Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning

Title: Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning

Discussion Group Leaders: Frank Alcock and Sara Kane

Main Idea: there is a desire to gain cooperation at government level (local, state) Private sector & public/government “partnerships” CRE: Climate Ready Estuaries Close collaboration, “low-key” approach [Affiliates: EPA, NOAA, SBEP, Mote]

Acceleration in sea level rise has been occurring and the rate has increased recently; not catastrophic.

THE PLAN: P1 – Tech assist IEc Indust. Eco, Inc. (private) and then public Manatee & Sarasota Counties P2 – “outreach tools for the community”

• LiDAR – light detection & radar (lots of discussion; concern for validity)

THIS IS NOT A PREDICTING TOOL/MODEL

Implications: LiDAR doesn’t take into account duration, many factors, needs a comprehensive view still (rainfall, storm drains, etc.) Hurricane/disaster scenarios Community involvement (forums?) how does government fit it – what is expected and what is produced/received

What are you going to do with these tools in terms of policy? Planning: when it happens, in the future?

There is need for immediacy, but the political climate is not helpful. Inherent obstacle: something needs to be done. How to interest the community for immediate decision making [interest in gaining private sector/businesses]? Already started working on citizens & local governments.

Future: People care about their property/hate their government/are all scared of total disaster. Need to look at: potential plans for local, minor issues. How to instigate participation at the community level? Widely unanswered.

So what did we learn? LiDAR is interesting and maybe helpful. This area is widely unknown to citizens (the science is confusing and complicated).