Project Summary/Overview
This project, funded by the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment (GOMC) and the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC), allows the City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire to advance local efforts to adapt land use, infrastructure, policies, and programs to reduce the vulnerability of the built and natural environment to changing environmental conditions. The project will integrate these adaptation strategies into city-wide plans, regulations, and policies. Specifically, this project will include updates to the city Master Plan, building codes, and the city’s capital improvement plan.
Project Background
Portsmouth’s location makes the city particularly vulnerable to certain weather events. The city has a high likelihood of experiencing hurricanes and other high wind events as well as severe winter weather. As a coastal community on an estuary, Portsmouth is highly vulnerable to storm surges and high tides. Increased intensity and frequency of coastal storms and sea level rise has the potential to result in extensive property damage and costly repairs for the city, as well as residents and businesses. Of particular concern is the potential for irreplaceable historic property loss in the city’s Historic District, portions of which are located in high hazard areas.
In September of 2011, the GOMC and the NROC sent requests for proposals from coastal communities in New England to advance local efforts to adapt to climate change.
Project Implementation
The project will utilize scenario planning to explore uncertainty about the future consequences of climate change on the city both long-term and short-term. The utilization of scenario planning will seek to avoid adverse impacts on the environment and natural resources by considering potential future impacts.
Project Outcomes and Conclusions (Lessons Learned)
Decision makers, planners, and the public will have access to new information on adapting to changing environmental conditions due to climate change. The project will serve to update current regulations and policies.
Peter Britz, Environmental Planner
City Clerk’s Officer for the City of Portsmouth, NH
1 Junkins Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 610-7215