ASSESSING THE VULNERABILITY OF NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE TO COASTAL HAZARDS ON THE GREAT LAKES: AN EXAMPLE FROM SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE

Western Carolina University (WCU), in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), has developed a methodology for assessing the vulnerability of NPS infrastructure to coastal hazards (i.e., sea-level rise, flooding, and shoreline change) on ocean coastlines. This protocol standardizes the methodologies and data used, allowing managers to compare the vulnerability of assets across local, regional, and national levels. Over the past decade, this protocol has been used to assess approximately 5,000 assets in over 60 national parks.

The Great Lakes experience a wide array of coastal hazards similar to, and distinct from, those of ocean shorelines. To evaluate the vulnerability of NPS buildings and transportation assets in Great Lakes parks, WCU has modified and adapted its ocean coastal protocol. The Great Lakes protocol evaluates vulnerability (as a combination of exposure and sensitivity) based on five coastal hazards: flooding potential, shoreline change, lake-level rise, extreme event flooding, and reported coastal hazards.

A pilot study has been completed at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore that evaluated 371 buildings and 106 transportation assets. Less than one-fifth (16%) of assets analyzed had high or moderate vulnerability to the evaluated coastal hazards, while the majority (72%) had minimal vulnerability. A second pilot is underway at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, with additional assessments planned at six more Great Lakes national parks. With the completion of these vulnerability assessments, the NPS will have taken a critical step toward developing, and implementing long-term resilience and adaption plans for vulnerable Great Lakes infrastructure.