Sea Level Rise in Citrus County: An Assessment of Current and Future Impacts, and Discussion of Possible Responses

With 8,440  miles of coastline, Florida is under immense threat from sea level rise and is now poised to begin working with local governments to plan for “resilience”.  What might that mean for a coastal community like Citrus County?  What are the likely consequences of sea level rise, and how should we respond?  We will look at some of the impacts that are already evident, predictions of what the future might hol, and consider some possible strategies for minimizing the long-term environmental and economic impacts on our community.

Gene is a Conservation Biologist with a long history of working to conserve natural Florida.  He worked as the Environmental Lands Planner for the Southwest Florida Water Management District where he helped identify lands to be protected through the Save Our Rivers, Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever land acquisition programs, and also played the lead role in writing land management and public use plans for the acquired properties.  After 16 years at SWFWMD, he spent 5 years serving as the Conservation Planner for the Florida Chapter of The Nature Conservancy.  His work there included conducting a comprehensive assessment of projected climate change impacts in Florida, including an emphasis on sea level rise.  He then spent several years working as a wildlife biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.  He is currently semi-retired, but remains actively involved with the Florida Native Plant Society, where her currently serves on the Board of Directors as Chair of the Policy and Legislation Committee, with the Adventure Coast Group of the Sierra Club where he serves as Outings Chair, and with the Citizen’s Climate Lobby.  Investigating the impacts of sea level rise is a continuing interest.