Program Development Status and Outlook 2014

Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation

The Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA):

Program Development Status and OutlookNovember 2014November, 2014


BackgroundBackground

1. February, 2012: Formation of Shoreline Preservation Task Force

2. August, 2012: Public Meeting at Avery Point3. January, 2013: Report of Task Force 4 J 2013 S i l A 13 94. June, 2013: Special Act 13-95. December, 2013: Unilever settlement 6. January, 2014: Gov. Malloy at Avery Point 7 February 2014: Report to the Joint Standing7. February, 2014: Report to the Joint Standing

Committee on the Environment8. May, 2014: UCONN- CTDEEP MOU Signed9 July 2014: Exec Director Appointed9. July, 2014: Exec. Director Appointed10. August, 2014: Director of Community Engagement


GoalsGoals

From Report to Committee on Environment:

The mission of the Connecticut Institute for Resiliency and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) is to increase the resilience and sustainability of vulnerable communities along Connecticut’s coast and inland waterways to th i i t f li t h th t l b ilt d hthe growing impacts of climate change on the natural, built, and human environment. This goal will be accomplished by bringing together the world‐class research and outreach capabilities of UConn with the extensive practical experience of CTDEEP to create and disseminate practical andpractical experience of CTDEEP to create and disseminate practical and sustainable strategies to enhance the resilience of the built environment while protecting natural ecosystems.


The ChallengesThe Challenges

• Flooding• Coastal Issues• Mapping• Policy and Plans• Infrastructure Issues• Legal Issues• Environmental Issues


StrategyStrategy

Municipalities

UCONN FacultyFederal Agencies

UCONN Faculty and Resources

CT DEEP Staff and

NGOS/Foundations

CT DEEP Staff and Programs

Private Sector

Academia

State AgenciesState Agencies


StructureStructure

UConn Vice President for Research

and CTDEEP

Commissioner Executive Steering Committee: UC d

Advisory Board:

ExecutiveDirector

UConn and CTDEEP

Appointees

Stakeholders and Users

Directors of

Director Community Engagement Directors of

Applied Research

Program/Projects Coordinator


StatusStatus

• Funding• $2,549,000 (DEEP and NRCS)• $450,000 (UConn)

• $425,221 (NOAA CREST) , ( )

• Space • 5 large offices and a conference room at Avery Point

• Staff• Staff • Exec. Director (50%) & Two Directors of Applied Research• Director of Community Engagement (100%)• Project Manager (100%)• Project Manager (100%)• Faculty


Status-What can CIRCA do for you?Status-What can CIRCA do for you?

• Spending PlanCIRCA‐3 years 2 999 000CIRCA‐3 years 2,999,000• $1,800,000 (600,000/yr) in Projects

• $200,000 for grants/support to municipalities• $200,000 CIRCA led projects to advance priorities$ 00,000 CIRCA led projects to advance priorities• $200,000 matching funds for projects in priority areas

• $1,035,000 Staff salaries and fringe• $ 49,000 Consultation and communications• $ 70,000 Sea level Rise Tool• $ 45,000 program operations.

NOAA CREST‐2 years• $425,000

• $330,000 Staff salaries and fringe• $ 25 000 Operations• $ 25,000 Operations• $ 70,000 Indirect costs (20%)


Environment Climate and CoastsEnvironment, Climate and Coasts

CIRCA Priorities include:• Regional impacts of climate change and sea level rise

• Inland and coastal flooding maps at high resolution and a d a d coasta ood g aps at g eso ut o a dimproved visualization capability

• Evaluation of coastal protection strategies for the• Evaluation of coastal protection strategies for the natural and built environment (living shorelines)

• Vulnerability of infrastructure


Infrastructure Resilience Infrastructure Resilience Goal: Connecting science with decision making needs to provide the basis for

building more resilient infrastructure systems and helping communities and the State of Connecticut adapt to climate changeState of Connecticut adapt to climate change.

• Identify public utility infrastructure vulnerability (electric systems, natural gas, pipelines, sewage treatment plants, cell towers, etc.)

• Identify transportation infrastructure vulnerability (roads, bridges, culverts, train tracks, etc.)

• Promote resilience • microgrids, energy storage, green infrastrucutre• building designs/modifcations• sustainable shoreline construction engineering (docks, seawalls, etc.)• living shorelines and natural habitat protection• green infrastructure


Policy Design and AnalysisPolicy Design and Analysis

Research: how can towns better manage:manage:

• Diverse policy goals;

• Funding challenges;

• Compare alternative approaches to adaptation; and

l• Overcome implementation problems in pursuit of effective climate adaptation. p


OutreachOutreach

• Climate Adaptation Conference on 4/11/14 at the UConn Law School

• Climate Adaptation Academy C ate daptat o cade y5/3/14 at UConn Avery Point and 9/10/14 at Haddam, CT

• Briefings at Fairfield Hartford• Briefings at Fairfield, Hartford, Old Saybrook

• Best Practices and programs for Engineers/contractors


CRest OverviewCRest Overview

1. Mapping Shoreline Change Over Time

2. Mapping Existing Coastal Protection – Pilot

3. Mapping Coastal Waves and Sea Level during Storms

4. Identification of Candidate Sites for Living Shoreline Projects

5 Integration of Information into a Decision Support Tool5. Integration of Information into a Decision Support Tool

6. Development and Implementation of an Outreach and Education Program



Climate Change Impact on Hydrologic ExtremesClimate Change Impact on Hydrologic Extremes

• Trends in past climate: Extreme precipitation in the CT River Basin increased by ~250% from 1950s to 2010s.

• Future Projections for the Northeast: (e.g., 5‐j ( g ,day maximum precipitation for CT River Basin shows up to 80% increase in the mid‐century period 2046‐2065).

• Combined river & storm surge floodstorm surge flood prediction

Depth (m)Depth (m)

IRENEIRENE


25 cm sea level rise will lead cause 10yr flood to move to a 2 yrConsequently the cost of ownership/insurance will be 5 timeWith 25cm (9 5 inches) the 10 yr flood in Bridgeport will be25 cm sea level rise will lead cause 10yr flood to move to a 2 yr rate in Groton-New LondonConsequently, the cost of ownership/insurance will be 5 time higher in Eastern CT and 2.5 times higher in western CT shoreline.

With 25cm (9.5 inches) the 10 yr flood in Bridgeport will be expected every 4 years


CConsequences


ValueValue

Time


• Website: http://circa.uconn.edu/

• Email: [email protected]@

• Director of Community Engagement: rebecca french@uconn [email protected]

Documents

Program Development Status and Outlook 2014