BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Update on Climate Change Adaptation and Preparation of a Climate Change Action Plan.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Receive information on the District's activities towards climate change adaptation and discuss the District's plan to create a Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP).
Body
SUMMARY:
As the primary water resources agency for Santa Clara County, the District manages an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, natural flood protection, and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa Clara County's 1.8 million residents. The District's ability to provide those services is challenged by the potential of increasing temperatures, changing precipitation and runoff patterns, increases in extremes, reduced snow pack, and rising sea levels. Managing climate change related uncertainties, vulnerabilities, and risks to water resource management is critical to fulfill the District's mission.
This item provides an update on District's efforts to adapt to climate change. Staff's last update to the Board on June 13, 2017, focused on the District's Climate Change Mitigation/Greenhouse Gas (GHG) and Carbon Neutrality efforts. The last update to the Board on adaptation was May 24, 2016. The attachments to this item include updates on adaptation activities such as promoting and supporting a resilient and adaptable water supply, reducing flood risks and flood damages, enhancing ecosystem resiliency, and improving understanding through training and communication.
The focus of this item is to provide to the Board new information related to the development of CCAP.
Climate Change Action Plan Development
The District's operating budget includes the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation project. This project is to develop a comprehensive CCAP by FY2019. The CCAP will provide a framework for consistent and comprehensive planning for climate change risks and reducing GHGs district-...
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