addressing climate change adaptation in regional transportation plans

State-of-the-Practice Climate Change Adaptation Activities for California MPOs and RTPAsAppendixto lead MPOs through an analysis would be most helpful. Additionally, a statemandate would likely be necessary in order to motivate the agency toincorporate climate change adaptation planning into the RTP.3.2 ASSOCIATION OF MONTEREY BAY AREAGOVERNMENTS (AMBAG)For the upcoming 2014 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), AMBAG willmaintain its focus on achieving greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation as per SB 375.Within the policy framework of the AMBAG MTP, environmental factors areconsidered as key policy drivers within the region. Climate change adaptation,however, is a newer topic that has not been fully considered.In the context of the upcoming MTP, the main two environmental issues besidesGHG mitigation that concern AMBAG are the preservation of potable watersupply for urban areas and sea level rise. Sea level rise is relevant in the MTPprocess, because much of the opportunity for infill development is currentlylocated on the coastal shorelines, and there is concern that sea level rise andcoastal flooding may affect development and planning. The issue has beenbrought up by environmentalists, developers, and elected officials. Sea level riseconcerns were expressed during regional blueprint process, but addressing themwas beyond the scope of the project. Because resources are limited and asanalysis of this issue is not required under SB375, it is unlikely that it will beaddressed in the RTP.Efforts UnderwayThere have been some informal discussions between planning staff and coastalcommission staff. Ongoing regular communication with coastal commissionwould benefit the region. AMBAG issued an RFP in the last year for a beachnourishment process, which is an ongoing issue in the region with marinesanctuary (conservation versus the use of Monterey Bay for fishing).How Caltrans Can Advance Climate Change Adaptation EffortsA suggested process regarding when to consider climate change adaptationstrategies when developing a long range transportation plan or during theproject implementation process would be useful to AMBAG. Additionally,information on various adaptation strategies would greatly help to informincorporating adaptation into the planning process.Information provided in the Caltrans study should address differentstakeholders and different perspectives. For instance, public works officialsthink very differently than about climate change because different time framesconcern them for planning and implementation. It would be useful to havefurther discussion with multiple stakeholders involved in the MTP process andto have targeted information material for different stakeholders.B-16 Cambridge Systematics, Inc.