Legal Strategies for Climate Adaptation in Coastal New England
Friday, November 16, 2018
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Roger Williams University School of Law
This symposium will focus on how state and local governments in coastal New England can overcome legal barriers to climate adaptation.Speakers will discuss the opportunities for state and municipal governments to proactively include adaptation into their planning, such as by incorporating climate risks into local laws, ordinances, regulations, and policies.
Speakers will also address some of the potential legal conflicts related to climate adaptation, including constitutional conflicts, state and federal law conflicts, and potential liability for acting or failing to act on climate risks.
A portion of the day will include small workshops where attendees can share their concerns and questions related to barriers to climate change adaptation.The day will conclude with a discussion of adaptation planning opportunities for state and local governments.
The Rhode Island M.C.L.E. Commission has granted this program 6.5 Rhode Island C.L.E. credits including zero legal ethics credit.
The Association of State Floodplain Managers has pre-approved this program for 5.5 CECs for CFMs.
Part of the 2018-2019 Roger Williams University Theme, Ocean State/State of the Ocean: The challenge of sea level rise over the coming century
Links to watch the symposium:
Part 1: https://youtu.be/URNIKbSFgw0
Part 2: https://youtu.be/YrkUps6pD4A
Part 3: https://youtu.be/qnRKO956YzI
Part 4: https://youtu.be/LT7D18d-Uao
PowerPoint Presentations:
Government Action in the Age of Climate Change: Climate Adaptation and Evolving Liability by Elena Mihaly and Deanna Moran
Adapting to the Deluge: Legal Issues from Recent Hurricane Seasons and Increasing Risks of Flooding by Dena Adler
Infrastructure and Sea Level Rise: Legal Challenges for Local Government Maintenance of Infrastructure by Thomas Ruppert
Opportunities for Enhancing Community Resilience by Jessica Grannis and Katie Spidalieri
Speakers:
- Dena Adler, J.D., M.E.M., Climate Law Fellow, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School
- Melissa Chalek, Esq., Policy Analyst, Marine Affairs Institute, Roger Williams University School of Law/ Rhode Island Sea Grant Legal Program
- Jessica Grannis, Esq., Adaptation Program Director, Georgetown Climate Center, Georgetown Law School
- Elena Mihaly, Esq., Staff Attorney, Conservation Law Foundation
- Deanna Moran, MPP, MCRP, Director of Environmental Planning, Conservation Law Foundation
- Shaun O'Rourke, Director, Stormwater and Resiliency, Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank and Chief Resilience Officer, State of Rhode Island
- Read Porter, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney, Marine Affairs Institute, Roger Williams University School of Law/ Rhode Island Sea Grant Legal Program
- Thomas Ruppert, Esq., Coastal Planning Specialist, Florida Sea Grant
- Katie Spidalieri, Esq., Institute Associate, Georgetown Climate Center
- Julia Wyman, Esq., Director, Marine Affairs Institute, Roger Williams University School of Law/ Rhode Island Sea Grant Legal Program
This symposium is co-sponsored by the Marine Affairs Institute at Roger Williams University School of Law, Rhode Island Sea Grant, and the Georgetown Climate Center.
Please contact the Marine Affairs Institute at 401-254-5392 or marineaffairs@rwu.edu with any questions you may have.