EPA Region 9

Climate Change 

Adaptation 

Implementation Plan

***DRAFT*** 

September 2013
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Disclaimer

To the extent this document mentions or discusses statutory or regulatory authority, it does so for 

informational purposes only. This document does not substitute for those statutes or regulations, and 

readers should consult the statutes or regulations to learn what they require. Neither this document, 

nor any part of it, is itself a rule or a regulation. Thus, it cannot change or impose legally binding 

requirements on EPA, States, the public, or the regulated community. Further, any expressed intention, 

suggestion or recommendation does not impose any legally binding requirements on EPA, States, tribes, 

the public, or the regulated community. Agency decision makers remain free to exercise their discretion 

in choosing to implement the actions described in this Plan. Such implementation is contingent upon 

availability of resources and is subject to change. 
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Preface

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is committed to identifying and responding to the 

challenges that a changing climate poses to human health and the environment.

Scientific evidence demonstrates that the climate is changing at an increasingly rapid rate, outside the 

range to which society has adapted in the past. These changes can pose significant challenges to the 

EPA’s ability to fulfill its mission. The EPA must adapt to climate change if it is to continue fulfilling its 

statutory, regulatory and programmatic requirements. The Agency is therefore anticipating and planning 

for future changes in climate to ensure it continues to fulfill its mission of protecting human health and 

the environment even as the climate changes. 

In February 2013, the EPA released its draft Climate Change Adaptation Plan to the public for review and 

comment. The plan relies on peer-reviewed scientific information and expert judgment to identify 

vulnerabilities to EPA’s mission and goals from climate change. The plan also presents 10 priority actions 

that EPA will take to ensure that its programs, policies, rules, and operations will remain effective under 

future climatic conditions. The priority placed on mainstreaming climate adaptation within EPA 

complements efforts to encourage and mainstream adaptation planning across the entire federal 

government.

Following completion of the draft Climate Change Adaptation Plan, each EPA National Environmental 

Program Office, all 10 Regional Offices, and several National Support Offices developed a Climate 

Adaptation Implementation Plan to provide more detail on how it will carry out the work called for in 

the agency-wide plan. Each Implementation Plan articulates how the office will integrate climate 

adaptation into its planning and work in a manner consistent and compatible with its goals and 

objectives.

Taken together, the Implementation Plans demonstrate how the EPA will attain the 10 agency-wide 

priorities presented in the Climate Change Adaptation Plan. A central element of all of EPA’s plans is to 

build and strengthen its adaptive capacity and work with its partners to build capacity in states, tribes, 

and local communities. EPA will empower its staff and partners by increasing their awareness of ways 

that climate change may affect their ability to implement effective programs, and by providing them 

with the necessary data, information, and tools to integrate climate adaptation into their work.

Each Program and Regional Office’s Implementation Plan contains an initial assessment of the 

implications of climate change for the organization’s goals and objectives. These “program vulnerability 

assessments” are living documents that will be updated as needed to account for new knowledge, data, 

and scientific evidence about the impacts of climate change on EPA’s mission. The plan then identifies 

specific priority actions that the office will take to begin addressing its vulnerabilities and mainstreaming 

climate change adaptation into its activities. Criteria for the selection of priorities are discussed. An 

emphasis is placed on protecting the most vulnerable people and places, on supporting the 

development of adaptive capacity in the tribes, and on identifying clear steps for ongoing collaboration 

with tribal governments.

Because EPA’s Programs and Regions and partners will be learning by experience as they mainstream 

climate adaptation planning into their activities, it will be essential to evaluate their efforts in order to 

understand how well different approaches work and how they can be improved. Each Implementation 
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Plan therefore includes a discussion of how the organization will regularly evaluate the effectiveness of 

its adaptation efforts and make adjustments where necessary.

The set of Implementation Plans are a sign of EPA’s leadership and commitment to help build the 

nation’s adaptive capacity that is so vital to the goal of protecting human health and the environment. 

Working with its partners, the Agency will help promote a healthy and prosperous nation that is resilient 

to a changing climate.

Bob Perciasepe

Deputy Administrator

September 2013
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 EPA Region 9

Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan

I. Purpose 

This Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan (Plan) outlines actions the United States 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 will take to become more resilient to our changing 

climate. 

EPA issued a Policy Statement on Climate-Change Adaptation in June, 20111

. The Policy Statement 

recognizes that climate change can pose significant challenges to EPA’s ability to fulfill its mission and 

calls for the Agency to anticipate changes in climate and incorporate considerations of climate change 

into its activities. In accordance with the Policy Statement, EPA issued an Agency-wide Draft Climate 

Change Adaptation Implementation Plan2 on February 8, 2013, describing how the agency intends to 

adapt to climate change and assist its partners in doing the same. Subsequently, each of the EPA’s 

national program offices, and its ten regional offices, developed Climate Change Adaptation 

Implementation Plans, specific to their programs and regions. Many programs throughout EPA have 

already begun to address the implications of climate change. 

Region 9 intends to fulfill its mission by building a more resilient and climate-responsive program. We 

will assist our partners in meeting the challenges of climate change through financial and technical 

assistance, effective coordination and decision-support to increase their resilience. 

Vision of the Future EPA (from U.S. EPA Climate Change Adaptation Plan, 2013)

We live in a world in which the climate is changing. Changes in climate have occurred since the 

formation of the planet. But humans are now influencing Earth’s climate and causing it to change in 

unprecedented ways. 

It is in this rapidly changing world that EPA is working to fulfill its mission to protect human health and 

the environment. Many of the outcomes EPA is working to attain (e.g., clean air, safe drinking water) 

are sensitive to changes in weather and climate. Until now, EPA has been able to assume that climate 

is relatively stable and future climate will mirror past climate. However, with climate changing more 

rapidly than society has experienced in the past, the past is no longer a good predictor of the future. 

Climate change is posing new challenges to EPA’s ability to fulfill its mission. 

It is essential that EPA adapt to anticipate and plan for future changes in climate. It must integrate, or 

mainstream, considerations of climate change into its programs, policies, rules and operations to 

ensure they are effective under future climatic conditions. Through climate adaptation planning, EPA 

will continue to protect human health and the environment, but in a way that accounts for the effects 

of climate change.
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II. Impacts from Climate Change in EPA Region 9

Around the world, a cascade of effects is expected to result from climate change. Most of these changes 

will be felt somewhere in Region 9. Those changes will vary from the arid southwest deserts to the 

Pacific Islands to the Northern California coastal forests. Some changes are more certain than others. 

Changes may be local, or cover the whole region. Below are some examples of climate change impacts 

that are likely to occur in Region 9. 

- Air temperatures will increase;

- Precipitation may decrease in some areas;

- Storm events may be more severe;

- Oceans will become more acidic and warm; and

- Sea level will rise.

Figure 1 illustrates the impacts that are likely to result from each of these climatic changes.

________________________________________________________________________________

Figure 1: Adverse Impacts of Climate Change

• Tropospheric 

ozone 

increase

• Heat event 

increase

• Snow fall and 

pack decrease

• Runoff season 

change

• Wildfire 

increase

• Water 

temperature 

increase

• Species 

changes

• Water supply 

change

• Freshwater 

flow decrease

• Wildfire 

increase

• Soil moisture 

decrease

• Species 

changes

• Flooding

• Damage to 

communities 

and 

infrastructure 

(inland and 

on coast)

• Damage to 

habitats 

(inland and 

on coast)

• Erosion 

increase 

(inland and 

on coast)

• Coral reef 

decline

• Aquaculture 

decline

• Species 

changes

• Salt water 

intrusion to 

groundwater

• Coastal 

erosion

• Damage to 

communities 

and 

infrastructure

• Damage to 

habitat

Climate 

Change could 

lead to... 

Air 

Temperature 

Increase

Precipitation 

Decrease

Storm 

Intensity 

Increase

Ocean 

Acidification 

and Warming

Sea Level Rise
III. Vulnerabilities for EPA Region 9 Communities, 

Populations, Habitats, and Programs

The term “vulnerability” refers to the degree to which a community or habitat is susceptible to, or 

unable to cope with, the adverse effects of climate change. This section discusses the communities, 

populations, and habitats in Region 9 that are most vulnerable to climate change, and where EPA’s 

mission intersects with the challenges that these vulnerable communities and habitats face. This section 

also identifies where EPA’s ability to meet its own mission and goals is at risk from climate change. 

Certain parts of the population, such as children, the elderly, minorities, the poor, persons with 

underlying medical conditions or disabilities, those with limited access to information, and tribal and 

indigenous populations, can be especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Also, certain 

geographic locations and communities are particularly vulnerable, such as those located in low-lying 

coastal areas. One of the principles guiding EPA’s efforts to integrate climate adaptation into its 

programs, policies, and rules calls for its adaptation plans to prioritize helping people, places and 

infrastructure that are most vulnerable to climate impacts, and to be designed and implemented with 

meaningful involvement from all parts of society. 

This Plan identifies key programmatic vulnerabilities and the priority actions that will be taken to 

address those vulnerabilities over time. As the work called for in this Plan is conducted, the communities 

and demographic groups most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change will be identified. The 

Agency will then work in partnership with these communities to increase their adaptive capacity and 

resilience to climate change impacts. These efforts will be informed by experiences with previous 

extreme weather events (e.g., Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy) and the subsequent recovery 

efforts.

The EPA has not conducted a quantitative assessment of vulnerabilities within Region 9. Rather, we 

have drawn on the best available science, the detailed assessments of others, and our own best 

professional judgment. Summaries of selected writings are provided in Appendix B.

A. Definitions

Vulnerable communities include those which are in the path of potentially large climate-related impacts 

and have limited ability or interest in re-locating. For example, traditional communities may have 

important customs tied to specific locations. This includes some Native American Tribal communities on 

the main land and Pacific Island communities on islands or atolls. A community’s traditions may also 

include specific vulnerable plant or animal species only found in certain areas. Major climate change 

impacts (i.e., sea level rise, coastal erosion, fire, or flood) could physically destroy an entire community

or the most vulnerable segments. Some communities (indigenous or not) that are in the path of climate 

change impacts may not have financial resources to adequately prepare or to relocate. 

Vulnerable populations include individuals who are at risk because of existing health issues. The 

populations most vulnerable to climate change often include, but are not limited to, the communities 

that are the focus of EPA’s environmental justice program. Children, the elderly, the poor, the infirm, 

and tribal and indigenous populations are among the most vulnerable. For example, the elderly tend to 
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be more susceptible to heat stroke due to their bodies’ decreased ability to cool down and 

complications with existing chronic ailments (e.g., diabetes).3

. In addition, people on fixed incomes have 

limited financial resources to protect their health (e.g., incurring electric bill charges for running an air 

conditioner during an extreme heat event). Individuals with asthma are more susceptible to the impacts 

of increased ozone and particulate matter in the air4

. 

Vulnerable habitats are at risk when the resources and conditions they depend on change or are 

eliminated. For example, a wet montane meadow dependent on snowmelt runoff all summer may not 

survive if mountain snows dry up before summer’s end. A coral reef may not survive if storms wash 

sediment from the land and the coral is smothered. A protective mangrove forest may be flooded and 

destroyed by storm wave over wash and sea level rise5

, allowing storms to erode a newly exposed 

coastline and formerly protected communities.

The effectiveness of EPA programs will be at risk if they cannot meet the EPA mission and goals in the 

face of climate change. EPA must consider climate change impacts and vulnerabilities in the regular 

course of work (e.g., reviewing grant applications, permit applications and NEPA documents; planning 

for emergency response; considering air pollution impacts to communities). Public health could be put 

at risk if drinking water supply pipes are washed away in a storm. The biological integrity of a restored 

coastal wetland system could be lost due to sea level rise. Wildfires and dust storms could put more 

particulate matter into the atmosphere which could reduce air quality and negatively impact human 

health. EPA’s emergency response capabilities may be called on more frequently as extreme weather 

events increase. EPA owned or rented facilities may be directly impacted (e.g., due to sea level rise) or 

indirectly impacted (e.g., power line failures) by climate change. During and following extreme weather 

events, the ability of EPA personnel to access communication systems, or respond in person, may be 

impeded by storm damage and flooding. 

B. Vulnerabilities in Region 9

Climate change exacerbates our existing environmental problems, and makes it more challenging for 

EPA to fulfill its mission to protect public health and the environment Anticipated climate change 

impacts, their likelihood of occurrence, and their effects on EPA programs are described in Appendix A, 

“Challenges that Climate Change Poses to EPA Region 9 Program Effectiveness”.

In order to understand the challenges that EPA programs will face, it is important to understand the 

vulnerabilities that the Region 9 communities, populations and habitats will face. Climate change 

vulnerability varies from one geographic area to another within Region 9, due to the variation in 

interactions of the ocean, the landscape and the atmosphere. The climate change challenges that 

Federally-recognized Tribes within Region 9 face are of particular concern to EPA. This section provides 

background on vulnerabilities within Region 9 geographic zones, and in Indian Country.

B. 1. Vulnerabilities in Geographic Regions of Region 9 

Region 9 lies within 3 of the 8 geographic regions defined by the National Water Program 2012 Strategy: 

Response to Climate Change6 – the Southwest, the Montane, and the U.S. Pacific Islands and Territories. 

These regional designations are based largely on those defined by the US Global Change Research 

Program.3
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B.1.a. The Southwest Region: Much of the southwest is arid with relatively high air temperatures. 

Several mountain ranges, as well as the Pacific Ocean, influence climate and water resources in certain 

parts of the Region. Water is stored as snowpack during the winter and released to streams in the 

spring and early summer, helping to meet increasing water demands. There are three major river 

systems: the Sacramento-San Joaquin, the Colorado, and the Rio Grande. Several huge water storage 

and conveyance projects divert water from rivers for more widespread use by agriculture and growing 

cities. The lack of rainfall and the prospect of future droughts becoming more severe is a significant 

concern, especially because the Southwest continues to lead the nation in population growth. 

• Warmer temperatures will reduce mountain snow packs, and peak spring runoff from snow melt 

will shift to earlier in the season, leading to and increasing the shortage of fresh water during the 

summer. A longer and hotter warm season will likely result in longer periods of extremely low 

flow and lower minimum flows in late summer. Water supply systems that have no storage or 

limited storage (e.g., small municipal reservoirs) may suffer seasonal shortages in summer; 

• The magnitude of projected temperature increases for the Southwest, particularly when combined 

with urban heat island effects for major cities such as Phoenix, Albuquerque, Las Vegas, and many 

California cities, represents significant stresses to health, energy, and water supply in a region that 

already experiences very high summer temperatures; 

• Reduced ground water supply due to a lack of recharge will be of concern;

• Warmer ocean temperatures may decrease productivity by stopping entrainment of deep supplies 

of nutrients. The resulting reductions in commercial species will need to be addressed to support 

continued production of fisheries and aquatic life; 

• Increased frequency and altered timing of flooding will increase risks to people, ecosystems, and 

infrastructure. Increased flood risk is likely to result from a combination of decreased snow cover 

on the lower slopes of high mountains, and an increased percentage of winter precipitation falling 

as rain and therefore running off more rapidly; 

• Sea levels are rising and contributing to the loss of wetlands and infrastructure located along 

coastal corridors; and

• The magnitude and frequency of wildfires have increased over the last 30 years which severely 

impacts water quality in streams, creeks, rivers, lakes, and estuaries.

B.1.b. The Montane Region: The Montane region within EPA Region 9 includes the glaciated mountain 

tops and down-slope watersheds of the Sierra Nevada and Cascades. These areas are unique in that 

they rely on winter snow accumulation for their water supply. Sensitive ecological communities include 

bogs and fens. Montane glaciers and snowfields are reservoirs of water for the human populations and 

ecological communities at lower elevations. 

Most ecosystems in the North American Montane Region are predicted to slowly migrate and shift their 

distribution towards the north in response to warming temperatures. However, the alpine areas are 

often distributed as small, isolated regions surrounded by other habitats. These areas can be 

disconnected from each other by wide stretches of land used for timber production, ranching, or other 

uses. Instead of shifts in latitude, alpine vegetation and animals will be limited to shifts in altitude, 

unless connections between suitable habitats can be made.

7
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• A warmer climate will cause lower-elevation habitats to move into higher zones, encroaching on 

alpine and sub-alpine habitats;

• High-elevation plants and animals will lose habitat area as they move higher with some 

“disappearing off the tops of mountains;”

• Rising temperatures will increase the importance of connections between mountain areas;

• Rising temperatures may cause mountain snow to melt earlier and faster in spring, shifting the 

timing and distribution of runoff. This in turn affects the availability of freshwater for natural 

systems and for human uses. Earlier melting leads to drier conditions for the balance of the water 

year, with increased fire frequency and intensity;

• Water supplies will become increasingly scarce, calling for trade-offs among competing uses, and 

leading to conflict;

• Increased frequency and altered timing of flooding will increase risks to people, ecosystems, and 

infrastructure;

• Projected increases in temperature, evaporation, and drought frequency add to concerns about 

the region’s declining water resources; and

• Climate change is likely to affect native plant and animal species by altering key habitats such as 

the wetland ecosystems known as montane fens or playa lakes.

B.1.c. The Pacific Islands Region: The Pacific Islands region in EPA Region 9 encompasses the Hawaiian

Islands, as well as the United States affiliated Pacific islands, including the territories of American Samoa, 

the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and Guam. The Pacific Islands are more 

vulnerable to climate change than nearly any other region in the United States. Key vulnerabilities 

include availability of freshwater, adverse impacts to coastal and marine ecosystems, and exposure to 

hazards including sea level rise and inundation. 

• Rising sea levels, higher sea temperatures, and ocean acidification associated with climate change 

are further degrading coral reefs already stressed by overfishing and pollution. Their loss 

diminishes ecological heritage, shoreline protection, food supply from the sea, and results in a 

decline in income from ecotourism in the Pacific Island communities where tourism is one of the 

largest industries; 

• Potential for extended drought, due to a change in rain-delivering weather systems. Due to the 

geographic isolation of the Pacific Islands and the challenges of delivering freshwater from other 

regions, a drought could have major impacts on freshwater supply. A severe drought would 

impact water supplies for drinking water, agriculture irrigation, and industry. Key freshwater and 

brackish habitats would likely be impacted 8

. The western Pacific already experiences the highest 

rate of Category 4 and 5 storms. Climate change may bring more frequent and higher energy 

storms resulting in potentially catastrophic damage to island infrastructure. This degree of 

damage could cripple the economies of Pacific Island communities for significant periods of time, 

not only impairing economic development but also the ability of local governments to ensure 

delivery of basic water and sewer and other public health services; and
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• Sea level rise has multiple implications for Pacific Island communities:

o For the low-lying atolls, entire islands may be submerged within a generation and may result 

in environmental refugees seeking new homes; 

o For some low-lying islands, sea level rise can result in “wash over,” in which islands, or 

portions of islands, are submerged by waves during large storm events. This results in salt 

water contamination of agricultural lands, significantly decreasing the productivity of those 

lands. This loss of agricultural productivity has an acute impact on the largely subsistencebased economies of these communities;

o For many of the islands, sea level rise has an immediate, and accelerated impact on coastal 

erosion, which affects water quality, coral reef health, coastal infrastructure, available land, 

and culturally significant sites; and 

o Sea level rise increases the potential for salt water intrusion into the sole source aquifers 

upon which many Pacific Islands rely for drinking water. There are few or no readily 

accessible alternative drinking water options when a community is confronted with the loss 

of productivity of a sole source aquifer.

Appendix B provides summaries of selected studies conducted on climate change vulnerabilities in the 

geographic areas of Region 9. 

B.2. Vulnerabilities on Tribal lands in Region 9

The US EPA Draft Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan2

, issued on February 8, 2013, includes 

a discussion of the importance of EPA working with the Tribes to assist them in successfully adapting to 

climate change:

“Indigenous people are among the most vulnerable communities in North America.

9 Tribes are more 

vulnerable to climate change impacts because of their dependence upon a specific geographic area for 

their livelihoods, the degree to which those geographic areas embody climate-sensitive environments, 

and their unique cultural, economic, or political characteristics and contexts. Also, tribes generally have 

fewer resources to prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural hazards, including those related to 

climate change.

10 The disproportionate vulnerability of tribes to climate change affects EPA’s mission to 

protect human health and the environment in Indian country.” 

“Drought is perhaps the most pervasive climate-induced weather impact on tribes. Water is at the heart 

of many tribal cultures and the foundation of their livelihoods, economies, subsistence, and treaty 

rights. Water is essential to the sustainability of the fish, wildlife, and plants on which tribes rely. The 

recent trend toward more severe and frequent droughts, especially in the American Southwest, 

threatens the very underpinnings of tribal communities. The Southwest is already in the midst of a 10-15 

year drought, and climate projections suggest the Southwest may transition to a more arid climate on a 

permanent basis over the next century and beyond.11 In fact, climate observations indicate that this 

transition may have already begun.12”
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IV. Priority Actions

EPA Region 9 is already addressing climate change adaptation in several program areas. We will 

continue to pursue the best opportunities for integrating climate change into our existing programs, and 

identify new climate change adaptation needs where EPA’s involvement is critical. 

As EPA Region 9 cannot immediately address all climate change adaptation needs, we have adopted 

criteria to screen potential actions. EPA Region 9 will target its climate change adaptation work, based 

on the following criteria:

• Does the action target one of the most severe and immediate vulnerabilities?

• Does the action focus on one of the most vulnerable populations and/or geographic areas?

• Does EPA Region 9 have the capacity (personnel and funding resources) and ability (knowledge, 

skills, and authority) to take the action and contribute to a solution? 

• Is this a priority action for our partners (federal/state/territory/tribal/local government and nongovernment) and are they able to work with us towards a solution?

• Does the action support and align with other EPA Region 9 priorities and actions?

In Sections A and B below, we describe a substantial number of priority actions that EPA Region 9 plans 

to implement as climate change adaptation measures. We include both region-wide adaptation actions 

and program-specific actions. In addition, below are five specific adaptation actions that reflect EPA 

Region 9’s strong commitment to climate change adaptation. The region intends to provide particular 

emphasis and focus on these adaptation actions over the next year. 

* Finalize a Region 9 Coral Reef Strategy and present it at the Pacific Islands Conference (June, 2013); 

implement the strategy and provide leadership to reduce local pollution and increase coral reef climate 

change resiliency.

* Hold at least one roundtable discussion session with federal and state agencies, and other key climate 

change adaptation stakeholders, to discuss climate change vulnerabilities and coordinate efforts to build 

climate change resiliency (e.g., a session focused on Bay Area airports).

* Support and promote Region 9 tribes’ participation with EPA’s ORD in the National Tribal Science 

Council climate change discussions. Provide a key venue at Region 9 Tribal Operation Committee (RTOC) 

meetings to identify key tribal climate change adaptation issues and success stories, as well as technical 

and financial resources to build resiliency.

* Support EPA’s state counterparts in Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada in climate adaptation 

efforts, potentially including developing an annual summary of their climate change adaptation 

successes, summarizing regional highlights for building climate change resiliency, or promoting success 

stories on climate change adaptation.
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* Provide training to the EPA Region 9 workforce on climate change impacts and adaptation 

opportunities, with a focus on the Bay Area. Provide training on incorporating climate change into the 

Region’s programmatic operations.

A. Region-Wide Themes for Climate Change Adaptation 

1. Mainstream Climate Change into EPA’s Work. 

Critical to carrying out the EPA mission is our ability to integrate climate change considerations into our 

everyday work. EPA Region 9 has been active in this area since developing our Energy and Climate 

Change Strategy in 2007. This Strategy led to the formation of our Clean Energy & Climate Change 

Office, which serves the entire Region, and the establishment of a cross-divisional Clean Energy and 

Climate Change Team (ETeam). Drawing upon the foundation laid in the EPA Office of Water Climate 

Change Strategy and the CCA Plans which other EPA regions and Headquarters offices are preparing, 

EPA Region 9 will continue to integrate climate adaptation into existing programs and activities to 

maximize their effectiveness. This will include the following steps and activities:

a. Strengthen adaptive capacity for EPA Region 9 and our partners. EPA Region 9’s ETeam and 

Regional Science Council have worked together to offer a series of climate change training sessions to all 

Region 9 staff. In order to continue to integrate climate change into EPA Region 9’s existing programs 

effectively, EPA Region 9 will continue to train our staff, and build our capacity for adaptation actions. 

We anticipate that future training sessions will focus within the EPA Region 9 office, but will also likely 

extend to our federal, state, tribal and local partners. 

To assist our partners in taking actions most relevant to their particular climate change vulnerabilities, 

EPA is invested in supporting the partners’ own decision-making. The term “decision-support tools” is 

used to describe documents or programs that help organizations understand what questions to ask, or 

what data to gather, so they can decide what actions to take to increase their climate change resilience.

• Provide training opportunities to our staff to increase their understanding of climate change 

vulnerabilities in our Region, and how to best incorporate climate change adaptation into our 

work. As needs and expertise vary between EPA Region 9 programs and between individuals, 

ask staff what their specific priority climate change adaptation training needs and preferences 

are. Provide training that is the most urgent or will fill the biggest information gaps. 

• Work with EPA Region 9 Science Council, EPA national Program Offices, the EPA-wide training 

program in the Office of Human Resources, and outside partners, to provide access to on-line 

and in-person training opportunities. This includes access to a library of webinars and 

recordings of classes that make the best use of current technology. [Work with EPA 

Headquarters]
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• Encourage our partners to integrate climate change adaptation effectively into their work. 

Share existing decision-support tools and training opportunities on climate change adaptation, 

especially where training is local or available on-line. 

• Where resources allow, and our expertise exists, provide decision-support tool information 

directly to partners (e.g., targeted training sessions). Look for opportunities to coordinate with 

partners (federal, state, territory, and tribal agencies, and non-government organizations) on 

climate change adaptation training sessions. 

• On a regular basis, update climate change content on EPA Region 9 websites – for both climaterelated and programmatic web pages. Encourage other organizations to link to our climate 

change web pages. Include links to EPA climate change web pages in communications to 

partners about related issues.

b. Integrate Climate Change Adaptation into Funding Mechanisms. Incorporating climate change 

consideration into funding actions will help build the climate change adaptation capacity of our 

partners, and make it less likely that funds will be spent on projects that will be damaged or destroyed 

by sea level rise or extreme storm events, or other climate change impacts.

• Continue to incorporate the consideration of climate change impacts and adaptation measures 

into financial mechanisms, such as grants and contracts. The number of EPA Region 9 funding 

mechanisms that are now considering climate change adaptation continues to grow. Existing 

funds include General Assistance Program grants to tribes, San Francisco Bay Water Quality 

Improvement Fund (SFBWQIF) grants and Wetland Program Development Grants. Other grant 

funds that could include climate change adaptation consideration are the Clean Water Act 

Section 319 (nonpoint source control) and Section 106 (water quality monitoring), Brownfields, 

and the Strong Cities-Strong Communities (SC2). 

• Encourage States to require climate change adaptation consideration in their State Revolving 

Fund loan programs. [Work with other Regions and EPA Headquarters]

• Implement EPA Region 9’s Greening Grants Policy, encouraging grantees to not only reduce 

their carbon footprint, but also implement sustainable measures which are important to 

successful climate change adaptation (e.g., water and energy conservation).

2. Focus on severe vulnerabilities. 

Three severe potential impacts in EPA Region 9, relative to EPA’s mission, are: 

1) decreased water availability due to drought and loss of snow pack; 

2) flooding due to more extreme weather events and sea level rise; and

3) degradation of coral reefs due to ocean acidification and bleaching.

In focusing on these particular vulnerabilities, EPA will consider where it can best contribute to the work 

of federal, state, tribal, and local agencies, and non-governmental organizations. While many of the 

specific actions targeting these vulnerabilities are described in the EPA Region 9 program-specific 

section, below, some of the general areas of adaptation we will pursue are described here. 
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a. Decreased water availability due to drought and loss of snow pack. EPA Region 9 water resources 

are already limited on the mainland and on the Pacific islands. 

• Promote water use efficiency, conservation, and recycling.

• Promote the protection and restoration of wetlands and riparian areas in order to protect the 

quality and quantity of surface and groundwater supplies. 

• Promote the use of Green Infrastructure for more sustainable stormwater management (e.g., 

reducing polluted runoff to surface waters, providing flood mitigation, enhancing drinking water 

supplies).

• Work with our states, tribes, and local partners to prepare for potential water shortages. 

Provide water resource managers and utilities with access and training for existing decisionsupport tools; collaborate on new tool development and training; and use EPA funds and 

resources to leverage other water resource and infrastructure funds for climate change 

adaptation. 

b. Flooding as a result of more extreme weather events and sea level rise. The areas of EPA Region 9 

most susceptible to sea level rise are Hawaii, the Pacific Island territories, and coastal California –

including the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary (Bay Delta Estuary).

With particular focus on these coastal areas, EPA Region 9 will use its Geographic Information System 

(GIS) mapping capabilities, and available tools from government and non-government partners, to 

better target adaptation actions. Region 9 will consider improved mapping of hazardous waste sites and 

Superfund sites to illustrate climate change vulnerabilities of these locations (e.g., sea level rise, storm 

event flooding), especially around vulnerable communities and ecosystems. This information can be 

used to help prioritize EPA Region 9’s adaptation actions and help our partners prioritize their own 

work.

c. Degradation of coral reefs due to ocean acidification and bleaching. Climate change and related 

increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are triggering ocean warming, acidification, sea level rise, 

and increased storm intensity, all of which pose major threats to the future of coral reefs.

• EPA Region 9 will develop a coral reef strategy to protect and help increase the resilience of 

these fragile ecosystems in the face of climate change.

• EPA Region 9 will use the Clean Water Act and other authorities to improve protection of coral 

reefs in Hawaii, the U.S. territories, and other U.S.-affiliated Pacific islands, especially by 

controlling land-based sources of pollution which impact coral reefs.
DRAFT Page 16 of 46

3. Focus on the most vulnerable populations and geographic areas.

a. Tribes. Tribes in EPA Region 9 are increasingly concerned about the effects of a changing climate on 

their communities, resources and traditional cultural practices. Tribes in EPA Region 9 already 

experience temperature extremes and droughts, which have negatively affected their lands. Some 

Tribes are drawing on their oral histories and their Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) to document 

past and current conditions, assess changes, and plan for adaptation. 

EPA values its unique government-to-government relationship with Indian tribes in planning and 

decision making. This trust responsibility has been established over time and is further expressed in the 

1984 EPA Policy for the Administration of Environmental Programs on Indian Reservations and the 2011 

Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes. These policies recognize and support the 

sovereign decision-making authority of tribal governments.

Supporting the development of adaptive capacity among tribes is a priority for the EPA. Tribes are 

particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to the integral nature of the environment 

within their traditional lifeways and culture. There is a strong need to develop adaptation strategies that 

promote sustainability and reduce the impact of climate change on Indian tribes.

EPA engaged tribes through a formal consultation process in the development of the Agency’s Climate 

Change Adaptation Plan. Tribes identified some of the most pressing issues as erosion, temperature 

change, drought and various changes in access to and quality of water. Tribes recommended a number 

of tools and strategies to address these issues, including improving access to data and information; 

supporting baseline research to better track the effects of climate change; developing community-level 

education and awareness materials; and providing financial and technical support. At the same time, 

tribes challenged EPA to coordinate climate change activities among federal agencies so that resources 

are better leveraged and administrative burdens are reduced. 

This Plan identifies specific steps that will be taken to partner with tribal governments, on an ongoing 

basis, to increase their adaptive capacity and address their adaptation-related priorities. These 

collaborative efforts will benefit from the expertise provided by our tribal partners and the TEK they 

possess. TEK is a valuable body of knowledge in assessing the current and future impacts of climate 

change and has been used by tribes for millennia as a valuable tool to adapt to changing surroundings. 

Consistent with the principles in the 1984 Indian Policy, TEK is viewed as a complementary resource that 

can inform planning and decision-making.

Networks and partnerships already in place will be used to assist tribes with climate change issues, 

including Regional Tribal Operations Committees, the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals 

and the Indian General Assistance Program (IGAP). Additionally, Region 9 will pursue effective 

coordination among EPA Regional and Program Offices, since climate change has many impacts that 

transcend program and regional boundaries. Transparency and information sharing will continue, in 

order to leverage activities already taking place within EPA Offices and tribal governments.

• Support and encourage the use of General Assistance Program (GAP) grants, and other available 

funds for climate change adaptation, as particular funds allow (e.g., education of staff and 

members, assessing their community and environment, developing climate change adaptation 

plans).
DRAFT Page 17 of 46

• Continue to provide funding for sustainable water infrastructure on tribal lands, in coordination 

with the Indian Health Service.

• Use the Regional Tribal Operations Committee as a forum for climate change adaptation 

information sharing, training, and capacity building. 

• Exchange information with the National Tribal Science Council on national tribal climate change 

adaptation needs and directions, as appropriate. [Work with EPA Headquarters]

• Coordinate with other federal agencies who work directly with tribes to determine the best way 

to collaborate on climate change adaptation support.

• Consult with tribes on major proposed EPA climate change actions, in accordance with our 

established tribal consultation policies.

b. Islands. Hawaii and the United States Pacific Island territories of American Samoa, Commonwealth 

of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and Guam are among the most vulnerable areas on the planet 

for climate change impacts. Within decades, it may not be viable to live on some currently-populated 

Pacific islands. Sea level rise, coastal erosion, extreme drought, an increase of severe storms, and a 

reduction of food supply, all threaten sustainable human habitat on some islands. The EPA Region 9 

Pacific Islands Office and the EPA Region 9 program offices will work with island governments, and other 

partners, to address critical climate change adaptation vulnerabilities (e.g., shortage of freshwater 

supplies, impacts to coastal and marine ecosystems including coral reefs, and hazards associated with 

rising sea levels and storm events including damage to wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, crop 

damage, saltwater intrusion into aquifers, and inundation of low-lying islands). 

• Support and encourage the use of grants to local environmental agencies and other entities for 

climate change adaptation.

• Continue the use of water and wastewater construction funds to support sustainable water 

infrastructure in the Pacific islands in light of anticipated climate change impacts.

• Use the tools at EPA’s disposal, including funding, technical assistance, and enforcement to 

protect coral reefs from land-based sources of pollution.

• Factor climate change impacts and climate change adaptation into emergency preparedness and 

emergency response in the Pacific islands.

• Coordinate with, and participate in, local Pacific island climate change and renewable energy 

working groups and task forces.

• Coordinate with other federal agencies who work with the Pacific islands on climate change 

adaptation.

c. California Coast (including the Bay Delta Estuary). The California coast and the Bay Delta Estuary

are at risk from climate change. Storm events and sea level rise are expected to impact coastal 

watersheds, tidal wetlands, and low-elevation infrastructure. California state and local agencies, federal 

agencies, and non-government organizations are already working together to begin to address climate 

change impacts. EPA Region 9 will continue work with these partners to determine where our abilities 

and resources can be best applied to facilitate climate change adaptation. 
DRAFT Page 18 of 46

B. Program-Specific Climate Change Adaptation Actions

Each EPA Region 9 program office will continue to work with its counterpart office at EPA Headquarters, 

and with other partners, to determine how to best integrate key climate change actions into current 

work. EPA Region 9 will continue to identify new priority actions that are critical to building climate 

change resilience. Existing and potential EPA Region 9 priority actions for climate change adaptation are 

identified below. EPA Region 9 intends to continue to pursue current actions and take on new priorities, 

as resources allow.

1. Air Program

EPA Region 9’s Air Division is pursuing work that has benefits for climate change adaptation. It is 

anticipated that increased temperatures due to climate change have the potential to increase the 

formation of photochemical smog. Thus, Air Division will need to adapt to this reality and will focus on 

reducing air quality impacts of climate change through efforts to reduce NOx and other smog and 

PM2.5-forming pollutants. The EPA Region 9 Air Division anticipates the following actions in 2013/14. 

• Focus on reduction of tropospheric photo-chemical smog, or ozone, as climate change 

is anticipated to increase the potential for ozone formation.

o Assist other Regions and HQ air program managers to develop a strategy, in context to 

other programmatic priorities, on how to incorporate climate adaptation into air quality 

programs (e.g., SIP permits).

o Work with California’s Air Resources Board (ARB) as they further “Vision 2050” to 

address increases in ozone formation as temperatures increase.

o Provide leadership and administer Clean Air Technology Initiative grants in South Coast 

and San Joaquin Valley Air Districts.

o Leverage additional public and private resources for zero and low-emission technology 

deployment.

o Work with local air pollution control agencies that are preparing multi-pollutant clean 

air plans that anticipate increased temperatures due to climate change (e.g., Bay Area 

Air Quality Management District).

o In anticipation of additional air quality challenges, evaluate additional staff needs to 

handle the larger workload.

• Use ORIA-generated messages and local resources to educate the public regarding mold and 

other indoor air quality issues. Work with local air pollution control agencies to assure 

consistent messaging.

o Public inquiries may increase due to extreme weather events. Additional regional staff 

time may be needed to answer calls from the public.
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2. Water Program

Much of the work of the EPA Region 9 Water Program - to protect and improve water quality and 

enhance aquatic resources - also contributes to the resilience of watersheds. In fact, many of the tools 

and approaches used today (e.g., wetlands and floodplain restoration, watershed management, green 

infrastructure implementation, and water conservation) will be even more critical under changing 

climatic conditions. Hence, the Water Program’s priority for climate change adaptation is to accelerate 

these existing efforts. We will focus not only on restoring impaired watersheds, but also protecting 

higher quality watersheds to increase their resilience to climate change impacts.

The near-term EPA Region 9 Water Program priority actions are described below, arranged under the 4 

main water programmatic elements identified in the “National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response 

to Climate Change” – Infrastructure, Watersheds and Wetlands, Coastal and Ocean Waters, and Water 

Quality. 

a. Infrastructure

• Reach out to utilities and provide webinars to inform them about and encourage use of Climate 

Ready Water Utilities (CRWU) tools, including the Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness 

Tool (CREAT), vulnerability assessments, training workshops, and other tools. 

• Work with the states to support use of Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) monies to 

train water utilities on American Water Works Association (AWWA's) Water Audit Software (if 

appropriate permission is obtained) to identify customized and cost-effective water savings 

opportunities, and continue to promote use of SRF for leak detection or repair. EPA will consider 

conducting a webinar(s) on the AWWA software as well. 

• Encourage water utilities (and others, including schools) to become EPA WaterSense partners. 

• Work through the interagency partnerships coordinated by our Sustainable Infrastructure 

program, as well the California Financing Coordinating Committee, to leverage funding to 

support sustainable water infrastructure and water use efficiency projects.

• Encourage the reuse of water through collaboration with state and tribal governments, utilities 

and non-government partners.

• Communicate the advantages and successes of green infrastructure through the EPA Region 9 

website and outreach opportunities; assemble case studies of utilities that have successfully 

implemented adaptation planning. Encourage implementation of green infrastructure through 

numerous EPA funding programs, including SRF, SFBWQIF, National Estuary Program, Clean 

Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source, and US-Mexico Border Infrastructure.

• Develop model language for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to 

require asset management planning that accounts for existing facility replacement and 

maintenance, as well as potential upgrades needed to deal with sea level rise and increased 

flood risk, where appropriate. [Work with EPA Headquarters]

• Promote sustainable asset management through enforcement orders and consent decrees, as 

appropriate.
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b. Watersheds and Wetlands

• Enhance EPA Region 9’s efforts to restore impaired waters and improve aquatic ecosystems, in 

order to increase watershed resilience to climate change. Actions include targeted project 

implementation in priority watersheds, based on Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) 

determinations and watershed plans, and collaboration in these watersheds with federal, state, 

territory, tribal and local agency partners to leverage additional resources and expertise to 

achieve meaningful results.

• Work with the State of California and the California Water Quality Monitoring Council to identify 

healthy watersheds through an integrated assessment, and to support the implementation of 

California’s Healthy Streams Partnership (report expected in December, 2013).

• Continue to deliver outreach on the Climate Change Handbook (EPA’s effort with CDWR and 

COE for Integrated Regional Water Management Planning) to assist water planners in 

integrating climate change considerations into their water resource plans, particularly outside 

California.

• Develop model language for commenting on Clean Water Act Section 404 permits (impacts to 

wetlands) to request that project alternatives consider sea level rise and flood risk, as well as 

decreasing stressors on wetlands (and other waters of the US) sensitive to climate change (e.g., 

coral reefs, alpine fens). Develop model climate change adaptation language for Section 404 

permit-related wetland mitigation banks. Incorporate green infrastructure provisions, for 

management and use of runoff, into appropriate wetland permits and CWA Section 401 

certifications for water quality. [Work with EPA Headquarters]

• Incorporate the consideration of climate change adaptation into watershed-related EPA grant 

requests for proposal (RFPs) and other funding mechanisms. Encourage, or require, applicants 

to protect and restore aquatic landscapes to make existing communities more climate-ready 

(e.g., more robust riparian habitat and wetlands, more groundwater recharge areas, less runoff 

of pollution directly into water ways). 

• Encourage states and tribes to conduct water quality monitoring under Clean Water Act section 

106, to gather water quality information that can also be used to track potential changes to 

water quality from climate change. 

• For the San Francisco Bay, seek opportunities to support and work with climate change 

adaptation efforts underway, through our participation on the Bay Conservation and 

Development Commission, the Habitat Goals Project, and other San Francisco Bay Forums. 

• Collaborate with nongovernment partners and key agencies [i.e., California Department of 

Water Resources (CDWR), US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), the US Army Corps of Engineers 

(ACOE), and the US Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)] to implement the Central 

Valley Flood Protection Plan, by: 

- setting back levees to reconnect creeks and rivers with floodplains (thereby increasing capacity 

for flood retention and groundwater recharge); 

- restoring riparian forest to the floodplains to recover fish and wildlife populations and improve

water quality; and
DRAFT Page 21 of 46

- providing landowners with incentives for levee setbacks and revenue for resulting ecosystem 

services, in collaboration with the agricultural community.

c. Coastal and Ocean Waters

• Work with the three EPA Region 9 National Estuary Programs (San Francisco Estuary 

Partnership, Morro Bay Estuary Program and Santa Monica Bay Partnership) to facilitate sharing 

of climate change information and tools, including those developed under the Climate Ready 

Estuaries Program (e.g., technical guidance, toolkits, reports, and studies).

• Continue appropriate involvement in the West Coast Governor’s Alliance on Ocean Health.

• Continue participation in updating the San Francisco Bay Wetlands Goals Report, which will 

incorporate an improved understanding of the impact of climate change on bay habitats. 

Engage in other climate change adaptation efforts with partners in the Bay Delta Estuary, as 

appropriate.

• Develop and implement key elements of the EPA Region 9 Coral Reef Strategy to reduce local 

stress on coral reefs systems (i.e., land-based pollution from point and non-point sources) which 

compounds the vulnerability of coral reefs to ocean acidification and rising sea-surface 

temperatures. Use available EPA resources to identify effective adaptation methods and reduce 

local stress on coral reefs, and facilitate information exchange with our partners.

• Pacific Islands Office and Water Division will coordinate with the Pacific islands, state, territory 

and local agencies, other federal agency offices, and other partners to identify the most critical 

vulnerabilities. EPA Region 9 will continue to take into consideration the differences among 

individual islands. Encourage the use of EPA funds to leverage capital funds for infrastructure 

improvements, and conduct outreach and training for Pacific Island staff and other stakeholders 

about taking climate change into consideration and building resilience. Current priorities 

include long-term protection of drinking water supplies and improving wastewater 

management.

d. Water Quality

• Ensure that NPDES stormwater permits consider climate change impacts and require the use of 

stormwater retention and infiltration approaches (and other appropriate green infrastructure 

provisions) for new development and redevelopment.

• Share information with other states, tribes, and EPA regions about California’s laws and policies 

which encourage and set goals for water recycling. This could include indirect potable water 

reuse, gray water reuse, and rainwater harvesting.

• Consistent with the Bay Delta Action Plan:

- Collaborate with the California State Water Resources Control Board to set water quality 

standards that factor in expected changes in precipitation and snowpack.
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3. National Environmental Policy Act Review Program.

EPA Region 9 drafted a National Environmental Policy Project Review - Best Practices Guide (for internal 

EPA Region 9 use) for reviewing and commenting on EPA and other federal agency NEPA documents. 

The guide will help staff ensure that climate change-related environmental effects of federal projects

have been fully analyzed. 

4. Pesticides Program. 

The EPA Region 9 Pesticides Office will provide information specific to EPA Region 9 to the national 

program office for pesticide registrations and registration reviews, and will help to ensure that climate 

change impacts in EPA Region 9 are taken into account. The Pesticides Office will identify how it will 

best incorporate climate change adaptation into its program operations. The regional program will also 

determine how to best work with partners and stakeholders (e.g., state, tribe and Pacific island 

regulatory partners, pesticide applicators, growers, farmworkers, etc.) to help them better prepare to 

adapt to climate change and to incorporate sustainable pest control practices as conditions and species 

shift. Depending on the availability of sufficient funding and resources, the EPA Region 9 Pesticides 

Office proposes to incorporate climate change adaptation into its program as follows:

 Pesticide Regulation

• Provide relevant climate-related information to EPA Headquarters Office of Pesticides Programs 

for pesticide registration reviews;

• Assist state, tribe and Pacific island partners with responding to potential increased need for 

compliance monitoring to ensure that climate change impacts do not result in pesticide misuse;

• Note that EPA Headquarters Office of Pesticide Programs will: 

o respond to increased requests for emergency exemptions for unregistered pesticides, 

special need registrations from state and local governments, as well as requests to 

approve additional or new uses of registered products;

o revise pesticide risk assessments to account for anticipated temperature and 

precipitation changes;

o respond (through changes in registration) to changes in quantity, amount, classification, 

and formulation of pesticides that may be needed to combat pests in response to 

changes in impacts to crops and humans, as appropriate.

Pesticide Outreach and Education 

• Work with state, tribe, and Pacific island partners to provide training and resources to, e.g.,

the University of California IPM Program, pesticide applicators, growers, schools, and the 

general public on Integrated Pest Management and other sustainable practices, as 

requested, for agricultural and non-agricultural pest control;

• Work with appropriate stakeholders (e.g., regulatory partners, agriculture) to determine 

which species to manage with pesticides and which to not manage, as species shift in 

response to climate change. [Work with EPA Headquarters]
DRAFT Page 23 of 46

5. Waste Program: 

The EPA Region 9 Waste Program will evaluate how to incorporate climate change adaptation into its 

existing activities, and examine where it may be most important to consider climate change adaptation. 

The program will consider improved mapping of hazardous waste sites that accounts for climate change 

vulnerabilities (e.g., sea level rise, storm event flooding, increased wildfire risk, high heat events, and 

droughts), especially around vulnerable communities and ecosystems. Any effective decision-support 

tools identified will be shared with states, territories, tribes, and other EPA regions and Headquarters 

Program Offices.

6. Superfund Program:

The Region 9 Superfund Program will continue to identify opportunities to consider climate change 

adaptation in our remedial decision-making, and in the design, operation and effectiveness evaluation of 

our remedies. An important part of this effort will be continuing staff education on the effects of a 

changing climate on the environment and on effective means of accounting for this change in our 

decision-making and long term planning (removal and remedial cleanups, RE-Powering America, 

Brownfields grants, Regional Support Corps emergency response).

The Region 9 Superfund Program will consider improved mapping of Superfund sites that accounts for 

climate change vulnerabilities (e.g. sea level rise, storm event flooding, increased wildfire risk, high heat 

events and droughts), especially around vulnerable communities and ecosystems. The program will also 

consider opportunities to share effective decision-support tools with other EPA regions and 

Headquarters Program Offices. Climate change may lead to climate-related events that result in an 

increased need for emergency response support. Consequently, the EPA Region 9 Superfund Program 

will continue to focus on providing sufficient staffing for emergency response, including support from 

the EPA R9 Response Support Corps.
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V. Measuring and Evaluating Performance

A critical element of our climate change adaptation strategy is the measurement and evaluation of our 

regional efforts. We will evaluate our climate change adaptation actions on an ongoing basis to assess 

our progress toward mainstreaming climate change adaptation into the Region’s programs, policies, 

rules, and operations. Evaluating progress of our adaptation actions is particularly important because so 

much of what we are doing with climate change adaptation is new and there will be a lot of “learning by 

doing.” Based on the lessons we learn, and lessons drawn from the efforts of our national programs, 

regional counterparts, and other key partners and stakeholders, we can make adjustments to the way 

adaptation is integrated into our activities. 

The Region will conduct an annual evaluation of our progress and performance under this 

implementation plan, with a particular focus on the priority actions in Section IV. The initial focus of our 

evaluation will be a narrative assessment of our successes and accomplishments, what efforts and 

strategies are working well – and why – as well as an identification of those activities that are not 

proving successful, the reasons, and any recommendations for new or different approaches that would 

yield better results and outcomes. This type of evaluation will best allow the Region to highlight our 

progress, and learn from our efforts in order to continually improve the effectiveness of our climate 

change adaptation mainstreaming efforts. 

Although the Region is not identifying any specific “performance measures” for our climate change 

adaptation work at this time, we anticipate that such measures could be developed in future years as 

we more fully integrate climate change efforts into our regional programs. In addition, the Region will 

continue to coordinate with our Headquarters counterparts to provide input for the existing Agencywide strategic performance measures from the FY 2011–2015 EPA Strategic Plan, as well as any annual 

performance measures being established by the national program managers. These national measures, 

which focus on integrating climate change adaptation into the Agency’s rulemaking processes, 

distribution of financial and technical resources, and development of information tools, represent a 

framework within which we anticipate developing future performance measures for our regional climate 

change adaptation mainstreaming efforts. 

________________________

Footnotes

1 United States Environmental Protection Agency, Policy Statement. (June 2, 2011). Policy Statement on 

Climate Change Adaptation. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/Downloads/impactsadaptation/adaptation-statement.pdf

2 United States Environmental Protection Agency. (February 8, 2013). Draft Climate Change Adaptation 

Plan. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/pdfs/EPA-climate-change-adaptation-plan-final-for-publiccomment-2-7-13.pdf
DRAFT Page 25 of 46

3 United States Global Change Research Program (2009). Global Climate Change Impacts in the United 

States . Karl, T.R., J.M. Melillo, and T.C. Peterson (eds.). United States Global Change Research Program. 

Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, USA. http://globalchange.gov/what-wedo/assessment/previous-assessments/global-climate-change-impacts-in-the-us-2009

4 United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate 

Matter: Final Report. http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/pm/s_pm_2007_isa.html

5 Keener, V. W., Marra, J.J., Finucane, M. L., Spooner, D., & Smith, M. H. (Eds.). (2012). Climate

Change and Pacific Islands: Indicators and Impacts. Report for the 2012 Pacific Islands Regional Climate 

Assessment (PIRCA). Washington, DC: Island Press. http://www.pacificrisa.org/projects/pirca/

6 United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2012). National Water Program 2012 Strategy: 

Response to Climate Change. http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange

7 Jackson, S. (2006). Vegetation, environment, and time: the origination and termination of ecosystems. 

Journal of Vegetation Science 17:549-557. Available at http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1658/1100-

9233(2006)17%5B549:VEATT0%5D2.0.CO%3B2

8

Fletcher, C. (2010). Hawai’i’s Changing Climate. Briefing Sheet. 

http://icap.seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/sites/seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/files/publications/ClimateBriefin

g__web.pdf

9 Parry, M.L., O.F. Canziani, J.P. Palutikof, P.J. van der Linden and C.E. Hanson (eds.). (2007). Contribution 

of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate 

Change, 2007. “Climate Change 2007: Working Group II: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability.” 

Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, 2007. 

10 Cutter, S.L. and C. Finch. (2008). “Temporal and spatial changes in social vulnerability to natural 

hazards.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 105(7): 2301-2306.

11 Solomon, S., G-K Plattner, R. Knutti, and P. Friedlingstein. (2009). Irreversible climate change due to 

carbon dioxide emissions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(6): 1,704-1,709. DOI: 

10.1073/pnas.0812721106; Johanson, C.M., and Q. Fu, 2009: Hadley Cell Widening: Model Simulations 

versus Observations. Journal of Climate, 22:2,713–2,725.

12 Seager, R., et al. (2007). Model Projections of an Imminent Transition to a More Arid Climate in 

Southwestern North America. Science, 316: 1,181-1,184.
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Appendix A: Challenges that Climate Change Poses to 

EPA Region 9 Program Effectiveness

Goal a

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS b EPA REGION 9 PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS c Type of Climate Change Impact d Likelihood of Climate Change Impact e

Focus of 

Associated 

Region 9 Program

Likelihood Region 9 Program will 

be Affected by Impact f

Example of Risks to Public Health 

and Environment if 

Region 9 Program were Impacted

Goal 1: Taking Action on Climate Change and 

Improving Air Quality • Increased 

tropospheric 

ozone 

pollution in 

certain 

regions

• Likely1 • Protecting public 

health and the 

environment by

• approving 

state 

programs 

to meet 

the 

National 

Ambient 

Air Quality 

Standards 

(NAAQS), 

and 

• implemen

ting 

programs 

in Indian 

Country. 

• High • Could become more difficult to 

attain NAAQS for ozone in many 

areas with existing ozone 

problems. 
DRAFT Page 27 of 46

Goal a

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS b EPA REGION 9 PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS c Type of Climate Change Impact d Likelihood of Climate Change Impact e

Focus of 

Associated 

Region 9 Program

Likelihood Region 9 Program will 

be Affected by Impact f

Example of Risks to Public Health 

and Environment if 

Region 9 Program were Impacted

• Increased 

frequency 

and intensity 

of wildfires

• Likely2 • Protecting public 

health and the 

environment by

• approving 

state 

programs 

to meet 

the 

National 

Ambient 

Air Quality 

Standards 

(NAAQS), 

and 

• implemen

ting 

programs 

in Indian 

Country.

• High • Could complicate Agency efforts 

to protect public health and the 

environment from risks posed by 

particulate matter (PM) pollution 

in areas affected by more 

frequent wildfires. 

• Increasing 

extreme 

temperatures 

• Increasing 

heavy 

precipitation 

events

• Very 

Likely3

• Likely3,6

• Protect public 

health by 

promoting 

healthy indoor 

environments 

through 

voluntary 

programs and 

guidance.

• Med. • Could increase public health risks 

in indoor environments; including 

risks for the young, the elderly, 

the chronically ill, and 

socioeconomically disadvantaged 

populations.
DRAFT Page 28 of 46

Goal a

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS b EPA REGION 9 PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS c Type of Climate Change Impact d Likelihood of Climate Change Impact e

Focus of 

Associated 

Region 9 Program

Likelihood Region 9 Program will 

be Affected by Impact f

Example of Risks to Public Health 

and Environment if 

Region 9 Program were Impacted

• Effects on the 

stratospheric 

ozone layer

• Likely4 • Restoring the 

stratospheric 

ozone layer,

• Preventing UVrelated disease, 

and

• Providing a 

smooth 

transition to 

safer energy 

alternatives.

• Low • Unable to restore ozone 

concentrations to benchmark 

levels as quickly, at some 

latitudes.

• Effects on 

response of 

ecosystems 

to 

atmospheric 

deposition of 

sulfur, 

nitrogen, and 

mercury.

• Likely5 • Agency 

emissions 

reduction 

programs 

provide some 

ecosystem 

protection.

• Low • Could have consequences for the 

effectiveness of ecosystem 

protections under certain 

programs.
DRAFT Page 29 of 46

Goal a

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS b EPA REGION 9 PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS c Type of Climate Change Impact d Likelihood of Climate Change Impact e

Focus of 

Associated 

Region 9 Program

Likelihood Region 9 Program will 

be Affected by Impact f

Example of Risks to Public Health 

and Environment if 

Region 9 Program were Impacted

• Increasing 

heavy 

precipitation 

events

• Increasing 

intensity of 

hurricanes 

and typhoons

• Decreasing 

precipitation 

days and 

increasing 

drought 

intensity 

• Sea-level rise 

• Ocean 

acidification 

(continued 

below)

• Likely3,6

• Likely3

• Likely6

• Very 

likely7

• Certain8

• Restoring and 

protecting 

watersheds, 

aquatic 

ecosystems and 

wetlands.

(continued 

below)

• High • Increased heavy precipitation and 

storm events increase number of 

sewer overflows and wastewater 

bypasses, increased coastal and 

inland erosion, as well as 

increased pollutant loads in 

runoff, and may combine to 

damage waterway channels, 

coastlines and infrastructure, 

decrease water quality, and 

threaten public health.

• Sea level rise would flood coastal 

wetlands and eliminate them if 

they cannot migrate up slope and 

inland. 

• Ocean acidification will increase 

stress on shellfisheries and 

continued stress on coral reefs. 

(continued below)
DRAFT Page 30 of 46

Goal a

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS b EPA REGION 9 PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS c Type of Climate Change Impact d Likelihood of Climate Change Impact e

Focus of 

Associated 

Region 9 Program

Likelihood Region 9 Program will 

be Affected by Impact f

Example of Risks to Public Health 

and Environment if 

Region 9 Program were Impacted

Goal 2: Protecting America’s Waters

• Increased 

water 

temperatures

• Earlier timing 

of spring 

snowmelt 

events

• Reduction in 

snowpack

• Increased 

frequency 

and intensity 

of wildfires

• Very 

Likely9

• Very 

Likely10

• Very 

likely11

• Likely2

• (Continued) 

Restoring and 

protecting 

watersheds, 

aquatic 

ecosystems and 

wetlands.

• High • Increased stresses to water bodies 

and water quality would make it 

more challenging to protect and 

restore the chemical, biological, 

and physical integrity of Waters of 

the U.S, and water quality 

standards.

• Snowmelt runoff shift to earlier in 

the spring, could result in 

increased floods in spring and 

reduced stream flow later in 

summer, altering aquatic 

environments and increasing 

impairments.

• Geographic shifts in aquatic 

habitat and species may threaten 

water quality and the economic 

and cultural practices of tribal, 

and other indigenous, 

communities.

• Increased temperatures, drought, 

wildfires, and invasive species may 

accelerate landscape change and 

make certain aquatic ecosystems 

(e.g., mountain wet meadows, 

vernal pools, desert springs, and 

playa lakes) more vulnerable to 

loss. 
DRAFT Page 31 of 46

Goal a

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS b EPA REGION 9 PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS c Type of Climate Change Impact d Likelihood of Climate Change Impact e

Focus of 

Associated 

Region 9 Program

Likelihood Region 9 Program will 

be Affected by Impact f

Example of Risks to Public Health 

and Environment if 

Region 9 Program were Impacted

• Increasing 

heavy 

precipitation 

events

• Increasing 

intensity of 

hurricanes 

and typhoons

• Sea-level rise

• Increasing 

flood risk

• Increased 

frequency 

and intensity 

of wildfires

• Earlier timing 

of spring 

snowmelt 

events

• Decreasing 

precipitation 

days and 

increasing

drought 

intensity

• Likely3,6

• Likely3

• Very 

likely7

• Likely6 

• Likely2

• Very

Likely 10

• Likely6

• Drinking water, 

wastewater and 

stormwater 

infrastructure 

• High • Increase in inland precipitation , 

storm intensity and snowmelt 

flooding could overwhelm or 

damage water infrastructure (i.e., 

intakes, outfalls, treatment plants, 

and associated pipes and pumps) 

resulting in an increase in 

pathogens and an increased 

incidence of waterborne diseases 

• Sea level rise in combination with 

Intensifying coastal storms and 

flooding would impact coastal and 

tide-water infrastructure; which 

could result in an increase in 

pathogens, an increased incidence 

of waterborne diseases, and 

reduced access to freshwater 

• In addition to earthquake 

response plans and other hazard 

response plans, drinking water 

and wastewater utilities will need 

to consider extreme weather, 

wildfire, and sea level events in 

their emergency response plans, 

as appropriate (an “all hazards” 

approach)

• Problems of safety as well as 

access to clean and safe drinking 

water will be exacerbated for 

vulnerable and economically 

deprived communities.
DRAFT Page 32 of 46

Goal a

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS b EPA REGION 9 PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS c Type of Climate Change Impact d Likelihood of Climate Change Impact e

Focus of 

Associated 

Region 9 Program

Likelihood Region 9 Program will 

be Affected by Impact f

Example of Risks to Public Health 

and Environment if 

Region 9 Program were Impacted

• Increased 

water 

temperatures 

• Increasing 

heavy 

precipitation 

events

• Decreasing 

precipitation 

days and 

increasing 

drought 

intensity 

• Reduction in 

snowpack

• Increased 

frequency 

and intensity 

of wildfires

• Earlier timing 

of spring 

snowmelt 

events

• Sea Level Rise

• Very 

likely8

• Likely3

• Likely6

• Very 

likely10

• Likely2

• Very 

Likely10

• Very 

Likely7

• The quality and 

availability of 

safe drinking 

water

• High • High water temperatures and 

increased storm-water runoff may 

increase the need for drinking 

water treatment, raising drinking 

water system costs and costs for 

customers. 

• Decrease in precipitation or 

changes in precipitation seasons 

could impact water availability, 

forcing communities to seek 

alternative sources.

• Changes in precipitation or an 

increased need for water supplies 

may increase pressure to use 

other water supplies (e.g., surface 

reservoirs, or naturally occurring 

or injected groundwater requiring 

EPA to ensure safety.

• Problems of access to clean and 

safe drinking water will be 

exacerbated for vulnerable and 

economically deprived 

communities.

• Sea Level Rise could lead to salt 

water inundation or intrusion into 

coastal freshwater groundwater 

sources.
DRAFT Page 33 of 46

Goal a

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS b EPA REGION 9 PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS c Type of Climate Change Impact d Likelihood of Climate Change Impact e

Focus of 

Associated 

Region 9 Program

Likelihood Region 9 Program will 

be Affected by Impact f

Example of Risks to Public Health 

and Environment if 

Region 9 Program were Impacted

Goal 3: Cleaning Up America’s Communities & Advancing Sustainable Development

• Increasing 

heavy 

precipitation 

events 

• Increasing 

risk of floods

• Sea level rise

• Changes in 

temperature

• Increased 

frequency 

and intensity 

of wildfires

• Likely3,6

• Likely6

• Very 

likely7

• Very 

likely3

• Likely2

• Cleaning up 

Contaminated 

Sites and Waste 

Management 

• Med. • Increasingly frequent or intense 

inland and coastal flooding, as 

well as increasingly frequent or 

intense wildfires, could increase 

the risk of contaminant releases 

from EPA hazardous waste sites

• EPA may need to alter selected 

remedies to ensure protection.

• Increasing 

heavy 

precipitation 

events

• Increasing 

intensity of 

hurricanes 

and typhoons

• Increasing 

risk of floods

• Increased 

frequency 

and intensity 

of wildfires

• Likely3,6

• Likely3

• Likely 6

• Likely2

• Emergency 

Response 

• High 

for 

islands 

and 

Med.

for 

mainland.

• Increase in frequency and/or 

intensity of coastal and inland 

flood events, storm events and 

wildfires could increase the risk of 

contaminant releases from 

regulated sites and non-regulated 

sites, which would increase the 

need for emergency response.

• A rapid increase in level and 

frequency of emergency events 

could overwhelm EPA’s 

emergency response resources 

and limit our ability to respond 

quickly and effectively, which 

could result in more risk to 

communities and the 

environment. 
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Goal a

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS b EPA REGION 9 PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS c Type of Climate Change Impact d Likelihood of Climate Change Impact e

Focus of 

Associated 

Region 9 Program

Likelihood Region 9 Program will 

be Affected by Impact f

Example of Risks to Public Health 

and Environment if 

Region 9 Program were Impacted

Goal 4: Ensuring Safety of Chemicals & Preventing Pollution

• Decreasing 

precipitation 

days and 

increasing 

drought 

intensity

• Increasing 

extreme 

temperatures

• Increasing 

heavy 

precipitation 

events

• Earlier timing 

of spring 

events

• Increase in, 

and a 

changing mix 

of, pests*

(* includes 

weeds, insects, 

molds, fungi, 

and diseases)

• Likely6

• Very 

likely3

• Likely3,6

• Very 

likely10

• Very 

likely12

• Protecting 

human health 

and ecosystems 

from chemical 

risks 

• Med. • Changes in planting timing or 

location may affect the volume 

and timing of agricultural chemical 

use, which could impact water 

quality and pesticide exposures to 

people and the environment.

• Many weeds, diseases, and insect 

pests would benefit from 

warming, and many weeds would 

also benefit from a higher carbon 

dioxide concentration, increasing 

stress on crop plants and requiring 

more attention to pest and weed 

control.

• Emergency exemptions for 

unregistered pesticides, 

state/local special need 

registrations, as well as requests 

to approve additional or new end 

uses of registered products, may 

increase.
DRAFT Page 35 of 46

Goal a

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS b EPA REGION 9 PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS c Type of Climate Change Impact d Likelihood of Climate Change Impact e

Focus of 

Associated 

Region 9 Program

Likelihood Region 9 Program will 

be Affected by Impact f

Example of Risks to Public Health 

and Environment if 

Region 9 Program were Impacted

Goal 5: Enforcing Environmental Laws

• Earlier timing 

of spring 

events

• Increasing 

risk of floods

• Increased 

frequency 

and intensity 

of wildfires

• Increasing 

heavy 

precipitation 

events

• Increased 

water 

temperatures 

• Very 

Likely10

• Likely 6

• Likely2

• Likely3,6

• Very 

likely7

• Conducting 

environmental 

sampling of 

water, air and

soils and of 

materials to 

determine 

exposure and 

risk

• Med. • Increase in frequency and/or 

intensity of coastal and inland 

flood events, storm events and 

wildfires, as well as sea level rise, 

may require a change in sampling 

methods and strategies for EPA 

and its partners. 

• Increase in frequency or intensity 

of flood events, storm events and 

wildfires, as well as sea level rise 

may impact EPA’s and partners’ 

long-term sampling locations, 

which may require EPA and 

partners to set up new sampling 

sites and analyze data from 

different sites over the long term. 

Facilities and Operations

• Decreasing 

precipitation 

days and 

increasing 

drought 

intensity

• Increasing 

extreme 

temperatures

• Likely 6

• Very 

likely3

• Water and 

energy usage at 

EPA facilities 

• Low • Region 9 facilities are in areas that 

could experience water shortages, 

requiring even more water 

conservation.

• Region 9 facilities are in locations 

that could experience extreme 

heat events, requiring even more 

energy conservation; and in cases 

of resulting region-wide power 

failure, could require additional 

accommodations.
DRAFT Page 36 of 46

Goal a

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS b EPA REGION 9 PROGRAMMATIC IMPACTS c Type of Climate Change Impact d Likelihood of Climate Change Impact e

Focus of 

Associated 

Region 9 Program

Likelihood Region 9 Program will 

be Affected by Impact f

Example of Risks to Public Health 

and Environment if 

Region 9 Program were Impacted

• Increasing 

risk of floods

• Increasing 

intensity of 

hurricanes 

and typhoons

• Sea level rise

• Increasing 

extreme

temperatures

• Increased 

frequency 

and intensity 

of wildfire

• Likely 6

• Likely3

• Very 

likely7

• Very 

likely3

• Likely2

• Operations of 

Agency facilities, 

personnel safety, 

physical security, 

and emergency 

communications

• Emergency 

management 

mission support 

(protective gear 

and acquisition)

• Med. • Facilities in coastal or inland floodprone areas may be flooded or 

their access cut off.

• Personnel engaged in field work 

may be vulnerable to extreme 

temperatures or weather events.

• During an emergency extreme 

weather, flooding, or wildfire 

event; power may be cut off, 

which could impact security, 

lighting, temperature control, and 

communication systems.

• Personnel and real property that 

support emergency response and 

management may be impacted 

directly or indirectly by flood 

events, storm events and 

wildfires; and EPA’s ability to 

respond in an emergency could be 

compromised.
DRAFT Page 37 of 46

Footnotes for Summary Table of Potential Challenges that Climate Change Poses to the Functioning of 

EPA Region 9 Programs

Appendix A Table - Heading Footnotes:

a

This table summarizes vulnerabilities by the five goals in EPA’s Strategic Plan http://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan.html. 

Please note that the table also summarizes vulnerabilities to EPA facilities and operations; this is not part of the EPA Strategic Plan goal 

structure but is an important element of EPA’s vulnerability assessment. Please see Section 2 of this document for a fuller discussion of 

impacts.

b

Climate Change Impacts are based upon peer-reviewed scientific literature.

c Programmatic Impacts are based upon EPA best professional judgment at this time.

d Impacts can vary by season and location. 

e In general, the sources cited in this section use Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) likelihood of outcome terminology 

where the term ‘very likely’ means 90-100% probability and the term ‘likely’ means 66-100% probability. For some impacts in the table, 

additional discussion on the likelihood term is provided in the associated footnote.

f High assumes the program will be affected by the impact; Medium assumes the program could be affected under some conditions by 

the impact; Low assumes that there is a potential for the program to be impacted or uncertainty currently exists as to the potential nature 

and extent of the impact. This assessment is based on best professional judgment within EPA at this time. Please note, this column 

does not reflect several important considerations. For example it does not distinguish timeframes (current, near-term, long-term). It does 

not account for regional and local variations. And it does not reflect the priority of actions the agency may undertake now or in the future. 

Appendix A Table Text Footnotes:

1 Denman, K.L., et al. (2007). Couplings Between Changes in the Climate System and Biogeochemistry. In: Climate Change 2007: The 

Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate 

Change [Solomon, S., D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Averyt, M. Tignor and H.L. Miller (eds.)]. Cambridge University 

Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA.

2 C.B. Field et al., “North America,” Chapter 14 in Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Contribution of Working 

Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, ed. M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P. 

Palutikof, P.J. van der Linden and C.E. Hanson (Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA: Cambridge University Press, 

2007).

3 IPCC, 2012: Summary for Policymakers. In: Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change 

Adaptation [Field, C.B., V. Barros, T.F. Stocker, D. Qin, D.J. Dokken, K.L. Ebi, M.D. Mastrandrea, K.J. Mach, G.-K. Plattner, S.K. Allen, 

M. Tignor, and P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. A Special Report of Working Groups I and II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 

Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, and New York, NY, USA, pp. 1-19.

4 World Meteorological Organization, Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2010, Global Ozone Research and Monitoring Project—

Report No. 52 (Geneva, Switzerland, 2011). Note: the word “expected” is used in the report to characterize projected climate change 

impacts on the stratospheric ozone layer. For purposes of this table the word “likely” has been used as a proxy for “expected.”

5 Burns, D.A., Lynch, J.A., Cosby, B.J., Fenn, M.E., Baron, J.S., US EPA Clean Air Markets Div., 2011,National Acid Precipitation 

Assessment Program Report to Congress 2011: An Integrated Assessment, National Science and Technology Council, Washington, DC, 

p. 114.

6 USGCRP, 2009: Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States. Thomas R. Karl, Jerry M. Melillo, and Thomas C. 

Peterson (eds.). United States Global Change Research Program. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, USA.

7 IPCC, 2012: “it is very likely that mean sea level rise will contribute to upward trends in extreme coastal high water levels in the future.”

8 NRC, 2010: National Research Council of the National Academies, America’s Climate Choices: Panel on Advancing the Science of 

Climate Change, 2010. p 41. “One of the most certain outcomes from increasing CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere is the 

acidification of the world’s oceans.” For purposes of this table, the term “certain” is used.

9 USGCRP, 2009: p. 46. [In the case of freshwater] “Increased air temperatures lead to higher water temperatures, which have already 

been detected in many streams, especially during low-flow periods.” For the purposes of this table “very likely” is used.
DRAFT Page 38 of 46

10 USGCRP, 2009: p. 45. [In the case of timing of snow melt] “In areas where snowpack dominates, the timing of runoff will continue to 

shift to earlier in the spring and flows will be lower in late summer.” Based upon EPA best professional judgment at the time, the 

likelihood of this impact was determined to be “very likely.”

Lettenmaier, D., D. Major, L. Poff, and S. Running, 2008: Water Resources. In: The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, 

Land Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity in the United States. Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3. U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Washington, DC, p.130. Based upon EPA best professional judgment at the time, the likelihood of this impact was 

determined to be “very likely.”

USGCRP, 2009: p. 80. [In the case of onset of spring and length of the growing season] “In the United States, 

spring now arrives an average of 10 days to two weeks earlier than it did 20 years ago. The growing season is lengthening over much of 

the continental United States.” Based upon EPA best professional judgment at the time, the likelihood of this impact was determined to 

be “very likely.”

11 Bates, B.C., Z.W. Kundzewicz, S. Wu and J.P. Palutikof, Eds., 2008: Climate Change and Water. Technical Paper of the 

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC Secretariat, Geneva, p. 130

12 USGCRP, 2009. Agriculture: p. 75. [In the case of weeds, diseases, and pests] “Weeds, diseases, and insect pests benefit 

from warming, and weeds also benefit from a higher carbon dioxide concentration, increasing stress on crop plants and requiring more 

attention to pest and weed control.” Based upon EPA best professional judgment at the time, the likelihood of this impact was determined 

to be “very likely.”

Hatfield, J., K. Boote, P. Fay, L. Hahn, C. Izaurralde, B.A. Kimball, T. Mader, J. Morgan, D. Ort, W. Polley, A. Thomson, 

and D. Wolfe, 2008: Agriculture. In: The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and 

Biodiversity in the United States. Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC, pp. 59-

60. Based upon EPA best professional judgment at the time, the likelihood of this impact was determined to be “very likely.”
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Appendix B. Summaries of Selected Documents on 

Climate Change Vulnerabilities in EPA Region 9

Climate Change Vulnerabilities – Generally in EPA Region 9

A report by the U.S. Global Change Research program entitled, “Global Climate Change Impacts in the 

United States”

1 pointed to upcoming likely vulnerabilities in the Southwest.

o Water supplies will be subject to more competition (between communities, ecosystems, agriculture 

and power generation) as precipitation decreases and temperatures increase.

o The southwest ecosystem will be more vulnerable to large-scale change given reduced precipitation, 

increased temperatures and the resulting increase in wildfires.

In a National Park Service 2010 report entitled, “Understanding the Science for Climate Change: Talking 

Points – Impacts to Arid Lands”

2

, vulnerabilities are identified: 

o Under current conditions and if no changes in Colorado River allocations are made, there is a 50% 

chance that live storage reservoir levels will be zero by 2021 and a 50% chance that minimum power 

pool levels will be reached in 2017.

o River and riparian habitats will suffer from decreased flows and increased water removal.

o Decreased late dry season runoff will likely reduce water quality through concentration of pollutants 

in shrinking water bodies and decrease in dissolved oxygen.

o Increases in wildfires, due to increased temperatures and changes in precipitation, will set up a selfreinforcing increase in fire frequencies, due to proliferation of exotic fire-prone grasses. The Great 

Basin fire season could increase by 2 or more weeks.

o Increased water demands and a decreased water supply will result in over-allocation of water 

resources that are already oversubscribed in many areas.

Climate Change Vulnerabilities in the Southwest

Climate change issues for the Southwest are described in the 2013 document entitled, “Assessment of 

Climate Change in the Southwest United States. A Report Prepared for the National Climate 

Assessment”3

. The report covers Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah, as well 

as Southwest Native Nations lands and the United States-Mexico border region.

The report includes a discussion of vulnerabilities for communities and habitats, for example:

o Stationarity (assumption that future climate variations will be the same as past climate variations) 

no longer holds in the Southwest. It is likely that temperatures will increase substantially in some 

parts of the Southwest, leading to even more arid conditions.

o Tribal communities are likely to be affected more than non-tribal communities, due to limited water 

supplies and water rights, and impacts on livelihood and traditional lifeways.

o Disadvantaged populations are likely to be most at risk for health issues from heat and particulate 

matter increases and other climate change effects.
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o An increase in temperatures will increase health effects due to heat-related illness; and are likely to 

cause an increase in air-borne particulates (from wildfires and dust storms), and associated 

illnesses.

o Changes in species life cycles and distribution may impact public health (e.g., timing of vegetation 

blooms and associated allergic reactions, presence of mosquitoes and rodents carrying pathogens).

o Changes in land cover will be significant, and is related to an increase in wildfires and pest 

outbreaks. 

o Coastal erosion, flooding and storm surges are likely to increase. The intensity of coastal storms may 

increase. Sea-level rise is occurring. These combine to put coastal communities and habitats at 

more risk.

o Streamflow reduction is expected across the region, which would limit water availability for 

communities and habitats. 

o Surface water quality is expected to be reduced in some parts of the Southwest due to reduced 

streamflows, increased evaporation, and increased nonpoint source pollution from more intense 

storm events and wildfire events.

o Energy supplies may become less reliable as demand for cooling and water pumping increases and 

transmission lines are impacted by high temperatures or wildfires.

Climate Change Vulnerabilities in California

The State of California issued, “Our Changing Climate 2012: Vulnerability & Adaptation to the 

Increasing Risks from Climate Change in California. A Summary Report on the Third Assessment form 

the California Climate Change Center”4

. The report discussed California climate change vulnerabilities.

o Rising temperatures will be more noticeable in spring than in other seasons. 

o Heat events will increase in intensity, length and frequency; which will lead to increased impacts to 

public health (especially for low income populations) and ecosystems.

o Precipitation may decrease and temperatures are likely to grow warmer which will make conditions 

dryer, especially in Southern California. This would also make the spring snowpack melt sooner in 

the year.

o Increased temperatures will lead to an increased demand for water supplies.

o Soil moisture levels are likely to decline during longer dryer summer conditions.

o Dryer and hotter conditions will lead to a higher risk of wildfire.

o Increased wildfires will increase particulate matter and ozone levels, leading to decreased public 

health.

o Sea level rise, combined with high waves and strong winds will impact coastal communities (and 

their infrastructure), habitats and coastlines.

o Sea level rise and more intense storm events will put added pressure on aging Bay Delta levees

The July 2012 report, “Climate Change and Water Supply Security: Reconfiguring Groundwater 

Management to Reduce Drought Vulnerability”

5 was prepared by the University of California at Santa 

Cruz for the California Energy Commission. This report identified key community vulnerabilities:

o Communities in California that already experience water shortages during droughts are likely to 

have more water supply vulnerability.
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o Coastal communities that do not have an inter-tie to larger water projects and that rely on local 

groundwater supplies and storage systems are at significant risk for water supply shortages.

o Communities that subject their groundwater basins to overdraft can permanently lose groundwater 

storage capacity and put their community at greater risk for water shortages.

o Increasing recharge of groundwater basins with treated water requires more care to not introduce 

pollutants into the basin and maintain groundwater quality.

o Increase in large storm events will put communities and their infrastructure at greater risk.

o Communities in the southwest at the urban-forest border will be more vulnerable to damage by 

wildfire as temperatures increase and precipitation decreases.

The report, “The Future is Now: An Update on Climate Change Science Impacts and Response Options 

for California”

6

, prepared for the California Energy Commission in May 2009, found that:

o The American West is heating faster than the United States as a whole. 

o Warming and precipitation changes are not occurring uniformly throughout the state. Two examples 

relating to temperature are the effect of intensive crop irrigation in the Central Valley, which has 

historically decreased the amount of warming in this region, and the increased warming effect 

observed in urban areas. Changes in snowpack and the timing of spring runoff have already been 

observed in the Sierra Nevada Mountains over the past century. 

o Agricultural productivity, forest composition, timing of ecological events (for example, migration), 

and wildfire frequency have all experienced measurable changes resulting from a changing climate. 

o Factors that can aggravate problems caused by climate change include population growth, the 

presence of poor or vulnerable social groups, and seismic risks in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. 

In addition, some climate change impacts will overlap and combine in challenging ways. 

“Preparing for Climate Change: A Perspective from Local Public Health Officers in California”

7

, by

Louise Bedsworth of the Public Policy Institute of California (Published in Environmental Health 

Perspectives, April 2009) summarized climate change impacts on air pollution: 

o Climate change is likely to lead to an increase in the severity and duration of air pollution 

episodes.8, 9

o Air pollution levels can be affected by a number of direct and indirect effects of climate change. 

These include increased temperature, changes in biogenic emissions (e.g., emissions from 

vegetation), changes in chemical reaction rates, changes in atmospheric conditions that affect 

pollutant mixing, and changes in the atmospheric flows that affect pollutant transport.

10

o Behavioral responses to climate change could result in an increase in emissions, such as through the 

increased energy demand with higher temperatures.11, 12

o There is feedback between local air pollution and climate change, because some local air pollutants 

also have an effect on the climate.
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Climate Change Vulnerabilities in Nevada

The Nevada Climate Change Advisory Committee, under then-Governor Jim Gibbons, issued the

“Nevada Climate Change Advisory Committee Final Report” in 200817. Note that this is not a peerreviewed document. The report highlighted the following potential climate change impacts:

o Increases in ozone pollution, air-borne particulate matter and air temperatures could impact public 

health.

o If more of the Sierra Nevada precipitation falls as rain, rather than as snow, then

• Flooding may increase in the Truckee, Walker and Carson River watersheds in the winter 

and spring, and

• Less water may be available in the summer for water supplies, habitat and recreation.

o If Colorado River Basin precipitation decreases, then the Las Vegas Valley may see more pressure on 

its water supplies.

o Decreased precipitation could reduce summer water supplies, increase wild land fires (and 

developed land fire risk), reduce native plant species cover and increase in invasive plant species 

cover.

Climate Change Vulnerabilities in Hawaii and other Pacific Island 

Communities

Climate change issues for the Hawaii and the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands are described in the document 

entitled, “Climate Change and Pacific Islands: Indicators and Impacts. Report for the 2012 Pacific 

Islands Regional Climate Assessment”

14. The report covers the State of Hawai’i, the territories of 

American Samoa and Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, as well as other USAffiliated Pacific Islands. The report includes discussions on island community and habitat 

vulnerabilities:

o Freshwater supplies, particularly on low-elevation islands, may decrease if temperatures increase 

and precipitation decreases. Air temperatures on Hawaiian islands have increased over 100 years 

with a more marked increase over the most recent 30 years. Future trends in precipitation are 

difficult to predict for the Pacific islands. Low-elevation freshwater aquifers are vulnerable to 

inundation from sea level rise combined with storms or other big wave events. A reduction in 

freshwater supplies could raise concerns for island food security.

o Sea level rise will make islands’ coastal infrastructure more vulnerable to the flooding and erosion 

from storm events. Low-elevation islands are especially vulnerable as their entire infrastructure, 

communities and habitats are close to the present-day sea level, and are more subject to wave over 

wash. 

o Coral reefs are vulnerable to sea-surface temperature rise (which can cause coral bleaching) and 

ocean water acidification (which can impact the coral-forming process). An increase in storm events 

could cause more sediment deposition on coral reefs which harms the coral.

o Coastal wetlands (e.g., mangrove forests, sea grass beds) are vulnerable to direct impact from 

increased wave events and tropical cyclone strength, as well as increased sediment pollution from 

eroding watersheds.
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Appendix B Footnotes:

1 USGCRP (2009). Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States . Karl, T.R., J.M. Melillo, and T.C. 

Peterson (eds.). United States Global Change Research Program. Cambridge University Press, New York, 

NY, USA. http://globalchange.gov/what-we-do/assessment/previous-assessments/global-climatechange-impacts-in-the-us-2009

2 Loehman, R. 2010. Understanding the science of climate change: talking points - impacts to Arid Lands.

Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/NRR—2010/209. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.

http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs_other/rmrs_2010_loehman_r002.pdf

3 Garfin, G., A. Jardine, R. Merideth, M. Black, and S. LeRoy, eds. 2013. Assessment of Climate Change in 

the Southwest United States: A Report Prepared for the National Climate Assessment. A report by the 

Southwest Climate Alliance. Washington, DC: Island Press. http://swccar.org/sites/all/themes/files/SWNCA-color-FINALweb.pdf

4 Moser, S., Ekstrom, J., and Franco, G. “Our Changing Climate 2012: Vulnerability & Adaptation to the 

Increasing Risks from Climate Change in California. A Summary Report on the Third Assessment form the 

California Climate Change Center”. (2012). California Energy Commission (CEC-500-2012-007).

http://www.energy.ca.gov/2012publications/CEC-500-2012-007/CEC-500-2012-007.pdf

5 Langridge, Ruth, Andrew Fisher, Andrew Racz, Bruce Daniels, Kirsten Rudestam, and Blake Hihara. 

2012. Climate Change and Water Supply Security: Reconfiguring Groundwater Management to Reduce 

Drought Vulnerability. California Energy Commission. Publication Number: CEC-500-2012-017.

http://www.energy.ca.gov/2012publications/CEC-500-2012-017/CEC-500-2012-017.pdf

6 Moser, Susie, Guido Franco, Sarah Pittiglio, Wendy Chou, Dan Cayan. 2009. The Future Is Now: An 

Update on Climate Change Science Impacts and Response Options for California. California Energy 

Commission, PIER Energy-Related Environmental Research Program. CEC-500-2008-071.

http://www.energy.ca.gov/2008publications/CEC-500-2008-071/CEC-500-2008-071.PDF

7 Bedsworth L. Preparing for climate change: a perspective form local public health officers in California. 

Environ Health Perspectives. 2009 Apr; 117(4):617-23. doi: 10.1289/ehp.0800114. Epub 2008 Dec 8.

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Appendix C: Acknowledgements

This Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plan was prepared by the EPA Pacific Southwest 

Climate Change Workgroup. We wish to gratefully acknowledge the following individuals for their 

assistance in developing and reviewing the Plan.

Air Division

Ben Machol, Clean Energy & Climate Change Office 

Ray Saracino, Clean Energy & Climate Change Office

Amy Zimpfer, Office of the Director 

Communities and Ecosystems Division

Willard Chin, Tribal Program Office

Megan Fleming, Pacific Islands Office

Kathleen Goforth, Environmental Review Office

Nate Lau, Immediate Office

John McCarroll, Pacific Islands Office

Patti TenBrook, Pesticides Office

Enforcement Division

Kathleen Johnson, Office of the Director

Management and Technical Services Division

Carolyn Truong, Office of the Director

Office of the Regional Administrator

Zoe Heller, Immediate Office

Office of Regional Counsel

Brooke-Sydney Jackson, Air, Toxics, Water, and General Law Branch 

Superfund Division

Harold Ball, CA/NV Private Sites Section

Waste Management Division

Tom Huetteman, Office of the Director

Water Division

David Albright, Immediate Office Dave Guiliano, Standards and TMDL Office

Dave Basinger, Ground Water Office Robert Hall, Standards and TMDL Office

Eric Byous, Infrastructure Office Bruce Macler, Drinking Water Office

Christopher Chen, Tribal Office Suzanne Marr, Watersheds Office
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Cheryl McGovern, Infrastructure Office Hudson Slay, Watersheds Office

Pascal Mues, NPDES Permits Office Tim Vendlinski, Immediate Office

Allan Ota, Wetlands Office Wendy Wiltse, Wetlands Office

Karen Schwinn, Immediate Office Sam Ziegler, Watersheds Office