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-wide, and for building upon the substantial efforts in place in many parts of the organization. The CCAP will communicate the strategies and actions to be implemented and includes a plan to measure and report the CCAP’s progress.
The CCAP is being developed using a three-pronged approach:
The first phase, completed in January 2018, included over 80 internal interviews of all District unit managers to develop a baseline assessment of unit goals, climate risks and efforts, and GHG components of the District’s work.
The second phase, started in February 2018, and uses the baseline assessment to conduct Gap and Risk Assessments. The result of the assessments will be used to develop strategies that reduce climate risk and reduce GHG emissions. This work will continue through most of 2018.
The final phase, to begin in late 2018, will compile and prioritize the strategies to create a plan to implement the strategies back into the organization. The CCAP will include an implementation and monitoring plan, which includes periodic review and updates to the CCAP.
The early stage of the CCAP included an internal stakeholder outreach plan, which is being implemented. An external outreach plan will be developed in FY2018. The CCAP is scheduled to be complete by FY2019.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this item.
CEQA:
The recommended action is a ministerial action and thus is not subject to the requirements of CEQA.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: PowerPoint
Attachment 2: Update on Climate Change Adaptation
Attachment 3: Chronology of Past Board Presentations
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Vincent Gin, 408-630-2633