DRAFT

Human activities in Adams County have impacted the natural environment in a variety of ways. With a history that includes agricultural land uses in the eastern portion, intensive industrial uses in the western portion, and residential development throughout - there has been a wide range of environmental impacts across the county. Industrial activities, coupled with growth and development, have led to increased impairment of aquatic resources such as streams and wetlands, exacerbated air quality issues through increased ozone precursor emissions, and produced brownfield sites from historical land uses. This has led to a subsequent reduction in the diversity, acreage, and connectivity of natural habitats. Some of the natural environment has been well preserved, whether as dedicated natural resource areas such as parks, open space, and trail corridors or through regulations on how growth can occur.

Adverse impacts of development on the environment and natural resources may continue to expand unless strategies are implemented to direct and manage anticipated growth. Along with that growth, additional stressors related to global climate change in the form of increased temperatures, greater variability and magnitude in storms, drier conditions, and changing precipitation patterns pose an increased risk of harm to the natural resources and residents of Adams County. As identified in the Adams County Hazard Mitigation

Plan (“HMP”, 2020), these factors will combine to increase the prevalence of drought conditions, especially hotter and drier summers, which may lead to increased wildfire risk (see Figure 4-1), additional air quality impairment, and alterations in ecosystem species composition. According to the HMP, there may also be an increased likelihood of floods (see Figure 4-2) and severe winter storm events. Note, the maps represent a snapshot, and the HMP should be referred to for the latest data and images.

Anticipating these changes to our natural environment pro ers an opportunity to build resiliency and adaptability into planned development and employ e ective strategies to mitigate impacts to the county’s natural resources. Knowing that Adams

County will get hotter and drier with shifting precipitation patterns as the most likely scenario allows for ongoing succession planning for everything from agricultural species to street trees and entire ecosystems. Providing clear guidance to decision-makers on what to expect and how to plan for it can result in greater benefits for future generations.

Critical partners in this e ort include the Community & Economic Development Department (CEDD), O ce of Emergency Management (OEM), Public Works Department, and Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts Department.

Key Issues

Ecological Resources: Preserve, link, and layer existing undeveloped and underdeveloped prairie in the County through greater parks, open space, and trail corridor connectivity. This can help create resiliency in ecological resources as climate change impacts will be felt through increased temperatures, extreme droughts, and more frequent storm events.

Key Issues

around much of the county, which has resulted in their extraction near residential areas and important natural resources. Impacts to air quality and greenhouse gas emissions from the full cycle of oil and gas production and use are significant concerns on both the local and regional level.

Water Resources: With limited water resources, it is important to understand the supply and demand outlook as well as critical ecosystem services provided by riparian corridors, wetlands, and other aquatic ecosystems in order to implement e ective conservation methods that will, in turn, improve the county’s climate adaptability and resiliency.

Climate Change: Oil and gas resources are readily available

The county has significant potential to utilize natural, renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, and geothermal.

Natural Hazards: Wildfires within the Wildland Urban Intermix, as defined in the 2020 HMP, hailstorms, and floods in the urbanized parts of the county are both concerns addressed in the HMP and will need to inform development planning and construction.