Guidance on Natural Resiliency Measures in New York
The Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve (HRNERR) has been working with New York State in its pro-active adaptation strategy for the potential threats from extreme weather, sea level rise, and flooding due to climate change. The Community Risk and Resiliency Act (CRRA), signed into law in 2014, requires state agencies to assess future climate risks when making decisions concerning certain funding, permitting and facility siting decisions.
Through a NERRS Science Collaborative transfer project, HRNERR is collaborating with state agencies to capture what is known about the ability of nature-based shoreline stabilization approaches and other natural and nature-based features to enhance resiliency. The Guidance on Use of Natural Resiliency Measures will have invaluable information on the use of natural and nature-based features for riparian corridors, wetlands, urbanized areas, forests, ocean and estuarine coastlines, and rivers, streams, and lake shorelines.
The Guidance will be finalized by January of 2017. We have been conducting a joint review of existing literature, policies, practices, and guidance on natural resiliency measures in coastal and inland areas. This work will result in:
- A summary of available information related to risk reduction and community resilience benefits of natural and nature-based resilience measures.
- A mutually agreed-upon framework and recommendations for state guidance on natural resilience measures.
What are natural resiliency measures?
The call for a guidance on natural resiliency measures is one of five major provisions of CRRA. These measures include conservation and restoration of our natural resources and the use of nature-based designs.
Project Partners
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- New York State Department of State
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
- Consensus Building Institute, Inc.
- Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve
For more information, see:
