Project Task:

12.03

Grantee:

Hampton Roads Planning District Commission

Project Title:

Hampton Roads Climate Change Adaptation

Project Description as Proposed:

Climate Change in Hampton Roads: Climate change will likely result in several significant adverse impacts on Hampton Roads including inundation of both developed and natural areas due to sea level rise, increased impacts from severe weather events and associated storm surge, and adverse impacts on coastal and marine ecosystems due to temperature increase and loss of wetlands habitat. This task will involve collection and analysis of information on climate change and associated ramifications, identification of significant data gaps and areas for future study, a set of presentations and discussions with a diverse set of stakeholder to assist in prioritizing issues associated with climate change and development of a framework for both mitigating and adapting to climate change within the region. This project provides an excellent opportunity to utilize the networked structure of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program to bring varied resources and expertise to the discussion and analysis of these evolving issues. The process of integrating the networked resources of the Coastal Program will be coordinated with the Virginia NEMO Program when appropriate. In addition, this project provides an important opportunity for coordination among the Planning Districts in the Virginia Coastal Zone in the sharing of information and evolving policy positions.

Federal Funding:

$40,000

Project Contact:

John Carlock - (757) 420-8300; jcarlock@hrpdcva.gov

Project Status:

10/1/2008 - 9/30/2009; Project Completed

Final Product Received:

Climate Change in Hampton Roads - Impacts and Stakeholder Involvement (pdf)

Project Summary Provided by Grantee:

This report represents the beginning of the regional efforts by Hampton Roads localities to cooperatively address the impacts and planning requirements of climate change. The report includes research by staff of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) on potential climate change impacts to the region. The goal of these efforts is to develop a long-term strategy for adapting to climate change.

This project consists of three main parts. The major effort of the project was the collection and analysis of available information on climate change. This included research on data availability for vulnerability and impact analyses as well as information on the potential impacts of climate change on the Hampton Roads region. The second major part of the project was a series of meetings held with local government staff and other interested stakeholders on the impacts of climate change on the region. These meetings included discussions between attendees and HRPDC staff about what steps HRPDC could take to facilitate local government planning efforts for climate change. The third part of this project was the development of a regional framework for responding to climate change. This last part focuses on involving local and regional stakeholders and using their input to develop usable planning guidelines and recommendations and is ongoing.

The project report, entitled "Climate Change in Hampton Roads: Impacts and Stakeholder Involvement," includes the findings of each of the parts described above. This report will allow for regional planners to begin the process of considering what sort of adaptation policies may be needed to address the various impacts. It also identifies data and information needs for areas where more detailed analysis is needed.
The report will be distributed in hard copy format to Hampton Roads localities. A digital version of the report will be available online at http://hrpdcva.gov.

Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov

A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov