Impacts of Sea Level Rise in the Impacts of Sea Level Rise in the South Florida RegionSouth Florida Region

Presentation to the

South Florida Regional Planning Council

September 8, 2003

Why Sea Level Rise?Why Sea Level Rise?

• Five warmest average global temperature years on record in 1990s

• Tenfold increase in rate of sea level rise over 20th Century

• Increased rates of beach erosion and acres of coastal wetland losses documented

Why South Florida?Why South Florida?

• Low elevations and flat topographic profile

• Tourism economy dependent on beaches and coastal resources

• Significant public and private investments in vulnerable areas

Project GenesisProject Genesis

• 1998 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) initiates and funds study of Sea Level Rise (SLR) impacts on nation’s economy

• 2000 – USEPA contracts with Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council (SWFRPC) to coordinate SLR study within Florida

• 2002 – SWFRPC contracts with South Florida Regional Planning Council (SFRPC) to map SLR in 7 counties (Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe).

Study AssumptionsStudy Assumptions

• SLR timeframe from 2000 to 2200• Anticipated SLR rate of 5 feet over 200 yrs• New coastline based on existing topography, not

erosion or accretion of sediments• Open space/conservation areas allowed to be

inundated by SLR• Protection of existing developed areas will be

policy decisions for the future

Map LegendMap Legend

• Dark Green – wetlands

• Light Green – open space/agriculture

• Blue – 0’-5’ – uplands inundated by SLR

• Orange – 5’-10’ – uplands influenced by SLR

• White - >10’ uplands not affected by SLR

Policy ImplicationsPolicy Implications

• How to raise level of awareness of decision-makers, especially elected officials

• Which areas will we choose to protect

• What means will be used to protect

• What will be costs of protection

• How will these costs be budgeted

• How will SLR affect ecological functions

Next StepsNext Steps

• Final report on SLR impacts to be submitted to EPA in late September, 2003

• Plan to raise awareness of study findings in development

• Contact us at www.sfrpc.com