Puerto Rico Coastal Adaptation Project

Kasey Jacobs
Kasey Jacobs, Ernesto L. Diaz
Posted on: 10/21/2011 - Updated on: 3/02/2020

Posted by

Rachel Gregg

Project Summary

The Puerto Rico Coastal Management Program (PRCZMP) is conducting a two-year Coastal Adaptation Project. The goal is to develop a coastal zone vulnerability assessment and appropriate adaptation strategies to help Puerto Rico cope with existing coastal hazards and future climate changes. The project is utilizing participatory stakeholder processes, spatial analysis tools, geophysical and chemical scientific knowledge, and utilization of the best available data from Puerto Rico’s experts in order to develop broadly applicable outputs.

Background

Both rapid-onset and slow-onset hazards pose substantial risks to many coastal communities of Puerto Rico. Storm surges, winter swells, tsunamis, and coral bleaching are examples of rapid-onset events, while sea level rise and ocean acidification are examples of slow-onset events. Risks from these phenomena are projected to increase due to continued development in hazardous locations, changes in the frequency and intensity of inundation events, and acceleration in the rate of change along vulnerable shorelines. Adequate attention must be given to respond to the impacts of coastal hazards that are already occurring while simultaneously preparing for future impacts. Strengthening the ability of Puerto Rico to reduce risks will safeguard economic progress and increase the resilience of ecosystems and communities.

The PRCZMP is conducting a two-year Coastal Adaptation Project. Through collaboration with numerous stakeholders, the goal is to develop a coastal zone vulnerability assessment and appropriate adaptation strategies to help Puerto Rico cope with existing coastal hazards and future climate changes. PRCZMP and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) placed a Coastal Management Fellow in the CZM Division from 2010-2012 to coordinate this effort. Employing multi-stakeholder collaboration techniques, spatial analysis tools, geophysical and chemical scientific knowledge, and utilization of the best available data from Puerto Rico’s experts, the Project is operating with a vision for a safe, healthy, productive, and resilient Puerto Rico.

The project's objectives are:

  • To identify the communities and ecosystems most at risk from coastal hazards and climate changes using the best available scientific knowledge.
  • To identify, assess, and prioritize effective adaptation strategies and policies that could be implemented in Puerto Rico.
  • To serve as a clearinghouse of climate information for Puerto Rico's researchers, planners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, and concerned citizens.
  • To provide opportunities and space for multi-stakeholder communication on the topic of coastal vulnerability and adaptation.

Implementation

The Puerto Rico Coastal Adaptation Project has created a task force with four working groups:

  1. Geophysical and Chemical Scientific Knowledge - Scenario Building;
  2. Society and Economy;
  3. Ecology and Biodiversity; and
  4. Communicating Coastal Hazards and Climate Change.

Each working group is crafting a descriptive vulnerability assessment for multiple sectors in their issue areas. The Coastal Zone Management Program has created a shared library through Dropbox to assist with this document creation under the title "The Puerto Rico Climate Research Library." Next, stakeholder listening sessions and risk assessment workshops will be held to collect more information and quantify risk. 

In 2012, adaptation strategies will be developed, assessed, and prioritized so that the Program can deliver recommendations for implementation to the Commonwealth government, private sector, NGOs, academia, and civil society.

Outcomes and Conclusions

The project team has created a Task Force, Climate Research Library, and a Climate Change Listserv (PR-CC-L) (to be added, please contact Kasey Jacobs). Other projected outcomes include:

  • A climate change vulnerability assessment addressing different sectors;
  • A suite of recommended climate change adaptation strategies;
  • Stakeholder listening sessions;
  • Risk assessment workshops based around Infrastructure, Economic Development Activities, and Natural Resources;
  • Adaptation strategy prioritization workshops; and
  • Educational materials for the general public and decision makers for broader application.

Citation

Jacobs, K. & Diaz, E.L. (2011). Puerto Rico Coastal Adaptation Project. Ed. Rachel M. Gregg [Case study on a project of the Puerto Rico Coastal Zone Management Program]. Retrieved from CAKE: www.cakex.org/case-studies/puerto-rico-coastal-adaptation-project (Last updated October 2011)

Project Contacts

Affiliated Organizations

Puerto Rico's Coastal Program was approved by NOAA in 1978 and is comprised of a network of agencies with authority in the coastal zone. The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources serves as the lead agency and is responsible for managing the maritime zone, coastal waters, and submerged lands. The Puerto Rico Planning Board serves as the primary agency for managing coastal development.