Abstract
Sea-level rise (SLR) is negatively impacting coastal infrastructure such as reducing the effectiveness of stormwater systems, jeopardizing key aspects of fresh and wastewater systems, and flooding roads more frequently. Adapting to these challenges can take on a variety of formats depending on the specific needs of the systems and the people they serve. To understand the benefits of planning for long-term flood risks as sea levels rise, we examined the costs associated with long-term flood protection around a planned new water reclamation facility in Jackson County. We leveraged a recently released tool, the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Economics Decision Guide Software (EDGe$), that is designed specifically to facilitate considering the costs and benefits of taking resilient action. Together, we worked through the various inputs for costs, the potential losses that would be sustained during a flood by the Jackson County Utility Authority, and potential losses that would be sustained by the broader community if the new facility were to be flooded. Through this effort many things about the process were identified that could inform future efforts including key assumptions, regulatory requirements in cost-benefit analyses, and challenges in considering changing flood risk over time. The results of this specific cost-benefit analysis will be presented. Additionally, we will share lessons learned from the process and recommendations for similar efforts in the future.
