OW-climate-change-adaptation-plan

5) Collective Impacts on Coastal Areas:
Coastal areas are likely to see multiple impacts associated with climate change
including: sea level rise, increased damage from floods and storm surges, coastal
erosion, changes in drinking water supplies, and increasing temperature and
acidification of the oceans (e.g., decreases in pH, decreases in carbonate ion availability
for calcifying organisms). These overlapping impacts make protecting water resources
in coastal areas especially challenging. For further details on these impacts, see pages
17, 43, 47, 84, 85, 148, 151 in Karl et al., 2009.
Changes in ocean characteristics pose several challenges for water program managers
including:
watershed-level protection programs may need to be revised to account for changes in
natural systems as salinity and pH levels change; (Ibid; p. 17, 43, 47, 151)
climate change and ocean acidification may exacerbate existing stresses on coral reefs
such that programs to protect coral reefs, including temperate and cold water corals,
from land-based pollution and impacts may need to be reassessed to provide enhanced
protection; (Ibid; p. 84, 85, 148) and
wetlands programs may need to be adjusted to account for changing salinity levels and
impacts on wetlands health. (Ibid; p. 47, 84)
Changing Ocean Characteristics: Effects on Water Programs
(Shaded areas reflect programs most affected by changing ocean characteristics)
Drinking Water Standards Surface Water Standards Technology Based Emergency Planning
Standards
Drinking Water Planning Clean Water Planning Water Monitoring Water Restoration/
TMDLs
Underground Injection Discharge Permits Storm Water Permits Wetlands Permits
Control Permits
Source Water Protection Nonpoint Pollution
Control
Coastal Zone
National Estuaries
Program
Drinking Water SRF Clean Water SRF Ocean Protection Combined Sewer
Overflow Plans
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