NATIONAL ACTION PLAN: Priorities for Managing Freshwater Resources in a Changing Climate June 2011 1.

NATIONAL ACTION PLAN:

Priorities for Managing Freshwater Resources in a Changing Climate

June 20111

Interagency Water Resources and

Climate Change Workgroup • Established September 2009• Co-chairs: USGS, EPA, CEQ• Members include: ACE, USBR, NOAA,

USDA, DOE, NASA, CDC and others• Workgroup Charge: • Assess impacts of climate change on freshwater

resources • Identify adaptation strategies and actions

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Workgroup Work to Date• Establish collaborative dialogue between agencies• Six listening sessions - Fall 2009• Inventory Federal water-related climate activities• Establish interagency teams on five priority issues • Recommendations in October Progress Report:

• Strengthen Water Data• Improve Water Use Efficiency • Develop Freshwater National Action Plan

• Summary Report to Task Force: December 2010• Release DRAFT National Action Plan for Comment

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Draft National Action PlanKey Elements

• Executive Summary/Introduction • Climate Challenges to Freshwater Resources• Federal Activities Summary• Public Comments Overview • Goal: • Government agencies and citizens should collaboratively

manage freshwater resources in response to a changing climate in order to assure adequate water supplies, to protect human life, health and property, and to protect water quality and aquatic ecosystems.

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Climate Change Impacts on Freshwater

Resources• Air and water temperatures increase• Rainfall declines in some areas/increases in others • Less precipitation falling as snow/earlier snowmelt• Rainfall/storm events more intense• Sea level rise, aquifer intrusion, threats to coastal

water infrastructure• Indirect impacts: alternative energy technologies

and other climate adaptation strategies5

Challenges for Water Resource Managers

• Assure adequate water supply

• Protect life, health, and property

• Protect quality of freshwater resources

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Six Priority Recommendations

1. Establish Planning Process2. Strengthen Water Data and Information3. Provide Tools to Assess Vulnerability4. Improve Water Use Efficiency5. Promote Integrated Water Resources

Management6. Support Training/Outreach to Build

Response Capability

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Specific Supporting Actions

• Examples of Actions Supporting Recommendations:

• Strengthen water data/information systems• Strengthen tracking of waterborne disease• Expedite wetlands mapping • Pilot water vulnerability index• Develop national metrics for water use efficiency • Create toolbox of water efficiency practices• Strengthen climate role of river basin commissions• Add climate to Federal water project planning principles and requirements• Establish core training for water and climate change adaptation • Focus youth outreach on climate/water

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Next Steps• Consider Input to Draft National Action Plan • Public Comment Period – Closes July 15• Hold Four Stakeholder Listening Sessions• Coordinate with Related Plans (e.g.: coastal,

fish/wildlife/plants, and agency-specific strategies)• Publish Final Plan – Summer 2011

• Begin Implementation of Key Actions• Link to FY 2013 Budget Planning• Link to Initial Agency Priorities/Plans

• Next Interagency Task Force Progress Report - October9

• Has the draft National Action Plan effectively articulated the priority issues?

• Does the draft Plan identify effective and appropriate actions?

• Do you have suggestions as to how the draft Plan might be improved?

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Listening Session: Discussion Questions

Questions?

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