THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Commission Value of “Ensuring economic opportunities for Broward’s diverse population and businesses”, Goal 2: Increase the economic strength and impact of revenue-generating County enterprises balancing economic, environmental, and community needs, and the Value of “Encouraging investments in renewable energy, sustainable practices and environmental protection”, Goal 1: Seek funding for, implement policies and pursue projects promoting, the use of alternative energies and sustainable practices, Goal 2: Proactively lead in the planning, design and construction of projects supporting resilience and climate adaptation, including coordination with other entities to foster resilient design as part of local and regional projects, especially shore protection efforts, and Goal 4: Educate the public about the fragile South Florida ecosystems, impacts of severe weather, sea level rise, and climate change, with special emphasis on the coral reef ecosystem.
Support for this item provides Broward County with funding through the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection Florida Coastal Management Program to perform an integrated analysis of local economics and climate resilience. These funds are provided via the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and are designated for projects and activities that promote the protection and management of coastal resources in Florida. The awarded funds will support an economic study to evaluate the resilience of the coastal commercial corridor in the City of Dania Beach as sea level rises and disruptions from the annual tidal flooding and storms increase, absent adequate adaptation measures. The grant award provides reimbursement of $80,000 to fund assigned Division staff salaries and contracted consultant services. The study will be completed by December 31, 2018.
This project will build upon technical assistance brought to the City through the 2014 Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact Resilient Redesign Workshop, the 2015 Metropole COAST model workshops and the ongoing application of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Decision Analysis for a Sustainable Environment, Economy and Society (DASEES) tool. In support of the grant-funded study, Broward County staff and community liaisons will interview business and property owners to collect data that describes the interdependence of various types of businesses. Data points will include types of services, value of services, total assets, and flood risk planning criteria. The data collected will be used by a contracted economic consultant to develop a “relationship model” that represents the local economy. This model will be manipulated to test how flood conditions will affect certain components of the business community and suggest implications for how property values, employment availability, and services will respond.
Comparing these results to future scenarios will help make the case for investing in resilience and highlight strategies that would be most beneficial to the local economy. Such strategies may include implementing flood-resistant standards for new development, creation of space for temporary flood water storage through landscaping, amendment of land use or zoning designations, or public-private investment in flood management infrastructure. These strategies may ensure sustained property values and the ability of the businesses in the community to function safely, and remain profitable. As the region continues to engage the private sector as a potential partner in adaptation, this innovative pilot study will provide an example for communities to evaluate options through a lens intended to sustain and promote the economy. Information gained will be shared broadly with stakeholders across the region through Division presentations and regional workshops.
This agreement was approved by the Grants Coordination Section and approved as to form by the County Attorney’s Office.
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