The University of Maryland warns that sea level along Maryland’s shorelines could rise by as much as two feet by 2050: significantly impacting Maryland’s 3,100 miles of tidal shoreline and low-lying rural and urban lands. Documented losses of islands in the Chesapeake Bay and visible changes to wetland habitats along the Eastern Shore indicate that Maryland’s counties are already experiencing sea level rise impact their communities.
Counties can plan to address sea level rise now at the MACo Winter Conference Session, “The Tides, They Are A-Changing: Preparing for Sea Level Rise.”
Description: With a massive amount of our infrastructure situated waterside, Maryland’s communities bear significant responsibility to respond against the challenges of a changing climate and coastline. Fortunately, an array of resources exist to help. A variety of new web-based tools are emerging that provide quick and easy access to the best available data related to landscapes and environmental conditions. With increased awareness of these kind of applications, counties will be better equipped to meet their environmental program goals. During this session, participants will learn about training, data, and tools to help guide green infrastructure projects and grant resources to address short- and long-term coastal hazards, such as coastal flooding, storm surge, and sea level rise.
Speakers:
- Sasha Land, Chesapeake and Coastal Service, Department of Natural Resources
- Elizabeth Habic, Climate Change Program Manager, State Highway Administration
Date/Time: Thursday, December 8, 2016, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
The MACo Winter Conference will be held December 7-9, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort in Cambridge, Maryland. This year’s conference theme is “An Ounce of Prevention”.
Learn more about MACo’s Winter Conference:
