addressing climate change adaptation in regional transportation plans

Regardless of their occupation, the poor are less likely to have the adaptivecapacity to prevent and address impacts for reasons stated above. For instance,Merced and Madera counties are considered “high poverty” counties (Englishet al., 2007). Butte, Stanislaus, Tehama, and Yolo all have poverty levels atapproximately 20 percent. Households eligible for energy utility financialassistance programs are an indicator of potential impacts. These households maybe more at risk of not using cooling appliances, such as air conditioning, due toassociated energy costs. A relatively high proportion of Yuba County’s population(56 to 63 percent) is eligible for energy assistance. Merced and Madera countieshave moderately high proportions of populations eligible (47 to 55 percent)(English et al., 2007).Water SupplyShorter rainfall events and rapid snowmelt will reduce the region’s water supplyby making water more difficult to capture in reservoirs or retain for groundwaterrecharge. Recreation and tourism in the region are also likely to suffer due tolower water levels in waterways and reservoirs and declining snowpack.Agriculture will also be impacted due to reduced or altered precipitation. Watersupply (for irrigation) can alleviate some of the other climate stresses (alteredtemperature or precipitation) or, in the case of reduced water supply, exacerbatethem. The challenge of climate change is that water supply is projected to bereduced and water that is available will be more costly for users. Employeesof water-reliant industries such as agriculture may become more economicallyvulnerable because of unstable working conditions.FireFire risk is projected to increase in the foothills lining the eastern edge of theregion. The areas northeast of Sacramento, due to population density and firerisk, are projected to have large property loss (Westerling and Bryant, 2006).Jurisdictions should pay careful attention to the wildland-urban interface andenforcement of mitigation measures such as residential vegetation and setbacks.PAGE 45APG: UNDERSTANDING REGIONAL CHARACTERISTICS