addressing climate change adaptation in regional transportation plans

Northern Central Valley RegionCounties: Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Madera, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin,Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, YubaFive Largest Cities (CDOF, 2011): Sacramento (469,566); Stockton(293,515); Modesto (202,290); Elk Grove (154,594); Chico (86,900)Total 2010 PopulationNorthernCentral Valley3,725,950Butte 220,000Colusa 21,419Glenn 28,122Madera 150,865Merced 255,793Sacramento 1,418,788San Joaquin 685,306Stanislaus 514,453Sutter 94,737Tehama 63,463Yolo 200,849Yuba 72,155[U.S. Census Bureau, 2010]The Northern Central Valley is a largelyagricultural, inland region with over 3.7 millionpeople, with substantial cities, the largestbeing the state capital, Sacramento (469,000+people). The central portion of the regionis defined by the Delta, with inland marshesintermingled with agriculture, interspersedwith cities along transport corridors. Theregion contains the Port of Stockton, the most inland port for ocean-goingvessels, approximately 80 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge. Agriculture is thepredominant economic activity. The agricultural operations in this region includerice, dairy, and nut trees (almond and walnut) (California Farm Bureau Federation,2012). The region’s agricultural activity is one of the most productive in thenation.In the Northern Central Valley region, communities will need to assessvulnerability to the following impacts:• Temperature increases – particularly nighttime temperature• Reduced precipitation• Flooding – increase flows, snowmelt, levee failure in the Delta• Reduced agricultural productivity (e.g., nut trees, dairy)• Reduced water supply• Wildfire in the Sierra foothills• Public health and heat• Reduced tourismPAGE 37APG: UNDERSTANDING REGIONAL CHARACTERISTICS