Standish residents asked to share their climate concerns

Citizens don’t need to be environmental scientists to weigh in on potential impacts of climate change on infrastructure, natural resources and local services. So, Standish, in collaboration with Greater Portland Council of Governments, is offering a survey on the town’s website to better prepare the community for future climate change events.

“We don’t see any immediate threats to resources or services,” Town Manager Tashia Pinkham said in an email Feb. 18 about the survey. “As you know, we frequently have large storms that come through that are temporarily problematic.”

Other towns included in the study are Bridgton, Gray, Westbrook and Windham.

As one example of what Mother Nature can do„ the American Journal’s “Westbrook Then and Now” column on March 14, 2016, recalled a weather event: “On Oct. 18, 1996, a hurricane stalled off the coast brought heavy rains to portions of southern Maine. Westbrook was in the path of this storm and received more than 18 inches of rain. The Presumpscot River overflowed its banks, causing severe damage throughout the city. Bridges on Spring Street and Saco Street were washed away, the Highland Lake Dam collapsed, and S.D. Warren (Sappi Fine Paper) sustained millions of dollars in damages. Homes and businesses in the area of the river also sustained serious damage.”

Pinkham said Greater Portland Council of Governments initiated the vulnerability study to identify environmental risks that could impact infrastructure, natural resources and local services.

“Greater Portland Council of Governments was awarded funding through the Community Resilience Partnership to conduct high-level climate vulnerability assessments for up to five communities in the region, ” Tom Bell, the agency communications director, said. “Each community will receive its own town-wide quantitative assessment aimed to better understand how local infrastructure, natural resources, and community assets may be impacted by extreme weather events such as flooding, rising temperatures, and other environmental-related hazards.”

Bell said the technical analysis will identify areas of potential concern, such as roadways located in “high flood-risk zones, and highlight where future planning and investment may be most needed.”

The survey is part of the grant requirements and will be used to ensure community members perspectives, inform the prioritization process, particularly as future funding opportunities become available to address identified risks, Bell said.

The plan will help identify the weather and environmental risks Standish my face in the future, a Facebook post says, and ” help the town prepare for emergencies, reduce risks, and prioritize future projects, and investments that support a strong and resilient community.”

A sampling of multiple choice questions include:

• How concerned are you about impacts of changing environmental conditions?
• How important is it for Standish to prepare and respond to extreme weather and environmental risks?
• Which weather and environmental issues could impact Standish?
• In which ways do you feel prepared for changes in weather or environment?
• How do you find out about what’s happening in Standish?

It also asks for information about residency status, business person, or student along with age, ethnic identity, race, and household income.

The survey can be completed in five to 10 minutes and can be found on the town of Standish website.