Miami-Dade 2040 LRTP - Oct. 23, 2014

The first cycle of GreenPrint contains 137 initiatives. While the plan contains many new initiatives, it also aims to elevate and intensify efforts related to other existing and excellent County and municipal initiatives and plans. Together, the existing and new initiatives strive to achieve aggressive water conservation, energy, climate change, and greenhouse gas reduction goals to sustain ourselves and our natural resources. The initiatives outlined in GreenPrint are projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1,470,000 metric tons and to avoid 3,050,000 metric tons over the first five year cycle. One of the most significant County legislative efforts tied to GreenPrint was the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners’ approval in May 2014 of a resolution (Resolution 451-14) requiring all county infrastructure projects to consider the potential impacts of sea level rise during all project phases and requiring an evaluation of all County infrastructure that is vulnerable to sea level rise. Table 7-2 lists two of the specific GreenPrint Strategies and Initiatives impacted by this new resolution. Focus on Climate Change There is consensus among the world’s leading scientists that climate change is among the most significant problems facing the world today. Florida, and in particular, South Florida is considered one of the most vulnerable areas to climate change (Third National Climate Assessment, May 2014, www.globalchange.gov ). Miami-Dade County is resourceful and resilient, but is on the frontline to experience climate change impacts, especially rising sea levels and has unique characteristics that make these projected impacts more challenging: Sustainability Pillar 2: Environmentally Sound The Miami-Dade Climate Change Advisory Task Force was established in 2006 for a period of 5 years to review existing science and projections of climate change impacts to SE Florida, and to develop recommendations for further action by the county to further reduce GHG emissions and begin climate adaptation planning for community resilience to extreme weather and other projected climate change impacts. The Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact was formed in 2009, as a partnership of Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach counties, as well as their municipalities and partners, working together to mitigate the causes and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Compact developed the Regional Climate Action Plan (RCAP) in August 2012. The RCAP offers recommendations designed to guide planning, policy, and investment decisions in support of the Compact’s climate mitigation and adaptation objectives that provide the common integrated framework for a stronger and more resilient Southeast Florida. In July 2013, The Miami-Dade Sea Level Rise Task Force was established by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners to review current and relevant data, science and reports and develop a “comprehensive and realistic” assessment of the likely and potential impacts of sea level rise and storm surge over time. The Broward MPO, in coordination with the Miami-Dade and Palm Beach MPOs and other partnering agencies, is administering the South Florida Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaption Pilot Project. This is a regional project with a goal of determining the impact of extreme weather on the regional transportation network based on sea level rise, storm surge, and precipitation induced flooding. The focus of the pilot project is to develop of a consistent methodology for integrating vulnerability into the MPO transportation decision making process. This effort has an anticipated completion date of early 2015. It is a coastal community, located at the tip of the Florida peninsula, with most of the geographic area only a few feet above sea level Important economic drivers, such as tourism and agriculture, that are weather dependent A storm water infrastructure system based on gravity flow directly impacted by sea level rise and already experiencing impacts at extreme high tides A porous substrate directly affected by sea level rise, which may cause saltwater intrusion into the shallow aquifer that serves as the primary source of freshwater A large, dense population whose growth could be exacerbated at any time by a segment of mass migration. 7-6 | MOBILITY OPTIONS The Climate Change Action Plan focuses on adapting to change and building resiliency. Both strategies are critical to a comprehensive Climate Action Plan and Miami-Dade has been actively addressing both of these critical components since 2006. In addition, to help mitigate adverse impacts to wetlands, Miami-Dade County adheres to the Uniform Mitigation Assessment Methodology (UMAM) to determine the amount of mitigation required for regulatory permits. Examples include: Over the last few years, FDOT has purchased mitigation credits at the Florida Power & Light Company’s Mitigation Bank, which was created to return over 13,000 acres of the Everglades to their natural condition. There are ongoing efforts to restore water flow to the Everglades National Park along a portion of US-41 and west of Krome Avenue. These types of activities will continue for future projects as they arise.