Pennsylvania Protects Coldwater Fisheries and Water Quality from Climate Change

Allegheny National Forest with trees changing colors during the fall and deep blue water body. — Allegheny National Forest

In 2009, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Climate Change Act, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection developed a “Pennsylvania Climate Impact Assessment.” This report identified the climate risks to maintaining the health of freshwater ecosystems among several other climate vulnerabilities.

The report identified warmer air temperatures, and the associated increase of stream waters, may reduce the ability for certain aquatic species to survive. This is supported by the EPA National Water Program's Climate and Water Strategy which identifies cold water fisheries as particularly susceptible to environmental changes and associated changes in water temperature.

The Climate Impact Assessment specifically suggested that: “Pennsylvania may see a decline in some of our most valued coldwater communities…Of special concern is the impact of higher temperatures and altered flow regimes on Eastern Brook Trout, not only because of its status as a recreationally and culturally important species, but because it is an indicator of high water quality and may be an early victim of deleterious impacts of climate change.”

Pennsylvania recognized the cultural, environmental, and economic importance of coldwater fisheries to the state. With the identified vulnerability of possible transformation of coldwater fisheries to warmwater fisheries, Pennsylvania's Climate Change Adaptation Report that discussed projected impacts and potential adaptation strategies regarding stream health. Since launching its first report in 2009, Pennsylvania has issued several updates that each address stream health and various stressors and impacts due to a changing climate.

The need to develop and implement adaptation strategies to the changes in the environment and protect coldwater fisheries and freshwater ecosystems were specifically addressed within Pennsylvania's 2009 Climate Adaptation Planning Report and in each subsequent report that has been released.

These strategies, if implemented, can help Pennsylvania adapt to future changes to freshwater ecosystems. Coldwater fisheries and overall stream health will benefit from these strategies regardless of whether future climatic impacts meet or exceed current projections.

How Did They Do It?	Applicable EPA Tools
Pennsylvania conducted a Vulnerability Assessment for their natural lands Pennsylvania conducted a risk analysis and vulnerability assessment of their natural lands. This was accomplished using a combination of models and scenarios: Global climate models (GCMs) from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC AR4). Two different Hydrologic and Water Quality System (HAWQS) emissions scenarios with results averaged over three separate 20-year periods. As stated in the Pennsylvania Climate Impact Assessment, this methodology was chosen as “average of the projections from a suite of GCMs is most often used because model-average backcasts [running the model for previous decades using known data to determine accuracy] are found to more closely replicate the historical climate record in Pennsylvania in the 20th Century than the backcasts for any individual model, thus indicating greater reliability for the model average than for individual models or subsets.”	Hydrologic and Water Quality System (HAWQS) models seven categories of pollutants to estimate future impacts of climate change on water quality and inform vulnerability assessments. Hydrologic and Water Quality System
Developed a Climate Adaptation Report Developed an adaptation report that identified the key issues affecting freshwater streams and the potential consequences of climate change. These impacts include water quality and extent of native fish species. This report identified adverse impacts to specific fish species as well as recommendations for adaptation actions and corresponding research needs to determine effective adaptation strategies.	Adaptation to Attain Clean Water Goals can inform an adaptation report by discussing how climate change may affect the ability to meet future goals of the Clean Water Act. Adaptation to Attain Clean Water Goals
Identified specific recommendations Different environmental conditions would lead to differing resilience levels with implications for the targeting of adaptation efforts. For example, the Pennsylvania Climate Adaptation Planning Report specifically highlighted variable levels of resiliency against climate risk as “Limestone spring streams with abundant, deep cold springs will be more resilient in the face of hot weather extremes than freestone streams that rely on surface and shallow groundwater sources. Trout conservation efforts are likely to be more successful in the limestone streams compared to other coldwater streams.” Adaptation actions including: Identifying and protecting critical habitat. Where applicable, removing small dams to conserve habitat and mitigate temperature increases.	Synthesis of Adaptation Strategies Guidebook Wildlife Adaptation Strategy (PDF)(120 pp, 3.8 MB, About PDF)

How Did They Do It?

Applicable EPA Tools

Pennsylvania conducted a Vulnerability Assessment for their natural lands

Pennsylvania conducted a risk analysis and vulnerability assessment of their natural lands. This was accomplished using a combination of models and scenarios:
- Global climate models (GCMs) from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC AR4).
- Two different Hydrologic and Water Quality System (HAWQS) emissions scenarios with results averaged over three separate 20-year periods.
As stated in the Pennsylvania Climate Impact Assessment, this methodology was chosen as “average of the projections from a suite of GCMs is most often used because model-average backcasts [running the model for previous decades using known data to determine accuracy] are found to more closely replicate the historical climate record in Pennsylvania in the 20th Century than the backcasts for any individual model, thus indicating greater reliability for the model average than for individual models or subsets.”

Hydrologic and Water Quality System (HAWQS) models seven categories of pollutants to estimate future impacts of climate change on water quality and inform vulnerability assessments.

Hydrologic and Water Quality System

Developed a Climate Adaptation Report

Developed an adaptation report that identified the key issues affecting freshwater streams and the potential consequences of climate change. These impacts include water quality and extent of native fish species. This report identified adverse impacts to specific fish species as well as recommendations for adaptation actions and corresponding research needs to determine effective adaptation strategies.

Adaptation to Attain Clean Water Goals can inform an adaptation report by discussing how climate change may affect the ability to meet future goals of the Clean Water Act.

Adaptation to Attain Clean Water Goals

Identified specific recommendations

Different environmental conditions would lead to differing resilience levels with implications for the targeting of adaptation efforts. For example, the Pennsylvania Climate Adaptation Planning Report specifically highlighted variable levels of resiliency against climate risk as “Limestone spring streams with abundant, deep cold springs will be more resilient in the face of hot weather extremes than freestone streams that rely on surface and shallow groundwater sources. Trout conservation efforts are likely to be more successful in the limestone streams compared to other coldwater streams.”
Adaptation actions including:
- Identifying and protecting critical habitat.
- Where applicable, removing small dams to conserve habitat and mitigate temperature increases.

Synthesis of Adaptation Strategies Guidebook

Wildlife Adaptation Strategy (PDF)(120 pp, 3.8 MB, About PDF)

Similar Cases and More Information

To view another case(s) that works to protect water quality and fish habitat, view the Piscataqua National Estuary Program or Minnehaha River case. For more information on communities that have adapted to maintain healthy streams for aquatic organisms under changing climate conditions view Vermont Culvert Rebuild Policy, or the Maine Culvert Analysis Case.

Minnehaha, MN Creek Watershed District Assesses Stormwater Management Climate Vulnerability

References

Pennsylvania Climate Impact Assessment Reports to the Department of Environmental Protection (2009)
- 2015 Pennsylvania Climate Impacts Assessment Update (PDF) (199 PP, 10.2 MB)
- 2020 Pennsylvania Climate Impacts Assessment Update (PDF) (143 PP, 6.4 MB)
- 2021 Pennsylvania Climate Impacts Assessment Update (PDF) (143 PP, 6.4 MB)
- Climate Impacts: A Changing Pennsylvania (PDF Factsheet) (2 pp, 969 KB)
Pennsylvania Climate Action Plan
Planning and Management: Programmatic Response to Climate Change and Water

Pennsylvania Protects Coldwater Fisheries and Water Quality from Climate Change

Similar Cases and More Information

References

Climate Change Adaptation Resource Center (ARC-X)