Updates From Florida
Climate Champions Team
In Florida, there is much climate resiliency activity both at the state and local levels.
State of Florida. Many climate bills have been filed in Florida’s 60-day legislative session which launched 3/2. The Bill that will garner the most attention is SB 1954/HB 7019 which outlines the Governor’s previous $1 Billion resiliency commitment. The bill creates a state trust fund, up to $100 million of funding annually, a granting program for local governments and other regional funding opportunities. The bill also includes criteria to standardize vulnerability assessments that are funded through the program. By far, this will be the State’s most far-reaching and comprehensive climate legislation passed to date with actual significant funding sources to match local government projects and strategies. The legislative session will adjourn 4/30/21
At the local level:
The 4-County Southeast Regional Climate Compact update its sea level rise projections in 2019 and continues to collaborate on State and Federal legislative strategies, policy development and climate-related workshops and educational opportunities for member Counties and municipalities across the area. Its annual Summit will be held in Palm Beach County the first week of December.
Monroe County, Florida continues its countywide roads/flood mitigation vulnerability and capital planning effort. This two-year project is groundbreaking in terms of working comprehensively across the County to identify projects, funding sources, implementation strategies and new policies to help guide implementation of the program. At its February Board of County Commissioners meeting, the County adopted an ordinance to utilize Municipal Service Benefit Unit for funding portions of road elevation and stormwater projects. The County also received disaster-related grant funds from the State of Florida which will be utilized to elevate a road and construction stormwater features to address tidal flooding impacts.
Broward County, Florida is currently working to launch a countywide resiliency planning effort including insurance and property value impacts, capital planning and other elements to help guide the County’s adaptation response.
Martin County, Florida is working to finalize its Resilient Martin planning effort with final document presentation to its Board of County Commissioners in late March. The County will then begin work on reviewing its shoreline policies in its Comprehensive Plan. This follows two years and two State grants to complete the project.
Pensacola, Florida is working to complete its first vulnerability assessment and companion story map funded with state grants. Modeling has been completed and the next steps are to finalize vulnerability maps and public meetings with final presentations to City leadership in June.
The 29-government Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition continues its work on sea level rise projections, shoreline policy and the development of regional resiliency strategies.
