Panel Discussion on the Future of Fort Lauderdale

Dr. Renellys Perez, a CIMAS scientist working in PhOD, gave a presentation on "Sea Level Rise" during a panel discussion on "The Future of Fort Lauderdale: Protecting our Paradise against Rising Seas and Stronger Storms" to foster discussion on the impact of sea-level rise on the Ft. Lauderdale coastal community.

On Thursday July 31st Dr. Renellys Perez, a CIMAS scientist working in AOML's Physical Oceanography Division, gave a presentation on "Sea Level Rise" during a panel discussion entitled "The Future of Fort Lauderdale: Protecting our Paradise against Rising Seas and Stronger Storms". The Broward chapter of the New Leaders Council (NLC), the South Florida chapter of the U. S. Green Building Council, and the Becker & Poliakoff law firm hosted this event for the Broward County young professional community, to foster discussion on the impact of sea-level rise on the coastal community. The other two panelists, Dr. Jennifer Jurado, the Director of Natural Resources Planning and Management Division for Broward County, and Mr. Asi Cymbal, the President of Cymbal Development, gave presentations on South Florida's regional vulnerability to sea level rise and how local agencies and developers are responding. Fort Lauderdale Mayor Mr. Jack Seiler gave a very forward thinking introduction on moving past debate and towards taking action to protect South Florida. Mr. David Fleshler, an environmental reporter for the Sun Sentinel newspaper, skillfully moderated the panel discussions.

Highlights from the event included a discussion of Broward's county-wide integrated water resources plan, in which they are planning for a 9- to 24-inch sea level rise by 2060. The panel discussed how new land-use maps will show areas vulnerable to a 2-foot sea level rise, and how future land-use decisions must take into account this amount of sea level rise. Participants also discussed plans that are underway to mitigate saltwater intrusion into South Florida's fresh water supply, and sea level rise on South Florida's drainage and canal systems. Finally the panel explained how local developers now consider sea level rise when planning new developments, but look to local and state government to set higher regulations.