DOT Center for Climate Change | Minutes of the Meeting of the Federal Advisory Committee

Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure: Gulf Coast Study
Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.7 of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program

Day 1 – May 16, 2007

Welcome and Introductions

The meeting of the Federal Advisory Committee (FAC) was called to order at 8:30 A.M. on May 16, 2007 by Michael Savonis (Project Lead, DOT), the Designated Federal Officer (DFO). Mr. Savonis welcomed the committee members, reviewed the requirements and responsibilities of the FAC members as federal employees, explained restrictions regarding their expenses for this meeting, and reviewed the schedule for peer review. He also noted that the public comment period would be the next day (May 17). Alan Clark (Houston-Galveston Area Council) welcomed the committee to the Houston-Galveston area, and provided some introductory remarks concerning the importance of the study.

Copies of all draft reports discussed at the meeting were available to the public. Additional copies can be requested by contacting Michael Savonis at: michael.savonis@dot.gov. A list of meeting attendees is available upon request.

Session I: Is the climate summary reasonable? Is the regional characterization accurate?

Virginia Burkett (USGS) presented the findings of the April 30, 2007 draft of the study report regarding study area climate trends and projections, including sea level trends and projections and related data for the region; regional temperature and precipitation trends and projections; and storm surge modeling for the Gulf Coast (Chapter 3 of the draft report). Anthony Janetos (University of Maryland) and David Levinson (National Climatic Data Center) presented their review of the strengths, deficiencies, and clarity of the analysis, and their recommendations for the next draft. Dr. Burkett then facilitated a discussion of Chapter 3 among the full committee.

Session II: Are the findings regarding potential impacts on transportation infrastructure and systems reasonable and comprehensive?

Kenneth Leonard (Cambridge Systematics, Inc.) presented the findings of the April 30, 2007 draft of the study report regarding potential impacts of climate change on transportation infrastructure and systems, for highways, transit, freight and passenger rail, marine facilities and waterways, aviation, pipelines, and emergency management (Chapter 4 of the draft report). Harold “Skip” Paul (Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development) and Burr Stewart (Port of Seattle) presented their review of the strengths, deficiencies, and clarity of the analysis, and their recommendations for the next draft. Mr. Leonard then facilitated a discussion of Chapter 4 among the full committee.

Tour of Galveston

Michael Savonis adjourned the meeting for the day at 3:40 P.M. The committee was invited to participate in a tour of Galveston transportation facilities conducted by the City of Galveston.

Day 2 – May 17, 2007

Session III. What are the implications of the Study for transportation long range planning and decision-making?

Michael Savonis called the meeting to order at 8:30 A.M. Kenneth Leonard presented the findings of the April 30, 2007 draft of the study report regarding potential implications of climate change for transportation long-range planning and decision-making (Chapter 5 of the draft report). Elaine Wilkinson (Gulf Regional Planning Commission) and Alan Clark presented their review of the strengths, deficiencies, and clarity of the analysis, and their recommendations for the next draft. Mr. Leonard then facilitated a discussion of this part of Chapter 5 among the full committee.

Session IV: Is the conceptual approach to risk analysis sound, and relevant to transportation decision makers?

Michael Savonis presented the findings of the April 30, 2007 draft of the study report regarding a conceptual framework for assessing potential climate impacts on transportation (Chapter 5 of the draft report). Robert Lempert (RAND) and Paul Fischbeck (Carnegie-Mellon University) presented their review of the strengths, deficiencies, and clarity of the analysis, and their recommendations for the next draft. Mr. Savonis then facilitated a discussion of this part of Chapter 5 among the full committee.

Session V: Recap/Assessment: What are the key themes and issues identified?

Joanne Potter (Cambridge Systematics, Inc.) facilitated a discussion of the key themes and issues identified in the April 30, 2007 draft of the study report among the full committee.

Public Comment Period

Michael Savonis invited members of the public to address the committee. No comments were provided.

Session VI: What are the key research questions to be addressed in subsequent phases?

Joanne Potter presented an overview of the objectives for Phases II and III of the Gulf Coast study. She then facilitated a discussion among the full committee regarding recommendations for key research questions to address in these phases.

Closing Remarks/Adjourn

Michael Savonis thanked the committee for their participation and adjourned the meeting at 5:00 P.M.