addressing climate change adaptation in regional transportation plans

illnesses due to air pollution resulting from wildfires, and exacerbation ofasthma, allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and othercardiovascular diseases. Wildfire also threatens safety at the wildland-urbaninterface. With the increase in wildfire likelihood, more residents are likely tobe vulnerable to wildfire in the future, and additional strategies will need tobe developed to address this risk. Smoke management, especially the use ofprescribed burning as a fuel-reduction tool, should be coordinated with the airdistricts.AgricultureThe highest value agricultural product of the northernmost areas of theregion (Del Norte and Humboldt counties) is timber (California Farm BureauFederation, 2012). In addition to timber, other products include milk, nurseryproducts, and wine grapes. The southern two counties (Mendocino and Lake)produce wine grapes, valued at more than double any other crop.Each of the products from this region will be affected by climate changedifferently. Forests will experience changed seasonal patterns that may altermoisture and temperature regimes, both of which may affect growth rates.Further threatening timber production is that temperature and precipitationalong with management and invasive species (fuel load) will result in increasedfire risk in this region (see above).For wine grapes, the largest crop in the southern part of the region, climatecan affect productivity, as well as the quality of the grape for wine production.North Coast communities should collaborate closely with local agriculturalorganizations to best support and prepare for changes in this economic sector.Coastal DevelopmentThe region is relatively undeveloped on the coast and therefore will generallybe resilient as sea level rise occurs. Notable exceptions are the Arcata/Eureka/Fortuna area, which is in a coastal plain subject to flooding, and Crescent City,which is currently susceptible to tsunami. For example, Humboldt County isprojected to see an 18 percent increase in coastal inundation by 2100. Theearthen levees holding back the sea in many of these areas are at or nearcapacity. These communities should carefully assess the potential consequencesof these impacts.U.S. Highway 101 is a key transportation route and lifeline for all communitiesin Humboldt and Del Norte counties. In many areas, the roadbed is located ator below sea level and protected by aging shoreline protective structures (nearHumboldt Bay, for example). The highway corridor also crosses major riverAPG: UNDERSTANDING REGIONAL CHARACTERISTICS PAGE 18