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Climate Change Adaptation on the Mescalero Apache Reservation

Climate Change Adaptation on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. Built Systems and Other Infrastructure Climate Change Task Force Webinar Series April 10, 2014 . Native American Fish and Wildlife Society Conference Scottsdale, Arizona May, 2013.

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Climate Change Adaptation on the Mescalero Apache Reservation

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  1. Climate Change Adaptationon the Mescalero Apache Reservation Built Systems and Other Infrastructure Climate Change Task Force Webinar Series April 10, 2014 Native American Fish and Wildlife Society Conference Scottsdale, Arizona May, 2013

  2. Mescalero Apache Reservation 500,000 acres, altitudes ranging from 4400’ to over 12,000 ft. Arid Desert to Alpine BiomesSouth-central New Mexico

  3. Warmer and dryer throughout the region • Increased frequency of extreme weather events • Wildfires more intense and destructive • 4th consecutive year of extreme/exceptional drought • No equivalent in recorded history Mescalero Apache Reservation

  4. Drought Temperature increases, precipitation decreases intensify frequency, severity of drought events Reduced rainfall, increased sunlight result in decreased soil moisture, increased vegetation stress, more intense wildfires Increased soil aridity and associated plant mortality make soil prone to wind erosion Large scale forest die-offs as result of drought create prime conditions for high intensity wildfires Impacts of Climate Change in the Southwest (Bureau of Land Management, 2013)

  5. Impacts to Fish Hatchery • Wildfires in drainage above the fish hatchery have denuded forest / bared soil • Rainstorms became flood events • Silts and ash from fire carried into hatchery intakes • Resulted in 60% to 100% fish mortality 4 times in the last fifteen years • US Fish and Wildlife determined to abandon the facility and return property to Tribe in 2002.

  6. Climate change impacts continue • Mescalero Tribe assumed management in 2002 • Water quantity from springs diminishes • Water quantity and quality from stream intakes decreases • Flooding occurred again in 2008 • Water supply unreliable

  7. Solutions require Built Environments • Rebuild surface water hatchery intakes to be able to close, flood waters will by-pass intakes

  8. The storage pond 2. Storage pond to hold 135,000 gallons ( or 45 minutes) of an alternative water resource when hatchery intakes are closed

  9. Additional stream surface water Q=20-50 gpm Hatchery Inflow: Stream surface water Q=2,850 gpm Recirculation Planlan Storage pond inflow Q=3,000 gpm, t=45 min New mixing box Original mixing box Water tank Oxygen supplementation Flow from pump house Qmax=1500/2,850 gpm Circuit board Extra pump Generator Pump House ( 30 pumps, 50 gpm each) A Raceways B Raceways Extra pump Extra pump Free flow from bottom of raceways C Raceways D Raceways Local power hookup Shut off point Trench Hatchery Outflow: To settling pond Partial water treatment Shut off point

  10. 3. Recirculation system Construction of Pipeline Support g

  11. These projects were constructed as a measure to ameliorate impacts from catastrophic events, however they are being used every day to adapt to climate change; to maintain / improve quality of life in an era of climate change. Photovoltaic power now being used to pump water from the pond

  12. We now have a no cost water supply, for a garden we could have never maintain before Re-circulated water can be filtered and treated to maintain increase hatchery water supply .

  13. Epilogue • Over 180 cubic yards of concrete were poured to complete the storage pond and recirculation system • Every piece of concrete was mixed and poured by Mescalero Youth • Mescalero Summer Youth Program • Sovereign Nations Service Corps (AmeriCorps) • Last year we produced corn, chili, potatoes, squash, beans and strawberries • Funding is needed to support projects. However we need to engage Tribal youth to get them involved in the development of their own futures on the reservation

  14. Recommendations • Funding is critical: Without funding we cannot build systems to adapt to climate change • Education Component: Climate Change adaptation projects should be embraced by the community, particularly the youth. They must understand why this work is essential for their future. Their participation is critical • Individual Responsibility: Climate Change adaptation is not just constructing systems. It is a lifestyle that requires change in individual behavior and personal responsibility

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