addressing climate change adaptation in regional transportation plans

2012). Climate change has the potential to reduce the productivity of theseoperations (CAT, 2009). Each crop type has distinct water and temperatureneeds. As a result, jurisdictions will need to collaborate with agriculturalorganizations in the region to best support and prepare for impacts.FireA slight increase in large fire occurrence is projected for the region (Westerlingand Bryant, 2006), with a large increase in the Monterey Bay Area basedon shifting vegetative regimes (Westerling et al., 2009). In addition, a largenumber of home losses is predicted in Monterey due to large fire occurrencein combination with population density (Bryant and Westerling, 2009).Collaboration with air districts will be required for prescribed burning as a fuelreduction tool. The southern subdistrict of Cal Fire’s Coastal District (counties ofSanta Cruz, Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco, and Marin) may require extratypes of regulations beyond normal California Forest Practice Rules.Public Health, Socioeconomic, and Equity ImpactsLodging and food services are among the top five employment sectors in all fivecounties. Sea level rise may impact the tourism industry and its employees. Inaddition, workers in these industries who work outside are more susceptible toextreme heat events. Extreme heat events are less likely to occur in the CentralCoast region than in California’s inland valleys. When they do occur, however,vulnerable populations may be severely affected because of a historic lack ofadaptive capacity due to historically milder temperatures.The higher cost of living in some areas of this region (i.e. San Luis Obispo, SantaBarbara) means low-income families pay a high percentage of their income onhousing and transportation. Increases in food and energy costs may impact lowincomeresidents.APG: UNDERSTANDING REGIONAL CHARACTERISTICS PAGE 71