Page 55 - Green Builder Sept-Oct 2016

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catastrophic flood. Managed retreat is usually less expensive than Protecting landmarks.
armoring strategies, especially when structural measures can only The Cape Hatteras
be temporary. It also can be designed to allow for the restoration Lighthouse was moved
of flood-buffering wetlands and natural shoreline habitat, which farther inland to protect
affords protection. it from an eroding
shoreline.
Disadvantages: This strategy is a political quagmire. It involves
tremendous legal and equity issues, because not all property owners CREDIT: RAZVAN ORENDOVICI
are willing sellers. In many places, shoreline communities are
already disadvantaged and lack the adaptive capacity to relocate.
In addition, retreat may require costs beyond relocation or property
costs if site cleanup is needed following demolition. Managed retreat
can potentially be very expensive for areas that are significantly
developed, and it will cause a loss of coastal property values if
setback lines are moved. It is a measure of last resort for many
highly developed coastal areas that have no places for buildings
to be relocated.

Laura Tam is SPUR’s sustainable development policy director.
To view the original and extended article,
“Strategies for Managing Sea Level Rise,” visit http://bit.ly/2ax3sfw.

Protect Your Home From Rising Sea Levels
D ON’T WAIT FOR your SCIENCE
community to begin elevated, make sure all drainage CONNECTIONS SEA LEVEL RISE & GLOBAL WARMING
deploying measures to ditches and water retention areas
prepare for rising sea are clear of debris. FACT 1
levels. Purchasing flood insurance ¦¦ Provide plenty of places for natu-
is an obvious first step, but there are ral percolation of water into sand SeSaeleavellseivnethlesUi.nS. atrheerisUing.Sfa.saterset arloinsgitnhge EfaastsCtoeasstt
many other actions homeowners can or soil. anadlGounlfgoftMheexicEo.ast Coast and Gulf of Mexico.
take now to protect their homes and ¦¦ Provide plenty of areas for water
belongings from flooding. to accumulate, such as wetlands, 12 LOovcOLearovltcSehaeerlaLtSLaheesevat eL5Lla0eRsYvitseee5alr0Rs iYseears 12.5 CREDIT: © UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS 2014; WWW.UCSUSA.ORG/SEALEVELRISE
open sand and soil gardens.
12 (19(6139–6230–120) 12) 12.5in

“No matter where you are in a coastal ¦¦ A l w a y s d e p l o y h u r r i c a n e 8 10.5
area, you should purchase flood preventative measures, such as 8 10.5in
insurance. There are so many factors sand bags, during an impending
9.5
9.5in

that can create a potential for flooding storm. Your flood insurance policy INCHES INCHES 6 6 7 7
outside of the control of the client,” says might even front the bill. 6in 6in 7in 7in
Grant Blackwell, president of Coastal
Insurance. “In fact, 25 percent of all flood DON’T 4 5 5.5
claims are actually in areas that are not ¦¦ Avoid homes that are beachfront 4 5in 5.5in
supposed to flood and are outside of
the 100-year flood zone.” Blackwell or in other special hazard flood 2.5 3.5 4
weighs in on tips for homeowners to zones located seaward of the 2.5in 3.5in
avoid flooding. natural dune line, as they are at 3 4in
a much greater risk of flooding.
DO Most National Flood Insurance 3in
¦¦ Homes on pilings are the least Program member communities
now require homes to be built , , , , , , , , , , , , ,LOSLOAS NANGGEESLLAEESN,SSACFNACRFRAAANNSCCEIISASCSTCOETA,OTLCTAELEC,SAWWAAANSADNIDEIGEGPOOE,NCPCASEAANSCAOCOLKLAAE,YFKFLEWLY EWSETSBT,OFFSLLBTOOSTNON,CMMHAAACRHLAERLSETSNTOOENNW,NSEYCSWOCYROKWRKACCSIITWTHYAY,ISNNHYGINNTAGYOTTOLNNAA,NTDLDTCANCICTINCCOCIIRTTYNFY,OONRLJFNOKJLGK,AVVLAAVGEASLVTEOSTNON, TTXX

Global Galvobearl aavgereagseeseaalleevvelehlashinacsreiansecdr8eiancsheesdsi8ncein18c8h0.eTsheslioncacl erat1e 8va8rie0s.dTepheendlinogcoanlbrotahtgelovbaalrainedslodcael fpacetonrsd, ing
on bothincgluldoinbg aculrraenntsd, olcoeacna?loofratocptoogrrasp,hyi,nvcarliautidoniningocceaunrdreennsittys, a,nod clanedaunplifloorosursbtsoidpenocegdruaeptohgye,olvoagirciaal tion in
ocean dperoncessisteys,oar hnudmalnaanctdiviutiepsl.ift or susbsidence due to geological processes or human activities.

likely to flood, but it’s important inland of the natural dune line. ¦¦ Avoid retrofitting or adding area of the home can prevent the
to make sure all equipment that Also, avoid homes built below the
services the home—AC units, base flood elevation level, which enclosures under beachfronFtACT 2 natural flow of water and threaten
water heaters and generators—are dictates how high above sea level
hGolombeas,lwwhaicrmh Binlagckiswethlleofpternimseaersy cautsheeopfilcinugrrfeonutndsaetaiolne—vaenl drisweo.n’t
homeowners do for added storage be covered by flood insurance.

elevated as well. If the home isn’t homes must be built. or sleeping space. Building on that

TEMPERATURES ARE RISING
www.greenbuildermedia.com ICE IS MELTINGSeptembHeera/t-Otracpptiongbgeasres2f0ro1m6 GREEN BUILDER 53
human activity have increased
global average temperatures
by 1.4° F since the 1880s. Shrinking glaciers
and ice sheets are