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addressing climate change adaptation in regional transportation plans

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Biophysical CharacteristicsThe western portion of the Southern Central Valley is approximately 300 feetabove sea level, with the central areas of Fresno and K<strong>in</strong>gs counties ly<strong>in</strong>g belowan elevation of150 feet. In contrast, the eastern areas of Kern and Tulare countiesrange from 1800 to 12,000 feet above sea level (CDFG, 2007).The region features warm, dry summers, with ra<strong>in</strong>fall generally occurr<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> thew<strong>in</strong>ter. Elevations over 5,000 feet receive consistent snowfall. While the westernportions of the region are drier than the east, the region conta<strong>in</strong>s wetlands,vernal pools, and an extensive network of rivers and associated riparian habitats.Despite hav<strong>in</strong>g lost the majority of the historic distribution of these habitats, theycont<strong>in</strong>ue to support an average of 5.5 million waterfowl annually (DWR, 2009).Ecosystems outside urbanized areas accommodate diverse vegetation <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>girrigated cropland, grassland and a variety of shrub-lands, oak and juniperwoodland, and red and white fir forests (DWR, 2011).Regional Entities• Air Districts: San Joaqu<strong>in</strong> Valley Unified• Regional Governments: Fresno Council of Governments, K<strong>in</strong>gs CountyAssociation of Governments, Kern Council of Governments, Tulare CountyAssociation of Governments• Tribal Lands (U.S. EPA, 2011): Big Sandy, Cold Spr<strong>in</strong>gs, Santa Rosa, Tule RiverSelected Infrastructure and Regional ResourcesTable 22. Infrastructure and Resources <strong>in</strong> the Southern Central Valley RegionTypesAirportsNational & StateParksPassenger RailS.P. = State ParkNamesInternational: Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Meadows Field International AirportGeneral Aviation: Fresno Chandler Executive Airport, Firebaugh Airport, Mendota Airport,New Coal<strong>in</strong>ga Municipal Airport, Reedley Municipal Airport, Sierra Sky Park Airport,California City Municipal Airport, Delano Municipal Airport, Kern Valley Airport, Lost HillsAirport, Mojave Airport, Shafter Airport, Taft Airport, Tehachapi Municipal Airport, WascoAirport, Hanford Municipal Airport, Visalia Municipal Airport, Sequoia FieldNational: Sequoia National Park, K<strong>in</strong>gs Canyon National Park, Red Rock Canyon NationalPark, Sequoia National Forest, Sierra National ForestState: Red Rock Canyon State ParkAltamont Commuter Express, Amtrak, Bay Area Rapid Transit, Cal-P (Central Pacific), SPWest Valley L<strong>in</strong>e, San Joaqu<strong>in</strong> (Union Pacific Railroad), Sacramento Regional Light RailSystem, San Joaqu<strong>in</strong> Valley Railroad (Rail America)PAGE 60APG: UNDERSTANDING REGIONAL CHARACTERISTICS

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