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the USGCRP, produced a series of 21 Synthesis and Assessment
Products (SAPs). The Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.1:
Coastal Sensitivity to Sea-Level Rise: A Focus on the Mid-Atlantic
Region, details how sea-level change will affect coastal zones
and recommends methods to protect the environment and sustain
economic growth.
In light of this research, the Federal government is modifying its
current policy to address the potential impacts of sea-level rise. In
July 2008, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) published
circular No. 1165-2-211, “Water Resource Policies and
Authorities Incorporating Sea-Level Change Considerations in
Civil Work Programs,” that provides guidance for incorporating
the direct and indirect physical aspects of projected future sealevel change in managing, planning, engineering, designing,
constructing, operating, and maintaining USACE projects. All
civil work programs performed by the USACE impacting coastal
and estuarine zones will now consider sensitivity to sea-level
change relative to human health and safety, economic costs and
benefits, environmental impacts, and other social effects.
At the state level, House Bill 697 requires the reduction of
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through energy-efficient land
use and local comprehensive planning. The Florida Department
of Community Affairs has held workshops regarding revisions
to the Florida Administrative Code that would implement new
requirements established by House Bill 697. Also in 2009,
the Florida Legislature established the Energy Economic Zone
(EcoZone) Pilot Program to address and create a model for
sustainable economic development. The EcoZone Pilot Program
is intended to further implement Chapter 2008-191, Laws of
Florida, relative to discouraging sprawl, reducing reliance on
automobiles, developing energy-efficient land use patterns, and
creating GHG reduction strategies. The City of Miami Beach was
selected as one of two participating communities in the EcoZone
Pilot Program.
The city has developed a work plan for EcoZone Pilot Program,
which has been incorporated into its Sustainability Plan,
primarily as economic development initiatives. The work plan
seeks to identify opportunities for economic development and
redevelopment that maximize the potential for economic benefit
to the community. The work plan also identifies resource use that
enhances opportunities to improve wealth creation for the citizens
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and community needs while preserving the natural environment.
As a participant in the EcoZone Pilot Program, the city seeks to
become an urban community model for the establishment and
maintenance of long-term economic and quality of life needs.
Regionally, Miami-Dade County has also begun taking steps
toward addressing the potential impacts of climate change. In
July 2006, the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners
passed an ordinance that established the Miami-Dade Climate
Change Advisory Task Force (CCATF). The Task Force’s 25
appointed members are a diverse, multidisciplinary and highly
knowledgeable group of individuals representing various sectors
of the community. The task force is charged with identifying
potential future climate change impacts to Miami-Dade County
and providing on-going recommendations to the Board of
Commissioners regarding mitigation and adaptation measures to
respond to climate change.
In addition, Miami-Dade County is developing its own plan
for a sustainable future called “GreenPrint: Our Design for a
Sustainable Future.” This document will be the framework to
evaluate and integrate environmental, social and economic
benefits into county policies and initiatives. The city is working in
concert with the county’s plan to develop its goals and initiatives.
The City of Miami Beach has also begun taking steps to address
growing concerns regarding environmental impacts and change
in the community. The City’s Ad-hoc Green Committee was
formed in July 2007, which provided a community forum to
discuss environmental issues within the city. In 2008, the City
Commission added a new Key Intended Outcome (KIO) to the
City’s Strategic Plan -- to enhance the environmental sustainability
of the community. Then in the spring of 2009, the city formalized
the Ad-Hoc Green Committee by permanently establishing
the Sustainability Committee and codifying Chapter 100:
Sustainability in the City Code, which is dedicated to sustainable
initiatives.
In addition, the city recently began developing a comprehensive
Stormwater Master Plan (SWMP) in response to climate change
and flooding impacts. One of the major findings of the MiamiDade Climate Change Task Force is a predicted three (3) to
five (5) foot rise in sea-level over the next century. The SWMP
will explore adaptation strategies aimed at addressing these
anticipated impacts of sea-level rise and the associated flooding;
for example, the prospect of creating injection wells, using pumps
and storage facilities, raising sea wall elevations, and changing
building code for new structures are currently being assessed.
5
Sustainability Plan Development Process
At the July 2009 Sustainability Committee, staff made a
presentation regarding the concept of planning for community
sustainability, which included suggested program areas and
example goals and objectives for the committee’s consideration.
Staff then conducted additional research into sustainability
planning at the local, state, national and international levels to
obtain examples and insight into the development process. A draft
plan was developed based on this research and was presented
to the committee on September 22, 2009. On the November
12, 2009, Neighborhoods and Community Affairs Committee
unanimously moved to accept the plan.
In the following months, staff elicited feedback from Sustainability
Committee, other City departments, local universities, the
Miami-Dade County Office of Sustainability, Florida Department