Oakland Park

Develop a vital signs status and trends monitoring program for biological communities. Key parameters may include rate of sea-level rise; saltwater intrusion boundary and monitoring wells; landscape-level vegetation patterns; percent coral cover and condition in offshore reef zones; water temperature and pH in areas; and occurrence and range of invasive exotic plants and animal species.

Support regulatory requirements that provide for ecologically beneficial uses of clean, dredged materials.

Compile species information for rare plant species in threatened natural communities and develop adaptation plans that include, at a minimum, seed bank repository collection and assisted propagation.

Initiate a regional public education campaign to educate residents, business owners, policy makers on the merits of preserving open land as an ‘insurance policy’ for adaptation to sea level rise in Southeast Florida.

Encourage federal support for research and investigations of potential energy efficiencies in pumping and water treatment processes necessary for meeting energy reduction goals concurrent with a growing reliance on pumps and advanced treatment technologies for drainage and flood control, water production and wastewater operations.

Urge Congress to provide recognition of an “Adaptation Action Area” designation in federal law for the purpose of prioritizing funding for infrastructure needs and adaptation planning, with special attention to modifications in law that enhance funding opportunities through USACE and EPA appropriations processes, as requested by members of Congress.

Urge Congress to pass legislation that would create a permanent funding source to finance infrastructure projects to adapt to the impacts of climate change with emphasis on investments in areas such as water management, water supply, transportation and other projects that serve to reduce risks to urban infrastructure from extreme weather events and rising sea levels.

Support federal actions to reform transportation models and enhance the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes to integrate climate change analysis. The essential purpose of NEPA is to ensure that environmental factors are weighted equally when compared to other factors in the decision making process. NEPA processes are central to highway and transit project investment analysis.

Advocate for stronger Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards and other initiatives to promote clean fuel alternatives and encourage more stringent vehicle emission standards in recognition of the value of these initiatives to mitigate the impacts of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Support and advocate for continued implementation and funding on the state and federal levels for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) in recognition of the important role of CERP in climate adaptation planning and local water resource management related to regional water storage and aquifer recharge, important under variable climate conditions and sea level rise.

Advocate to interests in Tallahassee for the preservation of the authority and resource capacity of the Water Management Districts in support of their continued participation in integrated water resource planning, particularly in southeast Florida where climate change and sea level rise pose additional challenges to the complex issues of alternative water supply development, Everglades restoration, salt water abatement, and drainage and flood control operations.

Coordinate initiatives with those of the seven- county Southeast Florida Prosperity Plan, known as Seven50, to maximize the opportunities presented as Seven50 is developed (e.g. sharing data and analysis; participating in alternative future scenario planning; engaging a myriad of public, private and civic partners) and actively engage in Seven50 implementation efforts, designed to address the following Livability Principles: Provide more transportation choices Promote equitable, affordable housing Enhance economic competitiveness Support existing communities Coordinate policies and leverage investment Value communities and neighborhoods Enhance community resiliency to the impacts of Climate Change