May 3, 2012» During the presentation, the Chat and Questions and Answers panels are ‘pull -downs’ at the top of your screen. » There will be time reserved at the end of each presentation for Q&A. » To ask a question – In the Q&A Tab on the right side of your screen, type in your question, then click the ‘Send to Host‘ button. Questions will be responded to over the audio broadcast. » If you are experiencing technical difficulties – in the Chat Tab on the right side of your screen, type in your issue, then click ‘Send to Krista Moravec’. 2 USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

### » Purpose of this Presentation

˃ What this is ˃ How to Comment 

### » Introduction to the 2012 Strategy ˃ Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources ˃ Evolution of the NWP Climate Change Strategy ˃ Context, Framework and Principles 

### » Issue Topics 1. Infrastructure 2. Watersheds and Wetlands 3. Water Quality 

### » Geographic “Climate Regions” and EPA 4. Working with Tribes 5. Coastal and Ocean Waters

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USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

## » The EPA National Water Program (NWP)* has revised its strategy for responding to climate change. » The draft 2012 Strategy is now out for a 45 - day public comment period, through May 

## 17, 2012. » This presentation is intended to provide an overview of the contents and to answer questions to help you comment.

4

* NWP includes EPA Office of Water and EPA Regions in collaboration with States and Tribes authorized to implement water quality programs USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

# » Docket ID No. EPA- HQ-OW- 2011 -0943 » Federal eRulemaking Portal: 

# ˃ http://www.regulations.gov ˃ Follow the on - line instructions 

# » Or E- mail: owdocket@epa.gov ˃ Subject line “EPA- HQ-OW- 2011 -0943” 

# » Questions? Water_Climate_Change@epa.gov

5 USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange» EPA welcomes comments on any aspect of the draft Strategy. We are also seeking feedback on these questions: ˃ Which EPA water programs are most vulnerable to climate change? Which strategic actions should be prioritized? Are there strategies that are missing or need revision? ˃ Are there important partnerships that have not been identified? ˃ Can you provide examples of methods for measuring and tracking progress and outcomes of adaptation activities? ˃ Are there research priorities that were not listed? ˃ How can we improve our representation of tribal climate change and water interests? Are there examples of incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge involving water resources into climate adaptation science and strategies? ˃ Are there additional references available addressing the economics of climate change adaptation? 6
USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange» Climate change impacts include too little water in some places, too much water in other places, and degraded water quality. Some locations will be subject to all of these conditions during different times of the year. Water cycle changes are expected to continue and will adversely affect energy production and use, human health, transportation, agriculture, and ecosystems. ˃ Source: USGCRP, “Global Climate Change Impacts in the U.S.”(2009), Water Sector.
7 » Warmer air & water temperatures » Changing patterns of precipitation » Earlier snowmelt » More extreme weather events » Increased drought » Sea level rise » Ocean acidification » Unintended consequences

USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange8 Ocean and coastal changes Drought Increases in tropical storm intensity Sea level rise

Increased wildfires and soil erosion Water infrastructure flooding Snow Pack Loss9 

## » 2008 Strategy ˃ Examined implications of climate change for water resources and for our mission 

### ˃ Identified key actions to begin adapting the EPA Water Program over the next 2 -4 years 

## » 2012 Strategy ˃ Builds on momentum of early programs ˃ Placed within the broader national and 

### interagency context ˃ Charts a long-term strategic direction to be ‘climate ready’

### » Despite the ongoing effects of climate change, the National Water Program will continue to achieve its 

### mission to protect and restore our waters; ensure that drinking water is safe; and assure that aquatic ecosystems sustain fish, plants and wildlife, as well as 

### economic, recreational, and subsistence activities.

10 Clean and Safe Water

USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

### » Interagency Adaptation Task Force

˃ Freshwater National Action Plan ˃ National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan ˃ Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Change Adaptation Plan 

### » U.S. Global Change Research Program ˃ National Climate Assessments: 2000, 2009, 2013 

### » Federal Collaborations and Workgroups ˃ NOAA, DOI (USGS, Bureau of Reclamation), Army Corps of Engineers, NASA, FEMA 

### » EPA Agency-wide Adaptation Planning 

### » Partners and Stakeholders ˃ NWP State-Tribal Climate Change Council ˃ WERF/WRF/NOAA Research Forum 11
USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

### » Tier 1 - Vision (long-term: 10+ yrs...30 yrs) ˃ What we are trying to achieve over the long-term. ˃ The ideal state, the environmental outcome. ˃ It is not totally within EPA’s control – but we have a role. 

### » Tier 2 - Goals (long-term: 10+ yrs...30 yrs) ˃ The EPA- relevant programmatic desired end -states that support the Vision on a similar long-term timeframe. 

### » Tier 3 - Strategic Actions (mid -term: 3-8 years) ˃ How we plan to work. ˃ Programmatic building blocks needed to achieve Goals. ˃ Programmatic enhancements & critical success factors.

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USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechangeUSEPA -- Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange 13

## » Integrated Water Resources Management » Systems & Portfolio Approach » Collaborative Learning and Capacity Development » Adaptive Management » Mainstream Climate Change into Core Programs 

## » Long Term Planning (i.e., multi -decadal horizon) » Water- Energy Nexus 

## » Environmental Justice » Cost of Inaction » Performance Evaluation 14

USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange15

USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

# » Infrastructure » Watersheds and Wetlands 

# » Water Quality » Working with Tribes 

# » Coastal and Ocean Waters

16 USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

## VISION: resilient and adaptable drinking water, wastewater and stormwater utilities ... » make 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.

17 Source: Louisiana DEQ USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

### 1) Build the body of knowledge needed to both retrofit old facilities and design new ones » Work with water utilities to account for nonstationarity and uncertainty ˃ e .g., Climate Ready Water Utilities program 

### 2) Promote Integrated Water Resources Management » Use water supply and demand management strategies to address increasing competition for water supplies ˃ Supply: Ensure the safety of drinking water technologies, such as water reuse and aquifer storage and recovery ˃ Demand: Promote the WaterSense program to reduce water consumption (which also reduces costs and greenhouse gases) ˃ Increase collaboration with DOE and USDA to reduce multi -sector water use within watersheds – e.g., municipal supply, energy, and agriculture 18
USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange19

USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

### VISION 

### » Watersheds are protected, maintained and restored to ensure climate resilience and to preserve the ecological, 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.

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USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

### 1) Maintain networks of healthy watersheds and habitat corridors » Healthy Watersheds Initiative ˃ Easier to preserve healthy watersheds and habitat than to restore them ˃ Healthy habitats are more resilient to stressors ˃ Preserving corridors will facilitate species ability to migrate 

### 2) Watershed restoration and floodplain management » Build resilience by considering 

### : ˃ Extreme precipitation, impervious development, agricultural run -off ˃ Rising sea levels and coastal development that limit wetlands migration ˃ E rosion from forest-die off or wildfire 

### 3) Protect sources of drinking water supplies » States should re -evaluate sourcewater delineations and plans

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USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

### 4 ) Incorporate climate change into CWA 404 wetlands regulatory program » EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers will need to work together to build the knowledge required to: ˃ Consider climate change effects in significant degradation determinations ˃ Evaluate how wetland and stream compensation projects could be selected, designed, and sited to reduce the effects of climate change 

### 5 ) Improve information on wetland extent, condition and performance to inform effective adaptation » Expand wetland mapping by supporting mapping coalitions using the new federal Wetland Mapping Standard » Produce a condition assessment of the nation’s wetlands
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USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

### Vision 

### » 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.

24 Lower dissolved oxygen levels USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

### 1) Incorporate climate change into CWA programs for sustainable management of surface water resources » Encourage and support EPA, state, tribal and local water 

### program authorities to: ˃ Incorporate climate change into water quality planning ˃ Adopt green infrastructure and low- impact development ˃ Consider climate impacts in NPDES permits ˃ For future TMDLs, include climate impacts in waste load and load allocations ˃ Identify and protect at- risk designated uses ˃ Re-evaluate aquatic life water quality criteria and incorporate hydrologic condition

25
USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

### 2) Protect water resources from unintended adverse consequences of GHG mitigation and alternative energy ˃ Assure that geologic sequestration is responsibly managed and mitigate risks of storing ethanol -supplemented fuels ˃ Encourage use of alternative sources of energy and fuels that are water efficient and maintain water quality ˃ Understand combined effects of climate and hydropower on flows, water temperature, and water quality. 

### 3) Develop hydrological and climate data & projections ˃ Monitor climate impacts to surface and ground water ˃ Collaborate to develop methods for updated precipitation, storm frequency, and streamflow data, including flow estimates using the National Hydrography Dataset Plus
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USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

### 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.

28 USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

### 1) Collaborate across EPA and federal agencies to work with tribes on a multi - media basis to support sustainability ˃ Incorporate climate into the revised NWP Tribal Strategy and CWA and SDWA tribal programs ˃ Incorporate adaptation into tribal funding mechanisms 

### 2) Ensure tribes have access to information on climate change for decision making. ˃ Collaborate to develop climate science, information 

### and tools for tribes, and incorporate local knowledge. ˃ Collaborate to develop communication materials relevant for tribal uses and tribal audiences.

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USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange30

USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechangeVISION ˃ 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 work cooperatively ˃ Information to integrate climate change into ocean and coastal management is produced, readily available, and used.

31 Source: Lands Vulnerable to Sea

Level Rise, US EPA 2008

USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

### 1) Collaborate to produce the needed body of information ˃ Regional Ocean Organizations, National Ocean Council, NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserves, local partnerships, etc. 

### 2) Build and support EPA’s geographically-targeted programs for adaptation ˃ National Estuaries Program - Climate Ready Estuaries ˃ Ten Large Aquatic Ecosystems (i.e., the Great Lakes Program, the Gulf of Mexico Program, the Chesapeake Bay Program, etc.)

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USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

### 3) In coastal areas: ensure mitigation and adaptation efforts are environmentally responsible. ˃ Coastal water infrastructure: Reduce climate risks and encourage adaptation ˃ Coastal communities: Hazard mitigation, pre -disaster planning, and recovery ˃ Coastal aquatic environments: Planning for impacts 

### 4) In ocean environments: incorporate shifting conditions and emerging threats into EPA programs. ˃ Marine water quality: Consider EPA policies and authorities ˃ Offshore energy production and marine sequestration of carbon dioxide: Avoid unintended consequences 33
USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange34

USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange35

MONTANE • Declining snowpack • Wetland and habitat shift and loss • Increasing wildfires, Insects, species migration • Cold water fish habitat loss

For more information: http://globalchange.gov/36 Geographic regions with broadly common climatological characteristics

EPA Regions will work with each other, Federal agencies, States, Tribes and local communities on common issues.

USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange» 

## Goals

˃ 

### Top priorities that EPA Regions within each Climate Region will work to accomplish
» 

## Strategic Issues ˃ 

### Key climate change impacts and issues of concern in the Climate Region
» 

## Strategic Actions ˃ 

### Options for building resilience at the national, 

### state, tribal & local level, including working with partners

37
USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange38 Green Infrastructure and LID Effective Utility Management

Geologic Sequestration Rule39 Strategic Issues: » Flooding from increasingly frequent & intense storm events » Coastal wetland loss » Threats to coastal waterrelated infrastructure » Deterioration in water quality and quantity due to impacts from energy source development Strategic Actions: » WaterSense » Green Infrastructure/LID » Climate Ready Utilities » Energy Efficiency » Climate Ready Estuaries

39 USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechangeStrategic Issues » Sea level rise & coastal land loss » Address water shortages & increased drought through water use efficiency » Incorporate changing precipitation patterns, temperatures & hydrology into EPA & delegated state program decision framework » Reduce GHG emissions Strategic Actions » WaterSense » Green Infrastructure/LID » Energy Efficiency at Water Utilities » Geosequestration capacity building » Coastal Protection & Restoration Adaptation Projects 40
USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechangeStrategic Issues » More frequent & intense storm events, increased flooding, changes in stream morphology, & water quality impairment (e.g., ag. runoff impacts) » Regional climate impacts will be of significant concern for water- related infrastructure, particularly in CSO communities » Declining water levels in the Great Lakes will exacerbate the migration of coastal habitats & call for broad coastal area adaptation Strategic Actions » WaterSense » Energy Efficiency » Climate Ready Utilities » Work with the ag. community to promote approaches, e.g., ag. drainage management, to improve resiliency & lessen water quality impacts.

41
USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechangeStrategic Issues » Water quantity reduction & quality from increases in temperature, evaporation, & frequency of extreme events such as flooding, droughts & wildfires » Water quality impacts amplified by increases in precipitation intensity & longer periods of low flow streams » Changes in wetland, prairie potholes and playa lake ecosystems & habitat and iconic species loss » Population shifts & new demands for water Strategic Actions » WaterSense » Green Infrastructure/ LID » Energy Efficiency » Climate Ready Water Utilities » Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation Inventory

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USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechangeStrategic Issues » Reduced rainfall & warmer temperatures will increase the shortage of fresh water » Increased in the magnitude of projected temperature, particularly when combined with urban heat island effects » Increased frequency & altered timing of flooding will increase risks to people, ecosystems, & infrastructure » Increased number & severity of wildfires Strategic Actions » Implement energy efficiency, water efficiency, renewable energy, recycled water, and green infrastructure/low impact development projects. » Promote the use of Low Impact Development tools, particularly through urban stormwater permits. » Fund tribal water infrastructure projects (see Navajo Nation Plan) 43
USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

### Strategic Issues » Water supplies will become increasingly scarce » Increasing temperature, drought, wildfire, & invasive species will accelerate transformation of the landscape » Increased frequency of flooding will increase risks to people, ecosystems, & infrastructure » Projected heavier winter rainfall suggests an increase in saturated soils & number of landslides » Salmon & other coldwater species will experience additional stresses as a result of rising water temperatures & declining summer streamflows » Sea - level rise resulting in increased erosion » Declining springtime snowpack 

### Strategic Actions » WaterSense » Green 

### Infrastructure/ LID » Climate Ready Water Utilities 

### » Climate Ready Estuaries

44
USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechangeStrategic Issues » Significant loss in ecosystem function & habitat » Loss of snowpack » Loss of freshwater sources Strategic Actions » WaterSense » Collaborate with Department of Interior’s Landscape Conservation Collaboratives » Coordinate with Federal Agencies (landholding and others) for climate change adaptation planning 45
USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechangeStrategic Issues » Increasing insect outbreaks & wildfires » Coastal storms increase risks to villages & fishing fleets » Thawing permafrost increases” » Loss of wetland habitat » Longer summers & higher temperatures are causing drier conditions » A warmer climate will cause freshwater & saltwater species migration to the north & impact fisheries » Ocean acidification & related marine habitat damage Strategic Actions » WaterSense » Energy Efficiency at water utilities » Apply Climate Ready Utilities in Alaska » Apply Climate Ready Estuary tools & lessons in Alaskan estuaries » Collaborate with the Alaska Climate Change Executive Roundtable, NOAA’s Alaska Climate Service, & the Department of Interior’s Landscape Conservation Cooperatives & Climate Science Center in AK 46
USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechangeStrategic Issues » Coastal Wetland Loss » Threats to Coastal Infrastructure » Flooding from more frequent/more intense extreme storm events » Water quality / stream morphology impacts from extreme storm events » Saltwater intrusion in water supplies » Changes in aquatic ecosystems/species composition & distribution » Acidification impacts on shellfishing/other aquaculture » Sea Surface Temperature Rise & Acidification Impacts on Coral Reefs » Energy in water sector: high (& rising) costs Strategic Actions » Influence National Geodetic Survey to complete vertical datum mission for PR to enhance capabilities for inundation modeling & wave propagation to support decision making » Work with FEMA & municipalities to incorporate climate change considerations into Hazard Mitigation Plans » Increase use of Green Infrastructure 47
USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechangeStrategic Issues
» Diminishing drinking water quality & quantity » Development of resilient water & wastewater infrastructure » Local capacity building to improve water infrastructure management, including response to catastrophic storm events » Energy conservation & development of renewable energy resources » Coral reef protection (ocean acidification, storm intensity) » Build public awareness of the impacts of climate change. Strategic Actions
» Protect & enhance drinking water quantity & quality » Leverage capital improvement funds to develop resilient water infrastructure » LID & Green Infrastructure » Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy » State Environmental Agreements with the State of Hawaii » Use WQS to protect coral reefs » Use permitting authorities to protect drinking water & near-shore water quality. » Local Capacity Building for responding to extreme events & other climate phenomena 48
USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange49

USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange» EPA welcomes comments on any aspect of the draft Strategy. We are also seeking feedback on these questions: ˃ Which EPA water programs are most vulnerable to climate change? Which strategic actions should be prioritized? Are there strategies that are missing or need revision? ˃ Are there important partnerships that have not been identified? ˃ Can you provide examples of methods for measuring and tracking progress and outcomes of adaptation activities? ˃ Are there research priorities that were not listed? ˃ How can we improve our representation of tribal climate change and water interests? Are there examples of incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge involving water resources into climate adaptation science and strategies? ˃ Are there additional references available addressing the economics of climate change adaptation? 50
USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

## » Docket ID No. EPA- HQ-OW- 2011 -0943 » Federal eRulemaking Portal: ˃ http://www.regulations.gov ˃ Follow the on - line instructions » E - mail: owdocket@epa.gov 

## ˃ Subject line “EPA- HQ-OW- 2011 -0943” » Questions? Water_Climate_Change@epa.gov For more information, visit : http://water.epa.gov/scitech/climatechange/2012- National Water- Program -Strategy.cfm
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USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange