Adapting to Sea Level Rise
Adapting to sea level rise simply means making changes to the way we plan for the future by incorporating sea level rise considerations into our current decision-making process. Most state and local policies and regulations for flood management, emergency management, infrastructure siting, building codes and natural resource management do not yet consider the future effects of sea level rise; without considering these impacts, additional homes, infrastructure and resources may be vulnerable in the future.
Role of the Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee
Because Delaware is very likely to feel impacts from sea level rise in the coming decades, preparing for these impacts before they occur makes sense. To accomplish this in a comprehensive and fiscally responsible manner, an adaptation plan is being developed for the State of Delaware by the Sea Level Rise Adivsory Committee. This plan will provide a path forward for planning for the impacts of sea level rise.
The Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee is comprised of a representative from each State of Delaware cabinet-level department and representatives from municipal governments, business advocacy organizations and citizen advocacy organizations. Each representative to the Advisory Committee will consult with their agencies and constituent groups regarding sea level rise issues and bring their concerns and needs to the table for discussion and action. The Advisory Committee will ensure that the Adaptation Plan reflects a wide-range of potential solutions to reduce risk to sea level rise impacts, and will ensure that the plan will be useful to their organization’s mission. Members of the Advisory Committee will be strongly encouraged to help implement the recommendations in the Adaptation Plan by continued collaboration with Advisory Committee organizations and others.
Delaware’s adaptation plan will provide an assessment of the state's vulnerability to the impacts of sea level rise and will provide a series of recommendations for policy improvements and best management practices. It will also illustrate which geographic areas or topic areas require more attention or research.
Delaware Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee Meetings
Select a link below to see advisory committee meeting agendas, distributed materials, presentations and meeting summaries.
Meeting 17 - Thursday, March 14, 2013
Meeting 16 - Thursday, January 10, 2013
Meeting 15 - Friday, December 7, 2012
Meeting 14 - Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Meeting 13 - Thursday, July 19, 2012
Meeting 12 - Thursday, April 5, 2012
Meeting 11 - Thursday, January 19, 2012
Meeting 10 - Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Meeting 9 - Wednesday, October 4, 2011
Meeting 8 - Thursday, July 28, 2011
Meeting 7 - Thursday, June 16, 2011
Meeting 6 - Thursday, May 19, 2011
Meeting 5 - Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Meeting 4 - Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Meeting 3 - Tuesday, January 20, 2011
Meeting 2 - Thursday, December 16, 2010
Meeting 1 - Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2010
Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee Workgroups Meetings
Select a link below to see more information and resources for the issue specific workgroups.
Natural Resources Workgroup
Public Safety and Infrastructure
Society and Economy
Finalized Committee Documents
Preparing for Tomorrow’s High Tide: Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment for the State of Delaware Published July 30, 2012
Progress Report of the Delaware Sea Leve Rise Advisory Committee Published November 15, 2011
Sea Level Rise Advisory Committe Goal Statement Approved Jan. 20, 2011
Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee Member Responsibilities Approved Jan. 20, 2011
Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee Voting Procedures Approved Jan. 20, 2011
Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee Ground Rules Approved Dec. 16, 2010
