Addressing Coastal Vulnerabilities Through Comprehensive Planning: How RAND Supported the Development of Louisiana's Comprehensive Master Plan

Coastal vulnerability is a worldwide problem, one compounded by climate change, which is increasing global sea levels, likely increasing the frequency of dangerous storms, and intensifying the effect of storm surges, as was the case in Superstorm Sandy along the Eastern Seaboard. Comprehensively dea...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Policy File 2014
Main Authors: Groves, David G, Fischbach, Jordan R, Knopman, Debra, Sharon, Christopher, Johnson, David R, Ortiz, David S, Bryant, Benjamin P, Hoover, Matthew, Ostwald, Jordan
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
Environment
RAND Corporation
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Summary:Coastal vulnerability is a worldwide problem, one compounded by climate change, which is increasing global sea levels, likely increasing the frequency of dangerous storms, and intensifying the effect of storm surges, as was the case in Superstorm Sandy along the Eastern Seaboard. Comprehensively dealing with such vulnerability is challenging because of the need to adequately assess future uncertain risks, evaluate a wide range of alternative approaches, and reach consensus among various stakeholders. This publication provides a successful example of how integrated, objective, analytic-based planning can address the most-pressing environmental challenges. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) used a new analytic approach, developed in part by RAND, that incorporates results from state-of-the-art predictive models within a decision tool to formulate and compare alternatives and visualize outcomes and trade-offs for policymakers and stakeholders. CPRA was able to create the first comprehensive solution for Louisiana's coast to receive broad support from the Louisiana public and the many agencies--federal, state, and local--engaged in protecting the Gulf Coast. The Master Plan passed the Louisiana legislature unanimously in May 2012 and is being implemented.