TOWN OF OXFORD Sustainability: the capacity to endure Resiliency: the ability to recover from or adjust to change Cheryl Lewis, Town Administrator, Town of Oxford, 2013

Things I remember my Grandfather saying in the 60's: That damn Talbot County Council!!! Don’t tell your Grandmother… This is where the snakes hide…

Lessons Learned: My Grandfather was cool… History repeats itself, and Be aware of your environment. and this ROCK marks how far the TIDE came in...

We are surrounded by water… The Port of Oxford

Is the water rising? Isabel – 2003 – (photo Don Biresch ©) December 21, 2012

Is the land sinking? Tidal water back flowing into the cement weir of the wastewater contact tank. December 21, 2012

Cambridge MD Report of the Maryland Commission on Climate Change Adaptation and Response Working Group - August 2008 Cambridge Sea-level Rising 1.15 feet per century Land Subsiding.66 feet per century 2008

“Since 2007, melted Arctic ice opened the Northwest Passage, a development that could have a dramatic effect on weather patterns. Last spring's unseasonable warmth caused places like Rochester, Minn., to set record daytime highs.” “By midcentury, this will be the new normal. How do you deal with extreme heat in the summer? It's going to be a challenge, but humans are adaptable. It's not going to be easy, just like a 13- foot storm surge will be the new norm on the Eastern seaboard.” Daniel P. Schrag, Sturgis Hooper Professor of Geology in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences / Professor of Environmental Sciences, Director Harvard University Center for the Environment What do Scientist say....

Andrea June 6, 2013 High Tide Dec 2012 Sandy Oct 2012 What we do know... Isabel – 2003 (photo Don Biresch ©) High Tide Dec 2012

Tide gates are installed in several locations, although the bulkheads are often breached in major tidal events reducing their effectiveness.

Building Codes and Ordinances Flood Elevations & Stormwater Management New Construction Isabel – 2003 – (photo Don Biresch ©)

Modifications to older structures Raising of buildings Raising of mechanical equipment Properly installed vents Open area under buildings

Stormwater Management Codes CommercialResidential

Rain Barrels - Stormwater Retention Ponds Oxford Community Center 2013 Oxford School House 1928 Photos: June 6, 2013

Leading by example

Sustainable Planting Andrea - June 6, 2013 Isabel – 2003 – (photo Don Biresch ©) Plantings courtesy of Preservation Green, Oxford, MD Manages normal stormwater, yet able to survive major events

Environmentally Friendly Stormwater Management Bio-Swale planted by volunteers on Sept 28, 2013.

Living shorelines reduce impact of extreme high tidal water, saving replenishment expenses. Built by Environmental Concerns, photos: June 6, 2013

Private Citizen Rain Gardens and Living Shorelines

Education and Early Warnings Social Networking and Technology

Stormwater/Tide markers Conceptualized, constructed and installed by Oxford Staff. Photos: June 6, 2013 let citizens know how high the stormwater or tidal water is on town roads.

Stormwater Task Force Technical Assistance from the Environmental Finance Center University of Maryland Provide through an award from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation With assistance from partners, like Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and Chesapeake Bay Foundation, we are seeking solutions to minimize our impacts on the environment due to storm and tidal water runoff. Bio Bag

What do we do next? How creative will we need to be? Should we look at large stormwater management ponds or constructed wetlands within the town? Should we look at the possibilities of installing pumps in lowest lying areas to dewater during or after events? Should we be considering retaining walls? How do we pay for it? We are continuing to investigate our options as a Community.

In elementary school we thought we would be preparing for the return of the ice age... Is Global warming a reality? Maybe, maybe not. Is the climate changing? It did before we were here and it will after we are gone. What can we do? Know you environment, protect your environment, do what you can to reduce your impact on the earth and at the same time build resiliency in your communities. Parting Thoughts:

"The obsession with researching and reducing the human effects on climate has obscured the more important problems of how to build more resilient and sustainable societies…” Daniel Sarewitz, director of Arizona State University's Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes Cheryl Lewis, Town Administrator, Town of Oxford, June 24, 2013