A signing ceremony is scheduled this morning for 24 local governments to formally join the Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition, an alliance of local governments working together to develop the area’s first regional resiliency plan.

PINELLAS PARK – A historic ceremony is scheduled this morning (Oct. 8) to formally unite 24 Tampa Bay cities in creating a plan to combat climate change and sea level rise and to improve the area’s resiliency.

The official formation of the Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, 4000 Gateway Centre Blvd., Suite 100, Pinellas Park. So far, 24 local governments have adopted the  memorandum of understanding creating the new coalition to develop the first Regional Resiliency Plan to address sea level rise, climate change and resiliency.

“The benefits of this successful regional approach are that this effort creates a stronger voice, accelerates progressive planning and leverages resources,” TBRPC Executive Director Sean Sullivan said. “And, by broadening partnerships and cultivating cooperation among our regional governments access to resources and information will be enhanced.”

Pinellas County Commissioner Janet Long, who is the chair of the TBRPC, said, ” “The Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition will foster collaboration such as shared sea level rise projections so local governments can better coordinate, develop, and implement appropriate coastal adaptation and implement risk reduction strategies to reduce the drivers of sea level rise and inland flooding with the critical goal of maintaining our region’s wonderful quality of life for generations to come.”

The TBRPC is comprised of members from Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Pinellas counties and the 21 municipalities that come together to discuss complex regional issues; develop strategic regional responses for resolving them; and build consensus for setting and accomplishing regional goals. The council is made up of 27 elected officials who serve annual terms, 13 gubernatorial appointees who serve three-year terms, and 4 ex-officio members from the Florida Department of Transportation District 7, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Enterprise Florida.

The council was established by the local governments of the Tampa Bay region in 1962 and operates a number of programs and services for regional planning and economic development designed to satisfy the needs of its local governments, encourage regional cooperation, and foster the healthy and orderly growth of the Region.

For information, go to tbrpc.org.

Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council | Sea Level Rise | Climate Change | Tampabay News

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