Capitol Hill Briefing

October 20th, 2015
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Capitol Visitor Center, Room SVC 201-00

Please RSVP here: http://bit.ly/1jirzCl?

Topic:

When Superstorm Sandy devastated the eastern seaboard in October 2012, we were reminded just how vulnerable our Nation's infrastructure and coastal communitites could be. We were reminded of it again just last week, as South Carolina experienced historic flooding and unprecedented impacts on vital infrastructure, such as roads and municipal water supplies.

At this briefing, a panel of scientists will explore how natural infrastructure can be used to enhance the safety and resilience of our coasts and coastal communities. The panelists will discuss frameworks for evaluating the costs and benefits of a natural infrastructure approach, including consideration of up-front costs versus long-term maintenance. A case study from the New York City area will serve as a starting point for discussion of the role and utility of natural infrastructure in other areas of the county, such as the Gulf of Mexico, the West Coast, and New England. A lively discussion moderated by Science Magazine's Deputy News Editor David Malakoff will follow to explore the nexus of science, policy, and management.

Speakers:

• David Malakoff, Deputy News Editor, Science Magazine (moderator)
• Dr. Mary Ruckelshaus, Stanford University / The Natural Capital Project
• Dr. Todd S. Bridges, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center
• Dr. Elizabeth Codner-Smith, The Nature Conservancy
• Dr. Ariana Sutton-Grier, University of Maryland / National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Presented by the American Meteorological Society and COMPASS

A video recording of the briefing is now available HERE.