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GI GOALS + TARGET SETTING

 

Group 1

  • Convert 25% of existing septic systems to sewer, prioritizing coastal and waterfront areas, by 2040, to improve water quality

  • Make sewer available to 50% of PBC currently on septic by 2040, to improve water quality

Group 2

  • Achieve 30% tree canopy for all of Palm Beach County by 2050

Group 3

  • Goal: limit number of extreme heat days to less than 30 days by 2035 (190 days is current projection by late century)

  • Units: # of days with heat index above 100 across sample areas

  • Outcomes: public health improvements, slow energy demand, improve vulnerable communities

  • Milestones:

    • 30% rooftops are green/cool

    • Increase tree canopy county-wide to 40% and improve parity between neighborhoods

    • 20% increase in wetland acreage

    • Increase cool and permeable pavements to 50%

    • Incorporate GI into development standards

Group 4

  • Assessment of stormwater infrastructure (lakes/ponds)

    • Target 2030 (10 year horizon)

    • Identify opportunities to improve water quality, flood protection, habitat, aesthetics, stormwater regulation (from local HOAs through county and district level)

    • Develop implementation plan

    • Metrics include water quality, acreage of improvements, community engagement

Group 5

  • 50% reduction heat island effect by PBC buildings, properties, programs, by 2040

    • Increase canopy

    • Pocket parks

    • Public transportation utilization – final mile options

    • Complete streets / mobility corridor

    • Technology advancements 

    • Lean and clean

    • Conversion of pavement to…

 

GI ACTION PLANNING

  • More integrated conversations

  • Set of best practices for municipalities to deploy

  • Pursue county-wide tree inventory – first establish a baseline

  • Look into incentives

  • More pilot projects – get community buy-in

  • More workshops like this – e.g. education on maintenance

  • Strategic plan that guides/aligns municipalities – get consensus on a strategy, with broad enough goals/metrics

  • Demonstrate economic value/make GI sell itself

  • Use the regional compact or Mayors Coalition as a platform

  • Form a subcommittee / working group within the compact

  • Take advantage of upcoming comprehensive plan update – add more teeth

  • Educate people on where costs are born versus where benefits are gained 

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Photo Gallery from October 2019 Workshop

Do you have photos that you’d like to share? Email them to media@eartheconomics.org

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