Download Climate Change Task Force Natural Systems

Climate Change Task Force
Natural Systems Adaptation Subcommittee
Meeting Minutes
March 10, 2009
I. Call to order
Kim Shugar called to order the regular meeting of the Natural Systems
Adaptation Subcommittee at 1:15 PM on March 10, 2009 in Government
Center West.
II. Roll call
Present:
Carol Morgenstern
Peter Burke
Leonard Vialpando
Michael Zygnerski
Peg McPherson
Donald Burgess
Colin Hughes
Katie Lelis
Nancy Gassman
Linda Sunderland
Diana Guidry
Lou Fisher
Kim Shugar
Courtney Carlton
Greg Phillips
III. Approval of minutes from last meeting
The minutes were approved.
IV. Presentations
a) “Existing Sea Level Rise Scenario Map Projections for Broward County”
Nancy Gassman, Ph.D., Natural Resources Planning and Management
Division
b) “Modeling as a Tool for Protecting Current Water Supplies from Saltwater
Intrusion” Michael Zygnerski, Natural Resources Planning and Management
Division
V. Development of critical issues for sub team
Subcommittee came together to decide on focal points of the committee. The larger list
of focal points include:
1. Support initiatives to provide long-term management of nuisance and invasive species.
2. Analyze impacts on coastal ecosystems from climate change. Evaluate strategies to
minimize stressors and pollutants.
3. Identify values of natural areas and restore natural areas.
4. Develop a “Vital Signs” monitoring program, following the model of the National
Park Service, to serve as a multi-parameter ecosystem monitoring program that will
help track climate change effects. Expand current ongoing monitoring efforts, such
as those within the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), to include
specific areas of Broward County to provide a better view of how natural areas are
changing over time and what forces are responsible. Key parameters may include:
rate of sea level rise; saltwater intrusion boundary and monitoring wells; landscape
level vegetation patterns; percent coral cover in offshore reef zones; water
temperature in areas; and occurrence and range of invasive exotic plant and animal
species. Dedicate a source of funds to collect information and establish and
maintain a long-term data management system.
5. Support the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP), and support
funding and resources for other regional and local habitat restoration and
preservation efforts and initiatives.
6. Review current stormwater management operations, including the operation of
canals and structures, to evaluate the relationship between the groundwater table to
eliminate over-drainage and limit the extent of saltwater intrusion into ground and
surface water resources, while preserving flood protection.
7. Maintain natural areas.
8. Conduct modeling to determine what environmental resources can be saved, and
evaluate strategies to make landscapes more hospitable to allow for adaptation.
9. Urban landscape
10. Public outreach
Committee members decided on the following issues and added recommendations
a) Develop a “Vital Signs” monitoring program, following the model of the
National Park Service, to serve as a multi-parameter ecosystem monitoring
program that will help track climate change effects. Expand current ongoing
monitoring efforts, such as those within the Comprehensive Everglades
Restoration Plan (CERP), to include specific areas of Broward County to
provide a better view of how natural areas are changing over time and what
forces are responsible. Key parameters may include: rate of sea level rise;
saltwater intrusion boundary and monitoring wells; landscape level vegetation
patterns; percent coral cover in offshore reef zones; water temperature in
areas; and occurrence and range of invasive exotic plant and animal species.
Dedicate a source of funds to collect information and establish and maintain a
long-term data management system.
b) Support the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP), and
support funding and resources for other regional and local habitat restoration
and preservation efforts and initiatives.
c) Review current stormwater management operations, including the operation
of canals and structures, to evaluate the relationship between the groundwater
table to eliminate over-drainage and limit the extent of saltwater intrusion into
ground and surface water resources, while preserving flood protection.
Relationship between stormwater impacts and
natural systems
Available water
Precipitation
Areas of inundation
d) Conduct modeling to determine what environmental (natural systems)
resources can be saved, and evaluate strategies to make landscapes more
hospitable to allow for adaptation.
Modeling
Values of natural systems
Exotic and nuisance species management
Urban landscape
Marine
Consecutiveness (corridors)
Kim will work to put together a presentation for the Task Force meeting on March
19, 2009. Donald Burgess will be presenting. It was stated several times to e-mail
Courtney Carlton with any suggestions the committee members may have or if they
would like to assist with the presentation.
VI. Adjournment
Kim Shugar adjourned the meeting at 3:10 PM.
Minutes submitted by: Courtney Carlton
Minutes approved by: Kim Shugar