e., to reflect reality).
An example of this work is the development of guidance on coral reef bioassessments
and biological criteria as part of EPA's participation in the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force.
OW is working with the ORD to understand implications of climate change for State
bioassessment/biocriteria programs. Results of prior workshops are available at
http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/global/recordisplay. cfm?deid=190304.
Several additional workshops are scheduled for late 2010.
KEY ACTION #11: Link Ecological and Landscape Models. The NWP will work with
ORD. OAR. and Federal partners to invest in refinement of models of ecological
processes and landscape hydrology. [Formerly Key Action #16]
ORD and OST recently developed a climate assessment tool within the BASINS
decision support system (BASINS CAT). BASINS CAT currently provides a capability
for creating climate change scenarios to assess the sensitivity of hydrologic and water
quality endpoints to climate change using the BASINS Hydrologic Simulation Program-
Fortran (HSPF) watershed model. The NWP also completed incorporating similar
climate assessment capabilities for the Surface Water Assessment Tool (SWAT)
watershed model in BASINS.
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ORD's Integrated Climate and Land-use Change Scenarios (ICLUS) project is
developing national maps depicting projected changes in housing density and
impervious cover by decade through 2100. ORD is also developing a downloadable
and customizable geographic information system (GIS) tool that will enable local
decision makers to develop their own land use change scenarios.
Effluent Standards
KEY ACTION #12: Evaluate New Industry Sectors and Existing Effluent
Guidelines. The NWP will evaluate new industry sectors and existing effluent
guidelines to assess the need for new or revised technology-based performance
standards. [Formerly Key Action #17]
EPA engages in a biannual Effluent Guidelines planning process to evaluate on a
regular basis the need to develop or revise existing guidelines. In this context, EPA will
take comment on issues associated with climate change and water efficiency. These
comments will be integrated into the Federal Register Notice that summarizes a
biannual plan to guide EPA in rulemaking targets.
KEY ACTION #13: Review Regulatory Program Tools. Continue to evaluate the
flexibility and sensitivity of the NWP regulatory programs for climate change adaptation.
Many of the NWP regulatory programs are inherently flexible and can accommodate
changes in environmental stressors or changes in industry. However, new tools may be
needed to help water program personnel consider climate change in their actions. For
example, to ensure that the NPDES program is prepared to provide guidance to permit
writers on taking into consideration climate changes, the NPDES program was
evaluated to identify areas where new data, tools or guidance might be needed (see
Key Action #23).
To build on that study and prior work by ORD, the NWP will continue to evaluate the
sensitivity of CWA and SDWA programs to climate change in an effort to identify areas
of concern or potential future actions.
B. The Watershed Approach
OBJECTIVE: Use the watershed approach to adapt core water programs to
climate change challenges.
KEY ACTION #14: Promote "Green Buildings" for multiple benefits (nonpoint
source control, water conservation, energy conservation): The Office of Wetlands.
Oceans, and Watersheds (OWOW) will provide education, outreach, and guidance on
green buildings and green infrastructure from the perspective of controlling nonpoint
sources of pollution. [Formerly Key Action #7a]
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Increasing the water and energy efficiency of water utilities has value from a GHG
mitigation point of view, but sustaining these efficiencies over the long-term will require
extending the commitment to water and energy efficiency into the building stock and the
design of communities. By applying "green building" principles and "smart growth"
policies, energy and water efficiencies at utilities can be multiplied. The NWP plays a
role in this process because it regulates the stormwater and other infrastructure
associated with buildings and municipalities.
Several organizations, such as the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership for Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED) program and the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI), are working with State and local governments and the private sector in
promoting the "green buildings" concept and rating systems. These rating systems
document the commitment made by a developer to "green" building practices, such as
reduced use of energy and water, on-site (decentralized) energy generation (e.g., solar
power, geothermal), and water retention (e.g., green roofs).
Recent developments are expanding this concept to integrate "smart growth," "low
impact design," and green building practices. For example, the new LEED for
Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) pilot Rating System reaches beyond the
building envelope to include site selection and design, infrastructure linkages (e.g.,
mass transit), and credits for onsite stormwater management practices such as green
roofs, rain gardens, and vegetated swales. The NWP is working with other offices in
EPA to promote "low impact design" and "smart growth" concepts in funding programs,
regulatory programs, and voluntary programs. The program will also work with Federal
partners to implement relevant provisions associated with Executive Order 13514
(Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance).
Water Monitoring and Data
KEY ACTION #15: Expand National Water Resource Surveys to Include
Parameters Relevant to Assessing Climate Change Impacts in the National
Wetlands Survey and other pertinent activities. [Formerly Key Action #19]
The Nation's waters are monitored by State, Federal, Tribal, and local agencies, as well
as universities, dischargers, and volunteers. Water quality data are used to
characterize waters, identify trends over time, identify emerging problems, determine
whether pollution control programs are working, help direct pollution control efforts to
where they are most needed, and respond to emergencies such as floods and spills.
As the climate changes, monitoring the condition of water resources will be increasingly
important and increasingly challenging. At the same time, identifying and measuring
environmental changes that result from a changing climate is both difficult and
uncertain. In addition, assigning effects to "climate" as opposed to other causes is
frequently challenging.
The NWP will include assessment of climate change impacts in water resources
assessments at the national level, such as the recent wadeable stream assessment and
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the Coastal Condition Report. These national overviews will provide useful information
on climate-related changes to water resources but will also form a foundation for
assessment of trends over time. To support this work, EPA will work with States, Tribes
and other Federal agencies to include climate change-related measurements in
monitoring programs, including reports from States under Sections 305(b) and 303(d)
and ocean monitoring conducted by the Ocean Survey Vessel (OSV) Bold.
Watershed Management Tools
KEY ACTION #16: Produce training materials for BASINS CAT. The NWP will
produce training materials to assist EPA. State. Tribal, and other government staffs in
using the CAT element of the BASINS decision support tool. [Formerly Key Action #21]
The NWP recently developed a climate assessment tool within the BASINS decision
support system (BASINS CAT). BASINS CAT provides a capability to create climate
change scenarios to assess the sensitivity of hydrologic and water quality endpoints to
climate change using the BASINS HSPF watershed model. The NWP has recently
developed similar climate assessment capabilities for the SWAT watershed model in
BASINS (for more information about BASINS CAT, see EPA 2009b in the References
section at the end of this document or visit
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/BASINS/). EPA has developed training materials
on the use of the model to support assessment of climate-related water resources
impacts and program decisions.
Protecting Coastal Estuaries
KEY ACTION #17: Expand Climate Ready Estuaries Partnerships. The NWP will
continue to support and promote the Climate Ready Estuaries Program in partnership
with the OAR s Climate Change Division and ORD. [Formerly Key Action #22]
The National Estuary Program (NEP), established by Congress in 1987, promotes
technical transfer of information, expertise, and best management practices within 28
estuaries designated as nationally significant watersheds. The accomplishments within
these watersheds also assist other coastal watersheds facing similar water pollution and
water quality impairments. This approach has proven to be a success over the past 15
years and the NEP is seen as a model for other comprehensive watershed and
community-based programs.
The NWP will work with individual estuary programs to promote climate change as a
priority for NEP Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan revisions. In
addition, the NWP will work with OAR and ORD to support and promote the Climate
Ready Estuaries (CRE) Program. The CRE Program works with the NEPs and their
partners to develop and implement adaptation plans and strategies; engage and
educate stakeholders; assess climate change vulnerabilities; develop climate change
indicators for estuaries and incorporate them into monitoring plans; and share lessons
learned. CRE also provides technical and financial assistance to NEPs and their
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partners, including information about climate adaptation, vulnerability assessment
techniques, communication and outreach tools, and contact lists of those with climate
change/adaptation expertise. Fifteen of the twenty-eight NEPs have received support
from EPA to build additional capacity in adapting to climate change. In 2010 EPA will
continue to support CREs, explore options to expand the CRE online toolkit, explore
opportunities for additional interagency coordination, and continue to provide climate
change adaptation information to coastal communities.
KEY ACTION #18: Continue Coral Reef Protections: The NWP will continue
participation in the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force and support related efforts to protect
coral reefs. [Formerly Key Action #23]
The Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force
(USCRTF) is tasked with engaging in cooperative efforts to focus on impacts of climate
change to coral reefs, and to develop potential management responses. Recent efforts
of the CCWG have included a compilation of mandates and current actions being taken
by the USCRTF member Federal agencies and the jurisdictions in response to ocean
acidification. The CCWG is currently analyzing ways to support local jurisdictions in
advancing climate change adaptation planning for coral reef management.
The CCWG will organize a half-day workshop on climate change adaptation, on
September 14, 2010, as part of the USCRTF meeting in Saipan (Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands). The purpose of the workshop is to discuss the
advancement of management adaptation to climate change, including impediments to
and opportunities for implementing climate adaptation strategies. Through a series of
presentations and facilitated discussions with participants, the CCWG will identify
knowledge gaps and implementation needs for enabling managers and communities to
take actions to adapt to climate change.
More information about the USCRTF can be found at: http://coralreef.gov.
Restoring Impaired Waters
The CWA provides a listing of waters not meeting State water quality standards and the
development of plans and TMDLs for reducing pollutant loadings as needed to meet
water quality standards. The NWP is encouraging States and others to look for
opportunities to develop TMDLs on a watershed basis and to implement restoration at
the watershed scale, which will likely make the watershed more resilient to climate
change impacts. The NWP will consider the long range implications for waterbody
impairment associated with climate change and will make needed revisions to TMDL
guidance.
KEY ACTION #19: Develop tools for incorporating climate change impacts into
TMDL water quality analyses. OWOW will work with ORD to evaluate climate and
water models with the goal of identifying tools for TMDL developers.
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There are currently no established methodologies for incorporating considerations of
climate change into TMDLs. With contractor assistance, OW is partnering with ORD to
explore different analytical techniques for examining the water quality consequences of
climate change in a TMDL context. In particular, this project will use recently available
outputs from Regional Climate Models (RCMs) that provide finer-scale estimates of the
future U.S. climate (vs. the larger-scale global change models (GCMs)). Key outputs
such as projected changes in precipitation and temperature profiles from several
different RCMs will be input into different water models with the ultimate goal of
identifying a suite of cost-effective tools for TMDL developers.
KEY ACTION #20: Evaluate considerations for addressing ocean acidification
under the 303(d) program. EPA will develop a memorandum by November 15. 2010.
that describes how the Agency will approach ocean acidification under the 303(d)
program.
EPA issued a Federal Register Notice on March 22, 2010 seeking public comment on
how to address ocean acidification under the CWA 303(d) program. Comment was
solicited as to whether EPA should issue guidance regarding the listing of waters as
threatened or impaired for ocean acidification, and what that potential guidance might
entail. In addition, EPA requested information regarding recommendations for TMDL
development for waters impaired by ocean acidification. EPA will be evaluating these
comments during the coming months, and is planning to develop a memorandum by
November 15, 2010, that describes how the Agency will approach ocean acidification
under the 303(d) program.
Nonpoint Pollution Control
KEY ACTION #21: Review/Revise Nonpoint Pollution Management Measures for
Nutrients and Sediments. EPA will continue to review the current guidelines and
methods as new information becomes available. As nonpoint pollution control methods
are better tailored to climate change. EPA will work with States to make climate change
a priority for funding under Section 319. [Formerly Key Action #24]
Nonpoint source pollution continues to be the largest remaining source of water quality
impairments in the Nation. State nonpoint source programs, developed under the CWA
Section 319 Program, are working to meet this challenge.
In cooperation with NOAA, EPA developed guidelines and methods under Section
304(f)(1) and (2) of the CWA and under the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization
Amendments (CZARA) of 1990 Section 6217 concerning estimates of the nature and
extent of nonpoint sources of pollutants and methods to control pollution. In response
to Section 502 of the Executive Order (EO) on the Chesapeake Bay, EPA completed
guidelines and management measures (in May 2010) for multiple stakeholder sectors
that by EO will be applicable to the Federal government installations on the Bay. EPA
considers these guidelines to be the most up-to-date, next generation best management
practices applicable to nonpoint source runoff and can be considered for use in other
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parts of the country. EPA will continue to review the current guidelines and methods in
light of information related to climate change impacts on the type and extent of
pollutants associated with nonpoint sources (e.g., greater storm intensity resulting in
high rates of pollutant loads in runoff) as new information becomes available and will
revise the guidelines and methods as needed.
As research develops and nonpoint pollution control methods are better tailored to
climate change, EPA will work with States to make climate change a priority for funding
under Section 319. EPA will also consider asking States and Tribes to amend nonpoint
pollution management programs as needed to reflect new information relating to climate
change, including information developed under Section 304(f) relating to water
movement and flow and the value of wetlands in mitigating impacts of climate change.
C. NPDES Permits
OBJECTIVE: NPDES permits maintain protection of water quality as the climate
changes.
Adapting the NPDES Permit Program
The five-year permitting cycle provides permit writers with a significant amount of
flexibility to adapt to changing conditions. However, an awareness of the impacts of
climate change by permit writers and other stakeholders will be crucial for ensuring that
the program is protective of water quality within a changing climate regime. In addition,
technology-based effluent limitations, water-quality based limitations, and other
conditions written into NPDES permits depend upon other program inputs, such as
water quality standards, effluent guidelines and standards, and TMDLs. The NPDES
program will be directly impacted by a variety of intra-Agency decisions; therefore,
continuous and effective intra-Agency dialogue will ensure that permit authorities are
aware of, and properly able to incorporate, any new or revised permit requirements
responsive to climate change.
KEY ACTION #22: Promote "Green Infrastructure" for multiple benefits (wet
weather management, water conservation, water harvesting, energy
conservation, and smart growth). The NWP will work with other EPA offices to
support States. Tribes, and local governments to promote and integrate "green
infrastructure" practices into permits, plans and programs. [Formerly Key Action 7b]
OWM will lead efforts to incorporate green infrastructure into NPDES permits, plans and
programs, as well as to develop accompanying tools and guidance.
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Ongoing activities include:
• Technical support to States for permit writing, to incorporate green infrastructure
practices into municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permits and fact
sheets;
• Development of a guidebook for NPDES authorities on facilitating use of green
infrastructure in regulatory permitting and enforcement programs;
• Training for municipal officials who operate MS4s, combined sewers, and other
wet weather systems and programs;
• Pilot collaborations to develop "green" long-term control plans (LTCPs) in select
communities;
• National stormwater rule-making to more significantly emphasize management of
stormwater using approaches (e.g., green infrastructure) that will mimic natural,
stable hydrologic conditions;
• Development of calculator tools that provide estimates not only of wet weather
management capacity of green infrastructure, but also for important metrics such
as carbon sequestration and energy savings; and
• A variety of outreach and education materials on specific topics such as design
and performance; operation and maintenance; and other elements of
implementing green infrastructure programs.
KEY ACTION #23: Review and Adapt NPDES Permit Program Tools. Conduct an
internal review of the flexibilities and tools in the NPDES program that can be used to
respond to changing water quality/quantity conditions and new technologies: collaborate
with programs within OW and across the Agency, and provide technical guidance to
permit authorities and permit writers. [Formerly Key Action #25]
Education, outreach, and technical assistance efforts will be updated to include the
potential impacts of climate change. The NPDES program intends to provide technical
examples to permitting authorities and permit writers on how to assess the need for
revised water quality-based effluent limitations (WQBELs) and other permit conditions,
as well as other aspects of program implementation. This may include assistance on
issues such as how to address changing flow regimes and hydrologic patterning effects
on receiving streams and facilities.
Additional or modifications to existing guidance may be one opportunity for providing
basic information on a broad range of issues that permit writers should consider when
developing permits. Potential climate change-related topics that may be suitable
include:
• Watershed-based permitting and the potential impacts that climate change can
have on this process;
• Use of best professional judgment (BPJ) to develop technology-based effluent
limitations for pollutant discharges from new technologies that may be developed
to adapt to climate change;
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• Ways to evaluate the need for new or revised permit conditions due to impacts
caused by climate change;
• How existing data systems can be used as tools for collecting and querying
information on facilities and water bodies; and
• Trainings targeted to stakeholders on specific topics related to their areas of
focus (e.g., Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFOs), POTWs, and wet
weather).
KEY ACTION #24: Evaluate Stormwater NPDES Regulation. Evaluate the feasibility
of incorporating into the proposed Stormwater rulemaking the potential effects of climate
change on precipitation and hydrology. [New Key Action]
One of the signature characteristics of climate change is an expected increase in
extreme precipitation events resulting in increased stormwater runoff. Therefore,
climate change is being addressed in the upcoming Stormwater NPDES rulemaking.
Unfortunately, considerable uncertainty remains in the understanding of multi-decadal
climate change at the local scale at which decisions are made. Several efforts have
been undertaken within the water resource planning and climate communities to
develop vulnerability assessment methodologies for helping localities evaluate potential
risk from a range of changes in precipitation patterns. EPA will consider including in the
regulation steps that municipalities could take to consider these changes in precipitation
patterns as they determine how to comply with the new requirements.
See also Key Action #13.
D. Water Infrastructure
OBJECTIVE: Improve water sector resilience through adoption and
implementation of adaptive management practices and infrastructure.
SRFs and Climate Change
KEY ACTION #25: Use the Clean Water and Drinking Water SRFs to Support
Eligible Projects to Address Adaptation to Climate Change. Work with State
partners to continue to clarify what types of climate change-related infrastructure
expenditures are eligible for SRF assistance and support these projects as appropriate.
[Formerly Key Action #30]
EPA and State partners will continue to use the SRFs to fund infrastructure that helps
utilities to mitigate climate change (e.g., clean power for POTWs) or adapt to potential
impacts of climate change (e.g., water reuse, water loss reduction). Such projects have
become more prominent under requirements first adopted under the American
Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) and continued in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010
SRF appropriations, that at least 20% of each State's capitalization grant be used for
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water and energy efficiency, green infrastructure, and other innovative environmental
projects.
Climate Ready Water Utilities
Extreme weather events, sea level rise, shifting precipitation and runoff patterns, and
temperature changes all have significant implications for sustainability of the Nation's
water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities (i.e., the water sector). Regardless of
actions to reduce future levels of GHGs, the water sector will need to develop effective
adaptation strategies to address climate change impacts.
EPA's Climate Ready Water Utilities (CRWU) program provides technical resources and
tools for the water sector to develop and implement long-range plans that account for
climate change impacts. By applying emergency management principles and
sustainable infrastructure practices to the water sector's response to climate change,
utilities will have the capability to assess risk, determine vulnerability, evaluate
consequences, develop effective adaptation and mitigation strategies, and take
necessary action to strengthen their critical infrastructure. CRWU activities for 2010-
2011 are summarized below in Key Actions 26 - 30.
KEY ACTION #26: Continue to collaborate with the CRWU Working Group. The
NWP will continue working with the CRWU Working Group to identify attributes of a
climate ready water utility and define water sector needs to promote adoption of climate
change adaptation and mitigation strategies. [New Key Action]
In fall 2009, EPA convened a CRWU Working Group under the National Drinking Water
Advisory Council (NDWAC). The working group is charged with developing attributes of
climate ready water utilities; conducting a gap analysis on climate change-related tools,
training, and products to address utilities' short- and long-term needs; and identifying
mechanisms that would facilitate the adoption of climate change adaptation and
mitigation strategies by the water sector. Recommendations from the working group will
be provided to the NDWAC, which will in turn make recommendations to EPA in fall
2010. This action also supports Key Action 41.
KEY ACTION #27: Develop Water Utility Climate Resilience Education and
Awareness Tool (CREAT). The NWP will design and develop a Climate Change Tool
to increase drinking water and wastewater operator awareness of potential climate
change impacts on utility operations. [Formerly Key Action #29]
In spring 2009, EPA convened a workgroup to assist with development of a framework
to inform the design of CREAT. CREAT is intended to increase drinking water and
wastewater operator awareness of potential climate change impacts on utility operations
and missions by assessing climate change threats, threshold levels for asset failures,
and consequences. It will also help utilities better understand these impacts by
supporting adaptation decisions with analyses of adaptation options that can reduce the
identified risks and an examination of the costs of these adaptations. Design,
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development and distribution of the software tool are planned for 2010 followed by
outreach and training in 2011 based on availability of funding.
KEY ACTION #28: Develop an Interactive Toolbox. The NWP will develop an
Interactive Toolbox to support utilities responding to climate change in all stages of the
decision process. [New Key Action]
EPA is developing a web-based database with resources and tools to support utilities
responding to climate change in all stages of the decision process, from basic climate
science through integration of mitigation and adaptation into long-term planning. The
toolbox will include: reports, articles, and publications; grant programs that could
support climate-related actions by utilities and municipalities; government activities
related to climate change impacts on water resources; and seminars, workshops, and
training sessions. The toolbox will be released in 2010. This activity will leverage and
complement work conducted under Key Action 37.
Key Action #29: Develop and Expand Emergency Response Training. The NWP
will develop and expand emergency response training, tools, and exercises to ensure
existing response planning includes impacts from climate change and to promote
adoption of sustainable practices during recovery and rebuilding. [Formerly Key Action
#31]
Training, exercises, and related tools are a critical aspect of effective emergency
response planning. Throughout 2010 and 2011, EPA will work with water and
wastewater utilities and related partners to incorporate climate change adaptation
considerations in emergency response plans, emergency response training and
exercises, Water and Wastewater Agency Response Networks, and community
resilience efforts. In addition, EPA will continue to enhance tools designed to assess
vulnerabilities and consequences associated with security threats to address all hazards
including scenarios such as natural disasters and direct impacts associated with climate
change.
A specific example of EPA's efforts in this area included the release of an updated
version of the Emergency Response Tabletop CD-ROM Exercises for Drinking Water
and Wastewater Systems in June 2010. Training will be offered to assist local officials
in planning tabletop exercises for their locality. This updated training tool includes five
scenarios related to climate change including: drought, fire in a protected catchment,
flooding, impact of freeze-thaw shift on main breaks, and sea-level rise.
KEY ACTION #30: Conduct Climate Change Awareness Seminars. The NWP will
conduct seminars for water and wastewater utilities to raise awareness of climate
change regional impacts, vulnerability to impacts, and possible adaptation strategies.
[New Key Action]
Through a collaborative partnership with EPA Regions to improve awareness of climate
science and adaptation options across the water sector, regional climate change
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seminars will be conducted. A pilot seminar was held in spring 2010 in EPA Region 3
and additional seminars will be scheduled. Seminars include exercises to discuss how
to incorporate adaptation into infrastructure planning in the water sector and will
emphasize the importance of partnerships and collaboration at the local, State, and
Regional level.
E. Wetlands Management
OBJECTIVE: Ensure that development of wetlands protection guidelines and
policies includes consideration of climate change.
The important functions and ecosystem services provided by the nation's wetlands,
streams, and other aquatic resources will continue to grow in importance as the climate
changes. These resources provide crucial functions in four areas related to climate
change: coastal protection, protecting water supplies, flood mitigation, and carbon
sequestration.
In light of the important contributions wetlands and other aquatic resources can make to
adapting to climate change, the NWP will continue to evaluate strategies for enhanced
aquatic resource protection. Key themes of this assessment process are to consider a
watershed approach to aquatic resource protection and to emphasize integration with
other water programs.
KEY ACTION #31: Evaluate Opportunities to Refine the 404 Regulatory
Framework to Address Climate Change: The NWP will continue to work with the
Army Corps of Engineers (ACoE) to ensure effective implementation of the regulatory
framework under section 404 of the CWA in a way that considers the effects of climate
change. [Formerly Key Action #32]
Since protecting our Nation's existing aquatic resource base is critical to ensuring the
country's ecological and economic resilience as climatic patterns shift, effective
implementation of the Section 404 regulatory program and meeting the no net loss and
net gain goal is an important part of maintaining the ability to adapt to climate change.
Section 404 of the CWA establishes a program to regulate the discharge of dredged or
fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands. The basic premise of
the program is that no discharge of dredged or fill material may be permitted if: 1) a
practicable alternative exists that is less damaging to the aquatic environment; or 2) the
nation's waters would be significantly degraded. In light of the growing concerns
regarding the adverse effects of climate change and the recognition that protecting the
Nation's wetlands and other aquatic resources can help to mitigate these effects, EPA
will continue to evaluate opportunities to refine the 404 permitting program so that the
effects of climate change can be appropriately considered throughout the permitting
process.
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KEY ACTION #32: Coastal Wetlands Initiative: The Coastal Wetlands Team will
conduct regional reviews of one to three coastal watersheds to understand the stressors
as well as restoration and protection strategies to reduce or reverse coastal wetland
loss. [New Key Action]
The Coastal Wetlands Initiative was launched in response to the results of a recent
government report about wetland loss trends in coastal watersheds, as well to the
devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 and Ike in 2008 which called
attention to the severe threats to coastal areas posed by climate change. The Initiative
has the goals of:
• Confirming wetland loss and gaining a better understanding of contributing
stressors;
• Identifying and disseminating tools, strategies, policies and information to protect
and restore coastal wetland resources; and
• Raising awareness of coastal wetlands to include their functions and values,
potential threats, and opportunities for protection and restoration.
The Coastal Wetlands Team will conduct regional reviews of one to three coastal
watersheds representative of each region. The purpose of these reviews is to
understand the stressors as well as restoration and protection strategies to reduce or
reverse coastal wetland loss. The coastal wetland reviews will broadly cover all
stressors, tools, and strategies, but will incorporate climate change and sea level rise as
related to each specific coastal region. By taking a holistic approach to understanding
the threats to and stresses on coastal wetlands, the Initiative will identify tools and
strategies with the potential for transferability, and aims to integrate these findings into
future decision-making to help stem the loss of coastal wetland resources.
KEY ACTION #33: National Wetlands Survey - Parameters Relevant to Assessing
Climate Change Impacts: EPA is collaborating with States. Tribes. Federal agencies,
and other partners to implement a field survey of the nation's wetlands in 2011 as part
of EPA's on-going series of National Aquatic Resource Surveys, including many
parameters relevant to the study of climate change. [New Key Action]
EPA is collaborating with States, Tribes, Federal agencies, and other partners to
implement a field survey of the nation's wetlands in 2011 as part of EPA's on-going
series of National Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS). The results of this effort will be
used to judge progress toward the national goal of increasing the quantity and quality of
the nation's wetlands. The findings will help ensure technical and financial resources
are most efficiently allocated to address the greatest risks that confront wetland
resources. EPA will sample 900 random sites using standardized monitoring protocols
to characterize the vegetative and algal community, soil condition, and hydrology of
each sample location. In 2013, EPA will produce a statistically-valid assessment of
wetland ecological integrity and the stressors most commonly associated with degraded
wetlands. EPA will also explore ways to quantify the ecosystem services that are
derived from wetlands and their restoration and provide the framework for the continued
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study of how climate change is impacting wetland quality. Preliminary discussions with
EPA ORD's National Center for Environmental Assessment suggested that many of the
parameters EPA plans to collect in 2011 are relevant to the study of climate change
impacts, including: vegetation species composition and abundance, alien species
cover, extent of hydric soils, soil characteristics, relative saturation, and relative
inundation. The 2011 monitoring event will provide a baseline data layer that, in
subsequent years, could be used to judge the impacts of climate change on wetland
ecological integrity at multiple spatial scales.
3. Climate Change and Water Research
Goal 3: Climate Change Research Related to Water: Strengthen the link between
EPA water programs and climate change research.
The U.S. Government has a long history of conducting research on the impacts and
causes of climate change. More attention is now being given to science to inform
adaptation policies and sector-specific technologies, including water resource
management.
Research, data collection, and tool development is needed for many aspects of water
sector adaptation - including monitoring of precipitation, stream flow, and water quality;
understanding the links between environmental change and human and ecological
health; new methods to model projected climatological and hydrological changes;
methods for planning and decision making under uncertainty; engineering and
operations of drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and 'green' infrastructure;
improved emergency planning and response strategies; social science for motivating
behavioral change; reducing GHG emissions in the water sector and reducing water use
in the energy and agricultural sectors; and more.
The water sector community is actively engaged in a variety of research. The American
Waterworks Association (AWWA), the Water Research Foundation (WRF), The
Association for Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), the Water Environment
Research Foundation (WERF) and others are collaborating on research planning and
funding.
EPA is participating in these national efforts and is collaborating with stakeholders.
Below are some of the key activities that EPA will be engaged on in the next two years.
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A. U.S. Government Research
OBJECTIVE: Monitor and make good use of Federal interagency climate
change research.
KEY ACTION #34: Monitor Water Related U.S. Government Research and
Reports. The NWP will monitor the development of research and reports by the U.S.
Government, including other Federal agencies and the USGCRP. [Formerly Key Action
#34]
The interagency USGCRP coordinates and integrates scientific research on global
change and climate change, including research related to water, sponsored by 13
participating departments and agencies of the U.S. Government. The EPA ORD
coordinates with other USGCRP agencies to develop and provide timely, useful, and
scientifically sound information to decision makers.
Several developments are underway that will provide information for the NWP. The
USGCRP has initiated planning for the third National Assessment as mandated under
the Global Change Research Act of 1990; the National Academy of Sciences has
issued four reports for America's Climate Choices including adaptation and informing
responses (see: http://americasclimatechoices.org/), and NOAA is reorganizing to
develop a NOAA Climate Service. A growing body of literature internationally also
provides valuable information for the United States.
The NWP will continue to monitor the development of all these processes and their
science products, and will use these activities and reports to refine and improve
responses to climate change.
B. EPA ORD Water Research
OBJECTIVE: EPA research on water issues will address climate change.
The NWP works with the EPA ORD on a range of water related research focusing on
the Multi-Year Plans and Strategies for:
• Ecosystem Research;
• Water Quality Research;
• Drinking Water Research; and
• Global Change Research.
Some of this research applies to issues related to climate change.
In addition to climate change research within these water research programs, there is
important research being conducted by research foundations such as the WERF and
WRF. The NWP will coordinate with these agencies and foundations to maximize
information sharing and to build on research efforts of common interest.
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KEY ACTION #35: Include Climate Research in Water Related ORD Research.
The NWP will continue to work with the EPA ORD in development of water research
related to climate change and will also coordinate with external research foundations
engaged in water and climate change related research. [Formerly Key Action #35]
Ecosystem Services Research Program
The Ecosystem Services Research Program (ESRP) focuses on "ecosystems services,
their value, and their relationship to human well being, for consistent incorporation into
environmental decision making" (Ecological Research Program; Multi-Year Plan; draft
4/07). It is clear that in adapting to climate change, risk managers make choices
involving land use, benefit vs. cost of ecosystem maintenance or restoration, value of
preserving endangered species in a particular location, and so forth. Research in
ecosystems services provides direct support in these decisions. The ESRP works in
four broad areas:
• Alternative Future Scenarios for place-based analyses;
• Pushing the frontiers of interdisciplinary research;
• Assessing regional-scale vulnerability to ecosystem stressors; and
• Incorporating socioeconomic issues into restoration research.
Some specific areas of research that are particularly important to climate change
include a focus on nitrogen, concentrated work on evaluating ecosystem services of
wetlands, and place-based research—for which the Willamette River basin and adjacent
areas and the Tampa Bay ecosystem have been selected for near term studies.
More information on the ESRP can be found at:
http://www.epa.gov/ecology/index.htm.
Water Quality Research Program
The Water Quality Research Program (WQRP) has three main long-term goals:
• Water Quality Protection: To develop water quality criteria for the protection of
human health and aquatic life;
• Watershed Management: To diagnose and predict the causes of water quality
impairment; develop load limits; and select, apply, and evaluate the effectiveness
of watershed management measures; and
• Source Control Management: To provide information and guidance on the
design and implementation of control techniques and best management
measures.
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WQRP research includes areas that will directly support decision making related to
climate change impacts including:
• Multiple Stressors: Assessment of multiple stressors (i.e., changes in
temperature, salinity, water flow, pH and other parameters) on the health of
waters.
• Bioassessment/Biocriteria: In developing permits and standards to address
climate change, the NWP will need a greater concentration on bioassessment
and biocriteria.
• Nutrients: Increased water flow will mean changes in nutrient status of water
bodies in some areas of the country.
• Impacts on Infrastructure: Combined effects of aging infrastructure and extreme
weather from climate change may require changes in design and operations of
infrastructure.
• Pathogens: Climate change may result in changes in the range of existing
pathogens. New means of testing for the presence of microbial pathogens in
recreational waters, drinking water and shellfish beds are being developed,
including rapid indicators based on genomic and other state-of-the-art
techniques.
For more information, see: http://epa.gov/ord/npd/waterqualityresearch-intro.htm.
Drinking Water Research Program
The Drinking Water Research Program (DWRP) has two long-term goals to support the
statutory requirements under the SDWA:
• Risk Characterization Research: To characterize health risks associated with
waterborne contaminants.
• Risk Management Research: To control potential health risks associated with
drinking water and to promote the sustainability of water resources.
Research is underway to address the following risks to ground water and surface water
sources of drinking water:
• Rapid detection methods for harmful algal blooms in both freshwater and marine
environments (particularly important in the context of climate change);
• Potential impacts of geologic sequestration wells on drinking water sources; and
• Investigating the potential relationship between hydraulic fracturing and water
quality and public health.
For more information about the DWRP, see: http://epa.gov/ord/npd/dwresearch-
intro.htm.
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C. EPA ORD Global Change Research
OBJECTIVE: The EPA ORD Global Change Research Program will address
water program needs in its climate change research.
KEY ACTION #36: Assist with Revision of ORD Global Change Multi-Year Plan.
OW will participate in the revision of the ORD Global Change Multi-Year Plan.
[Formerly Key Action #36]
OW is participating with ORD to revise the EPA ORD Multi-Year Plan for Global Change
Research for the 2010 to 2015 period.
ORD's Global Change Research Program (GCRP) is stakeholder-oriented, with an
emphasis on assessing the potential consequences of global change on air quality,
water quality, aquatic ecosystems, drinking water supplies, human health, and
socioeconomic systems. ORD uses the results of these assessments to investigate
water resources adaptation options to improve society's ability to respond to the risks
and opportunities presented by global change, and to develop decision tools for
resource managers coping with a changing climate. The ORD GCRP is an active
participant with the USGCRP, the coordinating body for scientific research on global
change across the Federal
government.
economic
local
ORD and the NWP are
currently cooperating on
various studies to assess the
vulnerability of NWP programs
to climate change, and to
identify opportunities for
responding to climate change.
OW will monitor the
development of ORD reports
on climate change impacts and
adaptation options for water
resources, distribute the reports
to water program managers,
and apply the findings of the
reports to program
implementation.
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Figure 1: EPA ORD Global Change Research Program Framework.
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KEY ACTION #37: Coordinate Research Forum with ORD, Other Federal
Agencies, and Industry/Utility Research Groups. The NWP will work with external
partners to improve coordination of climate change research planning for the water
sector. [New Key Action]
In addition to work underway at ORD, WERF, WRF, other non-governmental research
organizations are actively involved in the development of tools to build the capacity of
the water sector to adapt to climate change and to mitigate GHG emissions. Similarly,
other Federal agencies are engaged in water-related climate change research and tool
development. The NWP will engage and foster a dialogue between OW, ORD, NOAA,
WERF and WRF and others to plan a Research Forum scheduled for late August 2010
that will identify research needs. This dialogue will inform further activities.
4. Water Program Education on Climate Change
Goal 4: Water Program Education on Climate Change: Educate water program
professionals and stakeholders on climate change impacts on water resources and
programs.
While public awareness and understanding of the impacts of climate change on water
resources is still limited, there is growing awareness among water sector professionals
and the environmental community about the risks and challenges that lie ahead. A
large part of the challenge is that there is both an abundance of information to keep up
with, as well as a paucity of information on how to adapt to or even to characterize the
impacts of climate change, especially at the watershed scale at which most decisions
are made.
Adapting to climate change requires us to take an adaptive management approach that
inherently requires us to learn by doing and to modify plans as more information
becomes available.
EPA is committed to continuing to expand its ability to disseminate relevant and useful
information, to work with stakeholders and partners to coordinate education efforts, and
to develop training materials and opportunities.
KEY ACTION #38: Coordinate a NWP Seminar Series. The NWP has established a
seminar series entitled: Global Change and Adaptation of the Water Program to raise
awareness of climate change and other exacerbating issues. [New Key Action]
EPA OW will establish a seminar series for EPA employees at HQ and Regions
(remotely) to raise awareness of climate change impacts on water resources, develop
the professional expertise of the NWP, facilitate integration of climate change
considerations in day-to-day program operations, and strengthen interaction and
collaboration with others working on climate change and water resource issues.
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KEY ACTION #39: Maintain Clearinghouse Website, e-Newsletter and other
Outreach. OW will upgrade its climate change website, and work to coordinate its
online presence with other EPA offices to provide information related to water and
climate change, and OW will continue its "listserv" of breaking news to interested
parties. [Formerly Key Action #37]
Climate change science and policy is evolving rapidly and understanding of climate
change impacts on water resources, and conclusions about needed response actions,
change over time. At almost every stakeholder meeting, the need is voiced for a
clearinghouse of validated and vetted information to help stakeholders access the latest
information and tools. As a result, a number of clearinghouses are being established.
Several are noted in the References at the end of this document. The NWP can also
play a role in helping our community navigate the wealth of information and to help EPA
listen to and learn from others.
OW will upgrade its climate change website, including coordinating with EPA Regions,
other EPA offices, and other websites important to the water community, to improve
access to information related to water and climate change. OW will also continue its
"listserv" of breaking news to subscribers, and will continue to build-in climate change
considerations in existing NWP programmatic trainings.
As part of revamping the OW climate change web site, EPA will evaluate other
electronic means of disseminating useful and timely information.
KEY ACTION #40: Produce Annual Reports on Strategy Implementation. OW will
publish annual reports describing progress in implementing this Strategy. [Formerly
Key Action #38]
Over the last two years, the NWP published annual reports of progress on implementing
the Key Actions identified in the 2008 Strategy, and will continue to do so.
KEY ACTION #41: Conduct Outreach to Partners and Stakeholders. OW will
engage with a wide variety of stakeholder organizations to improve dialogue and share
information. [Formerly Key Action #39]
As water program partners and stakeholders have become more involved in climate
change-related activities, the issues and priorities are becoming clearer and requests
for information have increased. The NWP will continue to take the initiative to provide
advisory groups, trade associations, and other organizations with information on climate
change activities.
State and Tribal organizations are effective vehicles for providing information about
climate change to water program professionals. For example, EPA relies on the
NDWAC to provide advice on a range of safe drinking water program implementation
issues. As noted in Key Action #26, EPA has established a working group under the
NDWAC to provide advice on how to set up a CRWU program at EPA.
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The NWP is also working with other associations and organizations to share information
about climate change and to identify opportunities to build national capacity for adaption
to climate change. For example, the NWP has established the State-Tribal Climate
Change Council (STC3), a group representing State and Tribal co-regulators, to
improve dialogue and information sharing. Participating organizations include:
• Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators;
• Association of State Drinking Water Administrators;
• Ground Water Protection Council;
• Association of State Wetland Managers; and
• National Tribal Water Council.
As mentioned in Key Action #37, the NWP is also working with research associations to
share information on climate-related research. The NWP will continue to reach out to
these and other organizations during 2010-2011.
KEY ACTION #42: Expand Water Training on Climate Change. EPA will continue to
update and revise existing training programs to include attention to the impacts of
climate change on water programs and will offer training on water-related climate
change impacts to national and Regional offices. [Formerly Key Action #40]
The 2008 Strategy was a strong first step in building understanding of climate change
issues among water program professionals, and readers are encouraged to review it for
important information (available at http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange/). The
background information in Section II of the 2008 Strategy provides key information
about a range of climate change impacts on water resources and on water programs.
OW intends to make new reports about climate change impacts on water available to a
wide range of water program managers on a continuing basis with the goal of helping
individual program managers to recognize climate change issues and impacts and to
address these problems effectively.
The NWP has begun to develop training for water program professionals in the
management, policy, and technical challenges associated with managing core clean
water and safe drinking water programs. To date, a climate change module has been
added to the Watershed Academy, sessions have been offered at the Water Quality
Standards Academy, and other programmatic trainings are beginning to include
discussions of climate change. Efforts will be made to expand such training.
As new information is developed, new training will be designed, such as for climate-
related emergency planning, described in Key Action #29.
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5. Water Program Management of Climate Change
Goal 5: Water Program Management of Climate Change: Establish the
management capability within the NWP to address climate change challenges on a
sustained basis.
The development of this NWP Strategy: Response to Climate Change was an important
first step, and to sustain and build this focus the NWP will need to ensure that
management and accountability practices are in place.
KEY ACTION #43: Maintain NWP Climate Change Workgroup. OW will maintain
the NWP Climate Change Workgroup to coordinate implementation of climate change
and water activities, and to develop a revised and updated Strategy. [Formerly Key
Action #41]
The NWP Climate Change Workgroup, chaired by the Deputy Assistant Administrator
for Water, includes senior managers from EPA headquarters water programs and
Regional offices as well as representatives of OAR and ORD. As climate-related
activities become a growing part of the base program work in the respective water
programs at EPA, it becomes more important that the Workgroup facilitate coordination
and communication throughout the NWP and among the various EPA offices, as well as
between the NWP and other Federal government Agencies and Departments that have
water-related missions.
In 2010, the Workgroup is focusing on updating and implementing Key Actions for 2010-
2011, and will develop a revised Strategy for 2012 and beyond.
KEY ACTION #44: Incorporate Climate Change into the Agency Strategic Plan
and in the Annual NWP Guidance. OW will include climate change in the water
elements of the 2010-2015 EPA Strategic Plan and in the Annual NWP Guidance.
[Formerly Key Action #42]
Every three years, EPA produces a Strategic Plan that incorporates goals for all
program offices and Regions. The NWP will incorporate climate change into the Water
Goal in the 2010-2015 Strategic Plan.
The NWP Guidance is produced annually to provide guidance to EPA and State
programs on priorities and expectations for accountability under the Government
Performance and Results Act (GPRA). The FY 2009 Annual NWP Guidance, published
in April 2008, included a brief discussion of implementation of the draft Strategy, and the
FY 2010 guidance included an expanded discussion. For FY 2011, more specific
reference is being made to programmatic activity. Notably, the draft Agency Strategic
Plan for FY 2011-2015 includes Agency-wide goals for both mitigation and adaptation,
and the NWP will contribute to meeting the Agency's goals through annual
commitments. For more information, see http://www.epa.gov/ocfo/plan/plan.htm.
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KEY ACTION #45: Incorporate Regional and Large Aquatic Ecosystems (LAE)
Additions to NWP Climate Strategy. Each EPA Regional Water Division will continue
to review and identify impacts of concern to that Region, and develop Region-specific
additions to this national Strategy. [Formerly Key Action #43]
EPA Regions are actively helping State, Tribal and local governments understand
climate change consequences for water resources and to build the capacity to make
sound adaptation decisions. While the 2008 Strategy described actions to be
implemented at the national level and in each of the ten EPA Regions, there is
significant variation in the nature and extent of climate impacts in each Region.
Therefore, each Region has been developing locally appropriate response actions.
Some Regions have developed multi-media strategies, some are focused on mitigation,
and some are engaging with Federal counter-parts and State, Tribal and local
stakeholders to develop adaptation capacity.
In addition, EPA's LAE programs are working to understand and address the varied
impacts of climate change on each, and will be developing actions as appropriate. The
ten LAE programs are: Chesapeake Bay Program, Columbia River Basin, Great Lakes
Program, Gulf of Mexico Program, Lake Champlain, Long Island Sound, Pacific Islands,
Puget Sound - Georgia Basin, San Francisco Bay, and South Florida.
Section IV of this document describes some of the activities underway in each Region.
Further information about Regional and LAE activities is available at:
http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange/docs/Region_Highlights_Fact_Sheet.pdf
KEY ACTION #46: Coordinate with other Federal Agencies for Climate Change
Mitigation and Adaptation. OW will work with other Federal agencies with a
significant interest in the water-related impacts of climate change on a variety of
interagency and national collaborative teams. [Formerly Key Action #44]
Since the development of the 2008 Strategy, many new activities have been initiated
throughout the Federal government and new mandates are driving Departments and
Agencies to collaborate in a number of ways. EPA will continue to actively participate in
these and future coordination efforts. Examples include:
• Council on Environmental Quality Initiatives (more information can be found at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives),
o Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force;
o Interagency Carbon Capture and Storage Task Force;
o Updated Principles and Guidelines for Water and Land Related
Resources Implementation Studies (P&G);
o Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force;
o Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic
Performance;
o Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration; and
o Steps to Modernize and Reinvigorate NEPA.
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• Climate Change and Water Working Group (C-CAWWG) (program managers
and technical staff);
• Western Federal Agency Support Team (WestFAST) (Western States Federal
Agency technical staff) (http://www.westgov.org/wswc/WestFAST.htm);
• Department of the Interior SECURE Water Act (legislated mandate to improve
monitoring, data collection and planning)
(.http://www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/index.html);
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate with NOAA to promote
healthy coastal ecosystems and sustainable and resilient coastal/waterfront
communities, including climate change adaptation activities, with Climate Ready
Estuaries serving as a model; and
• Federal Interagency Floodplain Management Task Force
(,http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/fifm_task_force.shtm).
Some of the Federal agencies with an interest in water-related climate change issues
that are involved in these various collaborative processes include:
• U.S. Department of Interior (Bureau of Reclamation, Geologic Survey, and Fish
and Wildlife Service);
• Army Corps of Engineers;
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
• U.S. Department of Energy;
• Federal Emergency Management Agency;
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (Natural Resources Conservation Service, Forest
Service);
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
• Department of Transportation (Federal Highway Administration); and
• National Science Foundation.
KEY ACTION #47: Engage on Public Health and Environmental Justice. Engage
on Public Health and Environmental Justice by collaborating with Offices throughout
EPA. other Federal Agencies and other partners in workshops, studies, and other
projects to expand the understanding and responses of climate change to vulnerable
populations.
Vulnerability to the impacts of climate change is defined by the IPCC as the degree to
which a system is susceptible to, and unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate
change, including climate variability and extremes. In other words, the degree of
vulnerability is influenced by exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. When either
ecosystems or communities are exposed, resilience to withstand or cope is a factor of
the underlying health of the system. Impaired health, lack of economic resources, or
deteriorated social infrastructure can exacerbate both immediate effects of extreme
events as well as the ability of individuals and communities to recover.
OW will collaborate with the Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ), the Office of Policy,
Economics, and Innovation (OPEI), OAR, the Office of the Science Advisor (OSA, the
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American Indian Environmental Office (AIEO) and others to plan workshops and other
activities that will expand the understanding and responses to climate change for
vulnerable populations.
KEY ACTION #48: Develop Guidance for Incorporating Climate Change into NWP
Operations. OW will develop a checklist to assist program staff with incorporating
climate change considerations into daily operations. OW will also begin work with the
EPA regulatory managers to develop technical guidance for rule writers.
There is much work underway to understand the impacts of climate change on the
NWP, and to develop information and tools that can be applied to programs and
decision making. Meanwhile, OW and the EPA Regions continue to conduct long-
standing business of the Agency. The NWP will work to develop interim guidance for
NWP staff to aid them in thinking about climate change in daily operations, and will work
with Agency-wide efforts to develop defensible and flexible methods for incorporating
climate change into the regulatory process.
KEY ACTION #49: Collaborate on Agency-Wide Information Sharing and Planning
Activities. OW will work with the Office of Environmental Information (OEI) to maintain
an internal AdaptNet' to share information with other early actors' throughout the
Agency: and OW will work with OPEI on development of Agency-wide processes to
build capacity for implementing climate change responses.
In 2007 when OW formed the NWP Climate Change Workgroup, OAR and ORD were
the only EPA programs investing significant resources in climate-related programs.
OAR was focused on reducing GHGs, largely through its EnergyStar program, and
ORD was focused on assessing the impacts of climate change in collaboration with the
USGCRP. In the past two years, the landscape has changed dramatically, with staff in
many Offices across EPA turning their attention to this issue. The NWP and the OEI
have formed the 'AdaptNet', to promote staff level sharing of information and ideas, and
the NWP is working with OPEI to develop a robust cross-Agency capacity to address
climate change. These relationships, as well as the larger CEQ Interagency Adaptation
Task Force, will inform future NWP long term planning for climate change activities.
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IV. Regional Strategies and Actions
The 2008 Strategy focused on actions that EPA Headquarters could take to begin
implementing key actions to address climate change. Key Action #43 in that document
(KA #46 here) identified the goal for Regions and LAEs to also begin to evaluate
priorities and actions. During the past two-plus years, every Region and some LAEs
have indeed taken action and are continuing to do so, as described here.
Region 1
Region 1 is helping to implement the NWP Climate Change Strategy through programs
and activities that address both climate change mitigation and adaptation needs and
resources.
Goal 1: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Related to Water
Improve Energy Efficiency at Water and Wastewater Utilities. New England has among
the highest energy rates in the nation and water and wastewater utilities are often the
largest single energy cost in a municipality. Many facilities were built several decades
ago to meet water permit requirements and energy efficiency was not a consideration.
Region 1 will continue to promote energy efficiency at wastewater treatment facilities
(WWTFs) through the EnergyStar Portfolio Manager, EPA's on-line benchmarking
tool. The Region conducts workshops and provides hands-on training, and so far has
assisted over 75 facilities in benchmarking their facilities to determine the energy
efficiency of their plant and how they can further reduce their energy use. As a result of
this work, 14 Massachusetts WWTFs received $3.7 million in ARRA funds for energy
conservation projects, with a projected reduction of 17,000 tons of CCVyear. Region 1
will be working over the next 1 -2 years to expand this project to other parts of the State.
Region 1 also is working with water associations and other partners (e.g., Department
of Labor) to expand existing drinking water system operators training to include water
efficiency and climate change awareness. As a follow-up from the "Water Resiliency:
Adapting Water Supply to Changing Climate, Land Use, and Regulation Conference,"
held in November 2009, EPA and the New England Waterworks Association will
conduct three energy efficiency workshops during 2010.
Implement the WaterSense Program. Region 1 is promoting the WaterSense Program
and water conservation in general through a wide range of drinking water and green
building programs and initiatives. The Region continues to recruit WaterSense partners
across New England by distributing outreach materials, taking calls from media or from
potential partners, and by conducting presentations and manning booths at various
events. To date, the Region has a total of 106 WaterSense partners (including irrigation
professionals).
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Promote Energy Saving/Generating "Green Buildings" and "Green Infrastructure."
Region 1 will continue to promote green building and infrastructure with aggressive
dissemination of its 2008 publication, A Guide to Residential Green Building in New
England, and it's very popular "Green Buildings" web site
(www.epa.gov/region1/greenbuildings). The Region also leads by example with its
LEED Gold Certified Regional Laboratory and Regional Office, both of which boast
energy and water efficient designs, extensive use of recycled materials in construction,
and natural landscaping.
Goal 2: Adapting Water Programs to Climate Change
Develop Biological Indicators and Methods. Region 1 will use the results of its
September 2009 workshop,"Data Needs to Monitor and Respond to Climate Change
Impacts on Water Resources in New England," co-sponsored by ORD and the
University of Massachusetts, to help identify appropriate environmental indicators of
climate impacts on water bodies, available data sets, key data gaps, and potential uses
of the data.
Expand National Water Resource Surveys to Include Climate Change Indicators.
Region 1 will continue to support the Gulf of Maine Council's Climate Change Network
and Ecosystem Indicators Partnership, which are coordinating climate change
adaptation efforts by U.S. and Canadian agencies and organizations, and supporting
the development of climate change indicators to assess the status and trends of the
Gulf's resources. These indicators will be used as part of a "State of the Gulf of Maine"
report and conference in 2010.
Climate Ready Estuaries. Region 1 will continue to actively participate in its four
Climate Ready Estuaries projects being administered by the Piscataqua Region
Estuaries Partnership, the Massachusetts Bays Program, the Casco Bay Estuary
Partnership, and the Long Island Sound Study.
Implement the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Initiative and Adapt Decision Support
Tools to Include Climate Change. Region 1 will continue to provide states and
professional organizations with tools and information to improve the overall capabilities
of water and wastewater facilities to address threats such as climate change by
improving infrastructure stability and increasing operational resiliency. For example, the
Region is disseminating three recently produced fact sheets entitled "Considerations for
Water Infrastructure Projects;" "Preparing for Climate Change at N.E. Wastewater
Utilities;" and "Preparing for Climate Change at N.E. Drinking Water Utilities." The
Region will provide technical assistance and training on asset management to help
utilities position themselves better to respond to impacts from climate change and to
identify and protect critical assets.
Clarify Use of the Clean and Drinking Water SRFs to Support Adaptation to Climate
Change. The Region continues to promote the use of both SRF programs to address
energy efficiency, the use of clean energy, and water conservation and reuse. The
Region has widely circulated OW's Clean Water SRF White Paper which details
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program eligibilities including actions and projects that could be funded to address
climate change.
Goal 4: Water Program Education on Climate Change
Outreach to Partners. Region 1 will work closely with other Federal agencies, States,
Regional organizations, and local communities to share information about EPA
programs, climate science, mitigation measures, and adaptation planning through a
wide range of existing partnership programs and initiatives, including: New England
Governors Council/Eastern Canadian Premiers; Northeast States for Coordinated Air
Use Management; New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission; New
England Water Works Association; New England Water Environment Association;
Northeast Regional Ocean Council; Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment;
NEP; and New England Environmental Finance Center. Region 1 is also are providing
technical assistance to State adaptation planning efforts, particularly with
Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine.
Goal 5: Water Program Management of Climate Change
Maintain OW Climate Change Workgroup. Region 1 will continue to be an active
participant on the workgroup. The Region will continue to utilize our inter-office Global
Climate Change Network (GCCN), which meets monthly to educate, inform, and
coordinate Regional climate change activities. Region 1 will also continue our monthly
"Climate Change 101" seminar series to educate employees about climate issues.
Federal Agency Water Climate Coordination Group. Region 1 will work with the
Northeast Federal Partners group to follow-up on recommended actions from the "New
England Federal Partners Interagency Meeting on Climate Change Adaptation," held in
June 2009, which Region 1 played a major role in organizing.
Region 2
Goal 1: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Related to Water
Improve Energy Efficiency at Water and Wastewater Utilities. Region 2 has funded the
use of wind turbines to pump halite mine runoff from sinkholes to relieve pressure
causing mud boils and prevent further degradation of Onondaga Lake.
Region 2 coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the New
Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to address coastal barrier protection
concerns in an effort to facilitate construction of a wind turbine that will help power the
Bayshore, New Jersey wastewater treatment plant.
Encourage Water Efficiency and Implement the WaterSense Program. Region 2 has
developed a Green Team which is working with key partners to promote innovative
stormwater and water conservation techniques. Pollution Prevention (P2) inspections
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emphasizing water reuse, recovery, and conservation through source reduction.
Region 2 awarded a P2 grant for a rain barrel demonstration project in the Niagara
River region.
The Region's P2 Team is working closely with Rahway High School on a Water
Champions project which has resulted in the education of students and outreach to the
community on water conservation. It is expected that the Rahway Water Champions
project will lead to retrofit of the school's rest rooms with water efficient fixtures.
Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Related to Water. The UIC program continues to cooperate
with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) on
several proposed carbon sequestration projects (such as the Jamestown Oxy-Coal CCS
Project).
Goal 2: Adapting Water Programs to Climate Change
Biological Indicators. Region 2 is involved in the development of several biological
indicators and methods including: 1) Spatial and temporal monitoring of dissolved
oxygen (DO) in near coastal waters using an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV); 2)
Benthic indicators of health in estuarine and near shore waters of New Jersey; and 3)
Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analytical techniques at
marine bathing beaches using Enterococcus (comparison study of qPCR vs.
conventional microbial techniques).
Climate Ready Estuaries. Region 2 has three CRE projects with Long Island Sound
Study, Barnegat Bay Partnership, and Partnership for Delaware Estuary. For status,
see the CRE 2009 Progress Report at http://epa.gov/cre/.
The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (Delaware Estuary Program) has released
the final report for their 2008 CRE funding effort: "Climate Change in the Delaware
Estuary: Three Case Studies in Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Planning".
See:
http://www.delawareestuary.org/science_projects_climate_ready_products.asp.
Coral Reef Protection. Region 2 has been promoting coral reef protection throughout
the Caribbean with our Coral Reef Team. Region 2 and ORD have implemented
monitoring (including ocean acidification monitoring utilizing the OSV Bold) and
development of CWA biological criteria to characterize impacts of coral degradation
from stressors, including climate change.
NPDES Permits. The NPDES program continues to implement/enforce the BMP of bio-
sequestration at construction sites (ensuring the stabilization of soil with fast growing
ground cover).
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Goal 3: Climate Change and Water Research
Add Climate Change Research in ORD Water Related Plans. Region 2, Region 3 and
Region 9 held a concurrent, bi-coastal workshop in June 2010 to identify leading edge
research and management responses on how climate change affects water quality and
quantity; to determine how ongoing research in risk management and other innovative
fields can better support protection and management of national water resources; and
to foster collaboration between practitioners, regulators and researchers that leads to
cooperative research efforts and the development of locally-based decision support
tools. Region 2 will continue to work with Regional, State and local stakeholders to
improve climate adaption decision-making tools, identify areas of research needs, and
improve coordination across the Federal adaptation landscape.
Region 2 has been working with the Indian nations to develop a General Assistance
Program (GAP) grant-funded project to evaluate climate change impacts and adaptation
options on Indian lands. The project would include water management considerations.
Goal 5: Water Program Management of Climate Change
Climate Change and Energy Workgroup. Region 2's Climate Change and Energy
Workgroup acts in the capacity of a coordinating body to advise managers on
opportunities to integrate climate change actions into specific programs. Region 2's
Climate Change and Energy Workgroup is focusing on 12 proposed climate change
actions. Actions present essential capacity to develop a Region 2 Climate Change
Plan. The Workgroup will develop Region 2's plan. The Region has already offered
five "Climate Change 101" half-day training sessions for staff which include discussion
of the NWP Climate Change Strategy and WaterSense. Along with Regions 3 and 9,
Region 2 co-hosted a 3-day water resiliency for climate change conference in June (see
above).
Region 3
Goal 1: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Related to Water
Conduct Workshops on Energy and Water Use Efficiency. Conduct workshops on
energy and water use efficiency for water/wastewater infrastructure.
Work on UIC reguirements for carbon seguestration. With DOE, work with energy
companies regarding UIC permit requirements for the construction and operation of coal
bed sequestration sites.
Goal 2: Adapting Water Programs to Climate Change
Identify value of ecological impacts of sea level rise on the Delaware Estuary.
Collaborate with partners to incorporate ecosystem services impacts and implement a
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methodology for identifying and valuing the ecological impacts of sea level rise on the
New Jersey portion of the Delaware Estuary.
Support for Climate Change Adaptation in the Chesapeake Bay. Begin work to create
an assessment (including a vulnerability assessment) that will help guide Frederick
County, Maryland with strategic land-use decisions and address Chesapeake Bay goals
and climate change initiatives.
Region 4
Goal 1: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Related to Water
Improve Energy Efficiency at Water and Wastewater Utilities. Region 4 has and
continues to hold workshops for a variety of partners regarding energy efficiency at
water and wastewater facilities
Implement the WaterSense Program. Region 4 has and continues to give presentations
regarding the WaterSense Program. The Region is actively working to establish new
WaterSense partners.
Reduce Water Demand and Wastewater Production Through Infrastructure and
Management Improvements. Region 4 has and continues to give presentations to a
variety of audiences on sustainable approaches to water and wastewater infrastructure.
The Region participated in development of and actively implements the EPA Program
Strategy for Management of Individual and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater
Treatment Systems. The Region is promoting sustainable approaches with our states
through watershed coordination efforts.
Promote Energy Saving/Generating "Green buildings" and "Green Infrastructure."
Region 4 has and continues to give presentations to a variety of partners regarding
Green Infrastructure. The Region is working with the RCRA Program to develop a
methodology for local governments to review and revise the codes and ordinances to
promote green development.
Develop Geologic Seguestration Regulations. Region 4 has and continues to issue UIC
Class V permits for CO2 experimental/test wells in the Southeast US.
Goal 2: Adapting Water Programs to Climate Change
Climate Ready Estuaries. The Region is actively participating in the CRE program with
five projects completed or underway including Charlotte Harbor National Estuary
Program, Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, Tampa Bay Estuary Program,
and the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program. The Region intends to continue to actively
participate in the program.
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Clarify Use of the Clean and Drinking Water SRFs to Support Adaptation to Climate
Change. The Region continues to promote the use of both SRF programs to address
energy efficiency, the use of clean energy, and water conservation and reuse.
Goal 4: Water Program Education on Climate Change
Outreach to Partners. The Region has and continues to reach out to partners regarding
adaptation to climate change through a variety of approaches including workshops and
vulnerability assessments.
Goal 5: Water Program Management of Climate Change
Maintain NWP Climate Change Workgroup. Region 4 has been and will continue to be
an active participant on the NWP Climate Change Workgroup and on strategy
development subcommittees. In addition, Region 4 has created a Regional Energy and
Climate Change Steering Committee and workgroup as well as a Water Protection
Division Climate Change workgroup.
Region 5
Goal 1: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Related to Water
Improve Energy Efficiency at Water and Wastewater Utilities.
EnergyStar & Energy Efficiency at Water and Wastewater Facilities
In conjunction with the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO),
Region 5 hosted a POTW Nutrient Reduction and Efficiency Conference in 2010 to
inform wastewater managers and consultants about way to enhance methane gas
production and recovery, manage energy use, and produce greater energy efficiency
through process changes.
Region 5 and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) are
working with 12 drinking water and wastewater utilities on a two-year project to pilot the
EPA's Energy Management Guidebook for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities.
The utilities have established a baseline using Portfolio Manager. Several have
developed energy policies, established an energy team, and are collecting data to use
for their energy management programs.
FY 2010 Green Project Reserve (GPR)
The SRF Program's FY 2010 allocation followed the model of the ARRA legislation by
directing states to use at least 20 percent of their allotted funds as a GPR. Projects
funded under the GPR can include water or energy efficiency improvements, green
infrastructure to manage storm water, and other environmentally innovative activities.
Region 5 will continue to work with states as they assess the green components of
submitted infrastructure projects.
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Implement the WaterSense Program. EPA Region 5 is promoting the WaterSense
Program within the water/wastewater utility sector and through sustainable
development/green building programs and initiatives. The Region continues to recruit
WaterSense partners by presenting at conferences and distributing outreach materials
at workshops and events. In addition, the Region will continue to work with interested
partners on products and materials to further promote the program and share with
others (e.g., webcasts, reports).
Promote Energy Saving/Generating "Green Buildings" and "Green Infrastructure."
Region 5 recognizes that using green infrastructure approaches to address wet weather
control objectives is a climate change mitigation strategy. Relatively less energy is used
in constructing and operating green infrastructure control measures, as compared to
grey infrastructure controls, and green infrastructure practices can help reduce Urban
Heat Island effects and can sequester carbon. As rainfall patterns change in the
Midwest, green infrastructure may also be an important adaptation strategy. The
Region is working on voluntary approaches to accelerate the use of green infrastructure
practices, and also is also seeking to set the stage for using regulatory and permit
approaches to support green infrastructure approaches.
In April 2008, Region 5 and EPA Headquarters completed a policy paper on Green
Infrastructure/Low Impact Development (LID) and TMDLs. The Region is currently
working on three pilot projects for waters impaired due to stormwater sources to
develop TMDLs that will look explicitly at flows, hydrology, and the appropriateness of
green infrastructure for restoring the impaired waters. The Region has co-hosted
numerous workshops and has given many presentations on technical issues and
environmental and economic benefits of green infrastructure practices. The Region has
been working with OWM and the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
(OECA) on a Green Infrastructure Permitting and Enforcement Guide, which will be
released in FY 2010. Several stormwater permits issued in Region 5 in 2008 and 2009,
and being worked on in 2010, have features which foster green infrastructure practices.
The Region has notified the public of four Federal permits for MS4 permittees in Indian
Country in Wisconsin that have conditions that will result in implementation of green
infrastructure.
In 2010 the Water Division and the Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO),
working in partnership with the Chicago Wilderness Alliance, are once again
implementing a conservation and native landscaping awards program. This program
recognizes sites that are exemplary in terms of green infrastructure, sustainable
stormwater management, ecosystem restoration, and use of native plants. The Region
is also coordinating several projects to measure/quantify the performance of green
infrastructure BMPs and to share research findings. These data are needed to help
address lingering uncertainty about the performance of green infrastructure approaches
for meeting wet weather control needs.
Develop Geologic Seguestration Regulations. Region 5 has two very active members
on both the Tier II rule making workgroup as well as the Tier III GS workgroup that is
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working on non-rule making efforts. The Region has agreed to help EPA Headquarters
with development and review of guidance needed once the rule becomes finalized in
late 2010. Region 5 has also offered to host one of EPA Headquarters' regional
presentations designed for State agencies who might consider applying for authority to
implement the proposed Class VI program. This presentation will occur shortly after the
rule is finalized.
Region 5's UIC staff is also participating as members of two rules that are being
developed in conjunction with the proposed Class VI rule. The first is the subpart
reporting rule (RR) of the Mandatory Reporting Rule (MRR) under the Clean Air Act
(CAA). This mostly addresses CO2 injection at geologic sequestration and enhanced oil
recovery projects. The other rule is under the RCRA. The workgroup will explore the
possibility of exemptions for CO2 being injected in conjunction with geologic
sequestration projects. The CAA and RCRA rules are planned to be issued final and
draft, respectively, at the time of the final SDWA Class VI rule in late 2010.
The Region has also been speaking at regional, national and international meetings on
CCS. In late 2009 and early 2010, the Region spoke about geologic sequestration with
the Chicago Climate Exchange, the Association of Environmental and Engineering
Geologists, the Michigan Oil and Gas Association, participated in a knowledge sharing
meeting presented by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Global CCS
Institute (an Australian research organization). The Region will continue to explore
opportunities to inform the public and the regulated community about the technology
and regulatory development process for geologic sequestration.
Continue Technical Sequestration Workshops. As a part of the nationwide effort to
advance CO2 sequestration, the DOE has sponsored seven public/private partnerships
to determine sequestration opportunities in various regions of the country. Region 5
has two DOE partnerships actively conducting research injecting CO2 in the Region.
Region 5's UIC program has permitted an experimental test well in Michigan for one of
the partnerships. The UIC Branch is working with primacy State programs to assist in
the application review and permitting of experimental CO2 injection projects as well as
facilitating discussion between State programs. The DOE research partnerships have
two large scale CO2 injection research projects planned for Illinois and either Indiana or
Michigan. Region 5 is working with Illinois as they oversee CO2 injection projects in
various cities: Decatur (one of the DOE's research projects at an ADM ethanol plant);
Mattoon (site of the proposed FutureGen power plant); and Taylorville (Tenaska is
developing a coal gasification plant to generate both methane and electricity).
Region 5 co-hosted with the State of Indiana's Department of Natural Resources a
regional CCS meeting in late July 2009. Representatives from DOE regional
partnerships, an environmental NGO, public utility commissioners, U.S. congressional
staffers, the Canadian government, universities, State regulators from OH, IN, IL and
Ml, energy companies, and injection well consultants attended the meeting. Region 5's
UIC Branch hosted a similar CCS meeting in 2007.
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The Region initiated work with the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) to develop a
series of training programs for the geological sequestration community. The ISGS
received a DOE grant to develop training programs that will be crucial to ensure that
professionals working with CCS will have the skills needed. The programs are targeted
to start being offered towards the end of 2010 and continue past the end of the grant
period (Nov. 2012).
Goal 2: Adapting Water Programs to Climate Change
Evaluate Opportunities to Address Wet Weather/Climate Impacts at Municipal and
Industrial Operations. The Region is actively working with a major metropolitan sewer
district to consider green infrastructure components in a Combined Sewer Overflow
(CSO) Long Term Control Plan. See also "Green Infrastructure" discussion under Key
Action Items #14 and #22.
Implement the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Initiative and Adapt Decision Support
Tools to Include Climate Change. Region 5 has been raising awareness of water and
wastewater infrastructure needs and promoting practices to ensure that water and
wastewater infrastructure is properly operated and maintained. Through the promotion
of asset management, the region is providing states and professional organizations with
tools and information to improve operational resiliency.
Develop and Expand Emergency Response Planning. The Region has helped to
enhance the all-hazards security and resiliency of the water sector by hosting three
major meetings on water sector resiliency, interdependencies, and emergency planning
in the Chicago area. The meetings can serve as models for other locations across the
country. In addition, Region 5 is promoting water conservation as part of the overall
water security and resiliency messages to utilities and their customers.
Region 5 is assisting utilities in developing and launching their State Water/Wastewater
Agency Response Networks (WARNs), and supporting their efforts to expand their
membership. All Region 5 WARN's are operational and growing. In addition, Region 5
is supporting states' use of their EPA security grants to fund local table-top exercises,
and to support development and expansion of State WARN's. Finally, the region is
establishing, training, and expanding a Regional Water Team whose members can
assist states' responses to water sector emergencies. Water Team members
participate in State or locally-led table top exercises to increase their Incident Command
System (ICS) knowledge, and to network with utilities, and local and State officials with
whom they would be likely to work in an emergency.
Goal 5: Water Program Management of Climate Change
Maintain NWP Climate Change Workgroup. Region 5 has been and will continue to be
an active participant on the workgroup. The Region also regularly participates in the
monthly national climate change sub-lead calls.
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Region 6
Goal 1: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Related to Water
Sequestration of GHG Emissions. Region 6 has been and will continue to build the
technical expertise for GS of CO2, and will continue to actively participate in developing
and commenting on the CO2 geosequestration rulemaking, scheduled for completion in
late 2010. Region 6 also conducts CO2 geosequestration training for water managers
to ensure the protection of groundwater.
Goal 2: Adapting Water Programs to Climate Change
Sea Level Rise/Coastal Land Loss. Coastal states in Region 6 have been affected by
sea level rise, land subsidence, and coastal land loss for many years. To address these
issues, Region 6 is actively promoting landscape scale coastal protection by
constructing and providing technical and planning assistance for coastal restoration and
adaption projects, such as the following:
• Developing engineering designs for and constructing barrier island restoration
and diversion (sediments and freshwater) projects.
o The Whiskey Back Barrier Marsh Creation Project has recently been
completed, restoring 300 acres of coastal Louisiana habitat,
o The Bayou Dupont Mississippi River Sediment Delivery Project was
expanded with additional funding, restoring a total of 609 acres of coastal
Louisiana marsh.
• Developing site-specific NEP restoration and adaptation project alternatives.
o Additional funding sources have been secured for several Coastal Bend
Bays & Estuaries Program hydrologic restoration and marsh enhancement
projects in the Nueces Delta (Texas). Over 5,400 acres of the Delta have
been purchased and are being managed with sea level rise adaptation as
a fundamental principle,
o The Matagorda Island (Texas) whooping crane habitat restoration project
has been expanded in scope and will ultimately restore tidal flow and
habitat over 15,000 acres,
o Work has begun to create (for Mustang and North Padre Island) a
geohazards map, which will focus on sea level rise parameters.
• Providing technical & planning assistance on high profile interagency restoration /
adaptation policy and scientific evaluations, such as:
o Interagency coordination on the topic of the "Federal Standard," a
controversial issue with significant ramifications for assigning costs
between navigation and coastal restoration budgets,
o Multiple projects in Texas and Louisiana to identify opportunities for
"beneficially using" (for coastal restoration purposes) material dredged to
maintain some of the nation's longest coastal navigation channels,
o The Region is lending technical assistance to the Gulf of Mexico Alliance
of Governors as they develop a Gulf Regional Sediment Management
Master Plan, which will incorporate opportunities for coastal restoration.
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Goal 4: Water Program Education on Climate Change
Inventory of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Projects. Region 6 created an
inventory of climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts with initial focus in coastal
Texas and Louisiana. After completion of this initial phase, additional projects from
other Region 6 states will be added to the inventory. This investment will go a long way
to improve the quality of internal discussions at the Region and increase the likelihood
that EPA's science priorities will be highly leveraged and complement the investments
being made by other key stakeholders. The inventory will further allow the Region to
develop a very specific understanding of how and where other Federal agencies (e.g.,
NOAA, USFWS, ACoE, DOI, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA)), are investing their resources in climate change
adaptation and mitigation projects.
In the coming year, Region 6 will develop a web page and GIS display of the inventory
as well as an interactive system for stakeholders to populate, update, and maintain the
inventory with additional projects
Region 7
Goal 1: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Related to Water
Improve energy management and water conservation. Region 7 is working to improve
energy management and water conservation by promoting the WaterSense program,
promoting green infrastructure, and supporting carbon sequestration research and
development.
Goal 2: Adapting Water Programs to Climate Change
Promote sustainabilitv. Region 7's adaptation activities will focus on source water
protection, sustainable water infrastructure, and wetlands protection.
Region 8
Region 8's key focus over the next two years is implementation of high priority climate
change mitigation activities, and the identification and implementation of high priority
adaptation activities.
Goal 1: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Related to Water
Reduce energy use by water utilities.
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Goal 2: Adapting Water Programs to Climate Change
Prepare for a water-constrained future.
Promote water efficiency/conservation in the agriculture sector.
Region 9
Goal 1: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Related to Water
Improve Energy Efficiency at Water and Wastewater Utilities. The Regional Water
Program created a Sustainable Infrastructure Office to develop tools and encourage
activities that mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. A new website was
established (http://www.epa.gov/region09/waterinfrastructure) which provides
detailed case studies of different energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at
wastewater and water treatment facilities, benchmark training, a sample energy audit of
a wastewater treatment facility, and incentive opportunities. The Region conducted six
workshops for water and wastewater utilities (in California and Hawaii) and has
benchmarked 35 utilities using EnergyStar Portfolio Manager. Region 9 is also
promoting renewable energy production at wastewater treatment facilities, including an
effort to remove CAA regulatory barriers to generation of biogas at wastewater
treatment facilities. In addition, the Region has incorporated climate change in the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) evaluations of infrastructure projects funded
under special appropriation grants.
Implement the WaterSense Program. Region 9 is promoting the WaterSense Program
through the distribution of program materials to municipalities and water utilities, through
a website upgrade, and through the NEPA review process of projects funded with
special appropriation grants. Water efficiency will also be promoted through Region 9's
forthcoming "Cities for Climate Action" initiative. As of December 2009, Region 9 has
209 irrigation partners and 136 promotional partners. The Region is also working with
community college horticulture programs to incorporate the specification for
WaterSense labeling of Certification Programs for Irrigation System Installation and
Maintenance Professionals into their curriculum.
Water Conservation and Management for Drinking Water Systems. Region 9 has
worked with water districts to establish water conservation programs and conservation
water pricing through infrastructure grant projects. The States and many local
governments within Region 9 have established conservation programs to address a
long-term drought. Significant ARRA funding, through the Drinking Water SRF, has
gone to projects to support conservation (such as water meters).
Water Conveyance Leak Detection and Remediation. Region 9 has presented at water
association conferences about water conveyance leak detection and remediation, citing
case studies of Region 9 water districts who have achieved significant water savings
through their leak detection programs.
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Industrial Water Conservation, Reuse, and Recycling Technology Transfer. Region 9
has the only EPA website dedicated to water recycling
(.http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/recycling/). The website currently focuses on
recycled water from wastewater treatment facilities but is being expanded to cover grey
water reuse from residential homes. Region 9 actively engaged with the Water Reuse
Association in encouraging California to modify its rules for grey water use to ease the
permitting burden for homeowners. In addition, California recently adopted a Recycled
Water Policy which requires water reuse plans when NPDES permits are reissued.
Federal Agency Water Conservation Guidance. The Region continues to make strides
in implementing its Environment Management System (EMS) program, working in
conjunction with the building owner. Region 9 joined the Federal Green Challenge and
has committed to reducing its water and waste by five percent in 2009 from base year
2007. The Regional office building owner has recently installed WaterSense-labeled
high efficiency dual flush toilets in all the women's bathrooms and achieved an
EnergyStar score of 100%.
Region 9 is collaborating with DOI, ACoE, USDA, and California to align our funding
programs for water conservation, water recycling, and energy efficiency with the goal of
developing projects to alleviate water demand on the California Delta, pursuant to the
December 2009 Interim Federal Action Plan for the California Bay-Delta.
Promote Energy Saving/Generating "Green Buildings" and "Green Infrastructure." In
FY09, Region 9 co-led the National Green Building Workgroup and emphasized priority
actions focusing on climate. Region 9 also convened a stakeholder partnership with
municipalities, utilities, green building organizations, and energy retrofit businesses to
focus on best practices for weatherization and home energy retrofits. The Workgroup
also educates local governments on how to most effectively use available stimulus
funding for retrofit programs. Region 9 is encouraging a "whole home" approach
including energy retrofit, water conservation, and indoor air quality improvement, with an
ultimate goal of reducing GHGs.
Develop Geologic Seguestration Regulations. Region 9 is an active participant on the
Geologic Sequestration Regulatory development workgroup.
Continue Technical Seguestration Workshops. Region 9 participates in workshops,
including those sponsored by EPA, the International Energy Agency, the Society of
Petroleum Engineers, the Ground Water Protection Council, and DOE's Carbon
Sequestration Regional Partnerships (WESTCARB and Southwest Partnership).
Pilot Marketing of Nonpoint Source Biological Seguestration. As part of the
implementation of the Garcia River sediment TMDL, the Nature Conservancy has
purchased land within the watershed to help meet the TMDL sediment load reductions,
which includes carbon sequestration credits. TNC is managing watershed forestry
health which is linked to a carbon credit program.
50
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Goal 2: Adapting Water Programs to Climate Change
Climate Ready Estuaries. Region 9 is engaged with the San Francisco Estuary
Partnership in its work under the CRE program. Work to date has included selection of
management goals, identification of key ecosystem processes, selection of salt
marshes as the ecosystem for further assessment, and conceptual models exploring the
linkages among key ecosystem processes of salt marshes, climate drivers, and
interacting stressors. Santa Monica Bay was recently selected to receive assistance
under the CRE Program.
Continue Coral Reef Protections. Region 9 is active in the USCRTF and works with
Hawaii, Guam, CNMI, and American Samoa to implement Local Action Strategies to
reduce climate change and pollution threats to reefs. The Region's wetlands regulatory
program reviews coastal construction projects to avoid and minimize impacts to coral
reefs and develop effective mitigation projects for unavoidable impacts. These permit
reviews also take rising sea levels into account.
Evaluate Opportunities to Address Wet Weather/Climate Impacts at Municipal and
Industrial Operations. Region 9 routinely comments on proposed State municipal
stormwater permits to encourage the incorporation of clear, enforceable provisions for
LID. This has resulted in Region 9 States more aggressively and consistently including
such provisions in their permits. Region 9 has also presented at conferences to
promote LID and is developing internal training to increase staff skills.
Implement the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Initiative and Adapt Decision Support
Tools to Include Climate Change. Region 9 has partnered with California and the ACoE
to develop a manual to assist local entities incorporate climate change considerations
(both mitigation and adaptation) into their Integrated Regional Water Management
Plans.
Develop a SustainabilitvA/ulnerabilitv Analysis Handbook for Climate Change Impacts.
The Region has used its website to promote the suite of EPA-recommended tools,
including the 4-step process in managing energy consumption, as well as case studies.
Clarify Use of the Clean Water and Drinking Water SRFs to Support Adaptation to
Climate Change. Region 9 encourages States to use SRF funds to promote energy and
water efficiency and green infrastructure projects. Region 9 is suggesting States strive
to exceed the minimum "green project reserve" requirements in the ARRA/SRF
Programs. The California and Arizona SRF Loan Programs have incorporated GHG
emission reduction goals into their evaluation/award process.
51
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Goal 3: Climate Change and Water Research
Regions 2, 3, and 9 held a bi-coastal workshop in June 2010 to identify needed
research and decision-making tools for local adaptation work.
Goal 4: Water Program Education on Climate Change
Outreach to Partners. The Region has developed a "one-stop shop" for all regional
EPA climate change and energy information
(.http://www.epa.gov/region09/climatechange). The Region has engaged with water
and wastewater associations (e.g., Conservation Alliance of Southern Arizona (CASA),
the League of California Cities, the California Association of Sanitation Agencies, and
the California Water Environment Association Technical Advisory Committee (TRI-
TAC), Southern California Alliance of Publicly Owned Treatment Works (SCAP), and
local chapters of AWWA, WEF, and the Water Reuse Association) and presented
several times at associations' conferences.
The Region is working with each State to develop State-specific multi-media climate
change strategies to ensure efforts are coordinated, duplication is reduced, and the role
for the Region is developed as it is most needed by each State. Region 9 is actively
participating on California's Water-Energy Climate Action Team, which includes all State
agencies dealing with water or energy, to implement the State's GHG reduction law.
With the increase in funding through the ARRA, Region 9 developed "EPA
Recommended Green Practices for Federally Funded Projects" in the areas of diesel
emission reduction strategies, smart energy practices, green remediation, green
building and construction practices, water management, and environmentally preferable
purchasing. This list of environmental best practices was transmitted to States and is
intended to be an insert into Regional grant awards in the future.
Region 9 participated in a Border 2012 Border States Climate Workshop with Region 6,
the Boarder Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC), the Secretaria de Medio
Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT), and representatives from all ten Border
States, local governments, non-profits, and other organizations, where the Region
distributed a Region 9-sponsored report "U.S.-Mexico Border Region Greenhouse Gas
Inventories and Policy". Region 9 is working with BECC to incorporate renewable
energy and sustainable infrastructure which will reduce water pollution and conserve
resources at wastewater and water utilities funded through this program.
Region 9 is developing a "Cities for Climate Action" pilot program, beginning with six
cities/counties. This is a multi-media effort to partner with local government on their
GHG reduction efforts. Region 9 will provide information, tools, and technical
assistance to encourage local adoption and implementation of one or more community-
scale GHG reduction measures. GHG reduction opportunities may include renewable
energy, home energy retrofits, greening new development, smart land use, water
efficiency, and composting.
52
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Expand Water Training on Climate Change. The Region has a "Climate Change 101"
course and a Climate Change Speaker Series to educate EPA staff. Region 9 has
presented climate change training at Tribal conferences. Region 9 is also working with
California community colleges to develop a water-related green jobs curriculum and
career development for future water/energy work.
Goal 5: Water Program Management of Climate Change
Climate Change Workgroup. In addition to participating on the NWP Climate Change
Workgroup, Region 9 maintains its own multi-media workgroup which produced an
"Energy and Climate Change Strategy" in 2007. This strategy was updated in 2009 to
identify new priorities, which include promoting energy production using anaerobic
digesters at wastewater treatment plants, using grant conditions to address climate
change, expanding outreach and technical assistance to Federal, State and local
government agencies and industrial sectors (including the "Cities For Climate Action"
initiative), pursuing renewable energy production and reducing water use at
contaminated sites, and promoting sustainable agriculture. In addition, the Region
recently adopted a Zero Waste and Carbon Neutral Policy for our Regional operations,
with a schedule of activities to meet its ambitious goals.
Region 10
Goal 1: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Related to Water
Improve Energy Efficiency at Water and Wastewater Utilities. Region 10's Sustainable
Infrastructure (SI) Team selected this key action as its principal activity for FY 2010 and
2011. Region 10 leveraged funding support from OWM to partner with the Oregon
Association of Clean Water Agencies, Bonneville Power Administration, Oregon Energy
Trust, EPA Region 10 PEER Center, and others to hold a 12-18 month training series
for 13 wastewater utilities. The training is largely based on the Energy Management
Guidebook for Wastewater Utilities (January, 2008). The utilities will benchmark their
energy use at the beginning of the program, learn about techniques and approaches to
reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions, and also be made aware of financing
and incentives for efficiency and renewable power sources. A summer intern will write a
case study of one utility's experience in applying the Guidebook.
Another SI Team activity will be to conduct Train-the-Trainer sessions in Energy
Management Systems and Asset Management to water and wastewater technical
assistance providers and State program contacts.
The SI Team will seek Continuing Education Unit (CEU) accreditation in Oregon for
participants in the Oregon Energy Project, Energy Management Systems and Asset
Management courses (including Check Up Program for Small Systems (CUPPS)).
53
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Implement the WaterSense Program. Region 10 will continue to give presentations
regarding the WaterSense Program. The Region is actively working to establish new
WaterSense partners.
The SI Team will conduct a Train-the-Trainer session in WaterSense to water and
wastewater technical assistance providers and State program contacts.
Goal 2: Adapting Water Programs to Climate Change
Expand Climate Ready Estuaries Partnerships. Two of Region 10's National Estuaries,
Puget Sound Partnership and Lower Columbia River Partnership, have been selected to
participate in the CRE program.
Promote Green Infrastructure for Multiple Benefits. Region 10 is hiring a Stormwater/
LID Technical Coordinator to further LID in stormwater permitting. Region 10 intends to
incorporate LID in stormwater permits it writes to demonstrate how it may be done in the
Pacific Northwest. Where possible, the analysis will assess the hydrology at a
watershed scale as well as site scale.
Clarify Use of the Clean and Drinking Water SRFs to Support Adaptation to Climate
Change. Region 10 will work with its States to clarify how communities can use the
Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF to take actions that prepare them for the impacts
of climate change. The presentation on "The White Paper" was well received by the
States. They are ready to take the next step and inform and encourage communities to
use the SRFs to address climate mitigation and adaptation concerns.
Many communities in Region 10 are achieving climate change co-benefits as they use
ARRA and FY2010 Appropriation funds for "Green Reserve" projects. Projects include
installing water meters and energy efficient pumps, as well as and water/energy audits.
Goal 5: Water Program Management of Climate Change
Maintain NWP Climate Change Workgroup. Region 10 will continue to participate on
the Workgroup. Region 10 has its own Climate Change Strategy and a Climate Change
Network that shares information about activities and relevant news.
Federal Agency Water Climate Coordination Group. Region 10 co-founded the Climate
Change Collaboration (C3), a regional collaboration of Federal Agencies in the Pacific
Northwest. The purpose of this group is to better integrate, organize, and focus the
Federal community's efforts in addressing the challenges posed by climate change in
the Pacific Northwest. C3 holds monthly conference calls and biannual video-
conferences.
54
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Appendix
Summary Tables - Climate Change Actions by Lead Office and Region
This table summarizes the 49 Key Actions for 2010-2011, including the lead and
supporting offices, Region or LAE for each. 2008-2009 Key Actions that have been
deleted or changed are also noted as a reference for the reader.
Headquarter Programs Key Actions
Note: Click on hyperlinked "New KA #" to jump to narrative descriptions in the document.
Old
KA#
New
KA
#
KA Title
Description
OW Lead
2010-2011
STATUS
GOAL1: Mitigation and Water Conservation
Energy Conservation/Production
1
1
Improve Energy
Efficiency/Reduce
Energy Use at Water
and Wastewater
Utilities.
The NWP will promote implementation of energy
conservations measures, energy performance benchmarking
programs, and use of energy audits and energy tracking
systems at water and wastewater treatment facilities. The
NWP will also promote the installation of Combined Heat and
Power systems for heat and energy recovery at wastewater
treatment facilities that use anaerobic digesters, and will
provide information to State and local governments on
available and emerging treatment technology.
OWM &
OGWDW
with OAR
Ongoing
Water Conservation
2
2
Implement the
WaterSense
Program
EPA will continue to implement the WaterSense program by
developing specifications for additional products, increasing
the number of program partners, and educating the public
about the importance of water efficiency. Depending on
available resources, EPA may expand the program further
into the commercial and institutional sector.
OWM
Ongoing
3
v///,
97//////////
'/////A
Completed
4
3
Develop Water
Resource
Management Tools
The NWP will issue guidance and conduct training to help
drinking water utilities control and mitigate water loss in
distribution systems through leak detection and repair and
metering.
OGWDW
with OWM
Ongoing
5
4
Assess Water Reuse
The NWP will continue to coordinate with the National
Academy of Sciences and other stakeholders to assess water
reuse as an approach for meeting future water supply needs
and use the assessment to potentially revise EPA's 2004
Guidelines for Water Reuse.
OWM and
OST
Ongoing
6
V///,
y///////////,
Completed
55
-------
Old
KA#
New
KA
#
KA Title
Description
OW Lead
2010-2011
STATUS
Carbon Sequestration/Injection
8
5
Finalize Geologic
Sequestration
Regulations
EPA will finalize regulations for siting and managing GS
projects to prevent endangerment of underground sources of
drinking water. EPA will support implementation of the rule
by issuing guidance on key issues and working to build
technical capacity in the states and regional direct
implementation (Dl) programs.
OGWDW
Ongoing
9
V///
y//////////z.
y//////////////////////////////A
V///A
Completed
10
6
Support Evaluation of
Sub-seabed and
Ocean Sequestration
of C02.
EPA will work with other interested agencies and the
international community to develop guidance on sub-seabed
carbon sequestration and will address any requests for
carbon sequestration in the sub-seabed or "fertilization" of the
ocean, including any permitting under the MPRSA.
owow
Ongoing
Biological Sequestration
11
'///A
y//////////A
Deleted
GOAL 2: Water Program Adaptation to Climate Change
Water Quality And Technology Based Standards
12
7
Gather Input and
Information on the
Impacts of Climate
Change and the
Potential
Contamination of
Drinking Water
Sources and Water
Supplies.
The NWP is requesting input and/or information on climate
change and how it could impact the nature and extent of
contaminants in drinking water supplies and systems.
OGWDW
Ongoing
13
8
Assess Clean Water
Microbial Criteria and
Risks ofWaterborne
Disease
The NWP will assess the potential for changes in waterborne
disease profiles and other water-related disease vectors as a
result of climate change, including recommendations for
appropriate responses (e.g., revision of biological/pathogen
criteria for surface waters).
OST
Ongoing
14
9
Consider Criteria for
Hydrologic Conditions
OST has also examined the policy and technical implications
of hydrologic condition standards, and will provide technical
and policy support to Regions and states interested in
developing such criteria.
OST
Ongoing
15
10
Develop Biological
Indicators and
Methods
The NWP will improve the biological information base to
better manage water resources in a changing climate,
including developing guidance on coral reef bioassessments
and biological criteria.
OST
Ongoing
16
11
Link Ecological and
Landscape Models
The NWP will work with the ORD, OAR, and Federal
partners to invest in refinement of models of ecological
processes and landscape hydrology.
OST
Ongoing
17
12
Evaluate New
Industry Sectors and
Existing Effluent
Guidelines.
The NWP will evaluate new industry sectors and existing
effluent guidelines to assess the need for new or revised
technology-based performance standards.
OST
Ongoing
18
'////.
'///////////A
Deleted
56
-------
Old
KA#
New
KA
#
KA Title
Description
OW Lead
2010-2011
STATUS
New
KA
13
Review Regulatory
Program Tools
Continue to evaluate the flexibility of the NWP regulatory
programs for climate change adaptation.
OW
Proposed
Watershed Approach
7a
14
Promote "Green
Buildings" for Multiple
Benefits (nonpoint
source control, water
conservation, energy
conservation)
OWOWwill provide education, outreach and guidance on
green buildings and green infrastructure from the
perspective of controlling nonpoint sources of pollution.
owow
Ongoing
19
15
Include Parameters
Relevant to Assessing
Climate Change
Impacts in National
Wetlands Survey and
Other Pertinent
Activities
The NWP will include assessment of climate change impacts
in water resources assessments at the national level, such
as the recent wadeable stream assessment and the Coastal
Condition Report.
owow
Ongoing
20
'////,
'///////////A
V/////////////////////////////A
Deleted
21
16
Promote BASINS
Climate Assessment
Tool
OW will develop training materials to assist EPA, State,
Tribal, and other government staffs in using the CAT
element of the BASINS decision support tool.
OST
Ongoing
22
17
Expand Climate
Ready Estuaries
Partnerships
In 2010 EPA will provide additional support to existing or
new CREs, explore options to expand the CRE coastal
toolkit, explore opportunities for additional interagency
coordination, and continue to provide climate change
adaptation information to coastal communities.
OWOW
Ongoing
23
18
Continue Coral Reef
Protections
The NWP participates in the Climate Change Working Group
of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, which is tasked with
engaging in interagency cooperative efforts to focus on
impacts of climate change on coral reefs and to develop
potential management responses.
owow
Ongoing
New
KA
19
Develop Tools for
Incorporating Climate
Change Impacts into
TMDL Water Quality
Analyses.
OW is partnering with ORD to explore different analytical
techniques for examining the water quality consequences of
climate change in a TMDL context
owow
Initiated
New
KA
20
Evaluate Ocean
Acidification Under
the 303(d) Program
EPA will develop a memorandum by November 15, 2010,
that describes how the Agency will approach ocean
acidification under the 303(d) program.
owow
Initiated
24
21
Review/Revise
Nonpoint Pollution
Management
Measures for
Nutrients and
Sediments
EPA will continue to review the current guidelines and
methods as new information becomes available. As
nonpoint pollution control methods are better tailored to
climate change, EPA will work with States to make climate
change a priority for funding under section 319.
owow
Ongoing
57
-------
Old
KA#
New
KA
#
KA Title
Description
OW Lead
2010-2011
STATUS
NPDES
7b
22
Promote "Green
Infrastructure" for
Multiple Benefits
(stormwater flow
management, water
conservation, energy
conservation, smart
growth)
The NWP will work with other EPA offices to support States,
Tribes, and local governments to promote and integrate
"green infrastructure" practices into NPDES permits, plans
and programs.
OWM
Ongoing
25
23
Review and Adapt
NPDES Permit
Program Tools
Continue to review of the flexibilities and tools in the NPDES
program that can be used to respond to changing water
quality/quantity conditions and new technologies; collaborate
with programs within OW and across the Agency, modify
and expand training to reflect climate change, and provide
technical assistance to permit authorities and permit writers.
OWM
Ongoing
New
KA
24
Evaluate Stormwater
NPDES Regulation
Evaluate the feasibility of incorporating into the proposed
Stormwater rulemaking the potential effects of climate
change on precipitation and hydrology.
OWM
w/OST
Initiated
26
27
Wa
W!k
Replaced
with KA #15
Deleted
Water Infrastructure
28
V///.
V//////////A
'//////////////////////////////A
V/////,
Deleted
30
25
Use the Clean Water
and Drinking Water
SRFs to Support
Eligible Projects to
Address Adaptation to
Climate Change
Work with State partners to continue to clarify what types of
climate change-related infrastructure expenditures are
eligible for SRF assistance and support these projects as
appropriate.
OWM and
OGWDW
Ongoing
New
KA
26
Continue to
collaborate with the
Climate Ready Water
Utilities Working
Group
Recommendations from the working group will be provided
to the NDWAC, which will in turn make recommendations to
EPA in Fall 2010.
OGWDW
with OWM
Ongoing
29
27
Develop Climate
Resilience Evaluation
and Awareness Tool
(CREAT)
Design, development, and distribution of the CREAT
software tool is planned for 2010, followed by outreach and
training in 2011 based on availability of funding.
OGWDW
Ongoing
New
KA
28
Develop an Interactive
Toolbox
EPA is developing a toolbox to support utilities responding to
climate change in all stages of the decision process, from
basic climate science through integration of mitigation and
adaptation into long-term planning. The toolbox will be
released in 2010.
OGWDW
with OW
Initiated
31
m
'////////////
wywywyyw.
combined
with KA #30
New
KA
29
Develop and Expand
Emergency Response
Training, Tools, and
Exercises
EPA will work with water sector utilities and related partners
to incorporate climate change adaptation considerations in
emergency response plans, emergency response training
and exercises, WARN, and community resilience efforts.
OGWDW
Ongoing
58
-------
Old
KA#
New
KA
#
KA Title
Description
OW Lead
2010-2011
STATUS
New
KA
30
Conduct Climate
Change Awareness
Seminars for Water
Utilities
EPA will present seminars to water/wastewater utilities on
climate change regional impacts, vulnerability to impacts,
and possible adaptation strategies. Seminars will provide
hands on exercises and will discuss how to incorporate
adaptation into infrastructure planning in the water sector.
OGWDW
Initiated
Wetlands Protection
32
31
Evaluate
Opportunities to
Refine the 404
Regulatory
Framework to
Address Climate
Change
EPA will continue to evaluate opportunities to refine the
CWA Section 404 permitting program so that the effects of
climate change can be appropriately considered throughout
the permitting process
OWOW
Ongoing
33
m
W/////////A
'///////////////////////////////,
Deleted
New
KA
32
Coastal Wetlands
Initiative
The Coastal Wetlands Team implementing the Initiative will
conduct regional reviews of one to three coastal watersheds
representative of each region to understand the stressors as
well as restoration and protection strategies to reduce or
reverse coastal wetland loss.
OWOW
Initiated
New
KA
33
National Wetlands
Survey
EPA is collaborating with states, tribes, Federal agencies,
and other partners to implement a field survey of the nation's
wetlands in 2011 as part of EPA's on-going series of
National Aquatic Resource Surveys, including many
parameters relevant to the study of climate change.
OWOW
Initiated
GOAL 3: Research
34
34
Monitor Water
Related USGCRP
and other Reports
The NWP will monitor the development of reports by the
Climate Change Science Program
OST
Ongoing
35
35
Include Climate
Research in ORD
Water Related
Research Plans
The NWP will work with ORD in development of water
research related to climate change and will coordinate with
external research foundations engaged in water and climate
change research.
OST
Ongoing
36
36
Assist with Revision
of ORD Global
Climate Multiyear
Research Plan
OWwill participate in the ORD revision of the Global Change
Multi-Year Plan.
OST
Ongoing
New
KA
37
Coordinate Research
Forum with ORD,
Other Federal
Agencies, and
Industry/ Utility
Research Groups
The NWP will work with external partners to improve
coordination of climate change research planning for the
water sector.
OST
Initiated
GOAL 4: Education on Climate Change
New
KA
38
Coordinate a NWP
Seminar Series
The NWP has established a seminar series entitled: Global
Change and Adaptation of the Water Program to raise
awareness of climate change and other exacerbating issues
OST
Initiated
59
-------
Old
KA#
New
KA
#
KA Title
Description
OW Lead
2010-2011
STATUS
37
39
Maintain Website, e-
Newsletter, webcasts
OW will upgrade its climate change website, and work to
coordinate its online presence with other EPA offices to
provide information related to water and climate change, and
OW will continue its "listserv" of breaking news to interested
parties.
OW
Ongoing
38
40
Produce Annual
Reports on Strategy
Implementation
OWwill publish annual reports describing progress in
implementing this Strategy.
OW
Ongoing
39
41
Conduct Outreach to
Partners and
Stakeholders
OW will engage with a wide variety of stakeholder
organizations to improve dialogue and share information.
OW
Ongoing
40
42
Expand Water
Training on Climate
Change
EPA will continue to update and revise existing training
programs to include attention to the impacts of climate
change on water programs.
OW
Ongoing
GOAL 5: Program Management
41
43
Maintain NWP
Climate Change
Workgroup
Develop revised Strategy, Participate in Agency-wide
planning for climate adaptation.
OW
Ongoing
42
44
Incorporate Climate
Change into Agency
Strategic Plan and
Annual Guidance
OW will include climate change in the water elements of the
2010-2015 EPA Strategic Plan and in the Annual NWP
Guidance.
OW
Ongoing
43
45
Incorporate Regional
and LAE Additions
into NWP Climate
Strategy
Each EPA Regional Water Division will continue to review
and identify impacts of concern to that Region, and develop
Region-specific additions to this national Strategy.
Regions &
LAEs with
OW
Ongoing
44
46
Coordinate with other
Federal Agencies for
Climate Change
Mitigation and
Adaptation
Programs within OW will work with other Federal agencies
with a significant interest in the water-related impacts of
climate change on a variety of interagency and national
collaborative teams.
OW
Initiated
New
KA
47
Engage on Public
Health and
Environmental Justice
Engage on public health and environmental justice by
collaborating with Offices throughout EPA, other Federal
Agencies and other partners in workshops, studies, and
other projects to expand the understanding and responses of
climate change to vulnerable populations.
OW
Initiated
New
KA
48
Develop guidance for
incorporating climate
change into OW
operations
OWwill develop a checklist to assist program staff with
incorporating climate change considerations into daily
operations, and will begin work with the EPA regulatory
managers to develop technical guidance for rule writers.
OW
Initiated
New
KA
49
Collaborate on
Agency-wide
information sharing
and planning
activities.
OWwill work with OEI to maintain and internal AdaptNet' to
share information with other 'early actors' throughout the
Agency; OWwill work with OPEI on development of Agency-
wide processes to build capacity for implementing climate
change responses.
OW
Initiated
60
-------
Regional Programs Key Actions
Note: Click on hyperlinked Region # to jump to narrative descriptions in body of document.
Old
KA#
New
KA #
KA Title
Description
2010-2011
STATUS
Region 1
1
1
Improve Energy
Efficiency at Water
and Wastewater
Utilities
Region 1 will continue to promote energy efficiency at
wastewater treatment facilities through the EnergyStar
Portfolio Manager, EPA's on-line benchmarking tool.
Region 1 also is working with water associations and other
partners (e.g., Department of Labor) to expand existing
drinking water system operators training to include water
efficiency and climate change awareness.
Ongoing
2
2
Implement the
WaterSense
Program
Region 1 is promoting the WaterSense Program and water
conservation in general through a wide range of drinking
water and green building programs and initiatives. The
Region continues to recruit WaterSense partners across New
England by distributing outreach materials, taking calls from
media or from potential partners, and by doing presentations
and booths at various events. To date, the Region has a
total of 106 WaterSense partners (including irrigation
systems).
Ongoing
7
14, 22
Promote "Green
Buildings" for
Multiple Benefits;
Promote Green
Infrastructure for
Multiple Benefits
Region 1 will continue to promote green building and
infrastructure with aggressive dissemination of its 2008
publication, A Guide to Residential Green Building in New
England, and it's very popular "Green Buildings" web site
(www.epa.gov/region1/greenbuildings). The Region also
leads by example with its LEED Gold Certified Regional
Laboratory and Regional Office, both of which boast energy
and water efficient designs, extensive use of recycled
materials in construction, and natural landscaping.
Ongoing
15
10
Develop Biological
Indicators and
Methods
Region 1 will use the results of its September 2009
workshop, "Data Needs to Monitor and Respond to Climate
Change Impacts on Water Resources in New England," co-
sponsored by ORD and the University of Massachusetts, to
help identify appropriate environmental indicators of climate
impacts on water bodies, available data sets, key data gaps,
and potential uses of the data.
Ongoing
19
15
Include Parameters
Relevant to
Assessing Climate
Change Impacts in
National Wetlands
Survey and Other
Pertinent Activities
Region 1 will continue to support the Gulf of Maine Council's
Climate Change Network and Ecosystem Indicators
Partnership, which are coordinating climate change
adaptation efforts by U.S. and Canadian agencies and
organizations, and supporting the development of climate
change indicators to assess the status and trends of the
Gulf's resources. These indicators will be used as part of a
"State of the Gulf of Maine" report and conference in 2010.
Ongoing
22
17
Expand Climate
Ready Estuaries
Partnerships
Region 1 will continue to actively participate in its four CRE
projects being administered by the Piscataqua Region
Estuaries Partnership, the Massachusetts Bays Program, the
Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, and the Long Island Sound
Study.
Ongoing
61
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Description
2010-2011
STATUS
28
-
Implement the
Sustainable Water
Infrastructure
Initiative and Adapt
Decision Support
Tools to Include
Climate Change
Region 1 will continue to provide states and professional
organizations with tools and information to improve the
overall capabilities of water and wastewater facilities to
address threats such as climate change by improving
infrastructure stability and increasing operational resiliency.
One tool will be dissemination of three recently produced fact
sheets, entitled, "Considerations for Water Infrastructure
Projects;" "Preparing for Climate Change at N.E. Wastewater
Utilities;" and "Preparing for Climate Change at N.E. Drinking
Water Utilities." The Region will provide technical assistance
and training on "asset management" to help utilities position
themselves better to respond to impacts from climate change
and to identify and protect critical assets.
Ongoing
30
25
Use the Clean and
Drinking Water SRFs
to Support Eligible
Projects to Address
Adaptation to
Climate Change
The Region continues to promote the use of both SRF
programs to address energy efficiency, the use of clean
energy, and water conservation and reuse. The Region has
widely circulated OW's Clean Water SRF White Paper which
details program eligibilities including actions and projects that
could be funded to address climate change.
Ongoing
39
41
Conduct Outreach to
Partners and
Stakeholders
Region 1 will work closely with other Federal agencies,
states, regional organizations, and local communities to
share information about EPA programs, climate science,
mitigation measures, and adaptation planning through a wide
range of existing partnership programs and initiatives,
Ongoing
41
43
Maintain NWP
Climate Change
Workgroup
Region 1 will continue to be an active participant on the
workgroup. We will continue to utilize our inter-office Global
Climate Change Network (GCCN), which meets monthly to
educate, inform, and coordinate Regional climate change
activities. We also will continue our monthly "Climate
Change 101" seminar series to educate EPA employees
about climate issues.
Ongoing
44
46
Coordinate with
Other Federal
Agencies for Climate
Change Mitigation
and Adaptation
Region 1 will work with the Northeast Federal Partners group
to follow-up on recommended actions from the "New England
Federal Partners Interagency Meeting on Climate Change
Adaptation," held in June 2009, which EPA played a major
role in organizing.
Ongoing
Region 2
1
1
Improve Energy
Efficiency at Water
and Wastewater
utilities
Region 2 has funded the use of wind turbines to pump halite
mine runoff from sinkholes to relieve pressure causing mud
boils and prevent further degradation of Onondaga Lake.
Ongoing
22
17
Expand Climate
Ready Estuaries
Partnerships
Region 2 has three climate ready estuaries. For status, see
the CRE 2009 Progress Report at www.epa.cre.
Ongoing
62
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Description
2010-2011
STATUS
23
18
Continue Coral Reef
Protections
Region 2 has been promoting coral reef protection
throughout the Caribbean with our Coral Reef Team. Region
2 and ORD have implemented monitoring (including ocean
acidification monitoring utilizing the OSV Bold) and
development of CWA biological criteria to characterize
impacts of coral degradation from stressors, including climate
change.
Ongoing
41
43
Maintain the NWP
Climate Change
Workgroup
Region 2's Climate Change and Energy Workgroup acts in
the capacity of a coordinating body to advise managers on
opportunities to integrate cc actions into specific programs.
Region 2's Climate Change and Energy Workgroup is
focusing on twelve proposed CC actions. Actions present
essential capacity to develop a Region 2 Climate Change
Plan. The Workgroup will develop Region 2 plan.
Ongoing
15
10
Develop Biological
Indicators and
Methods
Region 2 is involved in the development of several biological
indicators and methods including: 1) Spatial and Temporal
Monitoring of DO in Near Coastal Waters using an AUV; 2)
Benthic Indicators of health for the benthic community in
estuarine and nearshore waters of NJ; 3) Quantitative qPCR
at marine bathing beaches using Enterococcus (comparison
study of qPCR vs. conventional microbial techniques).
Ongoing
2
2
Implement the Water
Sense Program
Region 2 has developed a Green Team which is working with
key partners to promote innovative stormwater and water
conservation techniques. P2 inspections emphasizing water
re-use recovery and conservation through source reduction.
Region 2 awarded a grant for a rain barrel demonstration
project.
Ongoing
35
35
Include Climate
Change Research in
ORD Water Related
Plans
Region 2, Region 3 and Region 9 will hold a concurrent, bi-
coastal workshop in June 2010 to identify leading edge
research and management responses on how climate
change affects water quality and quantity, to determine how
ongoing research in risk management and other innovative
fields can better support protection and management of
national water resources; and to foster collaboration between
practitioners, regulators and researchers that leads to
cooperative research efforts and the development of locally-
based decision-support tools.
Ongoing
Region 3
1
1
Improve Energy
Efficiency/Reduce
Energy Use at Water
and Wastewater
Utilities
Conduct workshops on energy and water use efficiency for
water/wastewater infrastructure.
Ongoing
8
5
Finalize Geologic
Sequestration
Regulations
With DOE, work with energy companies on UIC permit
requirements for the construction and operation of coal bed
sequestration sites.
Ongoing
22
17
Expand Climate
Ready Estuaries
Partnerships
Collaborate with partners to incorporate ecosystem services
impacts and implement a methodology for identifying and
valuing the ecological impacts of sea level rise on the New
Jersey portion of the Delaware Estuary.
Ongoing
63
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Old
KA#
New
KA #
KA Title
Description
2010-2011
STATUS
-
R3-1
Support for Climate
Change Adaptation
in the Chesapeake
Bay
Begin work to create an assessment (including a vulnerability
assessment) that will help guide Frederick County, Maryland
with strategic land-use decisions and address Chesapeake
Bay goals and climate change initiatives.
Ongoing
Region 4
1
1
Improve Energy
Efficiency at Water
and Wastewater
Utilities
Region 4 has and continues to hold workshops for a variety
of partners regarding energy efficiency at water and
wastewater facilities
Ongoing
2
2
Implement the
WaterSense
Program
Region 4 has and continues to give presentations regarding
the WaterSense Program. The Region is actively working to
establish new WaterSense partners.
Ongoing
28
-
Reduce Water
Demand and
Wastewater
Production through
Infrastructure and
Management
Improvements
Region 4 has and continues to give presentations to a variety
of audiences on sustainable approaches to water and
wastewater infrastructure. The Region participated in
development of and actively implements, the EPA Program
Strategy for Management of Individual and Clustered
(Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems. The
Region is promoting sustainable approaches with our states
through watershed coordination efforts.
Ongoing
7
14, 22
Promote "Green
Buildings" for
Multiple Benefits;
Promote Green
Infrastructure for
Multiple Benefits
Region 4 has and continues to give presentations to a variety
of partners regarding Green Infrastructure. The Region is
working with our RCRA Program to develop a methodology
for local governments to review and revise the codes and
ordinances to promote green development.
Ongoing
8
5
Finalize Geologic
Sequestration
Regulations
Region 4 has and continues to issue UIC Class V permits for
CO2 experimental/test wells in the Southeast US.
Ongoing
22
17
Expand Climate
Ready Estuaries
Partnerships
The Region is actively participating in the CRE program with
five projects completed or underway. The Region intends to
continue to actively participate in the program.
Ongoing
30
25
Use the Clean and
Drinking Water SRFs
to Support Eligible
Projects to Address
Adaptation to
Climate Change
The Region continues to promote the use of both SRF
programs to address energy efficiency, the use of clean
energy, and water conservation and reuse.
Ongoing
39
41
Conduct Outreach to
Partners and
Stakeholders
The Region has and continues to reach out to partners
regarding adaptation to climate change through a variety of
approaches including workshops and vulnerability
assessments.
Ongoing
41
43
Maintain the NWP
Climate Change
Workgroup
Region 4 has been and will continue to be an active
participant on the Office of Water Climate Change workgroup
and on strategy development subcommittees. In addition,
Region 4 has created a Regional Energy and Climate
Change Steering Committee and workgroup as well as a
Water Protection Division Climate Change workgroup.
Ongoing
64
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New
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Description
2010-2011
STATUS
Region 5
1
1
Improve Energy
Efficiency/Reduce
Energy Use at Water
and Wastewater
Facilities
Region 5 and IDEM are working with 12 drinking water and
wastewater utilities on a two-year project to pilot the EPA's
Energy Management Guidebook for Drinking Water and
Wastewater Utilities.
Ongoing
30
25
Use the Clean and
Drinking Water SRFs
to Support Eligible
Projects to Address
Adaptation to
Climate Change
In Region 5 will continue to work with states as they assess
the green components of submitted infrastructure projects.
Ongoing
2
2
Implement the
WaterSense
Program
EPA Region 5 is promoting the WaterSense Program within
the water/wastewater utility sector and through sustainable
development/green building programs and initiatives
Ongoing
7
14, 22
Promote "Green
Buildings" for
Multiple Benefits;
Promote Green
Infrastructure for
Multiple Benefits
The Region is working on voluntary approaches to accelerate
use of green infrastructure practices, and also is also seeking
to set the stage for using regulatory and permit approaches
to support green infrastructure approaches.
Ongoing
8
5
Finalize Geologic
Sequestration
Regulations
Region 5 is active on the development of several rules
related to GS of carbon dioxide under SDWA, CAA and
RCRA.
Ongoing
9
-
Continue Technical
Workshops
Region 5 has two DOE active partnerships conducting
research on injecting CO2 and the Region is working with the
Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) to develop a series of
training programs for the geological sequestration
community.
Ongoing
26
-
Evaluate Impacts on
Wet Weather
Program
The Region is actively working with a major metropolitan
sewer district to consider green infrastructure components in
CSO Long Term Control Plan.
Ongoing
28
-
Continue
Implementing the
Sustainable
Infrastructure
Initiative
Region 5 has been raising awareness of water and
wastewater infrastructure needs and promoting practices to
ensure that water and wastewater infrastructure is properly
operated and maintained.
Ongoing
-
29
Develop and Expand
Emergency
Response Training,
Tools, and Exercises
Region 5 is promoting water conservation as part of the
overall water security and resiliency messages to utilities and
their customers and is assisting utilities in developing and
launching their State WARN.
Ongoing
41
43
Maintain the NWP
Climate Change
Workgroup
Region 5 has been and will continue to be an active
participant on the workgroup. The region also regularly
participates in the monthly national climate change sub-lead
calls.
Ongoing
65
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Old
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New
KA #
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Description
2010-2011
STATUS
Region 6
8
5
Finalize Geologic
Sequestration
Regulations
Region 6 has been, and will continue to, build the technical
expertise for GS of CO2, and will continue to actively
participate in developing and commenting on the CO2
geosequestration rulemaking, scheduled for completion in
late 2010. Region 6 also conducts CO2 geosequestration
training, for water managers to ensure the protection of
groundwater.
Ongoing
22
17
Expand Climate
Ready Estuaries
Partnerships
States in Region 6 are already affected by sea level rise,
land subsidence and coastal land loss, and Region 6 is
actively working to address this issue. Work continues in
Region 6 to complete engineering designs & construct barrier
island restoration & diversion projects; develop site-specific
NEP restoration/adaptation project alternatives; and provide
technical & planning assistance on high profile interagency
restoration/adaptation policy and scientific evaluations.
Ongoing
39
41
Conduct Outreach to
Partners and
Stakeholders
Region 6 created an inventory of climate change mitigation
and adaptation efforts with initial focus in coastal Texas and
Louisiana to help leverage EPA's science priorities and
complement the investments being made by other key
stakeholders. Additional states will be added to the inventory
and web-based and GIS tools will be developed.
Ongoing
Region 7
1
1
Improve Energy
Efficiency/Reduce
Energy Use at Water
and Wastewater
Facilities
Region 7 is working to improve energy management and
water conservation by promoting the WaterSense program,
promoting green infrastructure, and supporting carbon
sequestration research and development.
Ongoing
28
-
Sustainability
Region 7's adaptation activities will focus on source water
protection, sustainable water infrastructure, and wetlands
protection.
Ongoing
Region 8
1
1
Improve Energy
Efficiency/Reduce
Energy Use at Water
and Wastewater
Facilities
Reduce energy use by water utilities.
Ongoing
2
2
Implement the
WaterSense
Program
Prepare for a water-constrained future.
Ongoing
-
R8-1
Adaptation
Promote water efficiency/conservation in the agriculture
sector.
Ongoing
-
R8-2
Adaptation
Ensure climate change is adequately addressed in NEPA
reviews, especially as they relate to water projects.
Ongoing
66
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New
KA #
KA Title
Description
2010-2011
STATUS
Region 9
1
1
Improve Energy
Efficiency/Reduce
Energy Use at Water
and Wastewater
Facilities
Region 9 mitigation activities will include delivering a final
Energy Management Workshop to Nevada and delivering 20
webinars to workshop attendees interested in working with
EPA reduce energy use. Region 9's Biogas multimedia
workshop will continue to explore regulatory, technical, and
financial advancements to increase the use of biogas.
Ongoing
2
2
Implement the
WaterSense
Program
Region 9's "Cities for Climate Action" initiative will use the
WaterSense program to increase water efficiency. We will
work to secure additional WaterSense partners through our
infrastructure grants and distribution of program materials.
Ongoing
3
-
Water Conservation
at Drinking Water
Facilities
Region 9 will seek to implement water conservation program
working through NEPA on infrastructure grants.
Ongoing
4
3
Develop Water
Resource
Management Tools
Region 9 will continue to promote water leak detection
through workshops and follow-up workshop webinars.
Ongoing
5
4
Assess Water Reuse
Region 9 will continue to maintain the only EPA website
dedicated to water recycling and respond to public inquires
about the topic.
Ongoing
6
R9-1
Federal Agency
Water Conservation
Guidance
Region 9 will continue to implement its EMS program and
coordinate with other Federal Agency funding program to
reduce water demand on the California Delta.
Ongoing
7
74; 22
Promote "Green
Buildings" for
Multiple Benefits;
Promote Green
Infrastructure for
Multiple Benefits
Region 9 is coordinating with DOE to assist in implementing
green building programs to reduce waste, water pollution and
to promote water and energy conservation.
Ongoing
8
5
Finalize Geologic
Sequestration
Regulations
We will continue to participate on the Geologic Sequestration
Regulatory process.
Ongoing
22
17
Expand Climate
Estuaries
Partnerships
We will continue to work with the San Francisco Estuary
Partnership as a Climate Ready Estuary and assist Santa
Monica Bay in developing their CRE project.
Ongoing
23
18
Continue Coral Reef
Protections
We will continue to be active in the US Coral Reef Task
Force and Pacific Islands to implement Local Action
Strategies to reduce climate change and pollution threats to
reefs.
Ongoing
7
14, 22
Promote "Green
Buildings" for
Multiple Benefits;
Promote Green
Infrastructure for
Multiple Benefits
We will assertively and consistently include clear,
enforceable provisions for low impact development.
Ongoing
-
R9-2
Adaptation:
Integrated Regional
Water Management
Handbook
Region 9 is working to develop an adaption tool, a decision
handbook for use by the California Integrated Regional
Water Management Program. The handbook would guide
local communities in incorporating a climate change into their
water management plans.
Initiated
67
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Old
KA#
New
KA #
KA Title
Description
2010-2011
STATUS
30
25
Use the Clean and
Drinking Water SRFs
to Support Eligible
Projects to Address
Adaptation to
Climate Change
We will continue to encourage SRF projects that support
adaptation to and mitigation of climate change.
Ongoing
-
37
Coordinate Research
Forum with ORD,
Other Federal
Agencies, and
Industry/Utility
Research Groups
Region 9 is working to jointly host a west and east coast
conference on climate change research needs.
Ongoing
39
41
Conduct Outreach to
Partners and
Stakeholders
Region 9 is working with selected cities to deliver EPA
programs that can reduce climate change impacts.
Initiated
Region 10
1
1
Improve Energy
Efficiency/Reduce
Energy Use at Water
and Wastewater
Utilities
Region 10's Sustainable Infrastructure (SI) Team is
partnering with OR ACWA, BPA, OR Energy Trust, Region
10 PEER Center and others to work with 13 wastewater
utilities to reduce energy use and increase efficiency. They
will implement the Energy Management Handbook, use
benchmarking to measure progress, and learn about
techniques to improve efficiency, how to integrate climate
change, communicate internally and externally, and available
financing incentives to ensure a successful approach to
reducing energy use. The SI Team will conduct Train-the-
Trainer sessions in Energy Management Systems and Asset
Management to water and wastewater technical assistance
providers.
Ongoing
2
2
Implement the
WaterSense
Program
Region 10 is promoting the WaterSense Program and water
conservation in general through a wide range of activities.
The Region continues to recruit WaterSense partners by
distributing outreach materials, taking calls from media or
from potential partners, and by doing presentations and
booths at various events. The SI Team will conduct Train-
the-Trainer sessions on WaterSense to water and
wastewater technical assistance providers.
Ongoing
22
17
Expand Climate
Ready Estuaries
Partnerships
Puget Sound and Lower Columbia River have been selected
to receive funding to embark on the CRE Program.
Ongoing
7
14, 22
Promote "Green
Buildings" for
Multiple Benefits;
Promote Green
Infrastructure for
Multiple Benefits
Region 10 has a new position to incorporate LID in the
stormwater permits it writes to demonstrate how it may be
done in the Pacific Northwest. The position will provide
technical assistance to communities in Region 10 with a
special focus on the Puget Sound Basin.
Ongoing
30
25
Use the Clean and
Drinking Water SRFs
to Support Eligible
Projects to Address
Adaptation to
Climate Change
RegionIO will work with its states to identify potential actions
that encourage communities to use the Clean Water and
Drinking Water SRF to fund actions to prepare for the
impacts of climate change (adaptation) or engage in
mitigation projects.
Ongoing
68
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Old
KA#
New
KA #
KA Title
Description
2010-2011
STATUS
39
41
Conduct Outreach to
Partners and
Stakeholders
Region 10 will continue to participate in regional Climate
Change workshops and conferences as time allows.
Ongoing
41
43
Maintain the NWP
Climate Change
Workgroup
Region 10 will continue to participate in the OW Climate
Workgroup. Region 10 also has its own regional internal
Climate Change Network, whose members share information
on their climate activities and news.
Ongoing
44
46
Coordinate with other
Federal Agencies for
Climate Change
Mitigation and
Adaptation
Region 10 holds regular meetings of the Climate Change
Collaborative, a workgroup of the Federal Agencies located
in the Pacific Northwest. The purpose of this group is to
better integrate, organize and focus the Federal community's
efforts in addressing the challenges posed by climate change
in the Pacific Northwest. C3 meets regularly, approximately
monthly via teleconference and bi-annually via
videoconference.
Ongoing
69
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CEE, 2007. Consortium for Energy Efficiency, Initiative Description: CEE National
Municipal Water and Wastewater Facility Initiative. Available online at:
http://www.cee1.org/ind/mot-sys/ww/ww-init-des.pdf.
CEQ, 2010a. Interagency Task Force on Climate Change Adaptation. Available online
at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/adaptation.
CEQ, 2010b. Interagency Carbon Capture and Storage Task Force. Available online
at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/ccs,
CEQ, 2010c. Council on Environmental Quality Initiatives. Available online at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives,
EPA, 2003. Watershed Analysis and Management (WAM) Guide for States and
Communities. EPA 841-B-03-007. December 2003. Available online at:
http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/wacademy/wam2003/index.htmi
EPA, 2004. Guidelines for Water Reuse, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA/625/R-04/108 September 2004. Available online at:
http://www.epa.gov/nrmri/pubs/625r04108/625r04108.pdf.
EPA, 2007a. National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change.
Available online at: http://www.epa.gov/water/ciimatechange/.
EPA, 2007b. Using the Class V Experimental Technology Well Classification for Pilot
Geologic Sequestration Projects - UIC Program Guidance (UICPG #83), March 1,
2007. Available online at:
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/pdfs/guide_uic_carbonsequestration_final-03-
07.pdf
EPA, 2009a. Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases
under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act. Available online at:
http://www.epa.gov/ciimatechange/endangerment.htmi.
EPA, 2009b. U.S. EPA. BASINS 4.0 Climate Assessment Tool (CAT): Supporting
Documentation and User's Manual (Final Report). U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-08/088F, 2009. Available online at:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/giobai/recordisplay. cfm?deid=203460.
EPA, 2010a. Progress Reports: National Water Program Strategy: Response to
Climate Change. Available online at:
http://www.epa.gov/water/ciimatechange/impiementation.htmi.
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EPA ORD Ecosystem Services Research Program. Available online at:
http://www.epa.gov/ecology/index.htm.
EPA ORD Water Quality Research Program. Available online at:
http://epa.gov/ord/npd/waterqualityresearch-intro.htm.
EPA ORD Drinking Water Research Program. Available online at:
http://epa.gov/ord/npd/dwresearch-intro.htm.
FEMA, 2010. Federal Interagency Floodplain Management Task Force. Available
online at: http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/fifm_task_force.shtm.
IPCC, 2007. Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Contribution of Working Group II to
the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,
2007. M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P. Palutikof, P.J. van der Linden and C.E. Hanson
(eds) Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY,
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NAS, 2010. Assessment of Water Reuse as an Approach for Meeting Future Water
Supply Needs, National Academies of Science. PIN# WSTB-U-08-02-A. Available
online at: http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/projectview.aspx?key=48995,
NOAA Climate Service Portal. Available online at:
http://www.ciimate.gOv/#ciimateWatch.
Reardon, David. 1994. Energy Audit Manual for Water / Wastewater Facilities: A Guide
for Electric Utilities to Understanding Specific Unit Processes and their Energy/Demand
Relationship at Water and Wastewater Plants. CEC Report CR-104300, St. Louis,
Missouri, EPRI Community Environmental Center, July.
River Network, 2009. The Carbon Footprint of Water, Bevan Griffiths-Sattenspiel and
Wendy Wilson, The River Network, May 2009. Available online at:
http://rivernetwork.org/resource-iibrary/carbon-footprint-water
USGCRP, 2009. Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States, Thomas R. Karl,
Jerry M. Melillo, and Thomas C. Peterson, (eds). Cambridge University Press, 2009.
Available online at: http://www.giobaichange.gov/.
WaterSMART. Available online at: http://www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/index.htmi,
WestFAST. Western States Water Council, Federal Agency Support Team
(WestFAST). Available online at: http://www.westgov.org/wswc/WestFAST.htm,
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NATIONAL WATER PROGRAM STRATEGY
Response to Climate Change: Key Action Update
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water (4101M)
EPA 800-R-10-002
http://water.epa.gov/scitech/climatechange/
August 2010
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