1. Green infrastructure for coastal highway resilience National Hydraulic Engineering Conference Portland, OR August 11, 2016
Good afternoon! I’m going to give a brief overview of the FHWA GI for coastal highway resilience project and its related initiatives. I’ll also mention some resources to which you can refer for more information on Green Infrastructure.

2. Project Manager Tina Hodges (tina. hodges@dot
Project Manager Tina Hodges FHWA Office of Planning, Environment, & Realty Sustainable Transport & Climate Change Team I Lift Things Up and Put Them Down Eric Brown FHWA Office of Technical Services Resource Center Hydraulics Team
I’m assisting Tina Hodges, the project manager for this effort. She would be happy to discuss any of the project initiatives, and please feel free to her with any questions.

3. Presentation Objectives
Stay conscious
Identify FHWA climate change resources
Identify informational resources for nature-based solutions for coastal resilience
Provide a project overview
My intention today is to provide you with some very brief information and resources that you can review for more detail.

4. FHWA Climate Adaptation Resources
FHWA Climate Adaptation Website has a wealth of information.
Team Leader: Mike Culp
FHWA, and specifically the Office of Planning, Environment and Realty, has been very active in the area of climate change during the last several years. If you want information specifically related to adaptation efforts, all you need to do is enter “FHWA climate change adaptation” into your favorite search engine. Also note that contacts are shown in the lower left-hand corner of the page, and Mike Culp is the Team Leader.

5. FHWA Hydraulics is Involved too
A few other folks you might get to know with really big
Joe Krolak & Brian Beucler – FHWA Office of Bridges and Structures
Cynthia Nurmi – Resource Center
FHWA Hydraulic Engineering Website:
(HEC-25 Volumes 1&2 and HEC-17 posted here)
Some folks on the FHWA National Hydraulics Team also help with some of the heavy lifting related to climate change efforts: Joe, Brian, and Cynthia. Highways in the Coastal Environment, Vol. 2: Assessing Extreme Events: Volume 2; HEC-17 – Highways in the River Environment: Extreme Events, Risk and Resilience

6. Why Green Infrastructure?
Excerpt from the US DOT Policy Statement on Climate Change Adaptation:
“Apply ecosystem-based approaches. Ecosystems provide valuable services that help to build resilience and reduce the vulnerability of people and their livelihoods to climate change impacts. Integrating the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services into adaptation strategies will increase resilience of human and natural systems to climate and non-climate risks, providing benefits to society and the environment.”
As we consider how climate change may impact our surface transportation infrastructure, we also recognize that ecosystems and nature-based solutions are important. USDOT policy is based on Executive Order (E.O.) Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance. The E.O. includes direction to address climate adaptation planning.
FHWA has a goal of mainstreaming consideration of climate change vulnerability and risk into transportation decision making, during planning, project development, and operations and maintenance.
This is in line with FHWA’s internal Order 5520, signed by FHWA Administrator Greg Nadeau in 2014, which call for FHWA to integrate consideration of climate change and extreme weather events into agency planning, operations, policies and programs.

7. Green Infrastructure Project
Project Website – Green Infrastructure Techniques for Coastal Highway Resilience:
5 pilot projects are underway.
A white paper will address the current state of practice and knowledge.
Regional peer exchanges will engage key stakeholders in the project.
An implementation guide will provide design and implementation guidance.
Here are the specific components and deliverables for the GI project. Each pilot will result in a report that provides the information necessary for decision-makers to determine if a green infrastructure solution would meet their needs. Please refer to the website or contact Tina Hodges for more information.

8. What is a “Green” Solution?
The phrase “green solution” is used for everything:
Green solutions to cleaning your house –
Green solutions to building demolition -
Green solutions to treating your cat -
Green solutions to fighting super villiany -
“Green solutions” and similar phrasing is used so often that it may be confusing and ineffective.

9. Descriptive Terminology
Examples of descriptive terminology from BuzzFeed:
“Space Heater”
“Resisting a Rest”
Effective marketing and communication requires more descriptive language. Here are some examples taken from a post on BuzzFeed.
“Tanning Bread”
“Lord of the Rings”

10. Nature-Based Solutions
The Nature Conservancy recommends use of “nature-based solutions.” Download the document here:
Market research performed by The Nature Conservancy indicates that people look more favorably on the phrase “nature-based solutions.”

11. Types of Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Resilience
Description of nature-based solutions
Nature-based solutions are either naturally occurring features or features that have been engineered to mimic natural conditions.
Examples include conservation or construction of beaches, dunes, wetlands, reefs, and barrier islands.
Nature-based solutions offer multiple benefits. For instance, marsh restoration may provide habitat, reduce storm surge, attenuate waves, and provide an adaptive buffer for sea level rise.
An integrated approach to risk management combines nature-based solutions with structural and policy measures.
US Army Corps of Engineers brochure on natural and nature-based features (2 pages) – explains their systems approach to coastal resilience, including both “green” and “grey” infrastructure.
SAGE: Systems Approach to Geomorphic Engineering

12. Easy Reads for More Information
For summary coverage of a system-based approach for coastal resilience using nature-based solutions as a component, check out these brochures:
US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) brochure on natural and nature-based features (2 pages):
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and USACE (contributors to SAGE) summary info on natural and structural measures for shoreline stabilization (6 pages):
For a brief overview of nature-based solutions for coastal resilience, here are some great resources:
US Army Corps of Engineers brochure on natural and nature-based features (2 pages) – explains their systems approach to coastal resilience, including both “green” and “grey” infrastructure.
SAGE: Systems Approach to Geomorphic Engineering (6 pages) – describes solutions as existing along a spectrum from green to gray. Many solutions may involve an integrated approach using nature-based measures (e.g., native plantings, marshes, dunes, oyster reefs) and hardened measures (e.g. riprap and other rock-based measures, seawalls, groins).

13. Pilot Projects for Nature-based Solutions
Some examples of nature-based solutions for coastal highway resilience (subsequent info and photos are from the 5 accepted project proposals)
Oregon DOT
MEDOT
& NHDOT
DelDOT
USACE in NJ
One of the techniques we’ve used to inform development of these resources and provide real world examples, is to sponsor pilot projects and other research studies.
This map shows the specific study locations.
It just shows FHWA headquarters funded pilot projects. Other State DOTs and MPOs have conducted vulnerability assessments using State Planning Research and other funding.
MSDOT

14. Oregon DOT Pilot Project
The Oregon DOT will look at the ability of cobble beaches and berms to project erosion hot spots located along highway US 101 in Lincoln County, Oregon.
Photos: Examples of natural cobble beaches along the central Oregon coast.
It’s important to acknowledge that not all beaches are sand like many of those on the East and Gulf Coasts. This project will focus on cobble beaches and berms to protect coastal roads.

15. Mississippi DOT Pilot Project
MDOT has chosen the US Hwy 90 bridge crossing at Henderson Point in Harrison County to demonstrate how linear, vegetated, upland berms can be used to mitigate storm surge and wave damage to coastal bridge abutments and approach spans under future sea level rise scenarios.
Image showing damage at Henderson Point following Hurricane Katrina
It is often not practical to raise coastal bridges or otherwise modify the structures. This project will examine a nature-based solution to reduce storm surge and wave energy.

16. Maine & New Hampshire DOTs Pilot Projects
MEDOT and NHDOT are jointly studying current and future impacts of sea level rise and storm surge on vulnerable assets in their respective states (Route 209 in Maine and Route 1B in New Hampshire). Possible nature-based alternatives include gabions with shells, living shorelines, enhanced fringe marshes, and others.
This is a great example of two state DOTs partnering to leverage limited funds.

17. USACE (New Jersey) Pilot Project
In New Jersey, the USACE will study green infrastructure solutions, such as marsh restoration (possibly using dredged material) and living shorelines, to lessen the frequency and severity of flooding along Great Bay Boulevard.
Figure: Google Earth view of Great Bay Boulevard and surrounding New Jersey Wildlife Management Area.
This project emphasizes our need to continually reach out to and collaborate with our partners and fellow stakeholders. USACE is a pioneer in the area of nature-based solutions for coastal resilience and this marks a great opportunity to tap into institutional knowledge.

18. Delaware DOT Pilot Project
The DelDOT will develop conceptual designs for nature-based protection such as living shorelines for five sites along State Route 1 between Rehoboth Beach and Fenwick Island.
Photo: Erosion from Hurricane Sandy that Impacted SR 1 Near the Indian River Inlet Bridge. Source: DNREC, 2012.
Living shorelines techniques use a number of shoreline protection options that allow for natural coastal processes to remain, through the strategic placements of plants, stone, sand fill, and other structural and organic materials.

19. Long Island, NY TEACR Pilot Project
The research team investigated the potential impacts of predicted future sea level rise on flooding of sections of Shore Road on the north shore of Long Island, NY and the potential use of a “living shoreline” to mitigate damage where possible.
Photos are of Shore Road, Long Island by Bret Webb
Another great example of a living shorelines conceptual design is covered in the Transportation Engineering Approaches for Climate Resilience (TEACR) Long Island, NY Shore road project. As an aside, I recommend visiting coastal sites with coastal engineers as they do their reconnaissance visit-it can be a great learning experience.

20. How the Green Infrastructure Project Fits in
Research
Gulf Coast 2 Study
Vulnerability Pilots
Hurricane Sandy Project
Engineering Assessments Study
Green Infrastructure Pilots
NOAA
Resources
Vulnerability Assessment Framework
Looking at the bigger picture, this project is one of a suite of ongoing and completed projects to provide planning, assessment, and design guidance to address climate change. For more information on any of these efforts, please visit the FHWA climate change website and/or contact a member of the Sustainable Transport & Climate Change Team.
Guidance
(HEC-25 & 17)
Synthesis Document
Green Infrastructure Techniques for Coastal Highway Resilience
Project Development Approaches for Climate and Extreme Weather Resilience (2016)
VIMS

21. Presentation Takeaways
The Nature-based Solutions for Coastal Highway Resilience project is now underway.
Refer to the linked resources for more detail on this topic.
Please contact Tina Hodges if you would like more information on this project.

22. El Fin?
Questions?