Coastal resilienceNew York proposes new sea-level rise projection regulations
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced last week that to better prepare New York State coastal communities and business owners for extreme weather events like Superstorm Sandy three years ago, DEC is proposing new state sea-level rise projections which will help state agencies and project planners develop more resilient structures. “The sea-level rise projections DEC is proposing today reflect the best science available,” said DEC acting commissioner. “Sea level projections will help state agencies, developers, planners and engineers to reduce risks posed by rising seas and coastal storms over the next several decades.”
Basil Seggos, Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced last week that to better prepare New York State coastal communities and business owners for extreme weather events like Superstorm Sandy three years ago, DEC is proposing new state sea-level rise projections which will help state agencies and project planners develop more resilient structures.
Public comments on the proposed regulation will be accepted through 28 December following publication in the State Register.
“The sea-level rise projections DEC is proposing today reflect the best science available and are critical to Governor Cuomo’s vision of a more resilient New York in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, which devastated whole communities that are still rebuilding,” Seggos said.
“Sea level projections will help state agencies, developers, planners and engineers to reduce risks posed by rising seas and coastal storms over the next several decades.”
About 500,000 people live on the 120 square miles of land which lie less than six feet above the mean high tide line in the state of New York. More than $100 billion in property value exists in that area.
Cuomo signed the Community Risk and Resiliency Act (CRRA) in September 2014. CRRA requires applicants for certain permit and funding programs to demonstrate consideration of future physical risks due to sea-level rise, flooding, and storm surge. DEC is required by CRRA to adopt state sea-level rise projections.
DEC’s regulation to adopt sea-level rise projections does not by itself create any new design standards or permit requirements. DEC says, however, that project planners and state agencies will be able to use these projections in project design, and routine permit and funding decision making, which will result in more resilient projects and safer communities to live, work, and conduct business in.
DEC adds that it is working with other agencies to prepare guidance that directs and supports thorough examination of sea-level rise, flooding, and storm surge in several permitted and funding programs, as required by CRRA. The guidance will help project planners and agency staff select appropriate sea-level rise and flooding scenarios so they can plan for changing water levels and associated risks that might occur over the life of a project.
