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Sea Level Rise Task Force

The Sea Level Rise Task Force was created in 2007 by the New York State Legislature, to assess impacts to the state's coastlines from rising seas and recommend protective and adaptive measures. The task force held its first meeting on June 27, 2008; its report is due to the Legislature by December 31, 2009.

Why the Task Force is Needed

Climate change is resulting in increased rates of sea level rise, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report. Conservative projections of sea level rise by the end of the century are 7 to 23 inches, but some projections predict a rise of more than four and a half feet by 2100.

aerial view of Long Island
Rising seas and increased storm surges will
put New York's coastlines at risk.Rising sea levels pose serious threats to coastal communities and natural resources around the globe, altering natural ecosystems and affecting the habitability of coastal cities and towns. More than 62 percent of New York's population lives in marine coastal counties.

According to the Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment conducted in 2007 by the Union of Concerned Scientists, as seas rise,

  • Beaches and bluffs will suffer increased erosion, while the risk of severe flooding and storm damage will increase.
  • Low-lying areas will be inundated, with potential for saltwater to infiltrate into surface waters and aquifers.
  • Sewage and septic systems, as well as transportation infrastructure, are at risk from flooding and erosion.

The Work of the Task Force

The task force is charged with applying the best available science to evaluate ways to

  • Protect New York's remaining coastal ecosystems and natural habitats, and
  • Increase coastal community resilience in the face of sea level rise.

The geographic scope of the task force report will include the five boroughs of New York City and the counties of Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk. The tidal waters of the Hudson River to the Federal Dam at Troy will also be included because of the potential risks from rising waters to Hudson River ecosystems, drinking water supplies and infrastructure.

Task Force Membership

The task force is composed of state agencies, local governments, not-for-profit groups and private citizens appointed by the members of the Legislature. Task force members include representatives from

New York State Agencies

  • Department of Environmental Conservation
  • Department of State
  • Department of Transportation
  • Department of Health
  • Department of Insurance
  • Emergency Management Office

County and Local Governments

  • Westchester County
  • Nassau County
  • Suffolk County
  • New York City

Legislative Appointments

  • Two members appointed by the Temporary President of the Senate Joseph Bruno
  • Two members appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly Sheldon Silver
  • One member appointed by Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith
  • One member appointed by Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco

The Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation serves as chair of the task force.

Task Force Report

At its first meeting, the task force agreed to a framework in which a steering committee consisting of staff from several state agencies and non-governmental organizations would draft recommendations for task force approval. Several smaller work groups will be organized to study specific issue areas, such as natural resources, infrastructure, human health and water supply.

New York City skyline
The task force will need to consider impacts to
natural resources and infrastructure.

The final report, due by December 31, 2009, will include

  1. An assessment of anticipated impacts related to sea level rise.
  2. Recommendations to provide more protective standards/enforcement for
    1. Coastal development;
    2. Wetlands protection;
    3. Shoreline armoring; and
    4. Post-storm recovery.
  3. Recommendations for adaptive measures to
    1. Protect and connect terrestrial and aquatic habitats to allow species to migrate with changing temperatures and conditions;
    2. Protect and restore habitat to maintain natural communities and protect ecological services they provide, e.g., flood control, clean water;
    3. Identify and monitor early effects of climate change on animals, plants, etc.;
    4. Integrate climate change adaptation strategies into state environmental plans.
  4. Recommendations to amend local/state regulations or statutes to respond to climate change.

Stakeholder Involvement

All meetings of the task force will be open to the public, and the task force plans to hold two series of public information and comment meetings in 2009. Individuals wishing to receive e-mail notification of meetings and other task force activities should enroll in the Sea Level Rise Task Force listserv (A link to enroll in the Sea Level Rise Task Force listserv is available in the "Related Links" section of this page). Comments on the work of the Sea Level Rise Task Force may be submitted at any time to slrtf@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

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