Integrated coastal climate change vulnerability assessment: George Washington Birthplace National Monument

Ricci, Glenn; Gaines, Sarah; Babson, Amanda

doi:10.36967/2304901

Through a series of workshops, a team of National Park Service, University of Rhode Island and related experts conducted a climate change vulnerability assessment to integrate issues across natural resources, cultural resources, and facilities for George Washington Birthplace National Monument (NM). This assessment used existing methods (Ricci et al. 2019a) and data, and expert knowledge to understand the general trends in current (2022) and future (2050, 2100) vulnerability and adaptive capacity. Climate stressors included sea level rise (SLR), storm surge, flooding, erosion rates, and precipitation and temperature changes. The results of the assessment are presented for each of the three workgroups: cultural resources, natural resources, and facilities, as well as for two key geographic focal areas – the Shoreline and the Memorial Core. Cultural landscapes, historic features and archeological sites that comprise the core values of the park are already being impacted by ongoing erosion, sea level rise, and storms, all of which are accelerated by climate change. The Ice Pond Dam was identified as a critical feature, both as a cultural resource and a facility asset, which is vulnerable to flash flooding and serves as a weak link for critical systems of communications, electricity, and access. Bluff monitoring designed to identify paleontological resources can benefit archeological resources as well. As erosion rates increase, newly uncovered archeological resources may drive a push for excavation. However, undercutting of the bluff makes any excavation or information reconnaissance on the archeological sites more difficult or dangerous due to the possibility of bluff edge sloughing or collapse. There is a recognized need to strengthen tribal partnerships to understand the priority for management of these resources. Tribal consultations initiated by the park are now underway. Any archeological excavation will result in loss of context and require additional storage capacity. Evaluation of potential shoreline stabilization techniques would need to consider how they would impact the viewshed and cultural landscape. Recommendations also included conducting an updated cultural landscape plan for the Memorial Core to consider tree management, including tree replacement in consideration of wind damage potential and because of the likelihood that extended warm seasons will lead to a longer period of pest activity. The vulnerability assessment data and maps can be a valuable resource for jumpstarting the adaptation planning process and integrating into existing planning processes. They can be used to engage with partners and help them appreciate the underlying vulnerability issues and changes over time.

Integrated coastal climate change vulnerability assessment: George Washington Birthplace National Monument

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