OUR ROLE IN ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS Chelsea Siefert, Principal Planner The Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program November 30, 2012
The Metcalf I n s t i t u te ’ s Pe te r B . L o r d Seminar on the E nv i r o n m e n t
WHO IS RI STATEWIDE PLANNING?
Charged with preparing and maintaining plans for the physical , economic , and social development of the state; encouraging their implementation ; and coordinating the actions of state, local and federal agencies and private individuals within the framework of the state's development goals and policies.
WHO IS RI STATEWIDE PLANNING? RI Statewide Planning Program (RI SPP)
State Planning Council
Technical Committee
Transportation
Transportation Advisory Committee
Consistency Review and Local Planning Assistance
Planning Information Center
RIGIS Committee
Land Use Planning
Sustainable Communities Sustainable Communities Consortium Social Equity Advisory Committee
WHAT WE DO PROGRAM FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Developing and maintaining the State Guide Plan (SGP) 2. Administering the federally required transportation planning process 3. Reviewing certain federal and state investments for SGP consistency 4. Reviewing and approving local comprehensive plans 5. Providing technical assistance & directing resources for planning 6. Undertaking special planning initiatives
WHAT WE DO 1. Developing and maintaining the State Guide Plan (SGP)
Means for centralizing, integrating and monitoring State development plans Basis for local comp plan and investment consistency reviews
WHAT WE DO 2. Administering the federally required transportation planning process
Long Range Transportation Plan (Transportation 2035) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
WHAT WE DO 3. Reviewing federal and state investments for SGP consistency
Intergovernmental Review Process Projects of the RI Economic Development Corporation
WHAT WE DO 4. Reviewing and approving local comprehensive plans Meets the intent and goals of the Act Includes the required content Consistent with state law Consistent with goals and policies of the state and agencies The required process has been followed Complies with State Planning Council rules and regulations Uses adequate, uniform and valid data
WHAT WE DO Required Content
Land Use Natural Resources Transportation Housing Economic Development Historic & Cultural Resources
Open Space & Recreation Services & Facilities (including energy production & consumption)
Natural Hazards (including sea level rise)
Implementation
WHAT WE DO 4. Providing technical assistance & directing resources for planning
Planning Challenge Grant Program Assistance with Comprehensive Planning Data & Mapping Other Technical Assistance to Communities Legislative Services Assistance to State Agencies
WHAT WE DO 5. Undertaking special planning initiatives
Sustainable Communities Initiative Climate Change and Natural Hazards Planning
I-95 March 2010
HEARING THE CALL TO ACTION
Fill critical planning data and information gaps Pilot replicable risk assessment and planning procedures Integrate climate change concerns into local planning requirements Provide funding to assist with all of the above
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING Initial Efforts
New Challenge
Establish requirements for planning at the local level
Equip municipalities to succeed
Added natural hazards as a required topic for local comprehensive plans
Crafting guidance for comprehensive planning
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING NATURAL HAZARDS WORKING GROUP Representatives from RI EMA and URI Coastal Resources Center /RI Sea Grant Working through guidance for municipalities – What must be addressed – Methodology for addressing it – What data to use
Warwick Sewage Treatment Facility March 2010
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING Topics that have emerged from initial discussions
Egress/Ingress during and after events
Rebuilding strategy
Prioritizing strategies for vulnerable resources
Coordination with RI EMA staff
Considering natural hazards in municipal investment decisions
Neighbors and boundaries
Debris management
Warning/notification systems
Misquamicut Sandy, November 2012 {photo courtesy of CRMC}
THANK YOU Chelsea Siefert, Principal Planner The Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program
[email protected] (401) 222-4721
