Climate Change Adaptation Reclamation Climate Studies CEQ Climate Adaptation

Paul R. Houser, Science AdvisorPaul R. Houser, Science Advisor

Climate Change Adaptation• Reclamation Climate Studies• CEQ Climate Adaptation• Scientific Integrity Policy

Paul R. HouserManagers’ Conference September 7-8, 2011

Paul R. Houser, Science Advisor

Reclamation Climate Studies

• Climate Change and Water Working Group (CCAWWG): NOAA, USGS, USACE, EPA, NASA, FEMA collaboration

• Climate change is occurring; effects differ regionally.• Water resources management could be affected; hydroclimate conditions becoming non-

stationary.• Climate change is one of many challenges facing water managers.

From USGS Circular 1331 (Brekke et al. 2009)

• Federal agencies that conduct water management have a responsibility to take a lead role in assessing risks to the water resources and to develop adaptation and mitigation strategies

2009 SECURE Water Act (PL 111-11)

• Establishes Landscape Conservation Cooperatives, Climate Science Centers, and Basin Studies

Secretarial Order 3289 and 3297 – WaterSMART

http://www.usbr.gov/climate


West-Wide Climate Risk Assessments (WWCRA) - Hydrologic Projections (2011)

http://www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/wwcra.html

112 Transient Climate Projections…http://gdo-dcp.ucllnl.org/downscaled_cmip3_projections/dcpInterface.html

8 “big basin” VIC hydrology model-apps from Univ. of WA…

112 Transient Hydrologic Projections covering western U.S.…

Analyses of Period-changes in climate and hydrology

SECURE Report to Congress, 2011 focus on median changes; future reports have broader scope

Technical Report, data-development (TSC 86-68210, March 2011)

Data-service, Reclamation and broader public use (Summer 2011)

Peer

Rev

iew


SECURE Water

Spatial Extent of Analyses

WWCRA

http://www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/wwcra.html


Colorado River Change Through Time2020s 2050s 2070s

Temp

Precip

Snow

1950 2000 2050 2100

50

100

150

Colorado River above Imperial Dam

Ann

ual M

ax. W

eek

Run

off,

kcfs

Water Year

• Flood Control Implications

• Environmental Flow Implications

HUGE CAVEAT – e.g. calibration, validation

Annual Max Weekly Runoff

1950 2000 2050 2100

6

8

10

Colorado River above Imperial Dam

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Water Year

Annual Min Weekly Runoff


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• Analyze demands utilizing legacy tools with climate projections

• Put activities within broader context of scenario planning (similar to CO Basin Study Approach).

• Include AR5 climate projections.• Next Secure Water report due in

2016 (every 5 years)

Sector Impacts

Future Work

• Hydropower• Ecological Resiliency• Endangered Species • Recreation• Water Deliveries• Water Quality


SECURE Water


Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force

• Co-Chaired: Council on Environmental Quality, (CEQ) Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

• October 2009: Executive Order calling on Adaptation Task Force to recommend how Federal agency policies and practices can reinforce a national climate change adaptation strategy

• David Hayes represents DOI on the CEQ Adaptation Task Force

Strategic vision: a resilient, healthy and prosperous Nation in the face of a changing climate. Guiding principles:

• Adopt integrated approaches• Prioritize the most vulnerable• Use best available science• Apply risk-management methods and tools• Apply ecosystem-based approaches

http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/adaptation


Progress Report Recommendations: October 14, 2010•make adaptation a standard part of Agency planning•ensure climate change information is easily accessible•align response efforts across jurisdictions and missions•strategy to support international adaptation•partnerships to support local, state, and tribal decision makers•Liz Klein coordinated Draft 2011 report DOI response.

Executive Order (“EO”) 13514 establishes an integrated strategy towards sustainability and requires agencies to evaluate climate change risks and vulnerabilities to manage effects of climate change on the agency’s mission and operations. •Establish agency climate change adaptation plan by June 2012.

•Participate in CEQ climate change adaptation planning workshops

•Agencies submit a draft high-level analysis of agency vulnerability and 3-5 adaptation actions by October 2011, final analysis by March 2012.


Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force


CEQ Draft National Action Plan: Priorities For Managing Freshwater Resources In A

Changing Climate June 2, 2011

Mission: develop a national action plan to identify steps that Federal agencies can take to improve management of freshwater resources

in a changing climate.

RECOMENDATIONS

1.Plan to Adapt Water Resources Management to a Changing Climate.

2.Improve Information for Water Resource Decision‐Making.

3.Strengthen Water Resources Vulnerability Assessments.

4.Expand Water Use Efficiency.

5.Support Integrated Water Resources Management.

6.Support Training and Outreach to Build Response Capability.



Secure Report: BOR Adaptation Actions

• Extending Water Supplies– Yuma Desalting Plant

• Rural Water Supply– Lewiston Orchards Project

• Water Planning– Bay Delta Conservation Program

• River Restoration– Trinity River Restoration Program

• Water Conservation– WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants

• Hydropower– Hoover retrofitting to wide head turbines



Scientific Integrity

• March 2009: Presidential Memorandum on Scientific Integrity

• Sept 2010: Secretarial Order 3305: Ensuring Scientific Integrity within the Department of the Interior

• Dec 2010: Office of Science and Technology Policy Memorandum on Scientific Integrity

• Feb 2011: Salazar Announces New Scientific Integrity Policy and Departmental Science Integrity Officer

• Feb 2011: Deputy Interior Secretary announces DOI Policy, asks Bureaus to incorporate into Bureau policies

• July 2011: Reclamation policy RLT and Public Review, revisions underway.

http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Salazar-Announces-New-Scientific-Integrity-Policy-and-Designation-of-Departmental-Science-Integrity-Officer.cfm


Goals of the policy• Decisions based on science and

scholarship are respected as credible.

• Science is conducted with integrity and excellence.

• Sustain culture of scientific and scholarly integrity that is enduring.

• Employees are proud to uphold the high standards and lead by example.

• Establish scientific code of conduct.

• Policy applies to all employees and volunteers, contractors, cooperators, partners, permittees, leasees, and grantees.

http://elips.doi.gov/app_dm/act_getfiles.cfm?relnum=3889


Reporting and Resolving Allegations of Loss of Integrity

• Allegations submitted in writing

• Bureau Scientific Integrity Officer (BSIO) reviews allegation

• Allegation must be significant departure from accepted practices of scientific community

• Misconduct is intentional fabrication, falsification or plagiarism

• Review panel may be convened

• Corrective action by human resources and the appropriate manager/supervisor

http://elips.doi.gov/app_dm/act_getfiles.cfm?relnum=3889

Documents

Climate Change Adaptation Reclamation Climate Studies CEQ Climate Adaptation