Local Role in Long-term Sustainability

ASFPM, NAI Committee Co-chairKimberly Bitters, CFM

ODNR, DOW, FPM

June 9, 2009

An Ugly Situation

• Collapsing ecological systems

• Decaying town centers

• Deteriorating drinking water

• Decreasing civic pride

• Crumbling infrastructure

• Disappearing natural areas

• Declining economy

An Ugly Situation

Problem Solution

Collapsing ecological systems Rehabilitation of natural systems

Decaying town centers Mitigation projects

Deteriorating drinking water Creation of riparian buffers

Decreasing civic pride Public participation in planning

Crumbling infrastructure Impact fees

Disappearing natural areas Investment in natural preserves

Declining economy Incentives for sustainable design

Goals of Local Government

• Protect public health and safety

• Long-term viability of community

• Improve quality of life

• Represent public desires

• Implement initiatives for public interest

• Coordinate & educate local stakeholders

• Leverage state and federal resources

Sustainable Development

General definition:

• “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987, p 43).

• Intertwined components: economy, social equity, and environment

Sustainable Development

Economy

EquityEnvironment

Why is flood risk important to sustainability?

Flooding is:• #1 natural hazard in US• A natural process – the problem is when

people and property are in the way• A function of drainage patterns throughout

the entire watershed

Are we doing the right thing today to make sure we will be safe in the future?

Non-Sustainable Flood Impacts: Environment

• Loss of flood storage and carrying capacity

• Natural floodplain functions lost– Bank and dune de-stabilization – Erosion / sedimentation imbalance– Loss of terrestrial and aquatic habitat

• Water quality degradation– Loss of water filtration function– Nutrient and chemical contamination

Non-Sustainable Flood Impacts: Economics

• Increased public costs– Emergency response man-hours and equipment

– Rebuilding damaged infrastructure

– Liabilities for not protecting citizens

– Blight = discouraged growth

– Shrinking tax revenues

• Increased private costs– Personal property losses– Business downtime

– Liabilities for increasing damages to others

Non-Sustainable Flood Impacts: Equity

• Delayed and long-term health effects

• Deteriorated quality of life– Blight and deferred maintenance– Severe stress and life disruption

• Amplified impact on low-income areas– Flood impacts can be shifted

“Each locality controls the character of its disasters, forcing stakeholders to take responsibility for natural hazards and realize that decisions they make today will determine future losses.”

-Dennis Mileti, Disasters by Design

How Local Government Can Pursue Sustainability

1. Define Development Strategy

2. Influence Private Investment

3. Identify and overcome challenges

4. Participate in watershed-level management

5. Incorporate innovative techniques

1. Define Development Strategy thru Local Planning Process

• Incorporate appropriate stakeholder input– Garner public support– Strengthen citizen satisfaction– Empower and reward stewardship

• Consider local characteristics– Needs and goals– Strengths and weaknesses– Cross-reference inter-related resources

• Harness local potential

2. Local Government Tools to Influence Private Investment

• Tax and subsidy structures

• Public infrastructure location

• Direct regulation through standards / codes

• Location of open space / recreational facilities

• Extension of basic services

3. Identify and Overcome Challenges

• Identify challenges:– Public skepticism of flood risk– Competing issues that may override sound

development choices– Organized well-funded opposition to

development restriction

• Overcome challenges:– Solid identification of hazards– Strong public risk communication– Public involvement in decision-making

4. Watershed-level Management

• Cooperation in holistic long-term solutions

• Identify all impacts – ON / FROM other jurisdictions– Avoid actions that transfer problems up/downstream

• Combine resources for studies & projects

• Work towards regulatory consistency for maximum benefit

5. Incorporate Innovative Techniques

• No Adverse Impact FPM

• Low Impact Development (LID)

• Locally tailored higher regulatory standards

• Multipurpose mitigation projects

• Explore green infrastructure approaches

• Pursue national green building standards

• Impact fees

Sustainable Development

Economy

EquityEnvironment

Economy

Environment Equity

Resources:

• ASFPM No Adverse Impact Toolkit

• FEMA Rebuilding for a More Sustainable Future

• EPA Protecting Water Resources with Smart Growth

• CWP Managing Stormwater in Your Community

• APA Smart Growth Legislative Guidebook

Concluding Thoughts on Local Role in Sustainability

• Accountability– Consider cumulative impacts– Protect everyone’s property rights

• Leadership– Facilitate citizen participation– Integrated strategy to deliver local goals

• Balance – equity, environment, & economics