Climate Change Adaption

Abstract

Adapting to climate change in the Sagadahoc region will be a multifaceted endeavor with planning and implementation required at both the local and regional scales. At the regional scale, a shared vision of a resilient landscape will be essential to informing local planning and development decisions. In an effort to build on previous regional planning initiatives and add climate change considerations to the analysis, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences analyzed riparian resources, important habitat areas and prime farm land to identify the regional green infrastructure network depicted in Maps 1-4. The green infrastructure network for the Sagadahoc region is a starting point for local and regional decisions on adapting to climate change. Refining development controls to protect high priority conservation lands will support resiliency to freshwater flooding and nonpoint source pollution, minimize exposure of new development to sea level rise, enhance biodiversity and support food security for the region. The Sagadahoc region has a significant opportunity for climate smart planning in that the relatively intact natural landscape provides valuable adaptation services at little or no cost. Health and safety benefits and minimization of tax burden are available to the communities of the region if they work together to protect a functional green infrastructure network as future development takes place.