i

2013 Highlights of Progress: 

Responses to Climate Change 

by the 

National Water Program 
Prepared by:

Office of Water

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

April 24, 2014
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 Programs 14

Region 1

Region 2

Region 3

Region 4

Region 5

Region 6

Region 7

Region 8

Region 9

Region 10

Part III: Assessment of Progress: 2013 Assessment 19

Appendix A: Compendium of Additional 30

2013 Accomplishments for Climate Change Adaptation

 National Water Program Climate Change Adaptation Accomplishments

 Climate Change Adaptation Accomplishments Related to Water in EPA Regions
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1

Introduction

The National Water Program at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 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 at http://water.epa.gov/scitech/ climate 

change/2012-National-Water-Program-Strategy.cfm. 

This 2013 Highlights of Progress report provides a summary of the major accomplishments of 

national water programs and EPA regional water programs in 2013. In addition, major research 

projects addressing climate change and water that were completed in 2013 by the EPA Office of 

Research and Development (ORD) are described.

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

after the 2012 Highlights of Progress report released in March 2013 http://water.epa.gov/ 

scitech/climatechange/upload/FINAL-NWP-2012-Climate-Highlights-Report.pdf. Like the 2012 

Highlights of Progress report, it 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 2013 in each of these six vision 

areas. Part II of this report includes descriptions of key 2013 “highlights” of climate change and 

water work in each of the 10 EPA Regional offices. 
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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 2013. A detailed 

compendium of 2013 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 2013, 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. 

In addition, 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 2013 is 51 of a possible score of 133. This is an 

increase of 9 points above the 2012 score of 42 and indicates that some progress in 

strengthening implementation of the program has been made but that more work is needed. 
3

OVERVIEW OF 2013 HIGHLIGHTS

National Water Programs/Research Products

Vision Area 1: Water Infrastructure

1. Address Climate Change in Clean Water State Revolving Fund

2. Expand Climate Ready Water Utilities Program Outreach

3. Publish Reports of Water Utility Extreme Weather Case Studies

4. Expand WaterSense to Commercial Kitchen Products

5. Expand WaterSense Partners

Vision Area 2: Watersheds and Wetlands

6. Build State and Local Capacity to Protect Healthy Watersheds and Enhance Climate 

Resiliency

7. Sign Joint Memorandum of Understanding to Promote Healthy Watershed Protection 

8. Assess Climate Change in 20 Watersheds (Research Product)

Vision Area 3: Coastal and Ocean Waters

9. Publish for peer review Being Prepared for Climate Change Workbook

10. Hold Climate Change Vulnerability Workshop

11. Publish Study of Climate Change Impacts on Salmon Populations (Research Product)

12. Publish Research on Sea Surface Temperatures in Pacific Northwest (Research Product)

Vision Area 4: Water Quality

13. Develop Climate Change Extension for the Stormwater Calculator 

14. Develop Improved Monitoring of Water Temperature and Flow (Research Product)

15. Publish Study of Climate Impacts on Nitrogen in Water (Research Product)

Vision Area 5: Working with Tribes

16. Support EPA’s Tribal-Focused Environmental Risk/Sustainability Tool (Research Product)

Vision Area 6: Cross-cutting Program Support

17. Develop Office of Water Draft Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan

18. Co-Chair Climate Change Adaptation and Water Stakeholder Group 

19. Contribute to Federal Interagency Climate Adaptation Projects 
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OVERVIEW OF 2013 HIGHLIGHTS

EPA Regional Programs

Region 1: Organize New England Climate Change Leaders Summit that identified six key 

themes to help local communities be more resilient to climate change impacts (Supports Vison 

Area 6: Crosscutting Program Support)

Region 2: Provide grants of $340 million to the State of New York and $229 million to the State 

of New Jersey for improvements to wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities 

impacted by Hurricane Sandy (Supports Vision Area 3: Coastal and Ocean Waters)

Region 3: Hold an extreme weather events workshop titled Adapt, Mitigate, and Survive

with eleven drinking water and/or wastewater utilities representing a population served of 

3.95 million people (Supports Vision Area 1: Water Infrastructure)

Region 4: Expand outreach to States and Tribes to address impacts from all types of 

hydrologic alteration under which there is Clean Water Act (CWA) authority (Supports Vision 

Area 4: Water Quality)

Region 5: Support projects in the Great Lakes region related to climate change including 

addition of climate change elements to State grant agreements, Federal interagency 

agreements, and agreements with Canada (Supports Vision Area 4: Water Quality)

Region 6: Hold a climate change workshop in Albuquerque, NM for Tribal and environmental 

justice communities vulnerable to climate change impacts (Supports Vision Area 5: Working 

with Tribes)

Region 7: Work with states to incorporate climate change considerations into Intended Use 

Plans (IUPs) for State Revolving Loan Funds (Supports Vision Area 1: Water Infrastructure)

Region 8: Celebrate the first WaterSense labeled affordable home in the Nation and promote 

water efficiency benefits with key stakeholders (Supports Vision Area 1: Water Infrastructure)

Region 9: Release a final Coral Reef Strategy for Hawaii and the U.S. Pacific Territories that 

seeks to better focus authorities, technical assistance, and funds for protection of coral reefs 

and to provide leadership on the links between coral reef protection and climate change

(Supports Vision Area 3: Coastal and Ocean Waters)

Region 10: Organize a workshop series focusing on energy efficiency for water and 

wastewater utilities in western Washington (Supports Vision Area 1: Water Infrastructure)
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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. Address Climate Change in Clean Water State Revolving Fund: In 2013, the Clean Water 

State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program developed a comprehensive list of CWSRF-eligible 

projects to increase climate/weather-related resilience at water utilities to implement the 

Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013. Climate/weather-related eligibilities were also 

discussed at the fall Council for Infrastructure Financing Authorities conference, where the 

CWSRF program delivered a presentation to State and Regional counterparts regarding the 

CWSRF’s ability to promote climate/weather-related resilience in the water sector. 

The CWSRF program also revised its Annual Review Checklist to incorporate several 

questions on resilience to climate change and extreme weather and participated with the 

DWSRF in the development of a draft guide for small utilities that want to become more 

resilient to flooding.

2. Expand Climate Ready Water Utilities Program 

Outreach: Through the Climate Ready Water 

Utilities (CRWU) initiative, EPA has provided 15 

workshops and webinars and reached over 2000 

people. Key 2013 activities included: 

 convening a working group to develop version 3.0 of the Climate Resilience Evaluation 

and Awareness Tool (CREAT) including utilities, academia, associations and other 

Federal partners; 

 holding two-day emergency response workshops with demonstrations of tools and 

resources to aid utilities, review climate impacts, and discuss planning options with 

different sector stakeholders, such as local governments, first responders, and 

community leaders; and 
6

 hosting webinars with the Water Utility Climate Alliance to help utilities plan for climate 

change and other threats. 

Ten webinars were held in 2013 and there are plans for at least four more over 2014. Each 

webinar is recorded and archived on EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/climatereadyutilities.

3. Publish Reports of Water Utility Extreme Weather Case Studies: EPA worked with partners 

to organize workshops in six communities with a focus on areas that have already 

experienced extreme events, including drought, flooding, wildfires, sea level rises, and heat 

waves. The communities where workshops were held included: 

 Georgia: Upper Apalachicola- Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin;

 California: Russian River Watershed;

 Virginia: Tidewater Area;

 Washington DC: National Capital Area;

 Kansas/Missouri: Lower Missouri River Basin; and 

 Texas: Central Region.

Fact sheets and reports on the lessons learned from these case studies were published 

throughout 2013. Fact sheets are available at:

http://cpo.noaa.gov/ClimatePrograms/ClimateandSocietalInteractions/SARPProgram/Extre

meEventsCaseStudies.aspx. Partners included the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, Water Environment Research Foundation, Water Research Foundation, 

Concurrent Technologies Corporation, and Noblis. 

4. Expand WaterSense to Commercial Kitchen Products: 

In September 2013, EPA finalized the first WaterSense 

specification for a commercial kitchen product. Prerinse spray valves—which remove excess food waste 

from dishes prior to dishwashing—are now eligible to 

earn the WaterSense label and help food service 

establishments save water, energy, and money. Prerinse spray valves can account for nearly one-third of the water used in a typical commercial 

kitchen. If every U.S. commercial food service establishment installed and used a 

WaterSense labeled pre-rinse spray valve, we could save more than 10 billion gallons of 

water, and more than $225 million in water and energy costs annually across the country. 

Because kitchens use hot water to rinse dishes, installing a WaterSense labeled pre–rinse 

spray valve can also reduce a commercial kitchen’s annual natural gas use by more than 

6,400 cubic feet per year.

5. Expand WaterSense Partners: In 2013, the number of WaterSense partners across the 

country continued to grow, increasing by close to 120 to a total of 1,474 partners, which 

includes water utilities, state and local governments, manufacturers, retailers, and builders. 
7

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. 

6. Build State and Local Capacity to Protect 

Healthy Watersheds and Enhance Climate 

Change Resiliency: EPA’s 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 2013, 

HWP worked to build state and local capacity to identify and protect healthy watersheds at 

a variety of scales and locations: 

 Identification and Protection of Kansas’s Healthy Watersheds; 

 California Integrated Assessment of Watershed Health; 

 Aquatic Ecosystem Protection in Minnesota’s Snake River Watershed; 

 Establishing Temperature Regime Characteristics of High Quality Streams in 

Connecticut; 

 Sustaining West Virginia’s Natural Capital: A Framework for Green Infrastructure; 

and 

 Green Infrastructure Practitioners Guide and Ulster County New York Case Study. 

For more information on the Healthy Watershed Program see:

www.epa.gov/healthywatersheds. 

7. Sign Joint Memorandum of Understanding to Promote Healthy Watershed Protection: On 

February 22, 2013, EPA, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the Association of Clean Water 

Administrators (ACWA) jointly signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to 

promote EPA’s Healthy Watersheds Program (HWP: www.epa.gov/healthywatersheds). 
8

 

This MOU formalizes a mutual collaboration between these groups as they strive to develop 

and implement healthy watersheds programs in states and with regional aquatic ecosystem 

programs. These programs include working with states and other partners to identify 

healthy watersheds state-wide and to implement healthy watershed protection plans, to 

integrate such protection into EPA programs and to increase awareness and understanding 

of the importance of protecting our remaining healthy watersheds. TNC, EPA, and ACWA 

recognize that healthy, intact watersheds can offset the potential impacts of climate change 

in a variety of ways including maintenance of baseflow during periods of drought, native 

vegetation that provides cooling during heat waves, carbon storage in native vegetation and 

soils, and enhanced stormwater infiltration capacity that mitigates downstream flooding. 

The partners will promote data gathering/data sharing and evaluation of conservation and 

environmental outcomes resulting from the implementation of state and regional healthy 

watershed programs. See: http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/watershed/hwi-mou.cfm.

8. Assess Climate Change in 20 Watersheds: The EPA Office of 

Research and Development released in 2013 a report that 

evaluated streamflow, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment in 

20 different watersheds across the U.S. for the periods 1970-

2000 and 2041-2070 to examine the effects of six different 

scenarios of climate change and urban/residential development. Additional scenarios were 

evaluated for five of the watersheds to examine implications of using different 

methodological choices for this and similar studies. The results indicate that different 

conditions by mid-21st century are possible for many watersheds, with larger differences 

likely where development is concentrated. The results also showed sensitivity to the 

methodological choices, such as use of different watershed models and approaches to 

downscaling results from global-scale models. (See EPA/600/R-12/058F). 

(http://www.epa.gov/ncea).

Office of Research and 

Development:

2013 Product
9

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.

9. Publish for Peer Review Being Prepared for Climate 

Change workbook: A public draft of the Climate 

Ready Estuaries (CRE) Program workbook titled Being 

Prepared for Climate Change was sent out for peer 

review in September and posted on the CRE website 

in October 2013 for public comment. The workbook applies a risk management 

methodology for climate change adaptation and helps organizations prepare vulnerability 

assessments and action plans. The vulnerability assessment methodology of the Being 

Prepared for Climate Change workbook was shared with staff from NEPs, EPA Regions, EPA 

headquarters, and other federal partners. For more information see

http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/cre/news.cfm.

10. Hold Climate Change Vulnerability Workshop: On February 25, 2013, EPA held a climate 

change vulnerability assessment workshop with two main goals: 

 to share the vulnerability assessment methodology of the Being Prepared for 

Climate Change workbook; and

 to hear from NEP staff (a main audience for the workbook) about what they want to 

know in order to prepare high-level, risk-based vulnerability assessments. 

The workshop provided a step-by-step walk through of the vulnerability assessment steps in 

the CRE workbook. The San Juan Bay Estuary Program (SJBEP) also shared some of its 

experience working on a climate change vulnerability assessment. SJBEP was part of a 2012 

Climate Ready Estuaries pilot project to use an early version of the workbook for their 

assessment.

11. Publish Study of Climate Change Impacts on Salmon 

Populations: EPA’s Office of Research and Development 

used empirically based simulation modeling of 48 sockeye 

salmon populations to examine how reliably alternative 

monitoring designs and fish stock assessment methods can estimate the relative 

contribution of climate compared to non-climatic factors. The study covered a range of 

Office of Research and 

Development:

2013 Product
10

scenarios for ocean conditions, salmon productivity, and human-induced changes and found 

that distinguishing climate-related effects on salmon productivity from non-climate sources 

will be difficult, especially if climatic changes occur rapidly and concurrently with major 

anthropogenic disturbances. Better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the 

relationship between climate and salmon productivity may be essential to avoid undesirable 

management outcomes. Fisheries Research 147:10-23.

12. Publish Research on Sea Surface Temperatures in Pacific 

Northwest: A remotely-sensed dataset was used to focus on 

the nearshore environment of the North Pacific to identify and 

describe broad-scale sea surface temperature (SST) patterns. 

Satellite remotely-sensed mean, monthly SST data were used to create a 29-year nearshore 

(< 20 km offshore) time series of SST along the North Pacific coastline. The scalable nature 

of the methodology is useful to both broader-scale and more focused analyses, and puts an 

environmental factor of primary importance (SST) into the hands of researchers studying 

nearshore environments by providing web-based access to it. Reference: Payne, M. C., 

Reusser, D., Brown, C. A., and Lee II, H. (2012) “Ecoregional analysis of nearshore seasurface temperature in the North Pacific.” PLoS ONE, 7(1):12 pages.

Office of Research and 

Development:

2013 Product
11

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. 

13. Develop Climate Change Extension for the Stormwater Calculator: The Stormwater 

Calculator (SWC) is a desktop tool intended to help users at individual sites manage 

stormwater by reducing runoff through infiltration and retention (i.e., green infrastructure). 

The SWC was launched in 2013 and uses EPA’s Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) as 

its computational engine. A climate change extension to the SWC was developed in 2013 

and released in final form early in 2014. This extension allows users to apply different future 

climate change scenarios that modify the historical precipitation events and evaporation 

rates normally used by the calculator. This climate change extension will help site owners, 

developers, and planners design more robust stormwater management solutions in the face 

of uncertain future climatic conditions. 

14. Develop Improved Monitoring of Water Temperature and 

Flow: EPA’s Office of Research and Development released an 

external review draft report of technical "best practices" 

describing sensor deployment for and data collection of 

continuous temperature and flow at ungaged sites in wadeable streams. The draft report 

addresses questions related to equipment needs; configuration, placement, and installation 

of equipment; and data retrieval and processing. (See EPA/600/R-13/170).

(http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/global/recordisplay.cfm?deid=261911).

15. Publish Study of Climate Impacts on Nitrogen in Water: EPA’s Office of Research and 

Development investigated the effects of projected changes in land cover and climate 

(precipitation, temperature and atmospheric CO2 concentrations) on simulated NO3 and 

organic nitrogen discharge for two watersheds within the Neuse River Basin, NC for years 

2010 to 2070. Results showed nitrogen discharges were most sensitive to changes in 

precipitation and temperature, with sensitivities to CO2 and land cover only one-tenth as 

much. With nitrogen discharge showing high sensitivity to P+T change, this study suggests 

more emphasis should be placed on investigating impacts of climate change on nutrient 

transport compared to land cover change in the Neuse River 

Basin. (See “Relative Sensitivity of Simulated Nitrogen Discharge 

to Projected Changes in Climate and Land Cover for Two 

Watersheds in North Carolina, USA,” presented at AGU Fall 

Meeting 2013, San Francisco, CA, December 09 - 13).

Office of Research and 

Development:

2013 Product

Office of Research and 

Development:

2013 Product
12

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. 

16. Support EPA’s Tribal-Focused Environmental Risk and 

Sustainability Tool (Tribal-FERST). The EPA Office of Water is 

working with the Office of Research and Development to 

develop and implement Tribal-FERST, which is a web-based 

geospatial decision support tool designed to serve as a research 

framework to provide tribes with easy access to the best available human health and 

ecological science.

Tribes and partners throughout the United States are providing input on the design and 

content of Tribal-FERST. The United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) is partnering with EPA 

to develop the Tribal-FERST guidance document and connect its water quality exchange 

database and data transfer network with Tribal-FERST. The Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy 

Tribe of Maine is currently piloting Tribal-FERST as part of its sustainable and healthy 

community effort. 

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

responding to a range of climate change related issues. These activities, described in greater 

detail in the next Part of this report, include: 

 Region 2 is maintaining a dialog with the Tribal nations regarding climate change 

adaptation and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). A climate change grant to 

the Nations was extended through September 2013 to support vulnerability 

assessment of nation lands and planning climate adaptation strategies. 

 Region 4 initiated collaboration with United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc., (USET), 

which serves 26 Tribes from Texas to Maine and is located in Nashville, TN. Region 4 

is working with USET to build their capacity to provide energy management 

assistance to Tribal water utilities. 

 Region 6 held a climate change workshop in Albuquerque, NM for Tribal and 

Environmental Justice Communities vulnerable to climate change impacts. 

 Region 7 tribes are incorporating climate change science into their CWA 106 

programs addressing water quality monitoring. 

Office of Research and 

Development:

2013 Product
13

Vision Area 6: 

Cross-cutting Program Support 

17. Develop Office of Water Draft Climate Change Adaptation 

Implementation Plan: The Office of Water worked with EPA 

Regional Water Division staff to draft a Climate Change 

Adaptation Implementation Plan. The draft Plan was 

organized on the template adopted by EPA and is 

comparable to each of the 16 other national program office 

and Regional office climate change adaptation 

implementation plans. The Office of Water draft Plan was 

released for public comment in September 2013. A final 

Plan will be published in the fall of 2014. More information 

is available at: http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange.

18. Co-Chair Climate Change Adaptation and Water Stakeholder Group: In 2013, the Office of 

Water staff served as co-chair of a newly established Climate Change Workgroup of the 

Advisory Committee on Water Information (ACWI). The Workgroup includes 40 

representatives from federal agencies and stakeholder organizations and provides advice 

and comment to federal agencies on a range of climate change and water resources issues, 

including the progress in implementing the National Action Plan: Priorities for Managing 

Freshwater Resources in a 

Changing Climate. More 

information is available at 

www.acwi.org. 

19. Contribute to Federal Interagency Climate Adaptation Projects: National Water Program 

staff also participated in a range of workgroups within EPA and among other federal 

agencies working to adapt to a changing climate including the:

 EPA Cross-Agency Climate Change Adaptation Workgroup;

 Interagency Council on Climate Resilience and Preparedness;

 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. 

The Office of Water also has an interagency agreement with NOAA in which climate 

adaptation is a joint focus.
14

PART II

HIGHLIGHTS FROM 

EPA REGIONAL 

PROGRAMS

A major highlight of work in each of 

the ten EPA Regional offices (see 

map of EPA Regions) to implement 

the 2012 Strategy is described 

below. Additional accomplishments 

by EPA Regions are described in the 

Compendium in Appendix A. 

Region 1

On November 8, 2013, EPA Region 1 

convened an invitational “New 

England Climate Change Leaders 

Summit” in Providence, Rhode Island. A group of 140 leaders from federal, tribal, state, and 

local government, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and businesses came 

together to discuss what they could do to help local communities be more resilient to climate 

change impacts. The summit also was used to promote the President’s Climate Action Plan and 

Executive Order, “Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change.” The summit 

culminated with commitments by participants to address six themes developed over the day –

pilot vulnerability assessments; state roundtables with federal partners to coordinate 

assessment resources; integrating climate planning into all municipal planning; developing a 

common data platform in New England; a communication initiative to make climate impacts 

and solutions local and personal; and scoping out smarter spending on resilient infrastructure. 

Region 2

On May 2, 2013, EPA announced that it would provide grants of $340 million to the State of 

New York and $229 million to the State of New Jersey for improvements to wastewater and 

drinking water treatment facilities impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The funding will help stormdamaged communities in both states as they continue to recover from the damage caused by 

the storm. 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. Examples of eligible projects include the hardening of facilities, 

correction of infiltration and inflow, separation of combined sewers, green infrastructure, and 

backup power.
15

Region 3 

In May, 2013 Region 3 held an extreme weather events workshop titled Adapt, Mitigate, and 

Survive. Eleven drinking water and/or wastewater utilities participated, representing a 

population served of 3.95 million people. State agencies, academia, and several EPA offices 

attended. A key focus of the workshop was seven case studies presented by impacted utilities 

who shared lessons learned on preparedness and recovery. Many have taken advantage of 

their experiences with extreme weather events to upgrade facilities with resiliency, efficiency 

and energy savings in mind. These case studies can be found at: 

http://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/pdf/pdf_drinking/Region3_%20Climate%20Change%20Mitigati

on%20and%20Adaptation%20Fact%20Sheets_Draft_082213.pdf.

Region 4 

EPA Region 4 Water Protection Division’s (WPD) Flow Work Group (FWG), created in 2010, is 

charged with understanding and working with states to address impacts from all types of 

hydrologic alteration under which there is Clean Water Act (CWA) authority. During 2013, the 

FWG continued to: 

 Work with States and Tribes to raise understanding of the need to ensure that water 

resource management decisions are consistent with EPA-approved water quality 

standards and, where possible, ensure that water resource planning (both ground water 

and surface water) does not result in new water quality impairments and removal of 

uses;

 Encourage states and tribes to develop and adopt explicit water quality standards for 

the flows needed to maintain the designated and existing uses and protect downstream 

uses;

 Provide tools for conservation and efficiency consideration in water resource planning 

through the use of the Water Efficiency Guidelines (which will be updated in 2014) as 

implemented through the Section 404, Section 401 and NEPA programs,

 Conduct a baseline evaluation of how waters are currently being assessed for 

hydrologic/flow alterations and work with state monitoring and assessment staff to 

ensure that waters impaired by hydrologic alteration are adequately captured in the 

state’s listing of impaired waters under the CWA;

 Evaluate, where possible, the potential for restoration of hydrologically altered waters;

and

 Improve our understanding of the economic benefits of protecting the ecologic integrity 

of intact aquatic ecosystems.

Region 5 

In 2013, EPA Region 5 supported several projects in the Great Lakes region related to climate 

change: 
16

 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) 2013 Interagency Agreements: Approved 

climate change information activities under several interagency agreements with 

federal partners in implementing the GLRI and encouraged all federal partners to 

incorporate sensitivity to climate change impacts into their GLRI interagency 

agreements.

 GLRI Capacity Grants to States and Tribes: Included climate change planning and 

adaptation work in some GLRI capacity grants to Great Lakes States and Tribes.

 U.S. – Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) of 2012: In 2013, 

established a binational subcommittee to the Great Lakes Executive Committee to 

coordinate the implementation of the climate change commitments under Annex 9 the 

GLWQA.

Region 6

On June 20, 2013, Region 6 held a climate change workshop in Albuquerque, NM for Tribal 

and environmental justice communities vulnerable to climate change impacts. Some potential 

climate change impacts for the Region include increasing air temperature and related urban 

heat island effects, water scarcity, sea level rise and coastal land loss, increased storm intensity 

and related degradation in water quality, and increased frequency and intensity of wildfires. 

Climate adaptation measures as well as potential funding sources were discussed with 

community members. Earlier in March, Region 6 held a separate climate adaptation workshop 

for tribes at a Regional Tribal Operations Committee meeting, discussing the same topics noted 

above to a different group of tribal representatives.

Region 7 

Region 7 reviewed its states’ Intended Use Plans IUPs for State Revolving Loan Funds and the 

states incorporated the following climate change considerations into their plans:

 Kansas assigned additional priority points to projects which implement an asset 

management program and provided asset management training for public water 

systems.

 Iowa adopted a goal to “Promote and identify sustainable practices in projects proposed 

for funding”. One project example in Osage, Iowa satisfies with the usage of wind 

turbines that supply electricity to the city’s wastewater treatment facility.

 Missouri adopted a goal to identifying ways to utilize the SRF program to encourage 

sustainable infrastructure and capacity development concepts with borrowers in its 

2013 IUP. 
17

 Nebraska’s 2013 IUP long-term goals list exploration with stakeholders to find ways the 

SRF Program can be used to encourage sustainable infrastructure, capacity 

development, and opportunities to use distributed wastewater treatment options, and 

encourage the incorporation of green infrastructure concepts and energy recovery, 

production, and conservation in funded projects. 

Region 8 

In 2013, EPA Region 8 celebrated the first WaterSense labeled affordable home in the nation. 

The home, in Colorado, was built by Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver to the specifications 

of EPA's three labeled home programs - ENERGY STAR, Indoor airPLUS and WaterSense. 

WaterSense program staff have been involved in numerous speaking engagements to promote 

the WaterSense label for new homes, and to educate consumers about the Program. A webinar 

was given by ENERGY STAR, Indoor airPlus and WaterSense to various state chapters of the U.S. 

Green Building Council that showcased how our programs are a component of LEED. 

Region 9 

In 2013, EPA Region 9’s Sustainable Infrastructure Program completed another one-year 

program of monthly energy management webinars with eight water/wastewater utilities. The 

2011 effort resulted in ten projects expected to reduce nearly 3,244 MWh/year of electricity,

GHG emissions of nearly 2,300 MTCO2e/year, plus nearly $600,000 in annual reduced operating 

costs by implementing projects using the Environmental Management Systems approach. To 

date, EPA Region 9 has funded or coordinated 38 energy and 4 water audits that have 

identified savings of 80,000 MWh, $14 million, and over 10 billion gallons of water per year. 

The Region will continue its relationship with DOE's Industrial Assessment Centers to conduct 9-

10 free wastewater treatment facility audits per year. The Region is also working with state SRF 

programs to provide regular annual funding to conduct energy and water audits and to develop 

Sustainable Infrastructure projects and will continue to coordinate with state agencies and 

energy utilities to facilitate the funding of water efficiency projects with energy efficiency 

funding.

Region 9 focused on the development and beneficial use of biogas at wastewater treatment 

facilities. Primary areas of emphasis in 2013 included working to expand the Region 9 Biogas 

Mapping Tool, researching the environmental and economic performance of varying biogas 

management strategies, and working with California agencies and other interested entities to 

navigate technical and regulatory barriers that currently discourage the use of biogas.

With American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds, EPA Region 9 and the 

Hawaii Department of Health targeted workshops on each of the main Hawaiian Islands for 

field energy audits at four major wastewater treatment plants in Kauai, Honolulu, Maui, and 

Hawaii counties. In 2013, work was initiated in Honolulu County from a Clean Water State 

Revolving Fund loan from the Hawaii Department of Health to support implementation of audit 

recommendations at the Kailua Wastewater Treatment Plant. This project has resulted in 
18

substantial energy efficiency improvements and the installation of a solar array that will save 

millions of dollars over the life of the project.

In coordination with EPA Region 9, the DOE Industrial Assessment Centers at San Diego State 

University and San Francisco State University completed 18 energy audits in 2012 and 2013. 

These audits have resulted the in the implementation of a diverse array of energy 

improvement projects at numerous facilities. For example, the Victor Valley Wastewater 

Reclamation Authority (CA) was one of the 9 facilities that received an audit in 2012. During 

2013, the energy audit recommendations began to be implemented. Through an innovative 

public private partnership, Victor Valley will save over $2 million through the life of their 

project.

Region 10

With seed money from the EPA Region 10 and additional support from other sponsors, 

Washington State University Extension Energy Program led a workshop series focusing on 

energy efficiency for water and wastewater utilities in western Washington. Four workshops 

and three webinars were conducted during 2012 and 2013 with twelve utilities participating. 

Partners include Bonneville Power Administration, Puget Sound Energy, Zero Waste Alliance 

and the EPA. The utilities participating in this series learned approaches and techniques leading 

to reduced energy consumption. 
19

Part III

Assessment of Progress: 2013 Assessment 

The 2012 Highlights of Progress report included the initial step in tracking progress in 

implementing climate change response programs based on assessing the stage or phase of 

development of efforts to implement the 19 Goals and each of the 54 specific “Supporting 

Actions” identified in the 2012 Strategy. 

The seven developmental phases for climate change related work identified in the 2012 report 

are: 

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

mission, programs, and operations;

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

resources in question; 

 Response Development; identify changes necessary to continue to reach program 

mission and goals and develop initial action plan;

 Initial Implementation; initiate actions in selected priority programs or projects

 Robust Implementation; programs are underway and lessons learned are being applied 

to additional programs and projects; 

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

 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.

Recognizing the long-term nature of work to address climate change, the National Water 

Program has identified the current (i.e. December 2012) status of work on each of the Goals in 

Table II below. 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 combined score indicates that many actions are in the early stages of implementation.

This 2013 Highlights of Progress report includes a 2013 update of the initial 2012 assessment. 

The 2013 scores are provided in Table II after the 2012 scores. Collectively, the total score 

increases from 42 to 51 between 2012 and 2013. This indicates that some progress in 

strengthening implementation of the program has been made but that more work is needed. 
20

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
21

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
22

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

Assessment Scores

Visions and Goals Strategic Actions Assessment

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

2014 Assessment: 3

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 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

2014 Assessment: 2

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.
23

Visions and Goals Strategic Actions Assessment

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

2014 Assessment: 3

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 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

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

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.
24

Visions and Goals Strategic Actions Assessment

Goal 6: 

Incorporate climate 

change 

considerations into 

the 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

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

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

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.
25

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

2014 Assessment: 2

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

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.
26

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

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 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

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. 
27

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

2014 Assessment: 2

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 Total Maximum Daily 

Loads (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

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.
28

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, SDWA, and other core programs. Phase Response 

Assessment:

2012 Baseline: 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

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

2014 Assessment: 4
29

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

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

2014 Assessment: 3

TOTAL Implementation Phase Assessment Score -- 2012 = 42

TOTAL Implementation Phase Assessment Score -- 2013 = 51

Total Possible = 133 
30

Appendix A:

Compendium of Additional 2013 Accomplishments for 

Climate Change Adaptation

In addition to the accomplishments highlighted for each of the vision areas and EPA regions,

other important projects are in development and a number of supporting activities are being 

implemented. A complete summary of activities related to climate change and water programs 

is provided below. 

I) National Water Program Climate Change Adaptation Accomplishments

Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds

 Climate Ready Estuaries (CRE) Program published its second lessons-learned document; 

this one focused on the experience of National Estuary Programs in New England. CRE also 

published the "Adaptation to Attain Clean Water Goals and Sustainable Coasts" pamphlet. 

CRE worked with the communications’ teams in OW and OWOW to raise public 

awareness about sea level rise through king tide photography. Activities included: 

 Greenversation blogs by EPA officials; 

 a series of posts on EPA’s State of the Environment Photography Project; 

 a NPR radio interview with a senior EPA official; and 

 multiple tweets and Facebook posts that helped spread the word about king 

tides and how they can help communities understand the effects of sea level 

rise.

 In 2013, EPA continued to support climate ready projects within the National Estuary 

Program funded in prior years. Some 37 projects have been supported with 23 National 

Estuary Programs (NEPs). The Climate Ready Estuaries Program website was also updated 

to better serve the coastal management community. 

 The NARS team researched the potential for a parameter that could be used as an 

indicator of climate change in the next National Coastal Condition Assessment. They 

concluded that there is insufficient information available to incorporate an indicator of 

climate change as a core parameter in the NCCA. However the team will continue to work 

with EPA scientists to determine if a research indicator could be added for the 2015 

sampling period.

 EPA’s Healthy Watersheds Program (HWP: www.epa.gov/healthywatersheds) works with 

states to build the capacity to identify and protect our nation’s remaining healthy 

watersheds. In November 2013, HWP released the California Integrated Assessment of 

Watershed Health, a statewide report on the status and vulnerability of watershed health
31

(http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/watershed/ca.cfm). The assessment is framed around 

the recognition that the biological, chemical, and physical health of water bodies are 

fundamentally connected to one another and to the maintenance of natural watershed 

processes. The California assessment incorporates projections of future climate to 

characterize watershed vulnerability to altered precipitation, temperature, and hydrologic 

regimes. Assessment results are intended to help inform state clean water and natural 

resource programs in their efforts to protect healthy watersheds so that the public can 

continue to enjoy the many benefits and services they provide. 

 The Office of Water supported a national conference focused on the linkages between 

healthy forests and healthy waters, including topics related to climate-induced impacts, 

sustainability, and economic-based incentives fostering protection and restoration of 

natural resources including those in floodplains which protect water quality and provide 

resilience in the face of climate change. The conference was held June 27 and 28th in 

Hartford Connecticut under the sponsorship of the American Water Resources Association 

U.S. Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, and Pinchot Institute and EPA among others. 

The audience consisted of foresters, water resource managers, aquatic ecologists/ 

biologists, land use planners, economists, engineers, water supply purveyors, companies 

who are major water users, and land managers from the governmental, private, 

environmental and academic communities. 

 EPA’s Healthy Watersheds Program supported the Green Infrastructure Center (gicinc.org) 

in two county-level landscape green infrastructure planning and implementation projects: 

 Nelson County, Virginia: The Nelson County green 

infrastructure planning guide provided the county with 

the information needed to best manage local land 

resources and to maintain, protect, and restore local 

water quality and healthy watersheds. More 

information on the Nelson County green infrastructure 

planning project can be found here: 

http://gicinc.org/projectsnelson.htm. 

 Ulster County, New York: EPA’s Healthy Watersheds 

Program supported a pilot project in Ulster County, 

New York, to develop a methodology that can be used to inventory green assets 

and connections, identify opportunities for protection and/or restoration, and 

plan a coordinated strategy to direct development and redevelopment to the 

most appropriate locations. The study serves as a template that local 

governments can use to protect the natural resources upon which they rely to 

support healthy watersheds, economies, and communities. More information on 

the Ulster County green infrastructure planning case study can be found here: 

http://gicinc.org/PDFs/GIC%20NY-Practitioners%20Guide-Chapter%205-

reduced.pdf.
32

 In 2013, EPA continued work to develop the first National Assessment of Wetland 

condition (NCAA). The NWCA 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. The NWCA will also identify 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. 

Ongoing monitoring will inform the development of predictive models and management 

strategies, including climate change adaptation. A report detailing the results of the 

survey will be released for public comment in 2014.

 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. Specifically, 

a number of 2013 RFP Wetland Program Development Grants have supported National 

Wetlands Inventory mapping, including:

 Vermont Agency of Natural Resources: Vermont Wetland Program Planning, 

Monitoring and Assessment and Enhancing Wetland Protection; 

 Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management’s grant Wetland Monitoring and 

Assessment Demonstration: Identifying at-Risk Coastal Wetland Resources and 

Supporting Climate Change Responses;

 Adirondack Park Agency’s Detecting Climate Change in Wetlands in the 

Adirondack Park;

 New Mexico Environment Department’s FY2013/14 New Mexico Wetland 

Program Development Grants; 

 Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe grant to further development of Wetland Program 

Plan, focused on monitoring and assessment core element, including: 1) develop 

protocol for monitoring and assessing wetland habitats of cultural importance, 2) 

establishing baseline survey, 3) map wetlands, prioritize future restoration.; and 

 Idaho’s Department of Fish and Game’s grant to Building “Idaho’s Wetlands” 

website for delivering maps, data, analyses, and tools for mitigation and 

restoration planning.

 The Office of Water, in cooperation with Army Corps of Engineers, completed the Section 

404 Program Assessment. Part of the Program Assessment included looking for positive, 

proactive areas of work that EPA and the Corps could start that would be of value to both 
33

agencies. Report-out on the Assessment was conducted in September, 2013 and will feed 

into the upcoming year’s analysis phase (with an aspiration to evaluate whether it makes 

sense to propose one or more of our climate change strategy action items as an area of 

joint work).

 National Water Program staff within the Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds 

participated in a range of workgroups within EPA and among other federal agencies 

working to adapt to a changing climate including the: 

 the Climate Change and Ocean Acidification (CC&OA) Subcommittee of the 

National Ocean Council;

 the Coral Reef Task Force; and 

 the Interagency Ocean Acidification Working Group.

 As a co-leader of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force’s Climate Change Working Group, EPA 

actively participates in efforts to address and adapt to climate change through the 

development of best practices, improved planning, and implementation of projects that 

promote resiliency of coral reefs and local communities. In 2013, EPA and the Climate 

Change Working Group designed a case study in West Maui, HI to test local adaptation 

strategies and coral bleaching response implementation plans. The final result of this study 

will be released in 2014. 

 Through the Interagency Ocean Acidification Working Group, EPA continues to coordinate 

ocean acidification activities with other federal agencies and is working on developing a 

“Strategic Plan for Federal Research and Monitoring on Ocean Acidification.” In 2013, EPA 

and NOAA held an information exchange to promote better understanding of local, nonatmospheric sources leading to coastal acidification. This meeting provided a forum for the 

two agencies to examine the role that the Clean Water Act (CWA) and existing voluntary 

programs could play in addressing acidification-related pollution in U.S. coastal waters.

Equally important was to see how lessons learned from efforts to address ocean 

acidification might be transferable amongst regions of the United States encountering 

ocean and coastal acidification. EPA and NOAA have an ongoing collaborative research 

program to examine coastal acidification in Narragansett Bay that will enable scientists to 

better understand the role of land-based pollution sources in contributing to coastal 

acidification and the impact of coastal acidification on the health of economically important 

shellfish species.

 EPA serves on the U.S. government delegation to meetings of the London Convention and 

London Protocol (international treaties on ocean dumping) and has supported several 

actions related to climate change, including development of guidance for the disposal of 

carbon dioxide streams into sub-seabed geological formations. In November 2013, the 

Parties to the London Convention and London Protocol adopted international guidance 

related to the export of Carbon Dioxide Streams for Disposal into Sub-Seabed Geological 

Formations. (Note: In 2009, Contracting Parties to the London Protocol adopted an 
34

amendment to allow for the export for carbon dioxide streams for sub-seabed 

sequestration; this amendment is not yet in force).

Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water

 The Adaptation Strategies Guide serves as an introduction for water sector utilities to 

explore climate change impacts and relevant adaptation options. The information 

presented can help jump-start utility discussions, and provide examples of how real utilities 

are managing threats and planning for the future. Users can browse information based on 

their location or utility type. In 2013, the Guide was updated to include sustainability briefs, 

and it is currently being updated to include information on water conservation.

 Integrating Source Water Protection into state implementation of CWA programs: OGWDW 

and the other Office of Water (OW) program offices engaged with the Association of Clean 

Water Agencies (ACWA), the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA), 

the Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) and several of their member states 

throughout 2013 to draft a framework for integrating source water protection (SWP) into 

state implementation of the Clean Water Act (CWA) programs. 

 To ensure protection of underground sources of drinking water (USDWs), OGWDW worked 

with co-regulators, industry, and other stakeholders to develop draft technical guidance 

clarifying Underground Injection Control Class II permitting requirements for hydraulic 

fracturing with diesel fuels (DFHF). The draft guidance explains the Agency’s interpretation 

of the SDWA term “diesel fuels” for permitting purposes and provides guidance 

recommendations for EPA’s permit writers to consider when establishing permitting 

requirements for DFHF activities. NOTE: EPA released the draft guidance on February 12, 

2014.

 OGWDW published, and is continuing to publish, draft technical guidance documents for 

public comment (e.g., March, April and December, 2013) and final technical guidance 

documents (e.g., March and May, 2013) to support Class VI geologic sequestration 

regulatory implementation. 

 OGWDW advanced Class VI geologic sequestration permitting by working closely with 

current permit applicants and permitees and potential future permit applicants to:

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

 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
35

 OGWDW also worked with states interested in Class VI Primary Enforcement Responsibility 

(Primacy) including but not limited to North Dakota, Tennessee, Delaware and Kansas.

Office of Science and Technology

 The Office of Water continued work in 2013 to draft a flow white paper addressing 

measures and policies to protect aquatic life. The paper will provide technical nonprescriptive approaches for considering hydrologic flow to support aquatic life designated 

uses, which will contribute to increasing aquatic ecosystem resilience to climate change 

impacts. The paper will also include information to incorporate climate change risk 

considerations into the framework for improved risk management. Completion of the white 

paper is expected in FY 2014.

 The Office of Water is coordinating technical discussions with NOAA, EPA Program Offices, 

States, Regions, and external research organizations focused on advancing the knowledge 

of aquatic life impacts from effects of ocean acidification in nearshore ecosystems. 

 The Office of Water released a fact sheet on Harmful Algal Blooms in 2013 to provide 

information regarding how climate change impacts on rainfall, temperature, sea level rise, 

coastal upwelling, atmospheric CO2, and salinity can impact the growth and occurrence of 

harmful algal blooms, or HABs. More information is available at:

http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/climatehabs.pdf.

 The Office of Water continues to present a climate change module during the Water 

Quality Standards Academy during the spring and the winter sessions. This module 

presents climate change vulnerability considerations in a water quality context. In 2013, 

over 40 WQS Academy students participated from various sectors including: state, tribal, 

industry, non-profit, private consultant, and federal. 

 Work continues in partnership with the U.S. Geological Society (USGS) to develop estimates 

of the plausible future hydrologic response of our nation’s rivers and streams to climate 

change. Presentations describing this work were given by USGS colleagues at the 

November 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Water Resources Association in 

Jacksonville, Florida. Work currently focuses on adapting the USGS gridded Water Balance 

Model to the NHDPlus waterbody network and calibrating the Water Balance Model. 

Interim products for are expected to be ready for peer review in FY 2013, pending 

budgetary decisions. 

Office of Wastewater Management 

 The Office of Wastewater Management completed an Energy Management Progress 

Report documenting national and Regional efforts to assist utilities in developing energy 

management plans based on EPA’s Energy Management Guidebook. Three webinars on 

energy management for utilities were conducted. 
36

 The Office of Water hosted a workshop with leading utilities and states to discuss 

challenges and opportunities to collaborate on actions to help water sector utilities move 

toward sustainability. As a result of the workshop, the Office of Wastewater Management 

(OWM) developed in FY13 Moving Toward Sustainability: Effective Practices for Creating a 

Water Utility Roadmap. This document provides utilities of various sizes a range of 

practices to ensure that their operations and infrastructure are sustainable over time. More 

information can be found at: http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/sustain.

 In 2013, the Office of Wastewater Management and the EPA Office of Policy completed a 

handbook and hosted a national webinar to help water sector utilities use “Lean 

Management” techniques to achieve outcomes associated with the Attributes of Effectively 

Managed Utilities. The Guide, called Effective Utility Management and Lean: A Handbook 

for Water Sector Utilities, describes a number of various Lean Management techniques, 

how they relate to the Attributes, and provides case examples on ways in which utilities 

have used Lean tools in their operations. The national webinar attracted over 300 

participants from around the country. The Guide can be found at:

http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/sustain/upload/EUM-and-Lean-Resource-Guide.pdf

 The Office of Water posted the Green Infrastructure Permitting and Enforcement fact 

sheets on the green infrastructure website, discussing how municipalities can incorporate 

green infrastructure into sanitary sewer overflow (SSO), combined sewer overflow (CSO), 

and MS4 permitting and enforcement. The facts sheets are available at: http://water. 

epa.gov/infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/gi_regulatory.cfm#permittingseries.

 In July 2012, the Office of Water began a series of green infrastructure technical assistance 

projects with 17 communities in 16 states. The projects include code reviews to eliminate 

barriers to green infrastructure in local codes and ordinances, design guidance for particular 

sites/contexts, and cost - benefit analyses of the multiple benefits of green infrastructure. 

These projects are ongoing and were completed by December 2013. In 2013 the Office of 

Water began working with an additional 5 communities to provide green infrastructure 

technical assistance to a total of 23 communities. The projects include design guidance for 

particular sites/contexts, strategies for setting green infrastructure targets, and strategies 

for conducting outreach/education. These projects will be completed by December 2014.

 In 2013 the Office of Water continued the Campus RainWorks Challenge for college and 

university students - a design competition to engage students in green infrastructure 

design. Some 84 teams are participating from 29 states. The competition closes at the end 

of the fall semester and winners will be announced in March or April 2014. 

 EPA worked with Syracuse, NY to host a national green infrastructure summit in October 

2013 in which approximately 100 representatives from communities seeking to integrate 

green infrastructure into their operations gathered to discuss opportunities and barriers. 
37

II) Climate Change Adaptation Accomplishments 

Related to Water in EPA Regions

Region 10

 EPA Region 10 is working with the Washington Department of Ecology, the Lummi Nation, 

and the Nooksack Tribe to identify the best way to integrate available climate change data 

into Ecology's TMDL for temperature stress on salmon in the South Fork Nooksack River, 

Washington. This will provide a case study of both process and climate change science as a 

basis to support future decisions. Examining the way temperature can be improved in the 

Nooksack watershed in order to support salmon restoration is a high priority for the 

Nooksack and Lummi Tribes. A technical report and assessment of implementation 

prioritization under future climate scenarios will be completed in the spring of 2014. The 

TMDL will be completed at the end of FY2014

 Consistent with the Puget Sound Action Agenda, EPA Region 10 funded:

 Low impact development demonstration projects to improve the ability to mitigate 

and manage stormwater;

 Restoration of floodplain connectivity to improve watershed habitat resiliency; and 

 Development of riparian buffer standards that could help maintain cool water 

refuge for salmon and other endangered species. 

 EPA Region 10 increased its WaterSense presence, sharing information with a regional 

medical provider, other Federal agencies, businesses and non-profits. Puget Sound Energy, 

a regional energy provider, joined as a WaterSense partner. 

 Region 10 launched In the Loop on Climate and Sustainability, a newsletter that will 

provide Region 10 staff and managers information on the latest developments, events and 

resources in climate change and sustainability. The goal is to incorporate climate change 

and sustainability in the day-to-day work and decisions of the Regional Office.

Region 9

 EPA Region 9 released its final Coral Reef Strategy for Hawaii and the U.S. Pacific Territories 

of Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, and American Samoa in 2013. 

Corals in these regions are threatened by climate changes including warming air and water, 

increased storm intensity, rising sea levels, and acidification. Other key threats include 

water pollution and overfishing. NOAA evaluated 83 species of coral for risk of extinction 

and has proposed listing 59 coral species in the Pacific Ocean as threatened or endangered 

under the Endangered Species Act. Region 9’s Coral Reef Strategy seeks to better focus 

authorities, technical assistance, and funds for protection of coral reefs in the Pacific 

Islands, and to provide leadership on the links between coral reef protection and climate 

change. The Strategy identifies a range of EPA actions needed to protect coral reefs 
38

including reducing sources of land based pollution and increasing the resilience of coral 

reefs to climate change stressors.

Region 8

 EPA 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). Although EPA 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 Nonpoint Source Program, Colorado has set aside $400,000 of FY 13 funding for 

Nonpoint Source-eligible activities related to recovery from the Waldo Canyon and High 

Park fires. The money will be competed jointly with the Colorado Water Conservation 

Board, which is providing match. The grant is awarded but the sub-award to the Colorado 

Water Conservation Board is not yet final. Region 8 expects a final sub-award workplan 

(aka Project Implementation Plan) and competition for local projects this fall or winter.

 Over the past several years, ten Region 8 water/wastewater utilities participated in the 

effort to improve sustainability, implementing various energy savings upgrades and best 

practices. These resulted in 16,975,161 kWh of annual operational energy savings, equal to 

11,977 MTCO2e. This work will be phased out in FY14.

Region 7 

 Three Region 7 States held WARN Tabletop exercises during FY 2013. Participation included

a mix of water/wastewater operators, law enforcement, firefighters, power generators, 

industry representatives and emergency response workers at local, county and state levels. 

The exercise emphasized the roles, responsibilities, and relationships with WARN member 

utilities and governments during a response to drinking water and wastewater-related 

disasters. The training identified challenges and potential solutions for climate-ready 

resilient utilities to employ in assisting the industry in meeting health based drinking and 

wastewater standards.

 Region 7 provided outreach materials to encourage new WaterSense partnerships. In FY

2013, Region 7 gained five new partners to WaterSense: - 3 promotional and 2 irrigation 

partners. To access a full list of all partners, visit: www.epa.gov/watersense. 

 Beginning in 2011, Region 7 invited 10 Kansas communities to participate in an Energy 

Management Initiative for Water and Wastewater Utilities led by the Kansas Water and 

Energy Efficiency Partners (KANWE). Five communities chose to participate in the pilot 
39

program which included a series of workshops where participants developed an Energy 

Management Plan for their water utilities. Case studies for the 5 communities were 

completed in 2013. Collectively, the cities improved efficiency by 15% and saved over 

$50,000 annually. By saving energy, these communities are reducing green house gas 

emissions by lowering demand from coal fired electric utilities.

 Region 7 included climate change impacts in the review of draft EIS documents when 

applicable. As an example, climate change impacts were included in the review of the St. 

Johns Bayou/New Madrid Floodway draft EIS which is a nationally significant project.

 Region 7 tribes are incorporating climate change science into their CWA 106 programs. 

Two tribes have "emergency monitoring QAPPs" in place, intended to cover monitoring 

situations during extreme weather events (e.g. drought or flood, both of which are more 

frequent/common) and water-related emergency response situations. Two additional tribes 

are in the process of developing a similar QAPP. As it is more fully implemented, these 

QAPPs will give R7 tribes an opportunity to monitor when they otherwise would miss 

monitoring dates (due to weather/stream conditions), and ultimately allow them to more 

fully assess the impacts of climate change on the water quality of their tribal waters under 

various weather conditions.

 Region 7 coordinated with FEMA on incorporating green infrastructure approaches into 

rebuilding efforts following natural disasters such as the May 2011 tornado in Joplin, 

Missouri. EPA and FEMA combined funding to develop a Complete Green Street design for 

the 20th St. corridor that was destroyed by the tornado. 

Region 6

 Working through the Clean Energy and Climate Change workgroup, Region 6 developed its 

first Draft Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan. The Plan addresses projected climate 

change impacts that may affect the Region, vulnerabilities to these impacts, response 

actions, measuring and evaluating performance, and working with tribes and other sensitive 

populations. The workgroup received the EPA Region 6 2013 Cross Divisional Award for 

multi-media and program collaboration on a topic impacting the entire region. Plans are 

underway to address public comments and produce a final plan in 2014.

 In March 2013, EPA’s Office of Water, EPA Region 6, and NOAA in conjunction with the 

Environmental Research Foundation and Water Research Foundation convened a workshop 

on Adaptation Strategies and Information Needs in Response to Extreme Events in Austin, 

TX. This workshop focused on extreme weather and climate events in the Central Texas 

region. Meeting attendees discussed lessons learned by communities facing extreme events 

such as drought, heat waves, and wildfires related to climate change and explored ways 

government agencies and national organizations can help local communities with 

adaptation and preparedness planning. This workshop was one in a series of six held across 
40

the country with a focus on communities that have already experienced extreme events, 

including drought, flooding, wildfires, sea level rises, and heat waves. Fact sheets are 

available at: 

http://cpo.noaa.gov/ClimatePrograms/ClimateandSocietalInteractions/SARPProgram/Extre

meEventsCaseStudies.aspx.

 To improve energy efficiency of water and wastewater plants along the U.S.-Mexico Border, 

EPA Region 6 has been leading an outreach effort by partnering with the El Paso Water 

Utilities and others aimed at educating utility management and staff on reducing energy 

use. Region 6 co-facilitated an Energy Management Workshop with the Border 

Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) in El Paso, Texas, on December 3rd and 4th.

Managers from water and wastewater utilities near El Paso, TX, and Las Cruces, NM, and 

their consulting firms, were invited to the workshop. Presentations included topics such as:

adopting an energy management system, implementing an energy program, benchmarking 

energy use and energy costs, and performance contracting with an energy service 

company. Staff from the El Paso Electric company discussed electric rates and peak demand 

charges. Staff from the Texas Water Development Board and the New Mexico Finance 

Authority discussed how the Green Reserve Fund from the Drinking Water and Wastewater 

State Revolving Fund can fund energy related projects and how to apply for funding.

 The Galveston Bay Estuary Program, the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, 

and the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program worked with numerous partners 

contributing to the protection, enhancement, or restoration of over 1,566 acres of coastal 

habitat in 2013, thereby reducing vulnerability to the effects of sea level rise and 

increasing coastal sustainability.

 The Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program played a pivotal role in a project designed to 

characterize various sea level rise and storm surge scenarios and the associated impacts 

on coastal habitats in the vicinity of Corpus Christi Bay, Texas. This work will support the 

development of adaptation strategies for managing the impacts of sea level rise and storm 

surge. 

 On March 23, 2013, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center – Dallas, in 

partnership with the EPA Region 6, and the City of Dallas Water Utilities hosted the grand 

opening of the first WaterSense labeled home in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. This renovated 

home serves as a working model that demonstrates to visitors just how easy water 

conservation can be. It provides hands-on learning opportunities in areas such as hot water 

on-demand systems, WaterSense labeled fixtures, water-efficient landscaping, rainwater 

harvesting, and rain garden design. The home also includes upgrades to renewable and 

energy efficient products for the flooring, counter tops, lighting, and appliances. A

WaterSense labeled home can save a family of four 50,000 gallons of water a year or more.

 In 2013 the Region’s Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division rolled out a customized 

pilot program to encourage voluntary greenhouse gas emissions reductions among 
41

various sources and source-types. Many such reduction efforts reduce other air pollutants, 

conserve energy, and reduce water use, and thus may be very cost-effective. The 2013 pilot 

will identify the best opportunities among sources for “win-wins” and bring technical 

expertise to bear to identify and help participating entities make improvements. It consists 

of two major projects: seeking voluntary GHG reductions from stationary/area sources and 

encouraging green power purchases/onsite renewables. 

Region 5

 

 In 2013, Region 5 continued to engage with the Midwest Natural Resources Group of 

federal agency senior managers to promote cooperation on climate change adaptation

through the adoption and implementation of the “Guiding Principles for Adapting to Climate 

Change for the Midwest Natural Resources Group.”

 Under the 319 program, Region 5 staff is reviewing all in-process watershed plans being 

developed by the states. This will provide the Region the opportunity to give thoughtful 

review and comments to promote climate change resiliency at a point where the scope 

and direction of the watershed plan can still be impacted. The review concentrates on the 

plan’s ability to fulfill programmatic requirements as well as the potential to address crossprogrammatic issues such as green infrastructure and climate change. 

 Region 5 worked with states to adopt and implement EPA’s Nutrient Management 

Framework. During FY13, OH and WI finalized nutrient reduction strategies to implement 

the Hypoxia Action Plan and/or the Nutrient Management Framework memo. Minnesota 

and Indiana have developed draft strategies. As appropriate, strategies incorporate and 

promote agricultural drainage management in their state nutrient management plans to 

accomplish both water quality and climate resiliency benefits.

 Region 5 worked with WIDNR on reissuance of the NPDES permit for Milwaukee 

Metropolitan Sewer District and with Michigan DEQ on the reissuance of the NPDES permit 

for the Detroit Water and Sewerage District. The permits include requirements for green 

infrastructure planning and implementation.

 Region 5 worked with Region 6 to recruit panelists and develop discussion points for a 90-

minute WEFTEC 2013 session, “Creating Meaningful Dialogue to Support Green 

Infrastructure.” The diverse panel was comprised of representatives from a water utility, 

non-profit advocacy group, city government, and consulting engineer.

 Region 5 added 9 new WaterSense Partners in FY 2013.
42

Region 4 

 EPA Region 4 previously developed and implemented an Energy Management Initiative

(EMI) with the collaboration of the Tennessee Department of Environment and 

Conservation (TDEC) to work with a group of seven water and wastewater public utilities in 

Tennessee to save energy and reduce their carbon footprint. The documented energy 

savings of 5 million kWh/year is projected to increase to 7 million kWh/year – over 7,100 

tons/year carbon dioxide equivalent reduction. 2013 actions expanded the EMI to a second 

round led by TDEC that focused on a new group of utilities. The site visits to those utilities 

are underway and will be followed by a series of energy management workshops. The 

second round EMI is projected to produce an additional 4 to 8 million kWh/year savings 

with an additional 3800 to 7600 tons/year CO2 equivalent reduction. 

 The Alabama Department of Environmental Management partnered with Region 4 in 2013 

to conduct an Energy Management Initiative with selected utilities in Alabama. The utility 

selection process is underway and site visits and workshops are planned. Region 4 has 

developed an Energy Assessment Tool (R4 EAT) that helps both the utilities and the EMI 

team in assessing the present energy utilization and identification of the processes/

equipment with the largest energy usage. The R4 EAT is being used in Alabama and will be 

made available for other states and utilities to help identify energy saving opportunities.

 Region 4 initiated collaboration with United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc., (USET), who 

provides assistance to Tribal governments to enhance their capability to meet the needs of 

Indian people. USET serves 26 Tribes from Texas to Maine and is located in Nashville, TN. 

Region 4 is working with USET to build their capacity to provide energy management 

assistance to Tribal utilities, and Region 4 will serve as a resource to provide onsite Tribal 

assistance with USET as needed.

 EPA Region 4 worked with the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program to incorporate sea 

level rise in the development of the Three Mile Creek Watershed Management Plan. The 

National Estuary Program funded two analyses for the Plan that simulated the impacts of 

sea level rise on the watershed’s existing habitat types and land uses. The assessment will 

help facilitate the determination of best management practices that address habitat loss or 

changes while also improving Creek water quality. 

 The Tampa Bay Estuary Program prepared and published a “Gulf Coast Community 

Handbook” which contains case studies from Gulf of Mexico communities for 

incorporating climate change resiliency into habitat planning and protection. This 

document illustrates how climate change aspects can be incorporated into habitat projects 

in order to enhance their long-term resiliency and the benefits they provide.

 Region 4 continues to monitor and receive updates from the Alabama Department of 

Environmental Management UIC Program on the Class V Carbon Dioxide UIC experimental 
43

well being operated by Denbury Offshore. Region 4 continues to complete review of the 

monitoring reports associated with the two Class V UIC CO2 experimental wells issued by 

EPA Region 4 in Kentucky.

 

 The Region provided technical assistance to two North Carolina communities—New Bern 

and Wilmington—that were selected in 2012 as pilot locations to implement a 

Memorandum of Agreement between EPA and FEMA. The assistance consisted of two-day 

workshops held onsite to evaluate and propose approaches to deal with local sea level rise 

issues that will increase with climate change. 

The New Bern project focused on challenges related to storm surge from the Neuse River 

that occur during hurricanes and other significant storms, in particular in a low-wealth 

downtown neighborhood. The Wilmington project was designed to address the threat of 

storm surge to grey infrastructure that will increase due to sea level rise projected to occur 

more frequently in the future. 

 Researchers from the Coral Reef Evaluation and Monitoring Program (CREMP) of the 

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Protection Program published an 

article in the August 2013, Marine Ecology Progress Series, “Temporal changes in benthic 

assemblages on Florida Keys reefs 11 years after the 1997/1998 El Nino,” documenting and 

describing the transition of the benthic community from stony coral species to octocorals as 

the predominate benthic taxa in the Florida Keys since 1999. Although the transition may 

have started earlier, octocorals apparent resilience to present-day stressors will likely allow 

this shift to continue into the foreseeable future.

Region 3

 Through funding from the Climate Ready Estuaries Program, the Partnership for the 

Delaware Estuary (located in Regions 2 and 3) developed “Weathering Change” in which 

the Partnership works with the community to help them understand the weather-related 

changes that are beginning to happen in their community and adapt to those changes. 

In 2013 the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary hosted two Climate Outreach Roundtable 

meetings to discuss managing climate change impacts and barriers to sustainable 

ordinances in municipalities as well as information/assistance that would be useful and 

meaningful to municipalities within the Delaware Estuary. These meetings were held in 

January 2013 and October 2013. The next meeting is planned for March 2014. The group is 

comprised of state agencies, environmental groups, municipalities, EPA and interstate 

agencies. 

 The Delaware Inland Bays National Estuary Program continues to work with state and local 

partners on sea level rise education and outreach. In partnership with the state, the 

Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, other federal agencies, and local organizations, a 
44

living shoreline committee was formed to explore the science and implementation of living 

shorelines (which can help with adaptation to sea level rise).

 The Region 3 had a very active Energy Team. Some of their activities related to climate 

change and water are:

 Partnered with PADEP’s Wastewater Operator Outreach staff and conducted 

continuing education credit courses throughout the State titled, “e2 - Energy 

Efficiency for Water and Wastewater Operators and Managers;”

 An article on energy audits for water utilities was published in 2 local water 

association journals and one national journal (Water Efficiency); 

 Encouraging State Capacity Development coordinators to incorporate energy 

efficiency in their Capacity Development Program; and

 Crafted wastewater energy efficiency case studies for posting to the regional 

internet page.

 Region 3’s Chesapeake Bay Program is:

 researching implications of climate change for bioassessment programs; 

 considering monitoring approaches to account for climate change; 

 designing sentinel reference site network in headwater streams to monitor for 

climate change and acidification effects. 

Efforts to date include a project kickoff webinar, two webinars on data infrastructure,

and one webinar on classification results with states and other partners. 

Region 2

 In response to Hurricane Sandy that hit New York and New Jersey on October 29, 2012, EPA 

has been supporting FEMA and working closely with federal agencies and the states of New 

Jersey and New York to protect public health and the environment through multiple 

activities. EPA worked to assess damage and respond to environmental concerns. EPA 

Region 2 participated in National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) activities in New 

York and New Jersey following the Hurricane Sandy response. 

 EPA initiated water infrastructure planning with an Interagency Funding Coordination 

Meeting with FEMA, HUD and other Federal and state partners in March, 2013. EPA led 

discussions on how to most effectively use EPA and partner funding to develop more 

resilient drinking water and wastewater facilities. 

 In the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy, with HQ support, Region 2 sponsored water-specific 

Incident Command System (ICS) courses in NY, NJ and PR. Region 2 staff attended all 
45

courses. Region 2 has also developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and 

assessment forms for emergency response to wastewater and drinking water incidents. 

 EPA HQ held Water and Energy Nexus in Disasters Workshops in New Jersey and New York 

in November, 2013. The workshops included presentations from water utilities, electric 

utilities, state agencies, and federal agencies as well as facilitated discussions. The 

workshops’ aim was to increase coordination and communication between water utilities 

and electric utilities and provide information on the various options available to secure 

back-up power and/or increase water utilities’ resiliency to power outages.

 EPA Region 2 has been conducting water quality monitoring in the aftermath of Hurricane 

Sandy; Congress allocated $570,000 for this purpose in February 2013. This is a two year 

effort to determine the longer-term effects of Sandy on levels of contaminants in sediments 

and receiving waters of specific coastal waters of New Jersey and New York. The focus is on 

areas impacted by combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, bypassing of 

wastewater treatment plants, and runoff or discharge from hazardous waste sites.

Information will be compared to pre-Sandy monitoring results or monitoring from 

immediately after Sandy to determine whether additional action or monitoring may be 

needed. Other federal agencies, such as USGS, NOAA and ACOE, also received funding.

 Region 2, through the New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program, has been working 

with FEMA, NYC Office of Emergency Management, Department of Interior, Army Corps, 

and others to address abandoned boats and other marine debris, much of which resulted 

from Sandy. EPA has undertaken 3 surveys of the Shellbank Creek area in Jamaica Bay, New 

York to assess and document debris as part of a pilot removal project.

 Region 2 staff is participating in the US Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Coast 

Comprehensive Study, which includes attending technical and policy workshops, providing 

documentation for their study, and reviewing drafts of their report starting around March 

2014. Of particular interest is the use of what is being termed Natural and Nature-Based 

Features (NNBF) that could be used in conjunction with traditional shoreline protection 

strategies and could include wetlands, coastal forests, reefs and other features that would 

enhance resiliency and risk reduction for coastal communities.

 EPA HQ through the Healthy Watersheds Program, in coordination with Region 2, provided 

funding to release a New York edition of a green infrastructure planning guide that will 

help communities protect and restore vital green infrastructure from the Green 

Infrastructure Center Inc. (GIC) and NYSDEC. The guide shows communities how to map 

their most significant natural resources and make plans to conserve or restore them. A 

presentation on the project is at:

http://water.epa.gov/learn/training/wacademy/upload/ny-green-01142014_v5.pdf.
46

 Region 2 worked on including green infrastructure in the permitting process. This involved 

ensuring that New Jersey’s draft CSO permits contain a requirement to include green 

infrastructure as part of Long-term Control Plan (LTCP) alternative analyses and providing 

technical assistance to New York on the draft New York City MS4 permit by sharing 

examples from other states where green infrastructure was included in MS4 permits.

 With EPA Region 2’s support, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation 

(NYSEFC) Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP) has focused on funding Green 

Infrastructure projects since 2010. Through the New York State Clean Water State 

Revolving Fund’s Green Innovation Grant Program, Region 2’s SRF program has supported 

121 green infrastructure projects valued at over $50 million since 2009.

 EPA Region 2 finalized a Coral Reef Protection Plan for implementing activities to reduce 

pollution impacts to coral reefs. Creating this plan involved interdivisional collaboration to 

identify specific activities and identify and track critical milestones and project leads. The 

keystone of this plan is increased communications with local communities to identify 

emerging threats and priorities. 

 Region 2 initiated the Caribbean Coral Reef Protection Group (CCRPG). This is a partnership 

of 14 federal and local agencies in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands with authority and 

jurisdiction to respond to identified local threats to coral reef ecosystems. The CCRPG is a 

leadership forum to foster collaboration in implementing solutions to coral reef threats.

 The Long Island Sound Study Sentinel Monitoring Work Group selected a contractor for a 

second round of funding related to climate change monitoring. This supports a pilot 

monitoring program designed to detect and quantify early signals of climate change in the 

Long Island Sound Ecosystem (located in Regions 1 and 2) and supports a Boston University 

proposal entitled “Sentinels of Change – Are Salt Marshes in LIS Keeping Pace with Sea Level 

Rise?”

 The Long Island Sound Research Grant Program (located in Regions 1 and 2) funded jointly 

through the Connecticut and New York Sea Grant programs, supported researchers who 

are developing a computer model to analyze historical trends back to the 1970s to project 

the environmental conditions of Long Island Sound into the future. The Stevens Institute 

of Technology will synthesize physical data collected for LIS and global climate change 

indices. The computer model will then look forward to simulate the effects of climate on 

Long Island Sound’s physical environment and living marine resources up to the year 2100. 

 EPA Region 2 provided non-point source grant funding to NJDEP to design shoreline 

restoration in Camden, NJ, with incorporation of freshwater mussel beds, and to evaluate 

water quality contributions of freshwater mussels in the system. This includes an outreach 

component for coordination with local participation. 
47

 Ocean County College and the Barnegat Bay Partnership in New Jersey received a grant to 

examine the relationship between shoreline and marsh conditions. With this additional 

information, these organizations will identify wetland protection and restoration efforts to 

adapt to rising sea levels and the potential influences of climate change. 

 The Meadowlands Commission received an EPA grant to examine several wetland areas 

within the Meadowlands identified for restoration. The Commission and its research arm, 

the Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute, will examine wetland heights, tidal 

flows and plant communities in these areas. It will use this information to develop criteria 

needed for successful long-term wetland restoration and to prioritize its current and future 

restoration efforts in the Meadowlands.

Region 1

 The Region hosted the New England Hurricane Summit in June 2013 for 100 

representatives of water utilities, water associations, and state and federal agencies. The 

summit focused on key issues and lessons learned from Tropical Storm Irene and Hurricane 

Sandy, and included discussions about forming an interstate WARN for New England. EPA 

Deputy Regional Administrator and FEMA Regional Administrator gave opening remarks.

 The Regional State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program has added general discussion points to its

annual SRF reviews to encourage the states to consider resiliency projects in their SRF 

funding decisions each year.

 Over 35 municipal water/wastewater facilities participated in roundtable discussions and 

were trained on energy management plans in 2013. Three wastewater facilities are near 

Zero Net Energy and at least six others are working on plans to reach Zero Net Energy. 

Completion dates for proposed Zero Net Energy facilities are mostly unknown, while others 

have completion dates of 2018 and 2026.

 Four roundtables were conducted in FY13 with 16 wastewater and drinking water utility 

operators to help them reduce energy use in Massachusetts (October, February, June and 

September). Three roundtables were conducted in Vermont with approximately 20 

wastewater utilities.

 The Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, initiated the Berwick (Maine) Water 

System Resilience Pilot Project to assess the water system’s flooding vulnerability, identify 

adaptation measures, and produce outreach materials.

 Region 1 provided ten (10) water emergency response preparedness trainings, including 

resilience training, for Connecticut communities. Associated tool development included 

Irene/Sandy Lessons Learned Report; GIS maps of water assets at risk (e.g. MA, RI, CT, ME); 

and a “Climate Change-Water Impacts” power point presentation. 
48

 EPA Region 1 and ORD developed quantitative methods for projecting the pollutant 

(phosphorus and sediment) loading consequences of climate change on Lake Champlain.

Subsequently, the Region completed several modeling reports as part of the Lake 

Champlain TMDL revision process, including an analysis of potential effects of climate 

change on phosphorous loads to the lake.

 The Region helped initiate development of an Integrated Sentinel Monitoring for Climate 

Change in Northeastern Marine and Estuarine Ecosystems “science and implementation 

plan” by co-chairing the steering committee that was formed in February 2013 and 

providing staff for the estuarine working group. This is a joint effort by the Ocean and 

Coastal Ecosystem Health Committees of the Northeast Regional Ocean Council and 

Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal and Ocean Observing Systems. 

 Three of sixteen grants funded by the Region 1 Wetlands Program in 2013 were to 

address climate change impacts to wetlands, and adaptation. Details can be found at:

http://www.epa.gov/region1/topics/ecosystems/wpdg.html.

 The Narragansett Bay Estuary Program completed a Climate Ready Estuaries project in 

April 2013 that involved working with local stakeholders in the Lower Pawtuxet River 

watershed to identify and prioritize habitat restoration and other projects that will reduce 

the vulnerability and increase resiliency of the watershed to future climate change impacts.

 The Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership and the 

University of New Hampshire worked with the New England Environmental Finance 

Center, based at University of Southern Maine, to use its COAST model in evaluating the 

economic vulnerability of communities in their watersheds to sea-level rise and coastal 

flooding, focusing on Portland, Maine and Hampton/Seabrook, New Hampshire. The 

project concluded in 2013 with the release and distribution of the final report, “Coast in 

Action: 2012 Projects from New Hampshire and Maine.” Details can be found at: 

http://www.cascobay.usm.maine.edu/pdfs/cre_coast_final_report.pdf.

 Region 1 conducted a nonpoint source training workshop for New England Tribes in April 

2013 to improve Tribal program capacity and better prepare the Tribes to protect against 

NPS erosion and resultant deteriorating water quality that are expected to increase as a 

result of increases in storm intensity resulting from climate change. 

 EPA Region 1 continued to be an active member of the New England Federal Partners, 

including co-chairing the climate change committee to coordinate and share information 

about cross-agency climate change concerns and actions.
49

 Region 1 continued to work with R2, R3 and NOAA, to develop and populate the 

NEClimateUS.org website-- a website where regional climate change related documents, 

tools, reports and identified regional needs will be made available to the public. 

 Region 1 established an internal climate adaptation mapping workgroup in 2013 to 

support implementation of the Region’s climate strategies, and to discuss mapping needs, 

data sources, and methodologies that will inform decisions in EPAs programs. GIS staff 

continued to provide technical assistance to program staff, states, and communities.
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. 

Office of Water (4101M)

Washington, D.C. 20460

EPA-850-R-14-002

April 2014

http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange