Water Resources

As sea levels rise, coastal communities will experience more frequent and persistent nuisance flooding, and some low‐lying areas may be permanently inundated. Critical components of lifeline infrastructure networks in these areas are also at risk of flooding, which could cause significant service disruptions that extend beyond the flooded zone. Thus, identifying critical infrastructure components that are exposed to sea level rise is an important first step in developing targeted investment in protective actions and enhancing the overall resilience of coastal communities.

The Pala Band of Mission Indians has assessed its vulnerability to climate change, which is summarized in this report. Climate change refers to long-term changes in usual or expected weather patterns resulting from an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. To determine Pala’s climate change vulnerability, this process entailed review of literature, data, staff knowledge, and community observations to determine to what extent Pala may be exposed to various climate changes now and in the future.

Habitat for fish and wildlife, a place to enjoy the outdoors, a transportation network, our first line of defense against coastal storms—these are just some of the benefits coastlines provide. When a concerted effort is made, some balance between these functions can be achieved, even in our densest urban waterfronts. 

Water resource managers have long strived to meet their goals of system reliability and environmental protection in the face of many uncertainties, including demographic and economic forecasts, intrinsic weather variability, and short-term climate change induced by El Niño and other naturally occurring cycles. Now water managers also face a new uncertainty — the potential for longer-term and more persistent climate change, which, in coming years, may significantly affect the availability of supply and patterns of water demand.

Climate change introduces substantial uncertainty to water resources planning and raises the key question: when, or under what conditions, should adaptation occur? A number of recent studies aim to identify policies mapping future observations to actions—in other words, framing climate adaptation as an optimal control problem. This paper uses the control paradigm to review and classify recent dynamic planning studies according to their approaches to uncertainty characterization, policy structure, and solution methods.

Rangelands are complex, intricate, interconnected, and dynamic socio-ecological systems comprised of humans, livestock, and natural wildlife. They are an integral part of the region’s economy and provide valuable income to both tribal and non-tribal ranchers and communities. 

Oscarville is a small, remote Yup’ik community whose primary food resources come from the land, air and sea. This community is deeply rooted in the traditions and culture of the Yup’ik people. Traditional dancing, singing and games highlight the community gatherings.