Resources

There are innumerable resources for those seeking more information on addressing sea level rise and its impacts in Florida. This page includes links to some major state, regional, public and private resources that can provide guidance.

Submit recommended additional links to friends@1000fof.org.

FLORIDA AGENCY RESOURCES

In 2019, the Governor created the Florida Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection to coordinate issues related to sea level rise. But since 2017, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has taken the lead on programs, with some initiatives led by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and other state agencies. Below are some of the major state initiatives in Florida:

Governor’s Office

Florida Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection – Established in 2019, this office “has a multi-faceted approach to resilience, including coral reef protection; preservation of coastal and aquatic management areas; beach and inlet management; and the implementation of ecosystem restoration projects to prepare Florida’s coastal communities and state-managed lands for the effects of sea level rise, coastal flooding, erosion and storms.” This site includes links to state initiatives to address resilience, including many listed below.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

Florida Resilient Coastlines Program – This is Florida’s primary program to ensure collaboration among and offer technical assistance and funding to coastal communities dealing with the impacts of flooding, erosion and habitat shifts. Some major resources are listed below but we recommend visiting the DEP site for the most up-to-date information. Resilient Coastlines is under Florida’s Coastal Management Program, which coordinates all efforts related to Florida’s coastal resources, including beach access, resilience and more.

Florida Adaption Planning Guidebook – A joint project of the Florida Departments of Environmental Protection and Economic Opportunity, this guidebook outlines the steps to undertake a Vulnerability Assessment, Adaptation Planning, and Implementation Strategies to help communities prepare for and deal with the effects of sea level rise, especially coastal flooding, erosion, and ecosystem changes.

Adaptations – Find out more about adaptation strategies that can be used for coastal construction projects.

Sea-Level Impact Projection (SLIP) Study – Under Section 161.551, F.S., SLIP requires state agencies, municipalities, counties, special districts, authorities, or other corporate bodies of the state, which commission or manage a construction project within the coastal building zone using funds appropriated from the state, to conduct a sea-level impact projection (“SLIP”) study. A SLIP Tool is also available to assist with preparing a SLIP study report if needed.

Community Resilience Initiative Documents (SLIP) Study – Links to DEP documents related to adaptation action areas, community resilience, sea level rise, and vulnerability assessments can be found here.

Florida Department of Commerce (DOC)

Adaptation Planning – Planning for Coastal Flooding and Sea Level Rise – As noted, DEO takes the lead on community planning related to sea level rise, including coastal management elements of the local comprehensive plan (per Section 163.3178(2)(f)1, F.S.) and adaptation action areas (covered in Section 163.3164(1), F.S.). This adaptation site includes links relevant to community planning for resilience in Florida.

Post-Disaster Redevelopment Planning Manual – In 2015, Florida enacted the “Peril of Flood” statute, Section 163.3178(2)(f), Florida Statutes. This requires local governments with a coastal management element in the Comprehensive Plan to update it to “eliminate inappropriate and unsafe development in the coastal areas when opportunities arise” by including “development and redevelopment principles, strategies, and engineering solutions that reduce the flood risk in coastal areas which results from high-tide events, storm surge, flash floods, stormwater runoff, and the related impacts of sea level rise.” This manual, based on a case study of Palm Beach County, outlines workable initiatives.

Florida Department of Agriculture and Community Resources (FDACS)

Florida Advisory Council on Climate and Energy (FACCE) – In 2019, this council was established to “modernize energy policy, diversify energy sources, increase energy efficiency, and create opportunities for our most vulnerable citizens …. [and] provide information and assistance regarding policies and programs on such issues as energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy, climate change, sea-level rise and alternative vehicles.”

Florida Energy and Climate Plan – This plan “provides realistic steps and strategies for Florida to secure clean, affordable energy while creating new opportunities for Florida’s economy and addressing the growing crisis of climate change.”

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

Resilience – FDOT focuses on improving the resilience of the state transportation system, including better preparation for storms, quicker recovery in the event of extreme weather, and planning for changing conditions and disruptions. The agency has a Resiliency Policy which confirms its commitment to “identify risks, particularly related to sea level rise, flooding, and storms; assess potential impacts; and employ strategies to avoid, mitigate or eliminate impacts.” Many resources are available on the “Resilience” page.

“PROTECT” Funding – In July of 2022, the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was enacted, including “Protect” or the “Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation.” This includes significant federal appropriations “to help make surface transportation more resilient to natural hazards, including climate change, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters through support of planning activities, resilience improvements, community resilience and evacuation routes, and at-risk coastal infrastructure.” Visit this page to find out more.

Florida Department of Emergency Management (DEM)

Bureau of Mitigation – Due to Florida’s weather, geography, and miles of coastline, the state is highly vulnerable to disasters. To assist communities with reducing the impacts of these disasters, the Bureau of Mitigation administers three federal mitigation grant programs (Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program, and Flood Mitigation Assistance Program) and the state funded Hurricane Loss Mitigation Program.

Florida Department of Health (DOH)

Climate and Health – This page provides a brief overview of climate hazards in Florida and their impacts on human health.

OTHER STATEWIDE INITIATIVES

Florida Climate Smart Agriculture Working Group – The Florida Climate Smart Agriculture (FLCSA) initiative will identify and implement climate smart agriculture solutions and ecosystem services that benefit the public, producers and the planet. FLCSA is working with representatives of all major agricultural producer groups in Florida and other stakeholders to ensure a future Florida agriculture that is sustainable, environmentally responsible, and facilitates food security.

Climate Smart Florida – A joint project of Sea Grant Florida, the University of Florida and IFAS Extension, this helps Floridians “learn and make decisions about our changing climate.” It includes resources for local governments, individuals, and kids. Their resources include Florida’s Handbook for Municipal Action on Climate Change.

Climate Change and Coastal Hazards – Florida Sea Grant supports local communities with applied research and outreach to improve their literacy of climate change and resilience to coastal hazards such as sea-level rise and flooding.

The Florida Climate Institute – The Florida Climate Institute (FCI) is a multi-disciplinary network of national and international research and public organizations, scientists, and individuals concerned with achieving a better understanding of climate variability and change.

The FCI has eleven member universities – Florida A&M University (FAMU); Florida Atlantic University (FAU); the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT); Florida International University (FIU); Florida State University (FSU); Nova Southeastern University (NSU); the University of Central Florida (UCF);

the University of Florida (UF); the University of Miami (UM); the University of South Florida (USF); and Stetson University (SU) – and is supported by relevant colleges, centers, and programs at these universities. UF and FSU initiated the FCI in 2010; FAU, UCF, UM, and USF formally joined in 2012; FIU formally joined in 2013; FAMU formally joined in 2014; FIT formally joined in 2015; and NSU formally joined in 2017.

Florida Climate Center – Under the auspices of Florida State University, this center “serves as the primary resource for climate data, information, and services in the state of Florida.” It includes numerous resources on myriad topics including climate data & visualization.

Sea Level Solutions Center – An interdisciplinary hub at Florida International University, this center works “to develop useful and sustained sea level and other climate change-related responses for both the human and natural environments.”

UCF Coastal/National Center for Integrated Coastal Research – Administered by the University of Central Florida, UCF Coastal brings together scientists and others “to address complex environmental, economic and social challenges.”

FLORIDA REGIONAL INITIATIVES

Southeast Florida Regional Compact – Since 2009, Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach Counties have been working collaboratively to reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions, implement adaptation strategies, and build climate resilience across the Southeast Florida region. Among other things, they work collaboratively to create and update a Climate Action Plan for the region.

Apalachee Strong Regional Resilience Collaborative – In November 2020 the Apalachee Regional Planning Council adopted a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines the need for a collaborative approach in tackling resilience issues. Participants include Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla counties and their municipalities.

East Central Florida Regional Resilience Collaborative – Since 2018, the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (ECFRPC) has been working to promote regional collaboration on resilience efforts. The program is focused on People (health & equity), Places (built infrastructure and natural environment), and Prosperity (economic resilience). The ECFRPC covers eight counties: Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia, including 78 member towns and cities.

Heartland Regional Resiliency Coalition – Encompassing DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee and Polk Counties, this coalition was formed in 2021 to promote a collaborative approach to position the Heartland Region, local governments, and agencies to better plan for resilience, meet new and changing state and federal regulations and guidelines, and enable greater access to resources for projects.

Resilient First Coast — Resilient Fist Coast (RFC) is the regional resiliency collaborative for Northeast Florida, which includes Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties. It is a formal partnership to work together to improve the resilience of the region. It is comprised of local governments, businesses, non-profit organizations, academia, and federal/ state agencies.

Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition – Formed in 2018, this coalition works to coordinate climate adaptation and mitigation activities across county lines, advance local and regional responses to and preparations for economic and social disruption projected to result from sea-level rise and provide state and local agencies with access to technical assistance and support in addressing the effects of climate change. It encompasses Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Pinellas Counties and their jurisdictions.

OTHER MAPPING RESOURCES

Florida Geographic Data Library (FGDL) – Maintained by the University of Florida’s GeoPlan Center, this is Florida’s main repository of GIS data from various state, federal, and other sources, including data related to Sea Level 2040, Florida 2070/Water 2070 and the SLS Sketch Planning Tool discussed below.

Sea Level Scenario (SLS) Sketch Planning Tool – The SLS Sketch Planning Tool was created by the University of Florida GeoPlan Center with funding from the Florida Department of Transportation and was updated in 2020. This tool helps to identify transportation infrastructure exposed to current and future flood risks.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Climate (NOAA) – This site provides “data, tools, and information to help people understand and prepare for climate variability and change” including a Sea Level Trend Map for sites around the world.

Climate Central – This group uses “science and technology to generate thousands of local storylines and compelling visuals that make climate change personal and show what can be done about it.” In addition to useful information, this site has several interactive resources including the Coastal Risk Screening Tool, Climate Shift Index, Risk Finder and more which can zoom in on Florida and its communities. In 2018, Climate Central partnered with Zillow to develop a report, Ocean at the Door: New Homes and the Rising Sea.