May 3, 2012
» During the presentation, the Chat and Questions and 

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» 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 

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Host‘ button. Questions will be responded to over the 

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» If you are experiencing technical difficulties – in the Chat 

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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

3

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/climatechange
8

Ocean and 

coastal changes 

Drought

Increases in 

tropical storm intensity

Sea level rise

Increased wildfires and 

soil erosion

Water infrastructure flooding

Snow Pack Loss
9

» 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.

12

USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange
USEPA -- 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/climatechange
15

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/climatechange
19

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. 

20

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

˃Erosion from forest-die off or wildfire

3) Protect sources of drinking water supplies 

» States should re-evaluate sourcewater delineations and plans

21

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

22

USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange
23

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

26

USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange
27

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. 

29

USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange
30

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

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.)

32

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/climatechange
34

USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange
35

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/climatechange
38

Green Infrastructure and LID

Effective Utility Management

Geologic Sequestration Rule
39

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/climatechange
Strategic 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/climatechange
Strategic 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/climatechange
Strategic 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

42

USEPA - Public Comment Draft http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange
Strategic 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/climatechange
Strategic 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/climatechange
Strategic 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/climatechange
Strategic 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/climatechange
Strategic 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/climatechange
49

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-NationalWater-Program-Strategy.cfm

51

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