Taunton Green Infrastructure Network Eric Walberg, Climate Services Director Jen Hushaw, Applied Forest Scientist 1
Manomet Applying Science and Engaging People to Sustain our World Programs: • Shorebird Recovery • Landbird Conservation • Sustainable Economies • Climate Services 2
Agenda 1. Green Infrastructure Overview 2. Climate Change Impacts 3. Taunton Green Infrastructure Network 4. Local Application of the Regional Network 3
What is Green Infrastructure? Green Infrastructure: A network of waterways, wetlands, woodlands, wildlife habitats, and other natural areas that support native species, maintain natural ecological processes, sustain air and water resources and contribute to health and quality of life. ( McDonald, Benedict and O’Conner, 2005).
Source: Google Earth
Source: Source: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/01/06/state_south_shore_officials_gauge http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2011/05/29/scituate_sea_wall_repairs_to _whether_area_qualifies_for_federal_disaster_aid/ _be_done_in_several_cycles/
Types of Green Infrastructure Features • Undeveloped coastal reaches: • Intact dune system • Unimpeded sediment transport • Healthy tidal and non-tidal wetlands
Types of Green Infrastructure Features • Undeveloped riparian corridors • Mix of wetland and upland features • Wetlands complexes • Forested upland
Types of Green Infrastructure Features • Reconstructed features: • Constructed wetlands and dunes • Sediment replenishment (beach nourishment) • Restoration of riparian corridors • Reforestation
Types of Green Infrastructure Features • Hybrid features: • Living shorelines • Constructed reefs, breakwaters and islands
Source: Virginia Institute of Marine Science: http://ccrm.vims.edu/livingshorelines/
Climate Impacts in the Taunton Watershed 12
Observed Change: Temperature Animation of Global Surface Temperature Anomalies from 1880-2015. Source: NASA/GSFC Scientific Visualization Studio
Observed Change: Precipitation NCA 2014 Annual total precipitation changes for 1991-2012 (compared to 1901-1960 average) 14
Projected Change: Precipitation % Change in Seasonal Precipitation by end-of-century (compared to 1970-1999) under Higher Emissions Scenario Adapted from NCA 2013, Fig. 2.14 15
Changing Extremes: Precipitation Observed Change in Very Heavy Precipitation (1958-2012) Percent changes in the amount of precipitation falling in very heavy events (the heaviest 1%) for each region. NCA 2014 16
Boston Sea Level Rise Projections 17
Ramifications • Increased freshwater flood threat • Particularly in sub-watersheds with significant impervious surface cover • During periods of saturated soils • Increasing nonpoint source water pollution 18
Ramifications • Increased likelihood of groundwater and surface water deficits during dry periods • Longer growing season • Increased evaporation and evapotranspiration rates • Increasingly impactful drought • Biasing of precipitation towards heavy downpours potentially reduces groundwater recharge 19
Ramifications • Ecological stress and potential for biodiversity loss • Increased inundation in tidal areas • Increased storm surge threat 20
Source: Taunton River Climate Change Adaptation Plan, Manomet, 2013
Source: Taunton River Climate Change Adaptation Plan, Manomet, 2013
Green Infrastructure Solutions • Strategic protection and restoration of natural features to: • Limit peak runoff rates and volumes • Maximize natural resiliency of coastal areas • Limit new development in flood prone areas • Maximize local groundwater recharge • Maintain ecological viability • High quality of life for citizens 23
Taunton Watershed Green Infrastructure Network
Context Legend Taunton Watershed Boundary Streams Lakes Town Boundaries Major Routes, by Administrative Type Interstate U.S. Highway State Route
Context Legend Taunton Watershed Boundary Streams Town Boundaries Land Use/Land Cover Open (Ag; Bare; Non-forest vegetation) Commercial/Industrial/High Dens Res Low Density Residential Forest (incl. Forested Wetland) Wetland Water Cranberry Bog Major Routes, by Administrative Type Interstate U.S. Highway State Route
Resilient Landscapes Complex topography + Connected natural cover + High quality biodiversity features
Resilient Landscapes Areas of Above Average Resilience
Resilient Landscapes Areas of Above Average Resilience that are Undeveloped & Unprotected
Green Infrastructure Network Components… Areas of Above Average Resilience
BioMap2: Core & Critical Natural Landscape
BioMap2 Core and Critical Natural Landscape Areas that are Undeveloped & Unprotected Legend Taunton Watershed Town Undeveloped and Unprotected BioMap2 Core Undeveloped and Unprotected BioMap2 Critical Natural
Green Infrastructure Network Components… Areas of Above Average Resilience BioMap2 Core & Critical Natural Landscape
Surface Water & Wetland Areas Legend Taunton Watershed Boundary Town Boundaries 100-yr and High Risk Coastal Flood Areas Surface Waters & Wetlands Freshwater Pond, Lake, or Stream Freshwater Wetland Estuarine and Marine Deepwater Estuarine and Marine Wetland Other
Riparian Buffers Legend Taunton Watershed Boundary Town Boundaries Areas within 100ft of surface waters, wetlands, and flood zones 100-yr and High Risk Coastal Flood Areas Surface Waters & Wetlands Freshwater Pond, Lake, or Stream Freshwater Wetland Estuarine and Marine Deepwater Estuarine and Marine Wetland Other
Riparian Buffer Areas that are Undeveloped & Unprotected
Green Infrastructure Network Components… Areas of Above Average Resilience BioMap2 Core & Critical Natural Landscape Areas within 100ft of Surface Waters, Wetlands, and Flood Zones; Areas </= 4m elevation (vulnerable to sea level rise)
Green Infrastructure Network Components… Areas of Above Average Resilience BioMap2 Core & Critical Natural Landscape Areas within 100ft of Surface Waters, Wetlands, and Flood Zones; Areas </= 4m elevation (vulnerable to sea level rise)
44% of the Taunton Watershed Taunton watershed Green is within the GI Infrastructure Network Network
66% of the GI Taunton Watershed Network is currently undeveloped and Undeveloped unprotected. & Unprotected This represents 30% Green of the entire watershed area. Infrastructure Network
66% of the GI Taunton Watershed Network is currently undeveloped and Undeveloped unprotected. & Unprotected This represents 30% Green of the entire watershed area. Infrastructure Network
Benefits of Green Infrastructure • Control flooding and nonpoint source water pollution • Maximize groundwater recharge • Address multiple ecological stressors • Attenuate wave energy • Reduce infrastructure costs, particularly when GI network includes protection of naturally occurring features • Maintain public access/recreational use
Linking Local and Regional Green Infrastructure • Benefits of linkage: • Contribute to watershed-scale approach to addressing water balance, water quality and flooding concerns • Maximize the utility of local conservation planning • Control costs • Ecological integrity • Quality of life 43
Linking Local and Regional Green Infrastructure • Mechanisms for linkage: • Comprehensive/Master Plans, • Cluster subdivision requirements, • Open space districts, • Transfer of development rights, • Water resource protection overlay districts, • Floodplain management, • Wetland protection districts and bylaws • Open space plans. 44
Taunton Watershed Green Infrastructure Network & Water Supply Protection
Taunton Watershed Green Infrastructure Network Vulnerable Places & Case Studies
Taunton Watershed Green Infrastructure Network Vulnerable Places & Case Studies Halifax Workshop Points
Water St Flooding (3b) Carver’s Pond (from Middleboro workshop)
Walnut St Road Flooding (2b) Nemasket River Ecology (from Middleboro workshop)
Pratt Farm Dam (2a) Runoff into Nemasket (from Middleboro workshop)
Plants in the Community (from Middleboro Ball Fields workshop) (from Middleboro workshop) Ball Fields; Flooding (1a)
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