Challenges and Lessons Learned from U.S. Retreat A. R. Siders, J.D., Ph.D. Environmental Fellow Harvard University Center for the Environment Sustainable Quarterly Climate Adaptation Forum | March 1, 2019 Solutions Lab
ADVANCING IN A NEW DIRECTION A.R. SIDERS, JD, PHD HARVARD UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT ARSIDERS@FAS.HARVARD.EDU
LONG POINT, CAPE COD, 1850S
FEMA HMGP-Funded Floodplain Property Acquisitions Siders (2018); Mach et al. (in prep)
MA Buyouts in 1991 1992 1997 1998 2000 2006 2010 2011 2015 FEMA-Funded Floodplain Property Acquisitions
Setbacks Buyouts Attractive Investment Rolling Easements Eminent Domain Road Reclamation Transfer Development Rights Condemnation Seawall Bans
Beachapedia
Center for Coastal Resources Management, Virginia Institute of Marine Science tinyurl.com/arcgisRetreat Managedretreat.org UC Davis Managedretreat.us
A Historical Assessment of Home Buyout Policy: Are We Learning or Just Failing? A. Greer & S. Binder Housing Policy Debate 2017
3 WAYS WE COULD DO BETTER LEARN FROM THE PAST CONSIDER EQUITY CREATE VISION
LEARN BUT INNOVATE FUNDING PARTICIPATION • CHARLOTTE, NC – STORMWATER FEE • 10% INCENTIVE IF IN HIGH PRIORITY AREA • HARRIS COUNTY, TX – FEES • 5% INCENTIVE IF MOVE AS BLOCK • DES MOINES, IA – SALES TAX • RELOCATE AS NEIGHBORHOOD • SOUTH CAROLINA – CONSIDERING A STATE FUND • PROPERTY SWITCH (WAPELLO) • CALIFORNIA – ADAPTATION FUND
LEARN BUT INNOVATE MEMORIALS • JAPANESE TSUNAMI STONES • NETHERLANDS MUSEUM
EQUITY Mach et al. (in review)
“THE TROUBLE WITH MATH”: A STRAIGHT COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS CAN CREATE SOCIALLY INEQUITABLE RESULTS “SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE” >= 50% PRE -DISASTER VALUE OF HOME SUB DAMAGE MEANS RETREAT OR REBUILD HIGHER/SAFER Officials more likely to find low-value homes “substantially” damaged Devries & Fraser 2012 Appeals approved “95%” of time without proof: “fly -by-night, chaotic, wild west, get- what-you- want” (New Orleans official)
“THE TROUBLE WITH MATH”: A STRAIGHT CBA CAN CREATE SOCIALLY INEQUITABLE RESULTS Most vulnerable neighborhoods in the U.S. are low-income and minority (Mileti 1999) New Orleans: areas proposed for not rebuilding housed 60- 80% African American population (Logan 2005)
NOT relocating homes continues history of disproportionate risk “Trapped” populations – unable financially to relocate (Logan 2005) Ed Schipul, Flickr, Lower 9 th Ward 2008
EQUITY
VISION "Retreat, hell! We're not retreating, we're just advancing in a different direction.“ - General Smith USMC Gen Oliver P. Smith, commanding the 1st Marine Division during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, Korea,1950
HIGH-DENSITY IN LOW-RISK AREAS
STATE SEASHORE Tom Giratikanon, Boston Globe, 2009
MA Beach, R. Schaetzl, MSU Winthrop Beach CGI Model, VFX
STATE SEASHORE D. Stone, Essex Heritage
RETREAT ISN’T A GOAL – IT’S A WAY TO ACHIEVE A GOAL SOMETIMES TO ADVANCE IN A NEW DIRECTION YOU HAVE TO TURN BACK arsiders@fas.harvard.edu sidersadapts@gmail.com
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