Quinault Indian Nation Plans for Relocation

"Oepa.gov/arc-x/quinault-indian-nation-plans-relocation

The Quinault Indian Nation village of Taholah is located
within Washington State at the confluence of the Quinault
River and the Pacific Ocean. Taholah is particularly
vulnerable to sea level rise, storm surge, and river flooding
- all of which are expected to worsen with climate change.
The village is also concerned with the potential threat of
tsunamis (which has not been scientifically connected to
climate change). The village's vulnerability was highlighted
in early 2014 and again in 2015 when storm surge and
intense rains caused flooding, landslides, and culvert
failures in the lower-laying areas of the village.

To better understand its risk into the future, the Nation
conducted a vulnerability assessment with the assistance of
an Social and Economic Development Strategies grant from
the Administration for Native Americans. The resulting plan
-which is incorporating numerous community discussions
and forums - centers on relocating 650 residents and
vulnerable community facilities a half-mile away from the existing
tsunami and flood zones.

village.

The

new village

will be in a location well above the

-

The relocation plan, if implemented, prepares the village to be resilient to anticipated climate change impacts such as storm
surge and sea level rise as well as protecting the village from tsunamis; the expected inundation area from a 40-foot wave
matches or exceeds the anticipated threat from storm surge and sea level rise resulting from climate change.

Two additional points are worth noting. First, the Nation considered climate (sea level rise, storm surge, and river flooding) and
non-climate (tsunami) risks together in determining its vulnerability and adaptation options. Second, the Nation used a tsunami
threat standard and FEMAs 1 -in-100 year flood zone as the basis for selecting its tsunami risk and climate vulnerability
adaptation strategy (rather than conducting a separate climate adaptation analysis).

How Did They Do It?	Applicable EPA Toois

Identified threats

• Identified key climate, weather, and community vulnerabilities. These threats
included anticipated climate threats from sea level rise, storm surge, and river
flooding.

National Climate
Assessment

EPA Regional Climate
Website

National Climate
Assessment & EPA Regional
Climate Website can help
you identify projected climate
risks in your region.

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How Did They Do It?

Applicable EPA Tools

Determined vulnerabilities (including the most vulnerable population) and
adaptation options

•	Identified most vulnerable community areas; which threatened more than 600 tribal
and non-tribal residents, many of whom are elderly or very young.

•	Determined the need to relocate population.

EPA's Coastal Storm Surge
Mapper can help you
determine whether your
community may be
vulnerable.

EPA's Coastal Storm Surge
Mapper

Selected relocation as its adaptation action

•	The community identified 200 acres near the upper village as a potential relocation
option due to its high elevation (120 feet above sea level) and location outside the
tsunami hazard zone and FEMA 1 -100 year flood zone.

•	Relocating also enables the Nation to incorporate smart growth techniques including
low-impact development and green infrastructure to better prepare the community
for the future climate.

EPA's Tribal General
Assistance Program Grants
may be used to help tribal
communities conduct an
adaptation plan and inform
actions.

EPA's Tribal General
Assistance Program Grants

Engaged residents in the selected adaptation

•	The Nation actively engaged its members in the development of the Village
Relocation Master Plan. Multiple stakeholder and community meetings have been
held and specific outreach efforts addressed the most vulnerable population by
targeting schools and tribal elders. These efforts included community surveys and
design charrettes to better identify the desired community layout. The preliminary
plan includes a multi-use center for seniors, day care and early school head start
programs.

•	The final relocation master plan (expected to be completed in 2016) will detail the
overall strategy and allow for a cost and time estimate.

EPA's Climate Ready Water
Utilities program can help
communities host an
extreme events workshop to
identify community risk,
engage residents and inform
responses.

EPA's Climate Ready Water
Utilities

Similar Cases and More Information

Determining climate risk and vulnerability and developing an adaptation plan are just two components of climate adaptation.
For an example of a community in the Northwest that used existing projections to promote climate adaptation planning, view
the Anacortes Sea Level Rise Example.

• Anacortes, Washington Rebuilds Water Treatment Plant for Climate Change

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