Water: Climate Change and Water
2012 National Water Program Strategy
EPA National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change
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EPA's National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change sets out long-term goals and specific actions that are EPA's contributions to national efforts to prepare for, and build resilience to, the impacts of a changing climate on water resources. The 2012 Strategy is organized around five long-term programmatic vision areas: protecting water infrastructure; coastal and ocean waters; watersheds; and, water quality. The EPA National Water Program looks forward to working with state, tribal, and local governments, as well as other partners to implement actions that address climate change challenges in these areas.
2012 Highlights of Progress: Responses to Climate Change by the EPA National Water Program (PDF) (50 pp, 1.1MB)
The 2012 Highlights of Progress report provides a summary of the major climate change-related accomplishments of EPA's national and regional water programs in 2012. This is the fourth climate change progress report for the National Water Program and the first progress report organized around the five long-term programmatic vision areas described in the National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change.
EPA National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change (Full Report) (PDF) (132pp, 2.9MB)
Foreword (PDF) (2 pp, 353K)
II. Introduction: The Evolving Context (PDF) (11 pp, 410K)
III. Framework for a Climate Ready National Water Program (PDF) (5 pp, 211K)
IV. Programmatic Visions, Goals, and Strategic Actions (PDF) (41 pp, 691K)
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A. Infrastructure (PDF) (9 pp, 264K)
B. Watersheds and Wetlands (PDF) (9 pp, 145K)
C. Coastal and Ocean Waters (PDF) (3 pp, 84K)
D. Water Quality (PDF) (9 pp, 105K)
E. Working with Tribes (PDF) (3 pp, 84K)
VI. Cross-Cutting Program Support (PDF) (13 pp, 343K)
VII. Appendices (PDF) (23 pp, 272K)
Additional Supporting Documents
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Document (PDF) (4 pp, 106K)
- Federal Register Notice for the National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change (PDF) (1 pp, 204K)
- Summary of Public Comments Received and Responses (PDF) (90 pp, 458K)
Ordering can be done online, by phone, or by mail. The document number is: 850-K-12-004.
Supporting Documents
Policy Memorandum from Former EPA Administrator Establishing the EPA Climate Work Group (PDF) (3 pp, 594K)
This memorandum calls for measures to anticipate and adapt to the effects climate change will have on the EPA's core mission as well as actions to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. It also includes helping the most vulnerable people and places reduce their exposure and sensitivity to climate change and improving their capacity to predict, prepare for and avoid adverse impacts. This priority is reflected in the EPA's FY 2011-2015 Strategic Plan which includes a heightened focus on cross-program activities addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Charter for EPA State-Tribal Climate Change Council of the National Water Program (PDF) (5 pp, 821K)
A key goal of the EPA National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change is to engage States, Tribes, and others in addressing the complex issues posed for water quality program managers by a changing climate. In an effort to strengthen cooperation amongst these groups, a State-Tribal Climate Council of the EPA National Water Program has been formed. The charter outlines the Council's purpose, membership, and operation.
Coming Together for Clean Water: EPA's Strategy to Protect America's Waters (PDF) (14 pp, 1.7MB)
On April 15, 2010, former EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson convened a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss opportunities to reinvigorate EPA’s strategy for achieving clean water. This strategy outlines the challenges that were highlighted at the 'Coming Together for Clean Water' forum, describes the public participation process, and highlights the EPA’s priorities for achieving clean water goals.