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SEA LEVEL RISE & RESILIENCY NEED VITAL ATTENTION in NORTH MIAMI

Part of NE 135 Street Under Water During Recent Sunny-Day King Tide
 
Sea Level Rise and its effects on our city and property values is of critical importance.
 
I've spent weeks pouring over related material working to come up with a plan to address it.
 
Scientific studies show us that lasting impacts will soon be felt across South Florida.  But all you have to do is wait for a heavy rainfall to see what King Tides bring us.  Sometimes those King Tides are apparent on a sunny day, too.
 
Here, then, are some ideas I have about what we can do.  I'm not foolish enough to think one email or a few pieces of legislation will be enough.  And I'm not foolish enough to think government can fix things all by ourselves.  We will need your help moving forward.
 
I'll try to keep this email concise.  Such a complicated issue deserves a deep dive, but I know that long emails can be tedious.  If you have any questions after reading this, email me.  You're also invited to a Resiliency Roundtable meeting I'll host on Tuesday, November 5th at the Margolis Center, from 7 pm - 9 pm. 
 

THINGS NORTH MIAMI IS ALREADY DOING
 
Using as a guide a report from the Urban Land Institute, North Miami has been working on several things to address rising seas and other resiliency issues.  Here's a few highlights:
 
Undoubtedly, I've overlooked some things. But you get the idea.  We've been working on the topic for a while.  But it's not enough.


A Living Shoreline Example
NEW OPTIONS WE CAN CONSIDER
 
Near daily media reports spell out ideas the several neighborhoods are considering.  Here's a few I think warrant consideration in North Miami:
  • Allowing residents to build higher sea walls to protect their properties
  • Allow for living shorelines.  A living shoreline is a protected, stabilized coastal edge made of natural materials such as plants, sand, or rock. Unlike a concrete seawall or other hard structure, which impede the growth of plants and animals, living shorelines grow over time.
  • Consider inflatable flood barriers like Tubewall.  Lightweight and quickly deployed, they can serve as a flood barrier for fast response to flood threats.
  • Consider allowing for bioswales and green roofs on residential properties (t can be done on commercial sites, too).
     
  • Examine the impacts of raising streets in affected areas.  This is tricky, but warrants discussion.  Raising a street might cause rainwater to run off into adjoining residents' front yards.
  • Consider allowing "front yard berms."  Made of natural materials, these could help mitigate flood waters from encroaching on homes and apartments.  They could be especially help for locations where there are no traditional swale areas.
     
  • Partner with organizations like CLEO and the American Flood Coalition which are already pooling resources across the County.
  • Further educate residents on the dos-and-donts of recycling.  Did you know that if you bag your recyclables, they are trashed?  Check out this video. 
  • Create a website which serves as a one-stop location for announcements about upcoming volunteer opportunities. Events like canal cleanings, planting of native species, or other environmental friendly projects could all be listed in a single location.  We should also create an email database of residents who want to volunteer on such projects. 
  • Consider allowing residents to raise their homes when building additions or starting new construction (think about the stilt houses in the Keys).
  • Host regular community workshops focusing on different resiliency topics.  This is actually something I already plan to do in District 1.  Perhaps one might focus on basic climate science.  Another might allow residents to build their own rain barrels.  There is much to learn and share.
  • Whenever possible, incorporate Solar Energy and strategies to reduce the city's carbon footprint (which is a major reason behind sea rise).
These are just a few suggestions.  I'm open to additional ideas!


Volunteers at Enchanted Forest
WAYS THAT RESIDENTS CAN HELP

Government can't do this all by ourselves.  We need your help. 
 
Your advocacy is needed at various community and governmental meetings.
 
And we certainly need volunteers at various events.
 
But one way I think North Miamians can make a difference is to start a grassroots "committee" to brainstorm around environmental ideas and policies. 
 
Sure, city hall could name a similar committee.  But those often get bogged down in bureaucracy.  Each councilperson has to have a certain number of appointees.  And if a quorum is not attained at a particular meeting, business can't move forward.  I think a residents' committee would free you from the constraints of stuffy politics.   
 
We have homeowner associations focused on property issues.  We have a chamber of commerce focused on business issues.  Why not a group that researches good ideas and pushes for their implementation.
 
These are just a few of my ideas.  Please remember to join me at my Resiliency Roundtable on November 5th.  It will be at the Margolis Center from 7 pm - 9 pm.  Let's move this conversation forward!
 

Councilman Scott Galvin
scott@scott-galvin.com 

I strive to provide prompt constituent services and keep you informed!

At Your Service!