Options Database

Encourage and incentivize the use of pervious landscaped surfaces in new and existing development. Pervious, or permeable, surfaces help manage stormwater on-site and absorb less heat than impervious surfaces.

Encourage and install more reflective pavement or pavement coatings on roads and parking lots.

Encourage and promote the use of vegetative buffers around streams, channels and water sources to absorb and manage runoff.

Encourage building owners, developers and homeowners to install WaterSense appliances, showerheads and toilets to conserve water. Increasing water use efficiency can prevent or alleviate drought impacts.

Encourage commercial and industrial cooling tower system upgrades that decrease water use. Increasing water use efficiency can prevent or alleviate drought impacts. Cooling towers can be high volume water users.

Encourage daylighting streams — restoring above-ground water flow to a stream that is diverted below ground — to reduce polluted runoff and address flash flooding.

Encourage development in urban areas where public facilities and services exist or can be provided in an efficient manner. All development investment should be located outside of current and future flood hazard zones.

Encourage employers to change workplace environments to reduce wildfire smoke and heat exposure. For example, adapt work hours, follow OSHA guidance and provide pop-up clean air shelters and appropriate safety equipment.

Encourage farmers to adapt to seasonal changes. For example, farmers can shift to flood-tolerant crops and change plant dates to avoid wet periods.

Encourage farmers and foresters to research technological opportunities to use water resources more efficiently. Increasing water use efficiency can prevent or alleviate drought impacts.

Encourage farmers and foresters to investigate potential backup water supply sources for agriculture (e.g., well vs surface water) in case of a drought.

Encourage farmers to elevate the sides of hoop houses in the floodway to allow for the movement of floodwater.

Encourage farmers to help manage stormwater runoff. For example, farmers can increase soil organic matter for better drainage, shift production to more highly drained soils and install tile drains.

Encourage farmers to update farm technologies to account for seasonal changes and reduce fertilizer and water use. For example, farmers can increase the efficiency of irrigation; make use of weather and climate information systems and decision-support tools; and use farm-level resource management practices to improve resilience.

Encourage farmers to update production practices to adapt to seasonal changes. For example, farmers can change crop varieties and breeds, change the timing of farm operations, use season extension and irrigation techniques and build soil health.

Encourage farmers to use disease control practices that minimize chemical inputs.

Encourage farmers to work with agriculture experts to identify and test more drought- and pest-resistant crop options for local food production.

Encourage federal authorities to consider issues of critical access when establishing standards of rail design.

Encourage graywater reuse systems in new developments. Increase capacity for graywater reuse at the municipal level.

Encourage healthcare providers to work with sensitive subgroups to reduce controllable exposures (smoking, radon) and have a plan in place before wildfire smoke arrives.