"Great Lakes Level Trends Completely Uncertain" - Increasing precipitation in forecast

Research from NYS DEC:  Summary of Projected Temperature and Precipitation Changes in NYS over the next century

(from  http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/crrastkhldr1.pdf  Horton et al. 2014)

Climate Change Risk	2020s	2050s	2080s	2100
Change in Precipitation (Middle Range – 25th to 75th Percentile)	1–8% increase	3–12% increase	4–15% increase	1–21 % increase
Change in Precipitation (High Estimate – 90th Percentile)	8–10 % increase	12–15% increase	15–19% increase	24–26% increase    or greater
Change in Temperature	1.5 – 3.0° F	3.0 - 5.5° F	4.0 – 9.0°F

How much sea-level rise by 2100 will New York State see?

Community Risk and Resiliency Act (CRRA)

Adapting New York for Climate Change

The NYS DEC is currently working on the implementation of the Community Risk and Resiliency Act (CRRA).

6 NYCRR Part 490, Projected Sea-level Rise RulemakingThe proposed sea-level rise regulation is available for public comment November 11, 2015 through December 28, 2015:
Express Terms
Regulatory Impact Statement
Regulatory Impact Statement Summary

Provisions of CRRA

CRRA includes two key provisions to advance New York's adaptation to climate change:

• Applicants to certain State programs must demonstrate that they have taken into account future physical climate risks caused by storm surges, sea-level rise or flooding.
• By January 1, 2016, DEC must establish in regulation State-adopted sea-level rise projections, which will be used as the basis for State adaptation decisions and will be available for use by all decision makers.

CRRA applies to specific State permitting, funding and regulatory decisions, including smart growth assessments; funding for wastewater treatment plants; siting of hazardous waste facilities; design and construction of petroleum and chemical bulk storage facilities; oil and gas drilling, and State acquisition of open space.

Implementation Status

CRRA Sea-level Rise Projections

DEC has drafted the proposed regulation that establishes sea-level rise projections (6 NYCRR Part 490). Five public information and listening meetings were held over the summer of 2015 regarding the proposed sea-level rise regulation. The rulemaking process is currently underway and the proposed sea-level rise regulation is available for formal public comment through December 28, 2015.

See the following sea-level rise projections resources:

• Part 490 public meeting slides June 25, 2015 (PDF, 2.4 MB) - Slides regarding the proposed sea-level rise regulation
• Part 490 webinar recorded June 25, 2015 (WebEx) - Recording of meeting regarding the proposed sea-level rise regulation

CRRA Stakeholder Outreach

CRRA requires DEC to develop implementation guidance by January 1, 2017. This guidance will describe application requirements for applicants in programs covered by CRRA and review procedures for agency staff. DEC has begun developing this guidance and has initiated a process to inform interested stakeholders of progress and provide opportunities for stakeholder input. DEC hosted the first CRRA public stakeholder update meeting on November 16, 2015 (meeting information is provided below). Additional opportunities will be provided in 2016. To receive information on these opportunities, subscribe to "Climate Change Information" through DEC DELIVERS.

November 16, 2015 Stakeholder Meeting

• Webinar (WebEx) Recording
• Presentation Slides (PDF, 4.6 MB)

More about Community Risk and Resiliency Act (CRRA):

• Community Risk and Resiliency Act (CRRA) Provisions - A summary of the provisions of the Community Risk and Resiliency Act (CRRA).