Options Database

Revise land use plans to accommodate changes in types of agricultural activities and to allow for shifts in agriculturally viable areas. For example, include accessory uses such as agritourism and direct retail activities while also considering impacts to natural ecosystems.

Revise land use plans to accommodate changes in types of agricultural activities and to allow for shifts in agriculturally viable areas.

Revise the community's steep slope ordinance to add other metrics beyond elevation and slope, such as density, land disturbance and tree removal prohibitions.

Routinely inspect the functionality of fire hydrants.

Seal wastewater pipes that are at or below the existing groundwater level to protect the system against rising groundwater.

As seasons change length arrival dates, study and better understand the natural, economic and societal impacts of climate change on food security as well as the potential benefits of warmer temperatures.

Seek additional staff capacity in future budget cycles to prevent and manage climate impacts.

Seek federal and state engagement to develop a resilience strategy.

Seek out technical assistance to assess the flood and erosion risks facing drinking water systems. Identify potential solutions.

Serve as a proactive convener on area-based stormwater infrastructure improvements, rather than manage these improvements parcel by parcel.

Set a goal to become stormwater neutral by increasing the ability of the jurisdiction to capture, infiltrate, retain or evapotranspirate the first inch of rainwater. This achievement would benefit local ecosystems by reducing the transport of runoff pollutants and would help control flooding and erosion.

Set a limit on the percent of impervious surface — area covered by impenetrable materials such as asphalt, concrete and rooftops — allowed on new construction and redevelopment on residential, commercial and industrial sites.

Set money aside to address hardening roads against landslides and erosion.

Set up a regional water management and flood working group to facilitate climate considerations.

Speak with vulnerable populations to see what needs they have before, during and after a flood. Then offer mobile services for those residents before, during and after a flood.

Sponsor local volunteer events to reduce fuel loads along the wildland-urban interface.

Sponsor workshops for local officials, developers, civic groups, and neighborhood/homeowner associations.

Stage and prepare debris cleanup resources immediately prior to an expected incident to ensure these will be ready to activate as soon as possible.

Strengthen public transit systems to provide safe travel during extreme heat and smoke events. Offer free public transit rides during these events.

Strengthen stormwater management regulations to account for future sea level rise conditions.