ASFPM Bi-Monthly Newsletter for Chapters A newsletter to keep chapters up to date on industry events, deadlines, and news pertaining to chapter operations.

October 13, 2010

Issue 2

Topics in this Issue

Chapter Coordinator’s Report ASFPM Chapter Calendar For Your Members Request for Submissions Request for Comments Continuing Education Opportunity Grant Opportunities & Funding Fellowships & Education In the News Chapter Coordinator’s Report Kait Laufenberg, CFM We had a great turnout for our third bi-monthly “All Chapters” Call September 19th. Thanks to everyone who participated in the call. Chapter board members and committee chairs are always welcome to join the call. On the September call, John Miller (New Jersey Chapter) discussed some of the exciting activities done by the Chapter’s Legislative Committee. Sally McConkey (ASFPM Vice Chair) talked about the 13 ASFPM Policy Committees. ASPFM is asking chapters who have an interest in developing a legislative or other policy committee to let me know and I can connect you to the appropriate person. If we have enough chapter interest, ASFPM is also willing to host a Chapter Topic Call on developing a legislative (or other) policy committee. Chapters are invited to the first Chapter Topic Call this month on October 21, 2010, which will address websites, web hosting, and webmaster related information and questions. Questions for the call can be sent to my email.

2010 ASFPM Chapter Calendar Chapter Website Topic-Specific Conference Call, 1:00PM Central Time 10/21

ASFPM Nat’l Conference Concurrent Session & Workshop Submission Deadline 10/31

ASFPM Arid Regions Symposium (Henderson, NV) 11/2-11/5

“All Chapters” Conference Call (Bi-Monthly) 1:00PM Central Time 11/18

Chapter Renewal Paperwork is mailed to Chapter Contacts 1 & 2 November

Chapter Renewals & payment is due to Executive Office 1/31/11

ASFPM CHAPTER RESOURCES & CONTACTS

Kait Laufenberg, CFM

Training & Chapter Coordinator, ASFPM Ph: 608-274-0123

CHAPTER DIRECTORS R 1 & 2: Mike Dopko, 607-722-3119 R 3 & 5: Jerry Robinson, 847-823-0500 R 4 & 6: Diane Calhoun, 940-783-4123 R 7 & 8: Brad Anderson, 970-226-0120 R 9 & 10: Valerie Swick, 602-506-2929

For Your Members

Policyholders Begin To Receive PRP Extension Eligibility Notices

Starting October 1, 2010, Write Your Own (WYO) insurance companies and the NFIP-Direct began sending notices to policyholders whose insured structures may potentially be eligible for the Preferred Risk Policy (PRP) Extension rating option. These potentially eligible buildings are ones that were newly mapped into a high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) from October 1, 2008 through December 31, 2010. These buildings will be eligible to be rated using the PRP rates for 2 policy years when their policy renews after December 31, 2010. As a result, local floodplain managers and other officials may now begin to receive calls about this new rating option and be asked for assistance in providing historic and current flood maps. These maps will help the property owner and their agent verify eligibility.

Information about the PRP Extension rating option can be found at www.FloodSmart.gov/PRPExtension. In addition, FloodSmart has provided ASFPM with a packet of information for community officials to refer to so that they become more informed about this new rating option and therefore able to better explain the option and its benefits to their citizens. These outreach pieces can be found on the Insurance Committee page on www.Floods.org. Note that this extended PRP eligibility will also apply to any building newly mapped into a high-risk SFHA starting January 1, 2011. Return to Top

Request for Submissions

Request for Presentation Submissions ASFPM Deadline: October 31, 2010 Every year following our conference, ASFPM receives requests for more local content, topics, and speakers to present at our National Conference. Increasingly, we receive requests for topics which provide locals the tools and ideas that they can implement back in their community. While we make great efforts to provide opportunities for these topics on our conference agenda, we can only consider the presentations that are actually submitted. This year we’re challenging our chapters and their members to help us fill this gap!

Concurrent Session presentations are 20-25 minutes in length; Workshop topics are between 1 hour and 4 hours in length. More than one presenter can be a part of the presentation – either Concurrent Session or Workshop- so you don’t have to do it alone! ASFPM needs the wisdom of your front-line experience to help provide professional development opportunities to other locals – please help us make it possible! Details on how to submit a presentation topic or workshop for consideration can be found on the ASFPM 2011 Conference Page of the ASFPM website.

For questions regarding concurrent session topics, contact Steve McMaster, Conference Program Chair at steve.mcmaster@nebraska.gov. For questions about presenting a workshop – please contact Kait Laufenberg, Workshop Coordinator at Kait@floods.org. Return to Top Call for Papers International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management Deadline: November 15, 2010, (Full Papers) The International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management is accepting full research papers, works-in-progress, and practitioner papers for presentation at ISCRAM 2011, May 8-11 in Lisbon, Portugal. Papers on a number of topics will be accepted, including early warning and alert systems, risk perception and analysis, social media, GIS and crisis management, and humanitarian action. Return to Top

Request for Comments Updated Version of APPENDIX I: Discovery is Available for Review Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) Deadline: November 26, 2010 The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has developed a revised draft for Appendix I: Discovery of FEMA’s Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners. This Appendix will replace the previously-issued Appendix I that contained the Project Scoping Toolbox and the guidance for Scoping and Pre-Scoping activities. This appendix describes FEMA’s new “Scoping” process (now called Discovery) that hopes to engage stakeholders on a watershed basis. Why Chapters and States should consider participating in the review process: Discovery will look at stormwater management practices, emergency management plans, mitigation plans (previously the focus was on mapping for regulatory requirements/reasons). Discovery will focus is on obtaining a more complete and holistic view of a watershed that affects the watershed’s flood risk and mitigation needs and activities, unlike Scoping under Map Mod which is focused on mapping needs and data sources.

Discovery describes the process to be applied by FEMA Regions, Cooperating Technical Partners, and other Mapping Partners in performing activities in a watershed of interest that may lead to a flood risk project being initiated. A “flood risk project” is the generic term for a Risk MAP project, which includes the standard regulatory mapping but also flood risk assessments and mitigation planning technical assistance based on a watershed’s needs.

The revised document will be available for public review and comment through November 26, 2010. The revised document can be obtained via this website: http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=4340. Written comments and suggestions via track changes or document comments may be submitted to FEMA electronically by sending an e-mail message to guidancecomments@starr-team.com. Alternatively, comments and suggestions may be mailed to the address below or transmitted by facsimile to the number below. Please send all correspondence to the attention of Jen Marcy at: PBS&J, 12101 Indian Creek Court, Beltsville, MD 20705, Fax: 301.210.5156, Attention: Jen Marcy Return to Top

Continuing Education Opportunities

E273: Managing Floodplain Development through the National Flood Insurance Program FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI)

2011 Dates: January 24-27

May 16-19 August 29-September 1

There are still seats open for the upcoming 2011 offerings of E273, “Managing Floodplain Development through the National Flood Insurance Program” at FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI). This is often referred to as the, “FEMA 4 day class”. There are still seats available for EMI’s upcoming 2011 E273 course offerings held at the beautiful Emmitsburg, MD campus. If you are a state or local government employee you may attend the training for FREE with all expenses covered except meals (meal tickets are approximately $100 for the week). For more information, go to http://www.training.fema.gov/ or contact the EMI Admissions Office at 301-447-1035. Application can be found here: http://www.training.fema.gov/Apply/

E273 is the definitive course for new Floodplain Administrators – it provides in-depth information about the duties required of floodplain administrators in NFIP participating communities and offers a unique opportunity to network with other floodplain administrators from across the country. Lead by outstanding EMI and FEMA Regional Instructors – this is truly a “must attend” course. The E273 course is designed to provide an organized training opportunity for local officials responsible for administering their local floodplain management ordinance. The course will focus on the NFIP and concepts of floodplain management, maps and studies, ordinance administration, and the relationship between floodplain management and flood insurance. Many attendees have taken the course to help study for the Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) Exam. While the course is not designed to be an exam “prep” course, it covers many of the topics found on the exam. CFMs who have not already attended will also benefit from this course. This course has been pre-approved for 12 Core Continuing Education Credits for CFMs, and for 3.1 CEUs. Selection Criteria: Local officials responsible for administering local floodplain management ordinances, including but not limited to floodplain management administrators, building inspectors, code enforcement/zoning officers, planners, city/county managers, attorneys, engineers, and public works officials. Federal/State/regional floodplain managers also are encouraged to attend. The course is designed for those officials with less than 3 years of floodplain management experience

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FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI) offers a diverse selection of more than 400 floodplain and emergency management courses available to Local, State, Tribal floodplain and emergency managers, Federal partners, volunteer organizations and first responders from across the country.

Grant Opportunities & Funding Computers, Flat Screen TVs, Camcorders, Software for Schools Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest Deadline: October 24, 2010 $1 million technology giveaway! Samsung & its technology partners are donating computers, flat screen TVs, camcorders, software & more to 50 schools around the country to give students the tools they need to pursue an interest in science, technology, engineering & math (STEM) education to create a more sustainable future. Challenge your 6th - 12th grade students to find an innovative solution to an environmental problem in your community & create a video showing how it can be done for a chance to win great gear for your school. For information about how to apply to the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest, visit www.samsung.com/solvefortomorrow. Return to Top

Coastal Protection Programs in California Funded Whale Tail Grants Program Deadline: November 1, 2010 The goal of the Whale Tail Grants Program, an initiative of the California Coastal Commission, is to support projects that teach California’s children and the general public to value and take action to improve the health of the state’s coast, marine life, and watersheds that connect with the coast. Funded projects should fall into one of the following categories: Adopt-A-Beach programs, youth programs, or programs for the general public. Priority is given to projects that reach communities that are currently poorly served in terms of marine and coastal education. The application deadline is November 1, 2010. Application guidelines and forms are available on the California Coastal Commission’s website.

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Community-based Marine Debris Removal Project Grants NOAA Marine Debris Program Deadline: November 1, 2010 The grant provides funding to catalyze the implementation of locally driven, community-based marine debris prevention, assessment and removal projects that will benefit coastal habitat, waterways, and NOAA trust

resources. Projects awarded through this grant competition have strong on-the-ground habitat components involving the removal of marine debris and derelict fishing gear, as well as activities that provide social benefits for people and their communities in addition to long-term ecological habitat improvements for NOAA trust resources. Through this solicitation NOAA identifies marine debris removal projects, strengthens the development and implementation of habitat restoration through community-based marine debris removal, and fosters awareness of the effects of marine debris to further the conservation of living marine resource habitats. Successful

proposals through this solicitation will be funded through a cooperative agreement. Funding of up to $2,000,000 is expected to be available for Community-based Marine Debris Removal Project Grants in FY2011. Typical awards will range from $15,000 to $150,000. Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, commercial (for profit) organizations, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, international organizations, and state, local and Indian tribal governments whose projects have the potential to benefit NOAA trust resources. Return to Top

Funding for School Projects Aimed at Cleaning Up Gulf Marshes, Rivers & Other Waterways Disney’s Planet Challenge Deadline: November 1, 2010 Disney's Planet Challenge is offering funding to 3rd -8th grade classroom projects for $650 or less in materials, aimed to help clean up Gulf marshes, rivers, and other water ways. Qualifying projects will appear as funded down to $98 or less within two weeks of posting. If you are a full-time 3rd through 8th grade teacher at a public school in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Texas, you can qualify for this funding! First, log in to your

teacher account on DonorsChoose.org (if you don’t have one, any public school teacher can sign up at www.donorschoose.org/teacher http://www.donorschoose.org/teacher. Once you’re logged in, submit a hands-on project request focused on cleaning up the Gulf marshes, rivers, or other water ways requesting $650 or less in materials. Visit http://dpcproject.com/ http://dpcproject.com/RegTrack.aspx after August 18th & sign up for the Disney's Planet Challenge, using the same email address you used for your

DonorsChoose.org account. This will ensure your project is fully funded by December 18th . Make sure to submit your request as soon as possible for the best chance of funding. If your project qualifies and you sign up for Disney’s Planet Challenge, your project will receive full funding by 12/18/10. Return to Top Rural Community Projects in Targeted States Supported Laura Jane Musser Fund: Rural Initiative Program Deadline: November 10, 2010 Through the Rural Initiative Program, the Laura Jane Musser Fund supports collaborative and participatory efforts among citizens in rural communities in Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Wyoming. Grants are provided for programs that will help to strengthen individual rural towns in the targeted states in a number of civic areas, including economic development, business preservation, arts and humanities, public space improvements, and education. The applicant community must have a population of 10,000 or fewer and must be able to demonstrate active, broad-based community participation in and support for the project. Planning grants of up to $5,000 and implementation grants of up to $25,000 are provided. The application deadline is November 10, 2010. Specific grant guidelines and application procedures are available on the Fund’s website. Return to Top

Project Funding for Rural School Classrooms UPS Foundation Deadline: November 12, 2010 Project Funding for Rural School Classrooms to Study About, Explore, or Clean Up the Planet! UPS Foundation is offering rural teachers match funding for classroom projects that will have students study about, explore, or clean up the planet. Here are the kinds of projects they love: ! Materials to study or create community gardens, compost heaps, ecosystems, terrariums, you name it! ! Tools to test or improve water quality, learn about the rock cycle and geology, or explore alternative

energies. ! Projects to start school based recycling programs, clean-up watersheds, and conserve water or energy.

If you are a full-time public school teacher at a rural school, you’re eligible to submit requests for this funding. Log in to your teacher account on DonorsChoose.org (if you don’t have one, any public school teacher can sign up at www.donorschoose.org/teacher <http://www.donorschoose.org/teacher>). Once you’re logged in, submit up to three project requests for $400 in materials per request, for resources to help your class study about, explore, or clean up the planet. Return to Top

Making a Difference in Children’s Lives Office Depot Foundation Deadline: November 15 The Foundation’s funding focus includes: Making a Difference in Children’s Lives – to support activities that serve, teach and inspire children, youth and families; Building Communities – to support civic organizations and activities that serve the needs of our community; and Disaster Relief – to support disaster relief efforts of recognized national regional and local agencies, and to provide disaster relief to Office Depot associates who have experienced catastrophic loss. An online eligibility survey and grant application can be found on the Grant Making Guidelines page. Learn more at http://www.officedepotfoundation.com/funding.asp. Return to Top 2011 Open Rivers Initiative NOAA Open Rivers Initiative (ORI) Deadline: November 17, 2010 The NOAA Open Rivers Initiative (ORI) provides funding and technical assistance to catalyze the implementation of locally-driven projects to remove dams and other river barriers, in order to benefit living marine and coastal resources, particularly diadromous fish. Projects funded through the Open Rivers Initiative must feature strong on-the-ground habitat restoration components that foster economic, educational, and social benefits for citizens and their communities in addition to long-term ecological habitat improvements for NOAA trust resources. Proposals selected for funding through this solicitation will be implemented through a cooperative agreement. The NOAA Restoration Center within the Office of Habitat Conservation will administer this grant initiative, and anticipates that typical awards will range from $200,000 to $750,000. Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, non-profits, industry and commercial (for profit) organizations, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, international organizations, and state, local and Indian tribal governments whose projects have the potential to benefit NOAA trust resources. Return to Top Hope VI Revitalization Grant: Demolition and Revitalization of Severely Distressed Public Housing Department of Housing and Urban Development Deadline: November 22, 2010 The purpose of HOPE VI Revitalization grants is to assist Public Housing Authorities to: 1. Improve the living environment for public housing residents of severely distressed public housing projects through the demolition, rehabilitation, reconfiguration, or replacement of obsolete public housing projects (or portions thereof); 2. Revitalize sites (including remaining public housing dwelling units) on which such public housing projects are located and contribute to the improvement of the surrounding neighborhood; 3. Provide housing that will avoid or decrease the concentration of very low-income families; and 4. Build sustainable communities. This opportunity is only open to organizations, applicants who are submitting grant applications on behalf of a company, state, local or tribal government, academia, or other type of organization. This NOFA announces the availability of approximately $124 million in FY 2010 funds for HOPE VI Revitalization Program grants. The maximum amount of each grant award is $22 million. It is anticipated that five or six grant awards will be made. A match of at least 5 percent is required. Return to Top

Rural Communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin Supported AgStar Fund for Rural America Deadline: November 30, 2010 The AgStar Fund for Rural America is committed to enhancing the quality of life and future opportunities for rural

residents and their communities. The Fund supports nonprofit organizations in the 69-county service area where AgStar has a significant business presence in Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. The Fund focuses its giving program in four major areas: education, environment, technology, and quality of life. Grants of up to $10,000 are provided. Online applications will be accepted

from October 1 through November 30, 2010. Visit the AgStar website to review the funding guidelines and application instructions. Return to Top

Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) USDA Deadline: December 22, 2010 These grants will be made to qualified intermediary organizations that will provide financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development. The RCDI grant program also includes an initiative called ‘‘Great Regions.’’ The Intermediary will be required to provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to the RCDI grant. The respective minimum and maximum grant amount per Intermediary is $50,000.00 and $300,000.00. The Recipient, but not the Intermediary, must be located in a city or town that has a population of less than 50,000 inhabitants. The deadline for receipt of an application is 4 p.m. local time, December 22, 2010.

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Fellowships & Education Call for Applications East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes National Science Foundation Deadline: November 10, 2010 The National Science Foundation is accepting applications for students interested in attending one of seven East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes from June to August 2011. Awardees will receive a $5,000 stipend, airfare to the host country, living expenses, and other support. Masters and PhD students studying in a variety of fields, including the social sciences, environmental science, geoscience, and engineering, are invited to apply. Return to Top

Graduate Research Fellowship Program FY11 National Estuarine Research Reserve Deadline: November 1, 2010 The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) consists of estuarine areas of the United States and its territories which are designated and managed for research and educational purposes. Each Reserve within the system is chosen to reflect regional differences and to include a variety of ecosystem types. Each Reserve supports a wide range of beneficial uses of ecological, economic, recreational, and aesthetic values which are dependent upon the maintenance of a healthy ecosystem. As part of a national system, the Reserves collectively provide an excellent opportunity to address research questions and estuarine management issues of national significance. For detailed descriptions of the sites, refer to the NERRS Web site at http://www.nerrs.noaa.gov. Eligible applicants must apply on behalf of a graduate student who has been admitted to or is enrolled in a full-time master's or doctoral program at a U.S. accredited university. Students should have completed a majority of their graduate course work at the beginning of their fellowship and have an approved thesis research program to be conducted at a Reserve. Minority students are encouraged to apply. Return to Top

In the News

USDA Announces Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program Grants Funds will Help Improve Access to Private Lands for Recreation in 17 States

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2010

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that 17 state public access programs will receive grants totaling $11.76 million through the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP). The state programs were selected from 28 applications vying for the competitive VPA-HIP grants program that was announced July 8, 2010. "This administration is committed to preserving and enhancing the great conservation legacy of our nation's hunters and anglers for the benefit of current and future generations," Vilsack said. "VPA-HIP will help achieve conservation goals and increase opportunities for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation by providing greater access to privately held lands and we are excited to assist these 17 states in developing new and enhancing existing public access and habitat incentive programs." The 17 states and their grant amounts are:

Arizona - $600,000 Colorado - $445,318 Idaho - $400,000 Illinois - $525,250 Iowa - $500,000 Kansas - $1,500,000 Kentucky - $651,515 Michigan - $457,449 Minnesota - $582,367

Nebraska - $1,091,164 North Dakota - $300,000 Oregon - $786,795 Pennsylvania - $1,500,000 South Dakota - $558,325 Utah - $84,837 Washington - $836,999 Wisconsin - $936,040

The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program incentivizes owners and operators of privately held farm, ranch and forest land to voluntarily give hunters, fishermen, hikers, bird watchers and other recreational outdoor enthusiasts access to land for their enjoyment. Program funds were made available to states and tribal governments through a competitive process. Eligible states and tribal governments could request funding for existing public access programs, to create new public access programs, or to provide incentives to improve wildlife habitat on enrolled lands. VPA-HIP funds may be used to provide rental payments and other incentives, such as technical or conservation services to landowners who, in return, provide the public access to their land. Funding priority was given to proposals that use the grant money to address these objectives:

! Maximize participation by landowners; ! Ensure that land enrolled in the program has appropriate wildlife habitat; ! Provide incentives to strengthen wildlife habitat improvement efforts on Conservation Reserve

Enhancement Program (CREP) land, if available; ! Supplement funding and services from other federal, state, tribal government or private resources that is

provided in the form of cash or in-kind services; and ! Inform the public about the location of public access land

FSA will open the grant application period for fiscal year 2011 funding after publication of a final rule. It is anticipated that the grant application period for states and tribal governments will occur in the late fall of 2010.

For more information on VPA-HIP and other FSA programs, visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/vpa. Return to Top

One-Year Extension For NFIP Compliance With National Marine Fisheries Service Biological Opinion

Release Date: October 4, 2010

On 10 September 2010, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requested and was approved for a one-year extension to the September 2010 date for compliance with a Biological Opinion (BiOp) on the effects of FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) on listed salmon species under the Endangered Species Act throughout Puget Sound. The BiOp was released on 22 September 2008 by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

The BiOp, required by a decision by the U.S. District Court on 15 November 2004, found that the NFIP has the ability to change the way the program is implemented in Puget Sound communities to reduce impacts on critical habitat areas for certain species of salmon and Southern Resident killer whales.

Since the BiOp was released, FEMA has developed a draft model ordinance that provides communities with a template they can use as one pathway for meeting the floodplain development criteria. FEMA also has held numerous focus groups and public presentations with communities on FEMA’s plans for implementing the BiOp.

During the coming year, FEMA and NMFS, in cooperation with the Puget Sound Partnership, will be co-hosting a conference that will explore the implications of the BiOp and how it can be integrated with work already in progress on the State and local levels, pursuant to Governor Gregoire’s request to integrate these efforts with work already being done.

“We envision this as a forum to exchange information, demystify what the new requirements for the NFIP are, and to answer questions regarding implementation of the BiOp from all sectors,” said William W. Stelle, Jr., Regional Administrator for NMFS.

Now all 122 affected NFIP communities in Puget Sound will have until September 2011 to bring their floodplain management regulations in line with NMFS’s BiOp.

“This demonstration of continued partnership between FEMA and NMFS will afford both local communities and State agencies the opportunity to join together in managing floodplains that reduce damages from flooding and protect important fisheries resources,” said FEMA Regional Administrator Kenneth Murphy.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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The Nature Conservancy to Study Potential Effects of Gulf of Mexico Sea-Level Rise

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide $198,721 for the work through its Gulf of Mexico Program.

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FLA. — Oct. 4, 2010— The potential impact of sea-level rise at five key estuaries in the of Mexico will be the focus of a two-year study led by Nature Conservancy in Florida and paid for through a cooperative agreement with the EPA. The project will use digital-mapping technology and simulation modeling to investigate potential effects in the Gulf of Mexico through the year 2100 under three separate global sea-level rise scenarios in an effort to help leaders and communities in the estuary areas plan for sea-level rise. “Modeling sea-level rise impacts on coastal systems at several Gulf of Mexico estuaries will improve our collective understanding of the likely pattern and timing of habitat loss,” said Conservancy Senior Marine Scientist Laura Geselbracht, who will be leading the project. “The resulting information will allow agencies and communities to develop effective, proactive strategies for avoiding and mitigating impacts to both natural and human systems and native species.” The estuaries proposed for study are Tampa Bay, Southern Big Bend, Pensacola Bay, Mobile Bay and Corpus Christi Bay. The potential scenarios include sea-level rises of 1 meter — about 3.2 feet — and 2 meters. The third will be a more conservative Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sea level rise scenario, A1B max, which is 0.64 meters. For more on the EPA’s Gulf of Mexico Program, visit http://www.epa.gov/gmpo. Return to Top