2014 Highlights of Progress:

 Responses to Climate Change 

by the 

National Water Program

March 2015
Prepared by:

Office of Water

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

March 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 1

Part I: National Program Highlights 5

Water Infrastructure

Watersheds and Wetlands

Coastal and Ocean Waters

Water Quality

Working with Tribes 

Cross-cutting Program Support

Part II: Highlights from EPA Regional Water Programs 13

Region 1

Region 2

Region 3

Region 4

Region 5

Region 6

Region 7

Region 8

Region 9

Region 10

Part III: 2014 Assessment of Progress 16

Appendix A: Compendium of Additional 2014 Accomplishments 27

for Climate Change Adaptation

 National Water Program Climate Change Adaptation Accomplishments

 Climate Change Adaptation Accomplishments Related to Water in EPA Regions
Page left intentionally blank
Introduction

The National Water Program at the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) released the National Water Program 2012 Strategy: 

Response to Climate Change (2012 Strategy) in December 2012 as an 

update to an initial climate change and water strategy released in 

2008. 

The 2012 Strategy describes long-term goals for the management of 

sustainable water resources for future generations in light of climate 

change and is intended to be a roadmap to guide future programmatic 

planning and inform decision makers during the Agency’s annual 

planning process. The Strategy is available here. 

This 2014 Highlights of Progress report provides a summary of the major accomplishments of 

national water programs and EPA regional water programs in 2014. In addition, major research 

projects addressing climate change and water that were completed in 2014 by the EPA Office of 

Research and Development (ORD) are described.

This is the sixth climate change progress report for the National Water Program and is modeled 

after the 2012 and 2013 Highlights of Progress report released in March 2013 and April 2014

respectively. Like the 2012 and 2013 Highlights of Progress reports, the report is organized 

around the six long-term programmatic vision areas described in the 2012 Strategy: 

 water infrastructure;

 watersheds and wetlands;

 coastal and ocean waters;

 water quality; 

 working with Tribes; and

 cross-cutting program support. 

Part I of this report presents key “highlight” projects and products implemented by the National 

Water Program and Office of Research and Development in 2014 in each of these six vision 

areas. Part II of this report includes descriptions of key 2014 “highlights” of climate change and 

water work in each of the 10 EPA Regional offices. 

In addition to the major accomplishments highlighted in each of these vision areas and for each 

EPA Region, other important projects and activities were accomplished in 2014. A detailed 

compendium of 2014 activities and accomplishments related to climate change and water 

programs underway in EPA national water program offices and Regional offices is provided in 

Appendix A. 
In addition to reporting on highlights of progress for 2014, the National Water Program is 

continuing past work to assess progress in the overall implementation of the 2012 Strategy in 

the context of the stage or phase of development of climate response programs. This 

assessment effort is described in Part III of this report. The assessment effort tracks program 

implementation progress through seven developmental phases: 

 initiation;

 assessment;

 response development;

 initial implementation;

 robust implementation;

 mainstreaming; and 

 monitor outcomes and adaptive management. 

Each of these phases is described in greater detail in the 2012 Strategy and in this report. 

Part III includes an assessment of the status of progress toward each of the 19 goals described 

in the 2012 Strategy with respect to the developmental phases. This assessment builds on the 

first, baseline assessment of the developmental status of climate change adaptation programs

and projects across the National Water Program that was provided in the 2012 Highlight of 

Progress report. The numerical score representing the 1-7 progress under each of the 19 goals 

in the 2012 Strategy for 2014 is 57 of a possible score of 133. This is an increase of 5 points

above the 2013 score of 52 and 14 points above the 2012 score of 43.

2
OVERVIEW OF 2014 HIGHLIGHTS

National Water Programs/Research Products

Vision Area 1: Water Infrastructure

1. Addressed Climate Change in State Revolving Fund Program

2. Developed Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT) 3.0 Framework

3. Addressed Climate Change in Sanitary Survey Program

4. Launched WaterSense H2Otel Challenge

5. Developed Flood Resilience Guide 

Vision Area 2: Watersheds and Wetlands

6. Published Workbook for Developing Risk-Based Climate Change Adaptation Plans

7. Built State and Local Capacity to Protect Healthy Watersheds and Enhanced Climate 

Change Resiliency

Vision Area 3: Coastal and Ocean Waters

8. Launched Climate Change Adaptation Projects with National Estuary Program Partners

9. Published National Estuary Program Grant Guidance Addressing Climate Resilience

10. Developed Approach to Assess Vulnerability of Near Coastal Species and Habitats to 

Climate Drivers at Regional Scales [ORD Product]

Vision Area 4: Water Quality

11. Developed Green Infrastructure Collaborative Network 

12. Awarded Funding for Green Infrastructure Technical Assistance

13. Completed Pilot to Understand Approaches Needed to Incorporate Climate Change 

Information into Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) Development [ORD Product]

Vision Area 5: Working with Tribes

14. Awarded Funding to Tribes to Study Health Effects of Climate Change

Vision Area 6: Cross-cutting Program Support

15. Published EPA Office of Water Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan

16. Participated in Workgroups within EPA and Among other Federal Agencies

3
OVERVIEW OF 2014 HIGHLIGHTS

EPA Regional Water Programs

Region 1: Served on steering committee of Northeast Coastal Acidification Network and

helped coordinate regional efforts to improve scientific understanding of ocean and coastal 

acidification. (Supports Vison Area 3: Coastal and Ocean Waters)

Region 2: Awarded $229 million to New Jersey and $340 million to New York for

improvements to wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities impacted by Hurricane 

Sandy to increase their resiliency. (Supports Vision Area 1: Infrastructure)

Region 3: Conducted 6 workshops and 10 energy audits at water and wastewater treatment 

with States and formed Delaware Water and Wastewater Energy Efficiency Partnership with 

public and private agencies in Delaware. (Supports Vision Area 1: Water Infrastructure)

Region 4: Trained State Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) coordinators to 

incorporate sustainable and green infrastructure projects into larger wastewater capital 

improvement loans. (Supports Vision Area 1: Water Infrastructure)

Region 5: In partnership with Ohio EPA, launched Ohio Water & Energy Pilot for Public 

Wastewater Treatment Works which aims to advance energy management at wastewater 

treatment facilities. (Supports Vision Area 1: Water Infrastructure)

Region 6: Hosted Tribal Climate Change Adaptation Workshop on climate change science and 

adaptation actions, grant funding opportunities, potential climate change impacts & threats to 

tribal assets, and steps to address vulnerabilities. (Supports Vision Area 5: Working with Tribes)

Region 7: Hosted Native American Heritage Month panel discussion on Climate Change

Impacts on Native American People, Places, & Culture. (Supports Vision Area 5: Working with 

Tribes)

Region 8: Hosted WaterSense Partner Summit bringing together WaterSense partners from 

Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming. (Supports Vision Area 1: Water Infrastructure)

Region 9: Drafted Regional Drought Response Strategy to address drought crisis while 

increasing resiliency of communities. (Supports Vision Area 2: Watersheds & Wetlands)

Region 10: Puget Sound National Estuary Program provided funds to projects to support 

adaptation and resiliency to climate change impacts. (Supports Vision Area 3: Coastal & Ocean 

Waters)

4
PART I:

NATIONAL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Vision Area 1: 

Water 

Infrastructure

Vision: In the face of a changing climate, resilient and adaptable drinking water, wastewater 

and stormwater utilities (water sector) ensure clean and safe water to protect the nation’s 

public health and environment by making smart investment decisions to improve the 

sustainability of their infrastructure and operations and the communities they serve, while 

reducing greenhouse gas emissions through greater energy efficiency. 

1. Addressed Climate Change in State Revolving Fund Program: An EPA Headquarters and

Regional State Revolving Fund (SRF) climate project team was convened in early 2014 to 

explore ways to further promote the incorporation of climate change considerations at the 

state level. The team, which consisted of Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and 

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) staff at Headquarters and EPA Regions 6 and 9, 

met several times throughout the year. Key 2014 project team activities included:

 Adding questions on sustainability, of which climate change adaptation is part, to the 

checklist that Regions use in annual State Revolving Fund program reviews;

 Finalizing a conversation guide in August 2014 to help EPA Regions engage with States 

on climate change and extreme weather issues (in addition to other sustainability 

topics);

 Continuing a dialogue on "SRF Program Response to Climate Change Adaptation Needs" 

through the State-EPA Workgroup at the Spring Council of State Infrastructure Financing 

Authorities Policy Conference meeting.

2. Developed Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT) 3.0 Framework: 

EPA completed a draft CREAT 3.0 framework providing an overview of 

the additions and enhancements to CREAT which describes the new 

web-based program architecture featuring the following modules:

Climate Awareness; Scenario Development; Asset Screening; 

Adaptation Planning; and, Risk Assessment. The final CREAT version 

3.0 is expected to be released in the middle of 2015.

5
3. Addressed Climate Change in Sanitary Survey Program: An EPA Headquarters/Region team 

was established in 2014 to identify how best to include consideration of weather-related 

conditions and extremes in the Safe Drinking Water Act Sanitary Survey program. The Sanitary 

Survey program provides for on-site review of drinking water systems on a three to five year 

rotating basis. Efforts are currently focused on including climate resilience information,

including water availability and flooding, in the Sanitary Survey Learner’s Guide that is 

undergoing general revision efforts.

4. Launched WaterSense H2Otel Challenge: In 2014, the WaterSense program launched the 

H2Otel Challenge to increase awareness of water 

efficiency opportunities in the hospitality sector. Close 

to 800 hotels took the Challenge to assess their water 

use, change products and practices, and track their

water use and savings. WaterSense provided a suite of 

tools and training to help hotels identify opportunities 

for savings in their facilities. 

5. Developed Flood Resilience Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities: EPA developed this 

Flood Resilience Guide for small and mid-size utilities. The Guide

outlines a simple, 4-step assessment process to help any water 

utility know their flooding threat and identify practical mitigation 

options to protect their critical assets. With a user-friendly online 

layout, the Guide provides worksheets, instructional videos, and 

flood maps to help utilities through the process.

6
Vision Area 2: 

Watersheds 

and 

Wetlands

Vision: Watersheds are protected, maintained and restored to ensure climate resilience and to 

preserve the social and economic benefits they provide; and the nation’s wetlands are 

maintained and improved using integrated approaches that recognize their inherent value as 

well as their role in reducing the impacts of climate change.

1. Published Workbook for Developing Risk-Based Climate Change Adaptation Plans: EPA 

published “Being Prepared for Climate Change: A Workbook for Developing Risk-Based 

Adaptation Plans.” This peer reviewed guide describes how to conduct watershed scale climate 

change vulnerability assessments and create accompanying action plans. It is intended to assist 

communities, National Estuary Programs, or other similar organizations in preparing risk-based 

plans for climate change resiliency. 

2. Built State and Local Capacity to Protect Healthy 

Watersheds and Enhance Climate Change Resiliency:

The Healthy Watersheds Program (HWP) is working to 

build state and local capacity to identify and protect 

healthy watersheds using a systems approach that 

recognizes watersheds as dynamic, interconnected 

ecosystems. Natural, intact watersheds are better equipped to withstand, recover from, and 

adapt to natural and man-made disturbances, including climate change. Implementing 

strategies to maintain and protect healthy watersheds is key toward enhancing climate change 

resiliency. In 2014, HWP activities included:

 HWP released “Strengthening the Resilience of the Taunton River Watershed: A Tool to 

Prioritize Local Action”. In partnership with EPA Region 1, The Nature Conservancy and 

local stakeholders, this project will help inform how Taunton River communities decide 

on priority actions that would increase their overall resiliency and reduce their 

vulnerability to the converging impacts of climate change and development. 

 In March 2014, HWP released the “Wisconsin Integrated Assessment of Watershed 

Health,” a statewide report on the status and vulnerability of watershed health. Fifteen 

metrics were selected to describe landscape condition, hydrologic condition, habitat 

condition, geomorphology, water quality, and biological condition. To complement the 

analysis of watershed health, seven metrics describing the vulnerability of Wisconsin 

watersheds to future climate, land use, and water use change were selected and 

quantified for catchments in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource’s 

hydrography database throughout the state.

7
 In June 2014, the Healthy Watersheds Program, Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, 

Alabama Department of Environmental Management, and other partners completed the

“Alabama and Mobile Bay Basin Integrated Assessment of Watershed Health,” a 

statewide and basin-wide report on the status and vulnerability of watershed health. 

The assessment, integrates the best available data from state and federal agencies to 

characterize relative landscape condition, watershed health, and watershed 

vulnerability to climate change, land use change, and water use. 

 EPA launched the Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant program to accelerate and 

expand the strategic protection of healthy freshwater ecosystems and their watersheds 

across the country. EPA expects to issue a cooperative agreement to fund a single 

grantee to manage the Healthy Watersheds Consortium grant program and issue subawards on a competitive basis. The Request for Proposals (RFP) was posted on October 

10, 2014 and proposals are under review. EPA anticipates announcing the awardee in 

April 2015. The grant is a 6-year, $3.75 million grant. 

8
Vision Area 3: 

Coastal and 

Ocean 

Waters

Vision: Adverse effects of climate change and unintended adverse consequences of responses 

to climate change have been successfully prevented or reduced in the ocean and coastal 

environment. Federal, tribal, state, and local agencies, organizations, and institutions are 

working cooperatively; and information necessary to integrate climate change considerations 

into ocean and coastal management is produced, readily available, and used.

1. Launched Climate Change Adaptation Projects with National Estuary Program (NEP) 

Partners: The Climate Ready Estuaries Program worked with four NEPs - Peconic Estuary 

Program (New York); Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program (Texas); Morro Bay National 

Estuary Program (California); and San Francisco Estuary Partnership (California) - who will be 

looking broadly at their vulnerability to climate change. Other NEP projects related to climate 

change include sea level rise planning, work on flooding with an environmental justice 

community, and action planning for protecting coastal habitat.

2. Published National Estuary Program (NEP) Grant Guidance Addressing Climate Resilience: 

In December 2014, EPA published grant guidance to all the NEPs encouraging them to 

undertake efforts to make their Comprehensive Conservation Management Plans (CCMPs)

climate resilient (i.e., to help ensure that CCMPs will be able to provide their intended 

protection and restoration benefits through time regardless of whether data from the National 

Climate Assessment reasonably projects the climate change impacts on each study area. EPA’s 

goal is to ensure that no later than FY 2020, the CCMP of each NEP will be informed by a broad, 

risk-based vulnerability assessment and will include appropriate responses to assessment 

findings. NEPs are encouraged to use the new tool, Being Prepared for Climate Change: A 

Workbook for Developing Risk-Based Adaptation Plans in this effort. 

3. Developed Approach to Assess Vulnerability of Near Coastal Species and Habitats to 

Climate Drivers at Regional Scales: The EPA Office of Research and Development is developing 

an approach to assess the vulnerability of near coastal species and habitats to climate drivers at 

regional scales. In 2014, the Sea-Level Affecting Marshes 

Model (SLAMM) was enhanced to address distribution of 

seagrass habitat resulting from sea level rise. A report was 

completed that describes the procedure used to develop the 

submerged aquatic vegetation model for the Yaquina Bay 

Estuary, Oregon. Ultimately, the project aims to apply the 

framework nationally, with a focus on the Pacific Northwest to assess how vulnerabilities vary 

geographically and across habitats. 

Office of Research and 

Development: 2014 

Product

9
Vision Area 4: 

Water 

Quality

Vision: The Nation’s surface water, drinking water, and ground water quality are protected, 

and the risks of climate change to human health and the environment are diminished, through a 

variety of adaptation and mitigation strategies. 

1. Developed Green Infrastructure Collaborative Network: In October 2014, EPA joined with 

federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private-sector entities to form the 

Green Infrastructure Collaborative, a network to help communities more easily implement 

green infrastructure. As of December 2014, the Collaborative included more than 25 member 

organizations. The Green Infrastructure Collaborative members released a Statement of 

Support outlining commitments to advance coordination around green infrastructure initiatives

and noting that “Green infrastructure continues to emerge as an approach to complement and 

enhance gray infrastructure and provide multi-benefit solutions that create resilient and sustainable 

communities”. 

2. Awarded Funding for Green Infrastructure Technical Assistance: EPA awarded $1.1 million

worth of green infrastructure technical assistance to 19 communities in 2014. Selected 

communities received assistance for projects including green infrastructure conceptual designs, 

feasibility studies, and integration of green infrastructure into local flood management, coastal 

resiliency, and water security planning efforts.

3. Completed Pilot to Understand Approaches Needed to Incorporate Climate Change 

Information into TMDL Development: The EPA Office of Research and Development

completed a pilot effort to understand the information and approaches needed to incorporate 

climate change information into Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) development in the Pacific 

Northwest. This project synthesizes, interprets and presents 

information in a way that informs and promotes capacity 

building in EPA Regions to incorporate climate change 

mitigation and adaption into their operating programs. 

Office of Research and 

Development: 2014 

Product

10
Vision Area 5: 

Working with 

Tribes

Vision: Tribes are able to preserve, adapt, and maintain the viability of their culture, traditions, 

natural resources, and economies in the face of a changing climate.

1. Award Funding to Tribes to Study Health Effects of Climate Change: Through the EPA Office 

of Research and Development (ORD) STAR (Science to Achieve Results) grant program, EPA 

awarded $5 million to Tribes to study the health effects of climate change. Several of the 

projects involve water quality, aquatic resources as foods, and sea level rise.

In addition, water programs in EPA’s regional offices are working with Tribes to assist them in 

responding to climate change related issues. These activities, described in greater detail in the 

next Part of this report, include: 

 Region 1’s Peconic Estuary Program allocated $30,000 in funds from the Climate Ready 

Estuaries Program to conduct a climate vulnerability assessment for the Peconic 

Estuary in cooperation with the Shinnecock Nation of Indians. 

 Region 6 hosted a Climate Change Adaptation Workshop for Region 6 Tribes at the 

Regional Tribal Summit held on March 26, 2014. 

 Region 7 hosted a Native American Heritage Month Event in November 2014 with a 

panel discussion on “Climate Change and the Impacts on Native American People, 

Places and Culture”.

 Region 9 promoted drought resilience in Indian Country by giving water efficiency

presentations at Regional tribal conferences and developing a water efficiency case 

study.

 Region 10 and ORD have been working with partners including the Nooksack Indian 

Tribe, Lummi Nation, and Washington Department of Ecology on a project that is using 

a temperature load allocation for the South Fork Nooksack River as a pilot for 

integrating climate change into a watershed-specific plan for improving water quality. 

 Region 10 provided funds to the Alaskan Native Tribal Health Consortium to 

administer the Local Environmental Observers Network. The project provides an 

opportunity for local environmental observers to tell the stories of the changing climate.

 Region 10 offered quarterly webinars on climate change with Alaskan Tribes. 

11
Vision Area 6: 

Cross-cutting Program Support 

1. Published EPA Office of Water Climate Change Adaptation 

Implementation Plan: The EPA Office of Water Climate Change Adaptation 

Plan was released for public comment in September 2013, and the final 

Plan was published in November 2014. The Plan describes priority climate 

change adaptation actions for EPA’s water programs. 

2. Participated in Workgroups within EPA and Among other Federal Agencies. The National 

Water Program participated in a range of federal agency workgroups addressing climate change 

adaptation challenges including the:

 EPA Cross-Agency Climate Change Adaptation Workgroup;

 Climate Change Workgroup of the Advisory Committee on Water Information (ACWI);

 Water Resources Workgroup of the Interagency Council on Climate Change Resilience 

and Preparedness;

 Interagency Joint Working Group implementing the final “Fish Wildlife and Plants 

Climate Adaptation Strategy”; 

 “National Ocean Policy” Implementation Plan workgroup on climate change; 

 Interagency Ocean Acidification Working Group; and

 Coral Reef Task Force. 

12
PART II: 

HIGHLIGHTS FROM 

EPA REGIONAL WATER 

PROGRAMS

A major highlight of work in each of 

the ten EPA Regional water program 

offices (see map of EPA Regions) to 

implement the 2012 Strategy is 

described below. Additional 

accomplishments by EPA Regional

water programs are described in the 

Compendium in Appendix A. 

Region 1

Region 1 served on the steering committee for the Northeast Coastal Acidification Network 

(NECAN), which was established by the Northeast Association of Coastal and Ocean Observing 

Systems (NERACOOS) to coordinate regional efforts to improve scientific understanding of 

ocean and coastal acidification and help affected stakeholders. NECAN sponsored a series of 16 

webinars by experts on ocean and coastal acidification that culminated with a “state of the 

science” workshop in April 2014, the results of which will be published in two scientific journal 

articles. With funding support from EPA Headquarters, NECAN also began a series of 

stakeholder engagement workshops in December 2014 to exchange information with 

aquaculture and other impacted industries and communities.

Region 2

Region 2 reviewed all applications for assistance under the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act 

of 2013 and on September 24, 2014, awarded $229 million to New Jersey and $340 million to 

New York for improvements to wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities impacted 

by Hurricane Sandy. The funds will be used on projects that reduce the risks of flood damage 

and that increase the resiliency of wastewater and drinking water facilities to withstand the 

effects of severe storms. Projects must be for resiliency purposes and “reduce flood damage 

risks and vulnerability or enhance resiliency to rapid hydrologic change or a natural disaster at 

water or wastewater facilities.”

Region 3 

Region 3 held 6 workshops on water utility energy efficiency and conducted 10 energy audits 

at water and wastewater treatment in Region 3 States. In the process, Region 3 forged a close 

13
partnership with public and private agencies in Delaware, forming the Delaware Water and 

Wastewater Energy Efficiency Partnership (DWEEP). Workshops provided technical 

information on energy projects to water and wastewater treatment plant operators and 

municipal managers. Funding opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy 

projects at water and wastewater facilities were also presented. 

Region 4

 

Region 4’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Program has been training State CWSRF 

coordinators to incorporate sustainable and green infrastructure projects into larger 

wastewater capital improvement loans. For example, in Port Orange, Florida, a photovoltaic 

solar array was included in a wastewater treatment plant upgrade project funded by Florida’s 

CWSRF. The solar power system provides the plant a minimum of 25 kilowatt continuous 

power supply for 6 hour solar day. The energy cost savings for the system is approximately 

$20,000 per year and reduces the plant’s overall carbon footprint.

Region 5 

Region 5’s Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan emphasizes promoting resilient 

practices at municipal wastewater treatment plants, one of which is improving energy 

efficiency. In partnership with Ohio EPA, Region 5 launched the Ohio Water & Energy Pilot for 

Public Wastewater Treatment Works which aims to advance energy management at

wastewater treatment facilities. Four wastewater treatment works ranging in design average 

flow from 3.5MGD – 15 MGD (million gallons per day) are participating in the pilot. 

Region 6

Region 6 hosted a Climate Change Adaptation Workshop for Region 6 Tribes at the Regional 

Tribal Summit held on March 26, 2014. The workshop included an overview of climate change 

science and adaptation actions, a survey of grant funding opportunities available in EPA’s 

various media programs, and a tribal led brainstorming session aimed at identifying and 

evaluating civic, cultural and ecological assets, assessing potential climate change impacts and 

the threats they may pose to tribal assets, and the steps Tribes will need to take to address 

these vulnerabilities.

Region 7 

Region 7 hosted a Native American Heritage Month Event on November 12, 2014 with a panel 

discussion on Climate Change and the Impacts on Native American People, Places and 

Culture. The nine tribal nations located within Region 7 participated along with 100 EPA staff. 

14
Region 8 

Region 8 hosted a WaterSense Partner Summit, bringing together more than 40 individuals, 

both in person and via webinar, representing WaterSense partners from Colorado, Utah, 

Montana, and Wyoming. This was the first event of its kind in an EPA Regional Office and 

WaterSense Regional Liaisons from the nine other EPA Regions were invited to observe via 

webinar in hopes they may be able to do something similar in their Regions. 

Region 9 

Following the January 17, 2014 declaration of a state of emergency due to drought in California, 

and severe – exceptional drought conditions throughout much of Region 9, the Region drafted 

a Drought Response Strategy to identify specific actions that can be taken to address the 

immediate crisis while increasing the resiliency of communities in the Region to drought and 

climate change. Implementation of the Strategy has included:

 promoting water conservation, including interagency efforts under the Federal Green 

Challenge and Federal Regional Council; 

 promoting water recycling; 

 promoting stormwater capture and Green Infrastructure; assisting Tribes, and 

 coordinating with water utilities to promote tools such as water loss control auditing.

Region 10

The Puget Sound National Estuary Program in Region 10 provided funds to numerous projects 

to support adaptation and resiliency to climate change impacts. Some of these projects 

included: 

 evaluating sea-level rise to plan for protection of critical ecosystems in the San Juan 

Islands; 

 an assessment of climate change impacts and their influence on Puget Sound; and

 working with counties, cities, and state agencies to provide technical assistance for 

preparing for climate change impacts while implementing their Shoreline Master 

Programs.

15
Part III:

2014 Assessment of Progress

The 2012 Highlights of Progress Report provided an initial assessment of progress in 

implementing each of the nineteen goals described in the National Water Program 2012 

Strategy: Response to Climate Change. That assessment identified the stage or phase of 

development efforts to implement the goals. Based on its development phase, each goal is then 

given a score from 1-7 (shown in the third column in Table II). 

Recognizing the long-term nature of work to address climate change, the status of work on

each of the goals carried out by National Water Program in 2012 and 2013 is shown in Table II. 

The seven developmental phases for climate change related work are: 

1. Initiation; conduct a screening assessment of potential implications of climate change to 

mission, programs, and operations;

2. Assessment; conduct a broader review to understand how climate change affects the 

resources in question; 

3. Response Development; identify changes necessary to continue to reach program 

mission and goals and develop initial action plan;

4. Initial Implementation; initiate actions in selected priority programs or projects

5. Robust Implementation; programs are underway and lessons learned are being applied 

to additional programs and projects; 

6. Mainstreaming; climate is an embedded, component of the program; and 

7. Monitor Outcomes and Adaptive Management; continue to monitor and integrate 

performance, new information, and lessons learned into programs and plans. 

More detailed descriptions of each of these phases of assessment are included in Table I (on 

the following page). 

The 2012 baseline assessment has a total numeric value of 42 out of a total possible score of 

133 (i.e., 19 goals times a score of 7 for each goal equates to a score of 133). This 2014

Highlights of Progress Report includes an update of the initial 2012 assessment. The 2014

scores are provided in Table II after the 2012 and 2013 scores are listed. Collectively, the total 

score increases from 42 to 51 in 2013 and increases to 57 in 2014. This combined score 

indicates that many actions are in the early stages of implementation.

16
Table I - Description of Implementation Phases

Program 

Implementation 

Phases

Explanation Examples of Evidence of Achievement 

1. Initiation Conduct a screening 

assessment of potential 

implications of climate 

change to mission, 

programs, and operations 

o Preliminary information is developed to 

evaluate relevance of climate change to the 

mission or program; a decision is made as to 

whether to prepare a response to climate 

change; further exploration of climate change 

implications has been authorized.

o Responsibilities are assigned at appropriate 

levels within the organization and resources are 

available to develop more in-depth assessments.

2. Assessment Conduct a broader review 

to understand how climate 

change affects the 

resources in question 

Work with stakeholders to 

develop an understanding 

of the implications of 

climate change to the 

mission, programs, and 

operations

o Review science literature and assessments to 

understand how climate change affects the 

resources being protected (threat to mission).

o Engage internal staff and external stakeholders 

in evaluation.

o Identify climate change issues and concerns and 

communicate with internal and external

stakeholders and partners.

o Identify which specific programs are threatened 

and what specific information or tools need to 

be developed.

o Communicate findings to partners and 

stakeholders and engage them in dialogue on 

building adaptive capacity.

3. Response 

development

Identify changes necessary 

to continue to reach 

program mission and goals

Develop initial action plan

Identify and seek the 

research, information and 

tools needed to support 

actions 

Begin to build the body of 

tools, information and 

partnerships needed to 

build capacity internally 

and externally

o Develop initial program vision and goals for 

responding to climate change.

o Identify needed response actions or changes 

that will allow the organization to begin to 

address climate impacts on its mission.

o Initiate strategies and actions in a few key areas 

to begin to build organizational ability to use 

climate information in decision processes.

o Identify program partners’ needs for building 

adaptive capacity.

o Begin working with an external ‘community of 

practice’ to engage in tool and program 

development.

o Rudimentary methods are put in place to track 

progress and options for more formal measures 

are identified and evaluated.

o Develop a strategy and partnerships to obtain 

additional needed research.

17
4. Initial 

Implementation 

Initiate actions in selected 

priority programs or 

projects 

o Make it clear within the organization that 

incorporating climate change into programs is 

critical

o Initiate actions and plans identified in Step 3

o Initiate projects with partners

o Develop needed information and tools 

o Initial implementation of measures capable of 

documenting the extent of implementation of 

needed actions by partners/stakeholders

o Some program partners have begun to 

implement response actions

5. Robust 

Implementation

Programs are underway 

and lessons learned are 

being applied to additional 

programs and projects 

o Lessons learned are evaluated and strategies are 

refined

o Efforts are initiated to consider climate change 

in additional program elements

o Continue to institute institutional changes to 

include climate change in core programs, 

including refinement of measures

o External communities of practice are in place to 

support ongoing capacity development

6. Mainstreaming Climate is an embedded, 

component of the program 

o The organization's culture and policies are 

aligned with responding to climate change

o All staff have a basic understanding of climate 

change causes and impacts

o All relevant programs, activities, and decisions 

processes intrinsically incorporate climate 

change 

o Measures for documenting progress among 

partners/stakeholders are well established and 

support program evaluation

7. Monitor 

Outcomes and 

Adaptive 

Management 

Continue to monitor and 

integrate performance, 

new information, and 

lessons learned into 

programs and plans

o Progress is evaluated and needed changes are 

implemented

o As impacts of climate change unfold, climate 

change impacts and organizational responses 

are reassessed

18
TABLE II - Climate Goals with 2012 Baseline and 2013 & 2014 Assessment Scores 

Visions and 

Goals Strategic Actions (SA)

2012 Baseline and 2013 

& 2014 Assessment

Scores 

Infrastructure: In the face of a changing climate, resilient and adaptable drinking water, 

wastewater and stormwater utilities (water sector) ensure clean and safe water to protect 

the nation’s public health and environment by making smart investment decisions to improve 

the sustainability of their infrastructure and operations and the communities they serve, 

while reducing greenhouse gas emissions through greater energy efficiency. 

Goal 1: 

Build the body of 

information and 

tools needed to 

incorporate climate 

change into planning 

and decision making.

SA1: Improve access to vetted climate and 

hydrological science, modeling, and 

assessment tools through the Climate Ready 

Water Utilities program. Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 3

2013 Assessment: 3

2014 Assessment: 4

SA2: Assist wastewater and water utilities to 

reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase 

long-term sustainability with a combination of 

energy efficiency, co-generation, and increased 

use of renewable energy resources.

SA3: Work with the states and public water 

systems, particularly small water systems, to 

identify and plan for climate change challenges 

to drinking water safety and to assist in 

meeting health based drinking water 

standards.

SA4: Promote sustainable design approaches 

to provide for the long-term sustainability of 

infrastructure and operations.

Goal 2: 

Support Integrated 

Water Resources 

Management 

(IWRM) to 

sustainably manage 

water resources.

SA5: Understand and promote through 

technical assistance the use of water supply 

management strategies.

Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 2

2013 Assessment: 2

2014 Assessment: 3

SA6: Evaluate and provide technical assistance 

on the use of water demand management 

strategies.

SA7: Increase cross-sector knowledge of water 

supply climate challenges and develop 

watershed specific information to inform 

decision making.

19
Visions and Goals Strategic Actions

2012 Baseline and 

2013 & 2014 

Assessment Scores

Watersheds & Wetlands: Watersheds are protected, maintained and restored to ensure 

climate resilience and to preserve the social and economic benefits they provide; and the 

nation’s wetlands are maintained and improved using integrated approaches that recognize 

their inherent value as well as their role in reducing the impacts of climate change.

Goal 3: 

Identify, protect, 

and maintain a 

network of healthy 

watersheds and 

supportive habitat 

corridor networks. 

SA8: Develop a national framework and 

support efforts to protect remaining healthy 

watersheds and aquatic ecosystems.

Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 3

2013 Assessment: 3

2014 Assessment: 4

SA9: Collaborate with partners on terrestrial 

ecosystems and hydrology so that effects on 

water quality and aquatic ecosystems are 

considered.

SA10: Integrate protection of healthy 

watersheds throughout the National Water 

Program (NWP) core programs. 

SA11: Increase public awareness of the role 

and importance of healthy watersheds in 

reducing the impacts of climate change. 

Goal 4: 

Incorporate climate 

resilience into 

watershed 

restoration and 

floodplain 

management.

SA12: Consider a means of accounting for 

climate change in EPA funded and other 

watershed restoration projects.

Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 3

2013 Assessment: 3

2014 Assessment: 3

SA13: Work with federal, state, interstate, 

tribal, and local partners to protect and restore 

the natural resources and functions of riverine 

and coastal floodplains as a means of building 

resiliency and protecting water quality.

Goal 5: 

Watershed 

protection practices 

incorporate Source 

Water Protection to 

protect drinking 

water supplies.

SA14: Encourage States to update their source 

water delineations, assessments or protection 

plans to address anticipated climate change 

impacts.

Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 2

2013 Assessment: 2

2014 Assessment: 2

SA15: Continue to support collaborative efforts 

to increase state and local awareness of source 

water protection needs and opportunities, and 

encourage inclusion of source water protection 

areas in local climate change adaptation 

initiatives.

20
Visions and Goals Strategic Actions Assessment

Goal 6: 

Incorporate climate 

change 

considerations into 

the Clean Water Act 

(CWA) 404 

regulatory program 

as they relate to 

permit reviews and 

compensatory 

mitigation.

SA16: Consider the effects of climate change, 

as appropriate, when making significant 

degradation determinations in the CWA Section 

404 wetlands permitting and enforcement 

program.

Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 1

2013 Assessment: 1

2014 Assessment: 1

SA17: Evaluate, in conjunction with the U.S. 

Army Corps of Engineers, how wetland and 

stream compensation projects could be 

selected, designed, and sited to aid in reducing 

the effects of climate change.

Goal 7: 

Improve baseline 

information on 

wetland extent, 

condition and 

performance to 

inform effective 

adaptation to 

climate change.

SA18: Expand wetland mapping by supporting 

wetland mapping coalitions and training on use 

of the new federal Wetland Mapping Standard.

Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 1

2013 Assessment: 2

2014 Assessment: 2

SA19: Produce a statistically valid, ecological 

condition assessment of the nation’s wetlands.

SA20: Work with partners and stakeholders to 

develop information and tools to support long 

term planning and priority setting for wetland 

restoration projects.

Coastal and Ocean Waters: Adverse effects of climate change and unintended adverse 

consequences of responses to climate change have been successfully prevented or reduced in 

the ocean and coastal environment. Federal, tribal, state, and local agencies, organizations, 

and institutions are working cooperatively; and information necessary to integrate climate 

change considerations into ocean and coastal management is produced, readily available, and 

used.

Goal 8: 

Collaborate to 

ensure information 

and methodologies 

for ocean and 

coastal areas are 

collected, produced, 

analyzed, and easily 

available. 

SA21: Collaborate to ensure that synergy 

occurs, lessons learned are transferred, federal 

efforts effectively help local communities, and 

efforts are not duplicative or at cross-purposes.

Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 3

2013 Assessment: 3

2014 Assessment: 3

SA22: Work within EPA and with the U.S. 

Global Change Research Program and other 

federal, tribal, and state agencies to collect, 

produce, analyze, and format knowledge and 

information needed to protect ocean and 

coastal areas and make it easily available.

21
Visions and Goals Strategic Actions Assessment

Goal 9: 

EPA geographically 

targeted programs 

support and build 

networks of local, 

tribal, state, 

regional and federal 

collaborators to 

take effective 

adaptation 

measures for 

coastal and ocean 

environments.

SA23: Work with the NWP’s larger geographic 

programs to incorporate climate change 

considerations, focusing on both the natural 

and built environments. Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 2

2013 Assessment: 2

2014 Assessment: 3

SA24: Address climate change adaptation and 

build stakeholder capacity when implementing 

NEP Comprehensive Conservation and 

Management Plans and through the Climate 

Ready Estuaries Program.

SA25: Conduct outreach and education, and 

provide technical assistance to state and local 

watershed organizations and communities to 

build adaptive capacity in coastal areas outside 

the NEP and Large Aquatic Ecosystem 

programs.

Goal 10: 

Address climate 

driven 

environmental 

changes in coastal 

areas and ensure 

that mitigation and 

adaptation are 

conducted in an 

environmentally 

responsible manner.

SA26: Support coastal wastewater, 

stormwater, and drinking water infrastructure 

owners and operators in reducing climate risks 

and encourage adaptation in coastal areas.

Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 2

2013 Assessment: 3

2014 Assessment: 3

SA27: Support climate readiness of coastal 

communities, including hazard mitigation, predisaster planning, preparedness, and recovery 

efforts.

SA28: Support preparation and response 

planning for diverse impacts to coastal aquatic 

environments.

22
Visions and Goals Strategic Actions Assessment

Goal 11: 

Ocean 

environments are 

protected by EPA 

programs that 

incorporate shifting 

environmental 

conditions, and 

other emerging 

threats.

SA29: Consider climate change impacts on 

marine water quality in NWP ocean 

management authorities, policies, and 

programs. Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 2

2013 Assessment: 3

2014 Assessment: 3

SA30: Use available authorities and work with 

the Regional Ocean Organizations and other 

federal and state agencies through regional 

ocean groups and other networks so that 

offshore renewable energy production does not 

adversely affect the marine environment.

SA31: Support the evaluation of sub-seabed 

sequestration of CO2 and any proposals for 

ocean fertilization.

SA32: Participate in interagency development 

and implementation of federal strategies 

through the National Ocean Council (NOC) and 

the NOC Strategic Action Plans.

Water Quality: Our Nation’s surface water, drinking water, and ground water quality are 

protected, and the risks of climate change to human health and the environment are 

diminished, through a variety of adaptation and mitigation strategies. 

Goal 12: 

Protect waters of 

the United States 

and promote 

management of 

sustainable surface 

water resources.

SA33: Encourage States and communities to 

incorporate climate change considerations into 

their water quality planning.

Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 2

2013 Assessment: 3

2014 Assessment: 3

SA34: Encourage green infrastructure and lowimpact development to protect water quality 

and make watersheds more resilient.

SA35: Promote consideration of climate change 

impacts by National Pollutant Discharge 

Elimination System permitting authorities.

SA36: Encourage water quality authorities to 

consider climate change impacts when 

developing wasteload and load allocations in 

TMDLs where appropriate.

SA37: Identify and protect designated uses that 

are at risk from climate change impacts. 

23
Visions and Goals Strategic Actions Assessment

Goal 13: 

As the nation makes 

decisions to reduce 

its greenhouse gas 

emissions and 

develop alternative 

sources of energy 

and fuel, the NWP 

will work to protect 

water resources 

from unintended 

adverse 

consequences.

Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 1

2013 Assessment: 2

2014 Assessment: 3

SA38: Clarify how to re-evaluate aquatic life 

water quality criteria on more regular intervals; 

and develop information to assist States and 

Tribes who are developing criteria that 

incorporate climate change considerations for 

hydrologic condition.

SA39: Continue to provide perspective on the 

water resource implications of new energy 

technologies.

SA40: Provide assistance to States and 

permittees to assure that geologic 

sequestration of CO2 is responsibly managed.

SA41: Continue to work with States to help 

them identify polluted waters, including those 

affected by biofuels production, and help them 

develop and implement TMDLs for those 

waters.

SA42: Provide informational materials for 

stakeholders to encourage the consideration of 

alternative sources of energy and fuels that are 

water efficient and maintain water quality.

SA43: As climate change affects the operation 

or placement of reservoirs, EPA will work with 

other federal agencies and EPA programs to 

understand the combined effects of climate 

change and hydropower on flows, water 

temperature, and water quality.

Goal 14: 

Collaborate to make 

hydrological and 

climate data and 

projections 

available.

SA44: Monitor climate change impacts to 

surface waters and ground water. Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 3

2013 Assessment: 3

2014 Assessment: 3

SA45: Collaborate with other federal agencies 

to develop new methods for use of updated 

precipitation, storm frequency, and 

observational streamflow data, as well as 

methods for evaluating projected changes in 

low flow conditions.

24
Visions and Goals Strategic Actions Assessment

Working With Tribes: Tribes are able to preserve, adapt, and maintain the viability of their 

culture, traditions, natural resources, and economies in the face of a changing climate. 

Goal 15: 

Incorporate climate 

change 

considerations in 

the implementation 

of core programs, 

and collaborate with 

other EPA Offices 

and federal agencies 

to work with Tribes 

on climate change 

issues on a multimedia basis. 

SA47: Through formal consultation and other 

mechanisms, incorporate climate change as a 

key consideration in the revised NWP Tribal 

Strategy and subsequent implementation of 

CWA, Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), and 

other core programs.

Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 3

2013 Assessment: 3

2014 Assessment: 3

SA48: Incorporate adaptation into tribal 

funding mechanisms, and collaborate with 

other EPA and federal funding programs to 

support sustainability and adaptation in tribal 

communities.

Goal 16: 

Tribes have access 

to information on 

climate change for 

decision making.

SA49: Collaborate to explore and develop

climate change science, information, and tools 

for Tribes, and incorporate local knowledge.

Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 2

2013 Assessment: 3

2014 Assessment: 3

SA50: Collaborate to develop communication 

materials relevant for tribal uses and tribal 

audiences. 

Cross-Cutting Program Support

Goal 17: 

Communication, 

Collaboration, and 

Training

SA51: Continue building the communication, 

collaboration, and training mechanisms needed 

to effectively increase adaptive capacity at the 

federal, tribal, state, and local levels.

Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 3

2013 Assessment: 4

2014 Assessment: 4

25
Visions and Goals Strategic Actions Assessment

Goal 18: 

Tracking Progress 

And Measuring 

Outcomes

SA52: Adopt a phased approach to track 

programmatic progress towards Strategic 

Actions; achieve commitments reflected in the 

Agency Strategic Plan; work with the EPA Work 

Group to develop outcome measures.

Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 3

2013 Assessment: 4

2014 Assessment: 4

Goal 19: 

Climate Change and 

Water Research 

Needs

SA53: Work with ORD, other water science 

agencies, and the water research community to 

further define needs and develop research 

opportunities to deliver the information needed 

to support implementation of this 2012 

Strategy, including to provide the decision 

support tools needed by water resource 

managers. 

Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 2

2013 Assessment: 3

2014 Assessment: 3

TOTAL Implementation Phase Assessment Score: 2012 = 43

TOTAL Implementation Phase Assessment Score: 2013 = 52

TOTAL Implementation Phase Assessment Score: 2014 = 57

Total Possible = 133 

26
Appendix A:

Compendium of Additional 2014 Accomplishments for 

Climate Change Adaptation

In addition to the accomplishments highlighted in this report, other important projects related 

to climate change adaptation were completed in 2014 by EPA national water program offices 

and water programs in EPA regions. 

I) National Water Program Climate Change Adaptation Accomplishments

Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds

• The National Estuary Program (NEP) is developing a network of coastal acidification 

monitoring stations located within the estuaries participating in the NEP. In 2014, under a 

collaborative effort between the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership (Maine), Friends of Casco 

Bay, University of New Hampshire, Southern Maine Community College, and Northeast 

Coastal Acidification Network, a monitoring station was set up in Casco Bay, Maine. The 

station, while equipped with state-of-the-art pH and pCO2 sensors, will increase

understanding of how near shore properties modify ocean acidification patterns. 

• Climate Ready Estuaries published a lessons-learned publication from its projects with 

National Estuary Programs in the Southeast United States. This is the third lessons learned 

compilation from Climate Ready Estuary projects with National Estuary Program partners.

• EPA announced the 2013 Campus RainWorks Challenge winners in April 2014 and opened 

registration for the 2014/2015 Challenge in June 2014.

• EPA produced an interactive webinar in 2014 for EPA Regional Wetland Program 

Managers in order to increase understanding of EPA climate change initiatives, increase 

regional capacity to respond effectively to climate change, and promote peer-to-peer 

exchange and national wetland program accountability. 

• EPA continues to work with other agencies and the international community to provide 

technical guidance related to marine geo-engineering, including ocean fertilization. At the 

36th Meeting of Contracting to the London Convention and 9th Meeting of Contracting 

Parties to the London Protocol (November 2014), parties adopted two guidance documents 

related to marine geoengineering/ocean fertilization and progress was made on a webbased ocean fertilization scientific repository.

• EPA is involved in a Commission for Environmental Cooperation Working Group on Blue 

Carbon and has invested in the Tampa Bay National Estuary Program’s efforts related to 

27
Blue Carbon. EPA is working with federal agencies and Council on Environmental Quality to 

account for Blue Carbon in the greenhouse gas inventory (2013 Wetlands Supplement to 

2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Guidelines) and addressing issues related 

to science, education and outreach. 

• EPA developed an internal action plan to address coastal acidification through the Clean 

Water Act and existing voluntary EPA programs. Key actions initiated in 2014 include: 

 Collaborating with National Center for Environmental Economics to develop 

ecosystem services valuation methodologies to quantify the economic impacts of 

acidification on fisheries in the Pacific Northwest (Puget Sound) and Northeast (Gulf 

of Maine);

 Partnering with Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, Friends of Casco Bay, University of 

New Hampshire, Southern Maine Community College, and Northeast Coastal 

Acidification Network to install state-of-the-art pH and pCO2 sensors in Casco Bay;

 Partnering with Washington State Department of Ecology to develop models to 

determine relative contributions of land-based pollution sources to acidification 

conditions in Puget Sound;

 Working with the New England Coastal Acidification Network to conduct and 

facilitate regional stakeholder engagement and education workshops;

 Developing a white paper that will outline Clean Water Act regulatory and nonregulatory tools to address acidification-related pollution in U.S. coastal waters; and,

 Participating in efforts by the Interagency Ocean Acidification Working Group to 

develop a “Strategic Plan for Federal Research and Monitoring on Ocean 

Acidification.” 

• EPA provided grant funding to the Washington State Department of Ecology for the 

development of a computer model of acidification in the Salish Sea. The model will 

distinguish the impacts of local sources of nitrogen and carbon in atmospheric and water 

pathways from Pacific Ocean signatures. The purpose is to quantify where, when, and how 

much local sources impact acidification to guide effective implementation of local nutrient 

management actions where they are significantly impacting acidification. The results will be 

used to determine whether nutrient management programs in place now are sufficient or if 

they need more stringent controls.

• The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) national Monthly Water Balance Model (MWBM), 

upon which the initial core modeling is done, has been converted from a gridded format to 

one based on over 110,000 NHD-derived Hydrologic Response Units (areas on the 

landscape that would be expected to have a similar hydrologic response to changes in 

factors such as precipitation and temperature), the model has been calibrated for the entire 

continental U.S. domain based on USGS stream gage data, outputs from over 230 climate 

model-greenhouse gas emission scenario combinations have been run to provide a broad 

array of plausible future climate projections, and a web portal designed to facilitate 

28
dissemination of findings to the public. Phase I of the project is scheduled for completion in 

2015 with the launch of the USGS web portal.

• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintains the National Wetlands Inventory. In 2009, EPA 

co-led a stakeholder working group (Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Wetlands 

subcommittee) to develop a new standard to support digital mapping of wetlands for 

incorporation into the National Wetlands Inventory and the National Hydrography Dataset 

(NHD). Accurate mapping of wetlands is essential to understanding how climate change 

may result in changes in wetlands over time. EPA has supported the long-term objective of 

the FGDC Wetlands subcommittee to complete digital mapping for the country which was 

completed this year. EPA is currently supporting a number of 2014 Regional Wetland 

Program Development Grants to support updating the National Wetlands Inventory to 

ensure that mapping efforts are current.

• In 2014, EPA continued work to develop the first National Assessment of Wetland 

Condition (NWCA). Preliminary results are under review that will provide an assessment of 

the overall ecological integrity of the resource and the relative status of wetland processes, 

such as the ability of a wetland to absorb nutrients and floodwaters. In addition, EPA

developed the proper metrics for identifying the stressors most associated with degraded 

wetlands, providing insights into the causes of declining wetland quality. Baseline 

information on the location, extent, and quality of wetlands and aquatic resources will help 

to assess changes associated with climate change and other stressors. The NWCA will be 

repeated at the national scale every five years and will incorporate those indicators, among 

others, that EPA identifies as most meaningful for detecting and predicting the impacts of 

climate change on the condition of the nation’s wetlands in the 2016 scheduled cycle. EPA 

expects that recurring monitoring will inform the development of predictive models and 

management strategies, including climate change adaptation approaches. A report 

detailing the results of the survey will be released for public comment in 2015.

• In 2014, EPA awarded $1 million in Wetland Program Development Grants to strengthen 

the capacity of States and Tribes in developing their programs to make them more climate 

ready/resilient. The Nation's wetlands provide a variety of ecosystem services including 

climate change adaptation by protecting shorelines from extreme weather events and sea 

level rise. The National Wetland Program Development Grants provide interstate agencies, 

intertribal consortia, and non-profit organizations with funding to develop and refine 

comprehensive state, tribal, and local wetland programs. The proposed projects link to 

environmental results and include wetland restoration and training such as the "Living 

Shoreline Academy."

Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water

• Climate Ready Water Utilities held four Emergency Response and Climate Change 

Workshops in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts; New Orleans, Louisiana; Ft. Pierre, South 

Dakota; and Fresno, California focused on emergency response and regional climate change 

29
impacts; planning and adaptation; tool demonstrations on the Flood Resilience Guide; and, 

CREAT, utility case studies, and energy management.

• Climate Ready Water Utilities developed an interactive Climate Scenario-Based Projected 

Changes Map that provides easy-to-access scenarios of projected climate changes derived 

from CREAT. The tool illustrates projected changes in annual total precipitation; annual 

average temperature; precipitation intensity for the 100-year storm; and, sea-level rise.

• EPA began to transition the Climate Ready Water Utilities Toolbox to Georgetown 

University Climate Center.

• Climate Ready Water Utilities completed an update of the Adaptation Strategies Guide

and plans to post the Guide online.

• EPA presented five webinars with the Water Utility Climate Alliance on: Scenario Planning; 

Robust Decision Making; Threshold Analysis; Communicating Climate Risk; and Financing 

Adaptation.

• EPA published the final primary enforcement responsibility (primacy) manual in April 2014 

to support Class VI geologic sequestration regulatory implementation. 

• EPA advanced Class VI geologic sequestration permitting by working closely with current 

permit applicants, permittees and potential future permit applicants to:

 Provide clarity regarding the Class VI requirements and develop permit conditions 

for six Class VI permits.

 Issue six final Class VI permits in 2014. (Note: four are under Environmental Appeals 

Board appeal. One has started construction. One was finalized in late December 

and may yet be appealed).

 Work through project-specific issues to ensure regulatory compliance and protection 

of underground sources of drinking water (USDWs).

 Develop a tool to receive Class VI permit application, reporting and other required 

information electronically.

• EPA worked with North Dakota to advance their application for Class VI Primary 

Enforcement Responsibility (Primacy).

Office of Science and Technology

• EPA began collaborating with USGS to develop a plan to improve statistical software 

commonly used to estimate critical low flows.

• An EPA Headquarters/Regional/State water quality team developed a workshop session on 

climate change and water quality standards for the 2014 Water Quality Standards 

30
Managers’ meeting in late February-early March 2014. The meeting participants reviewed 

climate change issues in Clean Water Act water quality criteria and standards and 

identified possible options for addressing climate change in the context of water quality 

standards.

• An EPA Headquarters/Regional team documented Regional priorities considering impacts 

of climate change on water quality criteria and standards in the fall of 2014 to better 

understand the diverse issues across Regions and develop potential products to address 

such issues. 

• EPA Headquarters continued to provide a climate change module at the spring and winter 

Water Quality Standards Academy. The module is now a mandatory component of the 

Academy.

Office of Wastewater Management 

• In 2014, the number of WaterSense partners across the country continued to grow, 

increasing by close to 138 to a total of 1,612 partners, which includes water utilities, state 

and local governments, manufacturers, retailers, and builders.

• WaterSense released a draft specification for flushometer-type commercial toilets. The 

program also released a notice of intent to develop a specification for landscape irrigation 

sprinklers and continued research to support development of a specification for soil 

moisture based irrigation controllers.

• WaterSense released revisions to its program for labeling professional certifying 

organizations that certify professionals working in water efficiency fields. WaterSense 

currently labels only three types of irrigation professional certification programs. The 

changes will position the program to consider other types of programs in the future.

• In July 2014, EPA’s Green Infrastructure Team launched a webpage documenting the many 

benefits of green infrastructure in adapting to climate change, including improving 

resilience to flooding, drought and rising sea levels. 

• Building on the success of a partnership between EPA Headquarters and Regions to help 

water and wastewater utilities become more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse 

gases, EPA worked with the Department of Energy’s Office of Weatherization and Outreach 

Office to develop a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) that will make up to $1 million 

available to state energy offices to train and assist these utilities develop sustainable 

energy management programs. Participating States will use a variety of energy 

management tools developed by EPA and others as they assist utilities around the country.

31
• Five committee meetings were held on the National Research Council’s Beneficial Use of 

Graywater and Stormwater: An Assessment of Risks, Costs, and Benefits study, which 

were undertaken as a follow-up to their 2012 water reuse study. The meetings were in 

Washington, D.C. in November 2013, Marina del Ray, California in January 2014, 

Washington, D.C. in April 2014, Irvine, California in July 2014, and Denver, Colorado in 

November 2014.

• Under the Promoting Sustainable Rural Water and Wastewater Memorandum of 

Agreement (MOA), EPA worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to leverage 

resources towards helping small and rural water and wastewater systems reliably and 

sustainably deliver clean and safe water to their customers and provide wastewater 

services primarily in four major areas: sustainability of rural communities, system 

partnerships, water sector workforce, and the compliance of small rural public water and 

wastewater systems. The two agencies collaborated to develop the Rural and Small 

Systems Guidebook to Sustainable Utility Management, and the Workshop in a Box. These 

materials were posted on agency websites in the Fall of 2013. In 2014, both agencies 

worked with technical assistance providers to identify locations to hold workshops to help 

communities assess their operations based on key management areas that align closely 

with the sustainability attributes.

The following activities in support of the MOA were completed in 2014: 

 Provided 6 workshops for rural and small systems using the Rural and Small Systems 

Guidebook to Sustainable Utility.

 Worked with assistance providers like the National Rural Water Association (NRWA) 

to train small systems using the Guidebook.

• EPA held a webinar for technical assistance providers and U.S. Department of Agriculture 

(USDA) staff in September 2014 regarding energy assessments for small water and 

wastewater systems. 

• EPA developed a water loss control manual in 2013 and in 2014 promoted the manual and 

worked to raise awareness of the importance of dealing with water loss at workshops and 

conference events. 

• EPA organized and jointly presented a webinar with the American Water Works 

Association on “Using Water Audits to Understand Water Loss” to assist public water 

systems and state primacy agencies in addressing water loss in water distribution systems.

• EPA presented at the Association of State Drinking Water Associations/EPA Annual Small 

Systems Workshop on “Public Water System Water Supply Issues-Drinking Water Program 

Perspective.”

• EPA developed three information documents for small public water systems and posted 

them to the EPA Small System Technical Assistance page:

32
 Water Audits and Water Loss Control for Public Water Systems;

 Water Efficiency for Public Water Systems; and,

 Water Availability and Variability Strategies for Public Water Systems.

Office of Research and Development

• EPA has been partnering with the U.S. Army in a “NetZero” partnership to demonstrate 

approaches to minimizing water use by taking a systems-oriented approach to design and 

operation. ORD completed the first project on water use and conservation at Ft. Riley, 

Kansas which explored the effectiveness of education and awareness campaigns on 

behaviors, and reducing water consumption through social marketing, competition, 

outreach, and outcome assessments. 

• EPA published two journal articles reporting results of modeling of soil column and kinetic 

studies, in an effort to develop a computer program for a decision support tool for Aquifer 

Storage and Recovery (ASR) practices. The model will integrate treatment 

(preconditioning), vadose zone characteristics and groundwater characteristics and flow to 

provide technical guidance for evaluating treatment requirements and permitting and 

monitoring criteria for ASR practices. 

33
II) Climate Change Adaptation Accomplishments 

Related to Water in EPA Regions

In October 2014, EPA Regional Offices, in addition to EPA Headquarters, released the final 

versions of their Climate Change Adaptation Plans. These final versions were revised from 

earlier drafts following public comment periods. They respond to directives in Executive Order 

13653 - Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change. The final Plans are living 

documents that will be periodically revised in subsequent years to account for new knowledge, 

data, scientific evidence, and lessons learned from the Agency’s ongoing efforts to integrate 

climate adaptation planning into its programs, policies, rules and operations.

Region 1

• Region 1 led a Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) workgroup that planned and 

conducted a workshop on salt marsh migration modeling and data needs in December 2014 

to coordinate New England state efforts to understand the impacts of sea level rise on these 

wetlands systems.

• Region 1 provided leadership as co-chair of the joint NROC/NERACOOS (the Northeast 

Association of Coastal and Ocean Observing Systems) steering committee overseeing the 

development of an Integrated Sentinel Monitoring Strategy for Climate Change in 

Northeastern Ocean and Coastal Ecosystems, which is preparing a science and 

implementation plan to coordinate sub-regional efforts and help attract additional funding. 

• The Long Island Sound Study released its draft, updated Comprehensive Conservation 

Management Plan (CCMP), which includes actions to address the impacts of climate 

change, in September 2014. (Regions 1 and 2)

• The Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program used Climate Ready Estuaries funding to work 

with other federal, state, and local partners to complete a vulnerability assessment of 

water infrastructure and environmental justice communities in the New Bedford Harbor 

area to sea level rise and storm surge.

• EPA actively participated on the New England Federal Partners Climate Change and Ocean 

Planning committees, which each met four times during 2014 to coordinate and share 

information on climate change efforts. 

• Region 1 conducted community-based emergency response workshops, including extreme 

weather, climate change, and incident command system training for more than 200 drinking 

water system operators. 

34
• Region 1 developed and distributed tools for the water sector and state programs, 

including: Lessons Learned Report from Hurricane Irene and Sandy; generic extreme 

weather power point presentation; and GIS maps of utilities-at-risk. Also supported EPA 

Headquarters’ completion of the national Flood Guide using results of the Water System 

Flood Resilience Pilot Project at the Berwick, Maine water utility.

• Region 1 facilitated coordination between the Federal Emergency Management Agency 

(FEMA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and state agencies to complete the Power 

for Water Initiative, utilizing the USACE 249th Battalion to assess power and generator 

needs at 246 wastewater and drinking water facilities.

• Working with Department of Homeland Security, Region 1 initiated a Regional Resiliency 

Assessment Program pilot project in Portland, Maine to assess the vulnerability of critical 

infrastructure and to ensure the inclusion of water, wastewater, and energy infrastructure 

in the assessment.

• Region 1 released the draft Massachusetts Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System 

(MS4) permit in September 2014, which includes low impact development (LID) 

requirements and encourages infiltration when appropriate, to control more extreme 

precipitation events. The final New Hampshire small MS4 permit, with similar 

requirements, should be released in Fiscal Year 2015.

• The Regional SRF program continued to promote the use of SRF funds for climate change 

resiliency projects during the annual SRF reviews, and encouraged States to consider 

modifications to their SRF Priority Ranking Criteria to include additional points for Climate 

Change/Resiliency projects.

• Region 1 participated on the USGS Northeast Climate Science Center Steering Committee

to help identify key research needs, including effects of climate induced changes on aquatic 

resources. 

• With the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), USGS, North Atlantic Landscape 

Conservation Cooperative, and Northeast Climate Science Center, Region 1 co-sponsored 

a major regional stream temperature modeling workshop in May 2014 and continued to 

work with the EPA Office of Research and Development Atlantic Ecology Division to predict 

thermal regimes in streams across New England.

• With USFWS, USACE, and National Marine Fisheries Service (NFMS) Region 1 initiated a

working group to identify opportunities for integrating climate change considerations into 

the CWA 404 permit program.

• Through the Region’s Wetland Program Development Grants, New England States have 

completed the following:

35
 New Hampshire has modified grant criteria, stream crossing protocols, and 

mitigation rules to include climate change concerns. They are also enhancing the 

wetland review process for projects in areas of high ecological integrity, and 

identifying opportunities for climate related restoration projects.

 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has undertaken coastal 

erosion mapping, tide gate mapping (with Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management

(MCZM) and is doing a study with the USGS on culvert sizing and assessing which 

precipitation data to use. 

 Massachusetts completed a marsh migration model to identify areas to be protected 

and is establishing a monitoring program to track changes over time.

 Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP) created a statewide invasive species 

database and map (IMAP) to document invasive species and help with early 

detection. In Fiscal Year 2012 MNAP worked with Maine Geological Survey to map 

sea level rise and verify locations of tidal marshes and also developed an ecological 

integrity assessment method for Maine wetlands, to set a baseline and measure 

change over time and identify species of greatest conservation need and those at 

risk due to climate change. 

• Region 1 worked with directors of educational programming at Save the Bay (Rhode Island) 

and the Buzzards Bay Coalition to identify opportunities to combine climate change 

educational goals with existing environmental programs to educate urban youth from 

environmental justice communities on the importance of wetlands and their value in 

climate change resiliency. The three sessions included an eelgrass expedition, field 

investigation techniques, and working with a teachers development program to guide them 

in the use of outdoor classrooms.

• The Region 1 Geographic Information System (GIS) Office coordinated a cross-program 

climate adaptation mapping workgroup that met monthly to help further define common 

mapping needs, datasets, models, and tools for Region 1 programs. As a first step the group 

attempted to better understand which questions needed to be answered with mapping, 

and began tracking relevant GIS datasets to help inform a regional mapping strategy to 

support climate adaptation.

• Region 1 helped develop a climate change GIS mapping platform that will provide OnScene Coordinators, Remedial Project Managers, and other project managers and 

regulatory personnel a means to determine how climate change may impact a 

contaminated site or other regulated facility.

• Working with EPA Brownfields Program Office, Region 1 developed climate adaptation

guidance and checklists that will enable brownfields grantees to appropriately consider 

climate change impacts in site cleanups and reuse.

36
Region 2

• Region 2’s Caribbean Environmental Protection Division (CEPD) is participating in the

Puerto Rico Climate Change Council and the Caribbean Regional Ocean Partnership 

(CROP), both led by the Puerto Rico Coastal Zone Management Program and the VI Coastal 

Zone Management Program. In addition, CEPD is also a member of the Caribbean Regional 

Planning Body (CRPB). The CROP and the CRPB are focused, among other things, on coastal 

and marine spatial planning and coastal vulnerabilities to climate change are an integral 

part of the groups’ discussions.

• Region 2, in conjunction with Puerto Rico Sea Grant, University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez 

Campus, the U.S. Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing Program, the San Juan Bay Estuary 

Program and the ENLACE Caño Martín Peña Project, kicked off the development of the first 

community based Adaptation to Climate Change and Disaster Risk Assessment Plan in 

Puerto Rico for the Buena Vista Community of the Caño Martín Peña in 2014. 

• The Caribbean Coral Reef Partnership held public listening sessions and partners discussed 

the structure of the Partnership and future rules of engagement, climate change, coral reef

protection capacity needs in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, and coral reef focal projects

in the St. Thomas East End Reserve and Northeast Reserve in PR. The partners agreed to 

sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to memorialize the commitment of the 

participating federal agencies.

• Region 2 has been actively recruiting promotional partners for the WaterSense Program. 

New partnerships in New York have been established with the New York State American 

Water Works Association (AWWA), the New York State Department of Environmental 

Conservation (DEC) and the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc.. New partnerships in New 

Jersey include the Town of Montclair, which has been designated as a Climate Showcase 

Community, as well as the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority in New Jersey. 

Sustainable Jersey, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has also become a promotional 

partner. Sustainable Jersey is a statewide certification program that presents communities 

with a roadmap, technical assistance, and incentives to go green, save money, and take 

steps to sustain their quality of life over the long term. Sustainable Jersey has signed up 419 

communities for its statewide sustainability certification program, covering 86% of New 

Jersey's population.

• There are currently two WaterSense initiatives underway in Puerto Rico to promote EPA’s 

WaterSense H2Otel Challenge. One initiative is with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, a 

new WaterSense promotional partner as of 2014, which is the government agency in charge 

of educating hotels on how to save water. A second WaterSense initiative focuses on the 6 

vocational centers/hotels that are handled by the Puerto Rico Department of Parks and 

Recreation, and also involves the participation of students from 3 Schools of Architecture in 

Puerto Rico. The EPA Headquarters and Region 2 WaterSense team also organized a 

37
question and answer session to clarify key points and better motivate hotels in Puerto Rico 

to take the next important steps towards water efficiency.

• Funded by EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Program, New York State 

offers Green Infrastructure project funding as a possible alternative to, or for use in 

conjunction with, existing grey infrastructure (e.g. conventional pipes, pumps) as a way to 

manage stormwater. During FY2014, New York’s CWSRF Green Infrastructure Program 

provided 90% grants to support projects across New York State that utilize green 

technologies including rain gardens, stream "daylighting" projects, wetland restoration, 

rainwater harvesting and reuse, infrastructure retrofits, pervious pavement, green roofs 

and green walls, street tree plantings, pervious pavement and bio-retention projects, all of 

which help to sequester carbon and other greenhouse gases, and reduce the urban heat 

"island" effect. During FFY2014 the total SRF funding in New York State for Green 

Infrastructure exceeded $10 million.

• Region 2 staff has conducted outreach efforts promoting Green Infrastructure, including: 

 A presentation on green infrastructure municipal tools at the Western New York

Stormwater Conference & Tradeshow in Buffalo, New York;

 Meeting with the New York League of Conservation Voters which is developing a 

white paper on the state of New York City’s green infrastructure program with an 

eye towards recommendations for New York Mayor de Blasio’s administration. EPA 

provided input on what is working well in green infrastructure and where there may 

be additional opportunities for improvement and expansion; and

 Participation in the Roundtable on Integrating Resiliency and Smart Growth on a 

Post-Sandy Long Island convened through the Long Island Smart Growth Resiliency 

Partnership.

• EPA Region 2 and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has 

discussed how Green Infrastructure and New Jersey Municipal Separate Storm Sewer 

Systems (MS4) permits could be integrated with the development of Combined Sewer

Overflow (CSO) Long Term Control Plans (LTCPs). Furthermore, The NJDEP also requested 

assistance from EPA to provide training for NJDEP staff in the review of CSO Long Term 

Control Plans.

• EPA Region 2 established a Sandy Recovery Green Team to coordinate EPA efforts and 

interface with the federal Sandy Regional Infrastructure and Resilience Coordination 

(SRIRC) Group to implement the National Disaster Recovery Framework, various executive 

orders, and the President’s Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Strategy. EPA is working on the 

SRIRC 10 targeted teams and is the lead for the Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment 

teams. 

• HUD’s Rebuild by Design Competition is a unique initiative by HUD asking the world’s most 

talented design professionals to envision solutions that increase resiliency across the Sandy 

affected region. Staff from Region 2 shared EPA’s SRF Sandy resiliency program for water 

38
and wastewater projects for consideration by the design professionals and also discussed 

the importance of considering Green Infrastructure as part of their proposed solutions. The 

Rebuild by Design Winners and Finalists include projects for Hunts Point, Bronx, Nassau 

County South Shore, Lower Manhattan, and Staten Island, New York and Hoboken and 

Meadowlands, New Jersey. More information available here. 

• Region 2 has been involved with the development of the USACE North Atlantic Coast 

Comprehensive Study, which included a considerable amount of outreach to federal, state 

and local partners. The assessments and products of Phase 1 included storm suite modeling, 

state-specific coastal risk frameworks, a storm economic impact estimation tool, sea level 

rise and vulnerability assessments and maps, and identification of risk and preliminary 

approaches for system resilience. Phase 2 includes the validation of developments from the 

first phase, integration and alignment of these developments with other regional plans, and 

continued and continued collaboration with interagency and international partners. 

• EPA Region 2 had an article published in the spring edition of New York Water Environment 

Association’s (NYWEA) quarterly journal, ClearWaters. The article was entitled, “CREATing 

Climate Resilience.” This article was also published in Effluents Magazine, the New Jersey 

Water Environment Association’s (NJWEA) quarterly journal. The article provides WEA 

members with valuable information regarding climate change resiliency for water and 

wastewater infrastructures and the CREAT tool.

• Region 2 has been involved with utility emergency preparedness exercises, including:

 The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Wastewater System 

Communication Exercise in Sayreville, New Jersey on February 25.

 Participation in the New Jersey Water Association Emergency Management for 

Water Systems Training.

 Participation in the New Jersey Water Sector Security Working Group SubCommittee. The working group is a water security advisory committee that ensures 

the protection, preparedness and resiliency of New Jersey's critical water and 

wastewater system infrastructure and the working group meets every two months 

and continues to advise the water sector on water security matters.

• The EPA Water Security Division is providing support for an EPA Region 2 & EPA Region 3

Interstate Mutual Aid Workshop that was held on September 25-26, 2014 at the EPA 

Region 3 Office in Philadelphia, PA. This joint effort developed actionable items to help 

improve “Interstate” mutual aid and assistance among utilities and Water and Wastewater 

Agency Response Networks (WARNs). Approximately 45 representatives of the industries 

and agencies participated in this workshop. (Regions 2 and 3).

• During the review of EPA actions requiring National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

documentation, Region 2 Environmental Review Section requires the grantees to evaluate 

greenhouse gas emissions from the project and to consider impacts of climate change to 

the project and adapt the project as possible. In conducting its reviews of Federal agency 

39
projects, Region 2 has included comments regarding climate change and that project 

proponents should consider the potential impacts of climate change (e.g., extreme storm 

events, sea level rise) on the proposed project and incorporate adaptation measures to 

minimize impacts.

• Region 2 has been conducting ongoing coordination with the New York State Department 

of Environmental Conservation Flood Task Force pilot communities as they demonstrate 

the use of climate vulnerability assessments for sea level rise as a public planning process to 

inform the future plans of highly flood prone Hudson River waterfront communities.

• The Peconic Estuary Program was allocated $30,000 in funds from EPA Headquarters under 

the Climate Ready Estuaries Program. The program proposed to conduct a climate 

vulnerability assessment for the Peconic Estuary in cooperation with the Shinnecock 

Nation of Indians. The Shinnecock Nation faces many of the same climate vulnerabilities as 

the Peconic Estuary due to its close proximity, so cooperation will benefit both groups. The 

vulnerability assessment will build upon climate prediction data collected for the Peconic 

Estuary Project and evaluate the impact of climate predictions on the environment and 

ecological and cultural resources.

• The Peconic Estuary Program and partners co-hosted a three-day training course with 

NOAA on Climate Adaptation for Coastal Communities in December 2014. The course 

provided individuals with a climate adaptation toolkit to proactively address adaptation 

planning priorities.

• The Peconic Estuary Program contracted with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to examine 

the strategies and goals within the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan 

(CCMP) with regard to climate change and its effects on the estuary. TNC provided general 

information about climate change and new prioritized CCMP actions based on this 

information. Through this work, a new Climate Change workgroup was formed.

• The New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program successfully hosted a conference

entitled Restoring the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary: Ensuring Ecosystem 

Resilience and Sustainability in a Changing Future. The topics covered during the 

conference included progress and next steps for comprehensive restoration planning and 

actions in the Estuary, real opportunities and limitations for incorporating ecosystem 

restoration into resiliency planning, and moving forward by securing commitments and 

resources for action. 

• In support of EPA’s Climate Ready Estuary (CRE) program and its ongoing work better 

understand the impacts of climate change on the local level, the Barnegat Bay Partnership 

(BBP) has been engaged in a number of activities to monitor, assess, develop and promote 

eco-system and economic based climate adaptation strategies and tools. BBP’s CRE related 

activities include conducting critical long-term monitoring of our coastal wetlands through 

40
the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Wetlands Assessment (MACWA) which was establish by 2 

National Estuary Programs. Core MACWA monitoring parameters are going to be used as 

the basis for assessing natural based living shoreline and marsh sediment enhancement 

projects in New Jersey. In addition. BBP continues to provide technical expertise to the 

Ocean County Office of Emergency Management in their multi-jurisdictional all hazards 

mitigation plan and Ocean County Department of Planning in the Long Term Community 

Recovery Plan. The BBP is also a partner in The Nature Conservancy’s New Jersey Resilient 

Coastlines Initiative, which is developing an online decision support tool called “Restoration 

Explorer” for New Jersey. The tool will provide communities interested in coastal 

restoration with a simpler way to identify potential restoration projects based on both 

community input and the best available ecological and engineering data.

• The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary’s (PDE) Climate Change and Wetlands 

Assessment program participated in the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Wetlands Assessment 

(MACWA) to address climate adaptation needs in the estuary. MACWA studies wetland 

health and aims to supply coastal managers with data to help plan wetland recovery and 

protection. It is a joint effort of two National Estuary Programs (The Partnership for the 

Delaware Estuary and Barnegat Bay Partnership) with other federal, state and academic 

institutions. Their climate change work involved helping communities identify needs and 

options for dealing with climate change, sea level rise and increased storm 

intensity. Wetlands assessment efforts help PDE track the current conditions of the 

estuary’s wetlands and track changes over time comparing to the baseline assessment.

• The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) will receive $323,000 in Clean Water Act 

Section 319 (Nonpoint Source management) funds from New Jersey Department of 

Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for work in Camden, New Jersey. In coordination with 

NJDEP, PDE will develop the conceptual plan for a living shoreline at the Harrison Avenue 

landfill site in North Camden. The living shoreline design will aim for a hybrid-mosaic 

configuration consisting of high marsh, low marsh, submerged aquatic vegetation and 

freshwater mussel beds. A new and unique element of this Camden living shoreline design 

will be the potential incorporation and enhancement of freshwater mussel beds in tandem 

with landward shoreline stabilization. PDE will also train local volunteers to survey and 

monitor freshwater mussels in the Cooper River watershed using a protocol they developed 

and piloted. Finally, PDE and partners will perform quantitative analyses and calculations for 

the contribution of native freshwater mussel populations to water quality improvement, 

including the potential uplift of these ecosystem services if mussel bed enhancement were 

to occur. PDE is currently engaged in field and laboratory analyses of filtration rates for 

suspended particulates and nitrogen by marine mussels of the Delaware Estuary through a 

Region 2 Regional Applied Research Effort grant. (Regions 2 and 3)

• The Long Island Sound Study Habitat Workgroup is conducting an assessment of both the 

historic and current quantity of tidal wetland habitats and their current quality. Work 

group members and partners are collaborating with local and regional experts to quantify 

historic extent of priority habitat types and to set up a rubric for assessing the quality of 

41
habitats like forest and tidal wetlands. A rapid, mainly desktop-based open water 

assessment for tidal wetlands is underway now. Experts feel due to sea level rise, marsh 

subsidence, and other causes the marshes around Long Island Sound may have more 

standing water on them at low tide than is ideal. This study will give a general idea of the 

health of tidal wetlands and outline some generally agreed-upon indicators as helpful 

guides for habitat health assessments. In addition a Tidal Wetlands Workshop was held in 

October 2014 in Port Jefferson, New York which brought together expert marsh managers, 

researchers, practitioners, and regulators regarding tidal wetland loss and change in Long 

Island Sound and beyond. (Regions 1 and 2)

• The Long Island Sound Study Sentinel Monitoring for Climate Change Work Group has 

been continuing to work on four sentinel monitoring projects:

 Synthesis of land information system Data in the Context of Climate Change –

Coastal Ocean Analytics 

 Marsh Migration Modeling – Warren Pinnacle Consulting 

 Pilot Salt Marsh Sentinel Monitoring – Wally Fulweiler, Boston University

 Sentinels of Climate Change: Coastal Indicators of Wildlife and Ecosystem Change in 

Long Island Sound – University of Connecticut (Regions 1 and 2)

Region 3

• In 2014, EPA Region 3 funded projects under the Drinking Water and Clean Water SRF 

programs which support climate change adaptation and mitigation. $22 million from the 

Clean Water SRF funded water- and energy-efficiency projects which reduce greenhouse 

gas emissions through lower energy use. The CWSRF funds also supported green 

infrastructure projects which help communities adapt to and mitigate the effects of a 

changing climate. A $150,000 project for radio-read water meters, funded through the 

Drinking Water SRF, is a water conservation measure key to climate change adaptation.

• The Clean Water SRF funded a project in Virginia which will reuse 1.2 million gallons of 

water per day (to meet a current need) and has the potential to reuse up to 3.2 MGD in the 

future. Planning for water reuse is critical, as future water availability conditions are 

anticipated to change as precipitation patterns change. 

• Region 3 promoted the WaterSense program at 12 events during 2014.

• All Hazards Water Resiliency, a training module on climate change, was offered in January 

2014 as part of the regional training effort for water utilities in the National Capital 

Region. Attendees were given a basic understanding of climate change and its implications 

for the water sector. They also received invaluable information about tools available to 

them to adapt to and mitigate anticipated climate change impacts. An unique aspect of this 

multi-module training is that it requires homework to be completed by the attendees and 

42
presented at a future session, allowing participants time to work on utility projects related 

to climate change.

Region 4 

• Region 4 worked with Monroe County, Florida to finalize a Climate Action Plan for the 

Florida Keys that provides a five-year framework to implement seventy two 

recommendations through existing local organizations tasked with integrating climate 

adaption science and mitigation strategies into current systems. Recommendations include 

reducing greenhouse emissions 20% below 2005 levels by 2020 and incorporating future 

sea level rise projections into infrastructure planning. Annual reports will be developed to 

determine progress towards the goals.

• EPA Region 4 is promoting the beneficial use of suitable dredged material to support 

environmentally sound projects to protect from sea level rise and storm surge. A Regional 

current meter study in Charleston Harbor has now been completed. The study will assist the 

Corps of Engineers Charleston District in evaluating options for beneficial use of dredge 

material. The Region has participated in efforts for beneficial use in Mobile Bay and 

Pascagoula Harbor as well.

• The Region is developing protocols to address the likely increase in emergency dredging 

from hurricanes of increased intensity and other extreme precipitation events that may 

cause unexpected sedimentation and shoaling.

• Region 4’s Energy Management Initiative (EMI) began Round 2 in Tennessee with a new 

group of wastewater utilities. In addition, Alabama and United South and Eastern Tribes, 

Inc. are beginning their energy management efforts with the assistance of Region 4’s EMI. 

The Region 4 EMI Team is providing assistance to the utilities in developing vulnerability 

assessments to the anticipated effects of climate changes while teaching the utilities how 

to reduce energy consumption. Anticipated energy savings in 2014 are estimated to be 

from 4 to 8 million kilowatt-hour/year and projected 3800 to 7600 MMTCO2e (million 

metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent) reduction. 

• Region 4, EPA Headquarters, and the State of Mississippi planned and conducted a 1-day 

emergency response and recovery exercise examining the impact of a catastrophic 

incident affecting the water, wastewater, and interdependent sectors in Mississippi. The 

exercise scenario simulated a high-magnitude earthquake event along the New Madrid 

Seismic Zone with resulting major infrastructure impacts throughout northwest Mississippi 

and neighboring States. Participants included representatives of water and wastewater 

systems and key support organizations and agencies during a disaster situation. Discussions 

among participants during the exercise revealed a general need for more robust disaster 

planning within and between key response organizations.

43
• The Water Protection Division’s Flow Workgroup is working with States to address impacts 

from all types of hydrologic alteration including the hydrologic alterations caused by 

climate change. During 2014, the Workgroup Chair served as the co-lead for the National 

Water Quality Standards (WQS) and Climate Change workgroup to better understand and 

make recommendations on the development of the technical resources needed to assess 

how water quality will be affected by climate change. The FWG championed at the 2014 

National WQS Coordinator’s Meeting the consideration of how water quality standards 

should be viewed in the context of climate change. This led to consensus among the 

coordinators that designated uses for waters should not be revised to account for climate 

change. Waters that are impaired due to climate change should be listed on the 303d list to 

maintain an inventory of waters impacted by climate change. 

Region 5

• To continue promotion of climate–readiness at water utilities, Region 5 integrated 

sustainable water infrastructure approaches in the following areas:

 Supported Michigan Department of Environmental Quality efforts to incorporate 

asset management as a condition in major National Pollutant Discharge Elimination 

System (NPDES) permits. 

 Incorporated sustainable water infrastructure practices (e.g., green infrastructure, 

asset management and energy efficiency) into seven EPA-issued tribal NPDES 

permits and five enforcement actions.

 Developed outreach materials on sustainable water infrastructure for distribution to 

facilities with inspection reports.

 Conducted, with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, energy management 

training for 50 water utility professionals.

 Drafted “Review of Green Infrastructure in CSO Long Term Control Plans: A Training 

Tool.”

 Used the Avoided Emissions and Generation Tool to increase energy efficiency at 

Ohio utilities.

 Facilitated energy audits through the Department of Energy (DOE) Industrial 

Assessment Center for Indiana utilities.

 Awarded about $6.8 million to Great Lakes Shoreline Cities for green infrastructure 

implementation.

• Region 5 continued promotion of WaterSense through the following efforts:

 Added 10 new WaterSense partners in 2014.

 Provided assistance to Michigan Habitat for Humanity to incorporate WaterSense in 

affordable housing;

 Modified “Hotel Challenge” tools for use by churches/schools in Chicago.

 Briefed State Water Directors about WaterSense partnership opportunities.

44
• Region 5 encouraged Source Water Protection for tribal public water systems 

vulnerable to impacts of climate change through targeted outreach and compliance 

assistance to those systems. Tribal source water assessment guidance/methodologies were 

updated to include climate change considerations. Additionally, State work plans were 

revised to include climate change in source water assessment and protection.

• The Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) supported several efforts, including:

 Integrated climate change into Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)-funded 

state and tribal capacity projects for Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, GLNPO’s 

2014 Request For Applications (RFA), and GLRI Interagency Agreements.

 Initiated development of climate resiliency criteria for GLRI funding.

 Added 25 field-deployed dissolved oxygen data sensors to track hypoxia in Lake Erie.

Region 6

• On May 14, 2014, EPA staff participated in a second workshop to assist the Dallas FortWorth International Airport (DFW) in the development of their Sustainability 

Management Plan (SMP). The Sustainable Advisory Council members reviewed and 

commented on the results of the baseline assessment conducted as a result of the January 

workshop, and identified future sustainability initiatives, including points of collaboration. 

The purpose of the SMP is to further integrate sustainability into the airport’s business 

processes, and then integrate these sustainable best practices throughout North Texas. 

• On May 15 – 16, 2014, stakeholders participated in the Water Sector Emergency Response, 

Extreme Event, and Climate Change Planning: Greater New Orleans Metropolitan Area in 

New Orleans. The workshop, presented by EPA, was designed to allow participants to 

discuss how both past emergency responses, as well as potential changes in extreme 

weather patterns, may impact their utilities and communities moving into the future. 

Discussions also focused on adaptation options and implementation planning. Workshop 

conversations focused on impacts from floods, hurricanes, storm surges, drought, salt water 

intrusion, and freezes. Potential steps that utilities and communities could take to ensure 

that water and wastewater systems are able to respond more effectively and increase 

resiliency were discussed.

• Led by the U.S. DOT’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, EPA Region 6 and a 

group of federal agencies and the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG), located in 

Albuquerque, New Mexico, initiated a project to help the region address climate change 

challenges using scenario planning. Scenario planning allows participants to consider the 

impacts of growth and evaluate the costs and benefits of various future scenarios. The 

project will influence transportation and land use decision-making in the Albuquerque 

region by using scenario planning to analyze strategies to reduce carbon pollution and 

prepare for the impacts of climate change. 

45
• On October 6, 2014, the City of Houston, 28 federal agencies, state and local government 

agencies, non-governmental organizations, and representatives from academia participated 

in a Climate Change Preparedness and Resilience Workshop in Houston, Texas. The 

workshop series was sponsored by the White House National Security Council, Council on 

Environmental Quality and the Office of Science and Technology Policy with the goal of 

advancing climate adaptation and identifying collaborative and sustainable approaches to 

community-based climate preparedness and resilience capabilities.

• Commitments in Region 6’s Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan include:

 Incorporating climate adaptation criteria in the Brownfields grants process to ensure 

cleanup actions taken by communities are effective as the climate changes;

 Providing communities with the tools they need to increase their resilience. For 

example, a Stormwater Calculator and Climate Adaptation Tool empowers 

community planners to estimate the amount of stormwater runoff that they’ll have 

to manage today and in the future; 

 Integrating considerations of climate change into the CWSRF process 

and continue working with States to ensure investments in water infrastructure are 

resilient to changes in climate; and,

 Training staff on climate change science and ways to integrate climate change 

adaptation measures into our daily regulatory, policy, and operational activities.

• In partnership with the Regional South Central Climate Science Center in Norman, 

Oklahoma, Region 6 representatives attended the annual face-to-face meeting of the U.S.

Department of Interior’s South Central Climate Science Center Stakeholder Advisory 

Committee on November 19, 2014. Representatives from USGS, NOAA, National Park 

Service (NPS), USFWS, State agencies, universities, and Landscape Conservation 

Cooperatives worked on refining and ranking 2015 research priorities, as well as discussing 

the Gulf Coast Vulnerability Assessment and other topics that integrate climate change 

work across agencies and disciplines. The priorities for EPA Region 6 were: hydrologic 

responses to climate change; coastal response to sea level rise and changing 

geomorphology; land use and land cover change. 

• Region 6 continues to bring Green Infrastructure into the mainstream of stormwater 

management, as well as integration in other EPA efforts. Because the Region 6 regulated 

community remains apprehensive with the concept of green infrastructure as an 

environmentally preferable, often more cost-effective approach to stormwater, Region 6 

continues to focus on Outreach and Education. During 2014, at almost a dozen events, 

approximately 1,500 water practitioners were informed of the multitude of water quality 

and quantity benefits, as well as socio-economic benefits, projects of all scales (site, 

neighborhood, and region/watershed) may achieve with incorporation of green 

infrastructure. 

• The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries 

Program, and the Galveston Bay Estuary Program worked with numerous partners in 2014 

46
to initiate new projects or complete implementation of projects that will contribute to the 

protection, enhancement, or restoration of vulnerable Gulf of Mexico coastal habitats. 

These projects will reduce the vulnerability to the effects of sea level rise and increase 

coastal sustainability.

• Staff served on the Steering and Planning Committees for the 2014 biennial Louisiana State 

of the Coast Conference, playing key roles in designing special panel sessions on coastal 

climate change and sea level rise, blue carbon, protecting resilient coastal natural areas, and 

building resilient coastal communities.

Region 7

• During 2014, the Wichita State University-Environmental Finance Center in partnership 

with Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU) conducted 6 Asset Management Kan-Work training 

sessions, one in each Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) district. A total 

of 85 participants attended. The KDHE awards 5 hours of renewal credit for water and 

wastewater operators that complete the one-day workshop. KMU also provided 16 on-site 

technical assistance visits for asset management implementation. 

• Region 7’s Water Enforcement Program continued to pursue settlements incorporating 

items such as energy conservation, green infrastructure, and wetland preservation into 

Supplemental Environmental Projects. Fiscal Year 2014 settlements included Sioux City, 

Iowa in which the city installed a bioswale to reduce runoff from a parking lot (project was

completed in 2014); Raymore, Missouri in which the city agreed to construct two rain 

gardens (project completion is May 2015), and; Branstad in which the concentrated animal 

feeding operation (CAFO) owner agreed to put approximately 5 acres into the USDA’s 

Wetland Reserve program (to be completed in the fall of 2015). In addition, Region 7’s 

Water Enforcement Program continued to monitor compliance with existing Decrees 

requiring sewer system improvements that have green infrastructure components replacing 

traditional grey construction projects. 

• The Region 7 Water Division set out to organize, identify and classify climate change, green 

infrastructure, and sustainable projects and priorities within the Division. The Region is 

focused on strategically prioritizing its response to Climate Change and Green 

Infrastructure activities including where there is overlap.

• Region 7 hosted a Native American Heritage Month Event on November 12, 2014 with a 

panel discussion on Climate Change and the Impacts on Native American People, Places 

and Culture. The Nine Tribal nations located within Region 7 participated along with 100 

EPA staff.

47
Region 8

• Region 8 and Headquarters’ Water Security Division conducted a climate change and 

extreme events resiliency workshop in Fort Pierre, South Dakota on July 9-10, 2014. It 

focused on building water preparedness, resiliency, and adaptation. At the workshop, the 

Region 8 Drinking Water Program hosted an interactive workshop to help drinking water 

and wastewater utilities plan for extreme weather events and long-term climate 

adaptation. About 50 state and local water professionals, emergency management 

officials, and public works personnel participated. 

• Region 8 selected two communities to participate in a pilot project using EPA’s Climate 

Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT): 1) the City of Bozeman, Montana, and 

2) the City of Helena, Montana. The communities will receive training and technical 

assistance in using the CREAT software that helps users identify assets, threats, and 

adaptation options to build climate resilience. Region 8 is working with OW on this multiyear program. Challenges to be addressed include drought, more intense and frequent 

storms, flooding, and water quality changes. 

• Region 8 incorporated climate resiliency into Colorado flood recovery efforts, including 

the following: Region 8 provided water/wastewater infrastructure and river/watershed 

planning support based on resiliency, sustainability, green infrastructure, climate 

adaptation, and smart growth principles; during the flood, Region 8’s National Disaster 

Recovery Specialist staffed the Joint Field Office to coordinate recovery efforts with FEMA 

and the other participating organizations; and the Region 8 Water Emergency Response 

Team provided assistance to the Town of Jamestown, Colorado, to rebuild its water and 

wastewater facilities that were damaged during the floods. This assistance included 

analysis and recommendations for including resiliency and sustainability into the design of 

the facilities (a final report was released on the project in March 2014).

• Region 8 conducted training/outreach to Region 8 Tribes, municipalities, and other 

stakeholders on climate resiliency and the tools/programs/resources EPA has available

to assist in various areas. For example, Region 8’s Regional Administrator sent a letter to 

all Region 8 municipal leagues and county associations discussing EPA and other federal 

tools and resources to build resiliency. Also, the Region 8 Climate Change Coordinator 

participated in the Region 8 annual Regional Tribal Operations Council meeting to discuss 

the Agency and Region 8 Climate Adaptation Plans, specifically the areas that address 

tribal issues.

• Region 8 worked with other federal agencies to enhance understanding of climate 

change, leverage collective knowledge about climate adaptation planning, and initiate 

on-the-ground projects. One such project that was initiated in Fiscal Year 2014 through 

the National Drought Resilience Partnership relates to drought resilience in the Missouri 

Basin above the Fort Peck Reservoir. It will demonstrate how drought resilience can be 

48
improved when the federal government goes “all-in” by coordinating and focusing its 

resources on specific watershed basins.

• Region 8 hosted a WaterSense Partner Summit, bringing together more than 40 

individuals, both in person and via webinar, representing WaterSense partners from 

Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming. This was the first event of its kind in an EPA 

Regional Office, and WaterSense Regional Liaisons from the nine other EPA Regions were 

invited to observe via webinar in hopes they may be able to do something similar in their 

Regions.

• EPA selected Colorado Springs as the national Water Sense Promotional Partner of the 

Year. Colorado Springs has promoted WaterSense, has offered rebates for water-saving 

products, and has a new home in its jurisdiction built to WaterSense specifications. 

• EPA worked with Boulder, Colorado to use the WaterSense Commercial, Institutional and 

Industrial (CII) BMPs to create a CII Water Assessment Tool. The tool can be used by 

water utility staff, professional engineers, and end-users alike to assess their water use

while still allowing more advanced auditors to change assumptions and customize fields. 

WaterSense helped Boulder promote and pilot this tool by hosting webinars for interested

partners.

• Region 8 continued education and outreach for the WaterSense program, including 

working with various partners in the Colorado to host a series of water efficiency 

workshops for local plumbers to educate them on local water issues, the benefits of 

WaterSense labeled products, efficient hot water distribution systems, plumbing 

requirements for green home labels and certifications (e.g. WaterSense, ENERGY STAR, 

LEED), as well as Colorado’s new WaterSense legislation. Workshops were held in Denver, 

Colorado and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Region 8 was also involved in numerous 

speaking engagements to promote the WaterSense label for new homes, and to educate 

consumers about the Program. These included, among others, the Colorado WaterWise 

Water Conservation Forum in Denver, Colorado, the American Water Works Association 

Sustainable Water Management Conference in Denver, Colorado (March 2014), and the 

Utah Water Conservation Forum in Salt Lake City, Utah (April 2014).

• Colorado’s landmark legislation phases out the sale of ALL non-WaterSense labeled 

products by September 2016. The legislation was championed by WaterSense partner 

Denver Water and supported by a coalition of more than 40 WaterSense partners and 

stakeholders from throughout the state of Colorado. Supporters estimate the replacement 

of existing lavatory faucets, showerheads, and toilets with WaterSense labeled fixtures will 

save Colorado 13 billion gallons water by 2050.

• Region 8 assisted the Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems in conducting an 8-

hour workshop at their Spring Conference in April 2014. The goal of the workshop was to 

49
help small and rural water and wastewater systems improve management practices in 

ten key areas that are important for system sustainability. These key areas range from 

product quality and financial viability, to operational resiliency and community 

sustainability.

• Region 8’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 404 programs have been 

working with other federal agencies to have climate change analyses included in water 

supply project Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). Region 8 advocated for a more 

quantitative consideration of climate change’s influence on water resources in the 

documents for new water supply projects. These efforts mainly resulted in qualitative 

analyses of climate change effects. The Region did review a quantitative climate change 

analysis for one water supply project (the lead agency was the Bureau of Reclamation), 

although the focus was on future water availability rather than potential environmental 

impact. Although Region 8 has not yet developed generalized watershed information in 

the region for use in climate change analyses, comments and requests for such analysis 

from other federal agencies may be influential. Key partners include the U.S. Bureau of 

Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, States, and local water providers.

• Region 8’s NEPA program priorities and activities shifted in 2014 to include more 

emphasis on climate change mitigation and adaptation work with federal land 

management agencies (e.g. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service), and 

with project proponents. The NEPA Program’s renewed focus on climate change 

mitigation and adaptation comments have resulted in a number of actions in some 

categories. In fact, Region 8’s NEPA Program completed over 50 specific actions, some 

including robust emphasis on the need for identifying, quantifying, and analyzing impacts 

for climate change and/or greenhouse gas and greenhouse gas precursor emissions. In a 

few cases, the Region was successful in obtaining climate change and greenhouse gas 

emission estimate information that was not previously included in project descriptions. 

Federal partners and project proponents continue to reply that there is a lack of resources 

to complete analysis at the project level for completing life cycle analyses related to 

greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

• Region 8 emphasized the importance of preservation, restoration, and management of 

wetlands and riparian areas as potential tools in response to climate change 

impacts. This helped increase understanding of the value of the resource and its 

vulnerability to climate change impacts.

• Region 8 worked with regulated federal facilities on construction of facilities with a 

footprint greater than one acre to ensure the facilities are designed, planned and 

constructed to manage storm water through low-impact procedures and vegetation to 

reduce pollutant loading and flow-related pollution.

• Region 8 continued external education and outreach on the use of green infrastructure 

and actual implementation of green infrastructure in the planning, design, and 

50
construction various projects throughout the region. For example, Region 8 worked with 

FEMA and flood impacted communities in the State of Colorado, met with multiple 

developers to discuss the barriers to the inclusion of green infrastructure in various 

projects, and coordinated with Region 8 MS4 coordinators and state water directors to 

create a green infrastructure contact list. 

• Region 8 worked to integrate green infrastructure into the work of the EPA regional 

office, including: forming a Region 8 green infrastructure team, working with the 

Brownfields and Revitalization programs to discuss project fact sheets, providing NEPA 

comments for a project in Utah on using green infrastructure, submitting summaries of 

green infrastructure projects on brownfields sites, and holding discussions with Region 8’s 

State Revolving Fund Program on how to use green infrastructure in their work

Region 9

• With the backdrop of California’s state of emergency due to drought conditions, on June 13, 

2014, Region 9 co-sponsored a June 13, 2014 Southern California Stormwater Capture 

Meeting with the Southern California Association of Governments and other state and 

local stakeholders. The meeting explored means for increasing the volume of stormwater 

captured to benefit water supply and protect water quality. It included panels discussing 

how Green Infrastructure provisions in MS4 permits could be improved to facilitate 

stormwater capture, successes and challenges in stormwater capture in Southern California, 

and improving the availability of financing for stormwater capture projects.

• In 2014 Region 9, working with the US Coral Reef Task Force’s (CRTF) Climate Change 

Working Group, hosted a workshop on Maui about Ocean Acidification (OA) Impacts to 

Coral Reefs and participated on an expert panel with coral scientists. Workshop 

participants developed recommendations for CRTF action including reducing nutrient inputs 

to slow coastal acidification, improving CRTF outreach on the imminent threat of 

acidification to coral reefs, and linking severe OA impacts to marine life with outreach 

efforts about the control of greenhouse gas emissions.

• Working with the Office of Research and Development, Region 9 participated in a July EPA 

workshop in Honolulu on Climate Change Adaptation Planning for Coral Reefs.

Participants from the Caribbean and Pacific learned about climate smart planning and 

worked up a straw-man climate adaptation plan for the CRTF priority West Maui 

Watershed.

• Under the National Coastal Assessment, American Samoa and Commonwealth of the 

Northern Marianas Islands conducted reef flat assessments and developed status reports 

on water quality and coral condition. These assessments serve as a baseline for assessing 

future changes.

51
• On February 5, 2014, Region 9 organized a press event touring the Ballona Wetlands in Los 

Angeles to discuss how climate change scenarios are being incorporated into plans for 

wetlands restoration with support from EPA’s Climate Ready Estuaries program. EPA’s 

Santa Monica Bay National Estuary Program grantee provided an overview of how potential 

impacts of rising sea level rise and extreme storm events were being considered in 

restoration plans. EPA Assistant Administrator Nancy Stoner discussed the wetlands 

restoration project in the context of the federal government’s support for climate 

resilience.

• The goals of the San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund include restoring 

wetlands and restoring water quality within the Bay and its watersheds. Region 9’s March 

14, 2014 Request for Initial Proposals for this grant funding specified that projects should 

“account for climate change to help ensure that the project achieves its expected outcomes 

even as the climate changes,” and notes that the “scope and approach described in the 

initial proposal should include a brief discussion of climate change considerations.”

Proposals were evaluated on a range of criteria, including whether or not they provide, 

“appropriate considerations for anticipated climate change effects.”

• Region 9 and the EPA Climate Ready Water Utilities Program conducted a workshop in 

Fresno, California entitled “Water Sector Emergency Response, Extreme Event, and 

Climate Variability Planning” on Sept 10-11, 2014. During the workshop, participants 

discussed potential water utility and community impacts associated with more frequent and 

extreme events, such as drought, and identified short-term and long-term planning actions 

to build water and energy resilience to the impacts of climate change. The workshop was 

co-sponsored by the California-Nevada Chapter of American Water Works Association and 

the California Utility Executive Management Association.

• Region 9 arranged for 10 energy audits at wastewater treatment plants. To date, Region 9 

has funded or coordinated 46 energy audits and 5 water audits at water and wastewater 

utilities that have identified estimated annual savings of over 94,000 megawatt hours, $17 

million, 10 billion gallons of water, and 94 million pounds of greenhouse gas emission 

reductions. In 2014, the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Agency (VVWRA) in 

Victorville, California completed implementing recommendations from a 2012 audit, 

including energy efficiency improvements and energy production via co-digestion of food 

waste and enhanced biogas capture. As a result, VVWRA will soon become one of the 

world’s few energy-neutral wastewater treatment plants, and expects to save 

approximately $9 million and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 180,000 pounds over 20 

years. 

• Region 9 promoted drought resilience in Indian Country by giving water efficiency 

presentations at two Regional tribal conferences and developing a water efficiency case 

study. The presentations provided outreach information on the benefits of the WaterSense 

Program (including how to become a WaterSense Partner), water audits, graywater 

52
systems, water efficiency ordinances, and federal funding options for water efficiency 

projects. The case study focused on the Big Pine Paiute Tribe’s successful water efficiency 

efforts that have resulted in a 67% reduction in water use since 2007. 

Region 10

• The Idaho’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program has effectively 

incorporated the Green Project Reserve (GPR) into their CWSRF program, predominantly 

for energy efficient and environmentally innovative waste water treatment projects. During 

the period of Fiscal Years 2010 - 2014, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality 

(DEQ) received $37.5 million in grants funds from EPA with over $36 million in GPR eligible 

components. Not only is DEQ doing a thorough job of capturing all possible GPR elements, 

but they are also influencing their assistance recipient (or their consultants/contractors) to 

rethink their projects to include more energy efficient components that results in a savings 

to the community and use of less resources.

• Region 10 partnered with EPA Office of Water, Oregon Department of Environmental 

Quality, small community assistance organizations and others to bring Effective Utility 

Management training to small utilities in Oregon. The workshop was funded by a grant 

from EPA for training and technical assistance for small/rural community wastewater and 

drinking water systems.

• The Farmers Irrigation District used Clean Water State Revolving Funds loans granted by 

Region 10 to Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s load program to convert 

almost 100% of the open irrigation canals to pressurized pipes, install micro-hydroelectric 

turbines in the newly pressurized pipes, and upgrade and rehabilitate its old, inefficient 

hydroelectric re-powering plant. The District obtained such extensive water conservation 

savings that they were able to fully irrigate all existing croplands using only a portion of 

their water rights. They are now selling these excess water rights for permanent in-stream 

habitat and to repay a portion of the CWSRF loan. The installed micro-hydro units and 

upgrade to the re-powering plant are expected to conserve additional water that will be 

sold as well as generate clean, renewable power to be sold to the local wastewater 

treatment plant. The benefits of the CWSRF loans include water conservation, permanent 

in-stream habitat, and generation of clean, renewable energy. 

• Region 10 worked with multiple partners in the areas of healthcare, affordable housing, 

lodging, sports facilities and real estate transactions to promote water and energy 

efficiency through the use of WaterSense certified products and homes. For example, 

worked with Seattle Public Utilities and Cascade Water Alliance to develop a comprehensive 

plan for both indoor and outdoor water use at all the Virginia Mason Medical Centers (plan 

has saved at least 6 million gallons of water). Also, worked with HUD to collaborate with 

King County Housing Authority to do change outs of toilets and other plumbing fixtures.

53
• The Puget Sound National Estuary Program provided funds to numerous projects to 

support adaptation and resiliency to climate change impacts. Some of these projects 

include:

 evaluate sea-level rise in the San Juan Island to plan for protection of critical 

ecosystems; 

 an assessment of climate change impacts and their influence on Puget Sound; and

 working with counties, cities, and state agencies to provide technical assistance 

on Shoreline Master Program implementation and how to prepare for climate 

change impacts. 

• Region 10 was engaged on several activities related to ocean acidification including:

 providing funding to Washington State to evaluate the local contributions to 

ocean acidification; 

 participating on numerous working groups in Washington State and the Pacific 

Coast on ocean acidification; 

 forming an internal working group to better coordinate activities within EPA; and

 coordinating with various partners including the University of Washington Ocean 

Acidification Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and 

Washington State on needed research. 

• Region 10 meant with its three National Estuary Program partners several times to 

discuss incorporation of climate change considerations into their programs. The Lower 

Columbia Estuary Program and Tillamook Estuary Program completed preliminary 

assessments of the potential impacts from climate change.

• EPA Region 10 lead an effort to organize a two-day workshop on the impacts of climate 

change on stream temperature on cold-water fisheries in the Pacific Northwest. The 

purpose of the workshop is to bring together scientists and managers from tribal, federal, 

and state partners together to provide a forum to discuss the latest science and the 

implications for both regulatory and resource management decisions.

• Region 10 continues to provide opportunities to increase internal and external awareness 

of climate change including: hosting a monthly climate change speaker series; publishing a 

monthly newsletter on current climate change activities within and outside Region 10; 

forming an internal climate team; and developing a SharePoint site for staff and managers 

on climate change.

• Region 10 co-lead a workgroup examining incorporating climate change considerations in 

Water Quality Management Plans. Region 10 developed a survey for EPA Regions to 

identify how their States currently incorporate climate change into their water programs. 

Also, helped develop questions that could be used by state associations to better 

understand how States are currently or plan to consider climate change in their water 

programs. 

54
• EPA Region 10 and ORD have been working with numerous partners including the Nooksack 

Indian Tribe, Lummi Nation, and Washington Department of Ecology on a project that is 

using a temperature load allocation for the South Fork Nooksack River as a pilot for 

integrating climate change into a watershed-specific plan for improving water quality. 

Three documents were developed in Fiscal Year 2014: 1) “Quantitative Assessment of 

Temperature Sensitivity of the South Fork Nooksack River under Future Climates using 

QUAL2Kw”; 2) “Draft Qualitative Assessment; Evaluating Climate Change on Endangered 

Species Act Recovery Actions for the South Fork Nooksack River, Washington” ; and 3) 

“Climate Change Considerations for TMDL Development in the South Fork Nooksack River, 

Washington”.

• Region 10 provided funds to the Alaskan Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) to 

administer the Local Environmental Observers Network (LEO). The LEO project provides an 

opportunity for local environmental observers to tell the stories of the changing climate in 

Alaska including impacts of thawing permafrost on water quantity and quality and reduced 

sea ice and impacts on water infrastructure. EPA also funded a project by ANTHC that will 

help build tribal capacity for assessment, monitoring, and adaptation to food and water 

security threats from the changing Arctic climate in Alaska Native villages.

• Region 10 partners with Northern Arizona University, Institute of Tribal Environmental 

Professionals (ITEP) to offer on-going quarterly webinars on climate change with Alaskan 

Tribes. Region 10 also works with the Pacific Northwest Tribal Change Climate Network to 

provide a guide for Tribes on the latest funding opportunities. 

55
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. 

Office of Water (4101M)

Washington, D.C. 20460

EPA-850-R-15-001

March 2015

http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange