Heartland Regional Resiliency Action Plan
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the ability to
anticipate,
prepare for,
adapt to,
withstand,
respond to, and
recover rapidly from disruptions
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7 counties | 28 cities
2 water management districts
Peace River Basin
Kissimmee River Basin
Lake Okeechobee
Headwaters of the Everglades
Development continues along I-4 and I-75
82% of population/84% of traded industry jobs within 10 miles of interstates/expressways
Three distinct regions
Coastal Tourism Region Polk Central Distribution Region Inland Rural and Agricultural Region
HURRICANE IAN IMPACTS ON THE REGION
Category 4 hurricane
September 28, 2022
Bartow (SR 60)
10.8 Feet
Arcadia (SR 70)
23.7 Feet
Zolfo Springs
27.24 Feet
Bowling Green
64.54 Feet
PEAK FLORIDA POWER OUTAGE
As of 8:30 am on September 29, 2022:
• Just over 2.59 million were without power
• CFRPC Region is at 60%* or higher
*Does not include numbers for Bartow Electric, Ft. Meade, Wauchula
Desoto County, City of Arcadia
Photo Credit: Crystal Vander Weit-USA Today Network
Photo Credit: City of Arcadia Main Street (Oak Inn Hotel)
Hardee County
Photo Credit: Hardee County
Photo Credit: Hardee County
Total crop loss: $687 Million to $1.2 Billion
Total agriculture production and infrastructure loss: $1.2 to $1.9 Billion
Citrus: $417 to $676 Million
Animal and Animal Products: $337 to $492 Million
Forestry (Timber) : $33 Million
Source: FDACS, Hurricane Ian’s Preliminary Estimates of Damage to Florida Agriculture
… making infrastructure more climate-resilient can have a benefit-cost ratio of about 6 to 1.
FOR EVERY DOLLAR INVESTED, SIX DOLLARS CAN BE SAVED.
Identify and recommend strategies for the Region and partners to ensure the Heartland is equipped to address current and future challenges.
Vision
Create a vision of resilient inland communities encompassing urban, suburban and rural communities.
Process
Define both local and regional goals, objectives, strategies, and actions to support alignment of critical issues.
Define best practices, national metrics, and certification requirements.
Include a scorecard to measure progress and achievements.
Develop actional strategies for the next five years.
Partners
DeSoto County
Glades County
Hardee County
Wauchula
Highlands County
Lake Placid, Sebring
Polk County
Lakeland, Winter Haven
Polk TPO
HRTPO
SWFWMD
SFWMD
Seminole Tribe of Florida
Dept of Health
Archbold Biological Station
Avon Park Air Force Range
US Dept of Defense
CHNEP
Transportation Land Use Infrastructure Natural Lands and Resources Agriculture Economy Affordable Housing Planning Practices
Areas
Focus
TRANSPORTATION & LAND USE
TRANSPORTATION & LAND USE
o Changing Conditions
o Plan based on anticipated conditions/trends rather than historical patterns
o Water Management is Top Priority
o Water storage, capacity, movement
o Watershed planning, jurisdictional boundaries, Natural System Approach
o Ag & Natural lands critical for water management, flood control, groundwater recharge
TRANSPORTATION & LAND USE
TRANSPORTATION & LAND USE
o Land Development
o Balance with natural systems
o Fragmentation negatively impacts ag operations, natural resources, wildlife movement, human connectivity
o Infrastructure
o Concurrent Activities – cost-effective to lay broadband conduit, utility pipes, etc. during road construction/repairs
o Aging & New Infrastructure - requires high funding amounts
o Connectivity – limits mobility for jobs, education, food access, and evacuation
AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
o Water and Development Impacts are Primary Issues
o Wetland protection and restoration, especially riverine and lacustrine related, is critical
o Landscape-scale Planning needed
o Economic Valuation needed
o Ecosystem Services Programs
o Need to be created and funded
o Agriculture/natural lands provide community functions that warrant compensation (water storage, recharge, flood)
AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
o Developments Impacts
o Fragmentation affects diversity of biological, social, economic systems
o Threaten agricultural operations (expose farms to exotic plants invasion, fragment farms, decrease farm service industry economics in communities)
o Increased demand on water/natural resources, reduced biodiversity and movement
o Conditions Anticipated:
o Heat - agriculture crops and native plants/animals changes expected
o New diseases, pests, invasives anticipated
o Water Resources are Critical
o Natural resources help drive economy (ex, Winter Haven - City of Lakes)
o One Water project provides economic value to developers while preserving community water supplies
o Preservation of agriculture and natural lands is critical
o Infrastructure
o Upgrades necessary to attract businesses
o New development – coordination to install connections for new technologies (fiber optics, electric vehicle charging, solar ready) Coordination of infrastructure projects (roads, water, sewer, stormwater, power, fiber, etc.) for cost benefits
o Energy grid –
needed to expand grid network for future
ECONOMY
public/private partnerships
ECONOMY
ECONOMY
o Education and local workforce training/retention is critical, especially regarding new technologies
o Employment challenges remain due to hurricane impacts to housing and transportation
o Private Sector & Technology Drive economic advances - Support betterment of communities
ECONOMY
Florida Wildlife Corridor
floridawildlifecorridor.org
Some takeaways about resiliency
• Collaboration and coordination is essential.
• Efforts must include planning for the most vulnerable populations.
• Resiliency isn't a "plan."
Heartland Regional Resiliency Action Plan
