Reference no: EM133919151
Problem
The fictional town of Seaview, North Carolina is in a region of the eastern U.S. known for its stunning shoreline and charismatic marine fauna, which attract tourists from around the world. Seaview occupies 29.3 square miles and has approximately 2.1 miles of shoreline. Local activities, including tourism, hog farming, and residential development, have led to increased pollution. Overfishing has now become a significant issue, depleting fish stocks and disrupting the marine ecosystem. Climate change impacts the marine food web as marine species shift north to escape rising ocean temperatures. Due to its scenic location and affordability, Seaview is experiencing rapid population growth and development. This has resulted in the built environment (e.g., homes, roads, infrastructure) encroaching into natural onshore and offshore areas to provide recreational experiences for residents and visitors. Within the town of Seaview, there is a designated protected area. This 1100-acre (1.7 mi2) plot of land was recently purchased by a land trust with the goal of providing recreational experiences for residents and visitors while also supporting sustainable development initiatives. Seaview is currently suffering from the effects of overtourism along the shoreline (e.g. traffic, congestion, crowding, lack of parking, littering, noise pollution). Like many coastal communities in the US, the area along the Seaview shoreline is more affluent, while the areas inland are poorer. The poorest communities in the county are located in the more rural countryside, outside of the city center. Seaview struggles to address historic marginalizations, especially race. Tensions between local IAPs have reached an all-time high. City officials are soliciting proposals to address current socio-ecological issues and provide a vision for a more sustainable future that balances the needs of all IAPs.
Interested and Affected Parties
Abbie - Hog farmer
Walter - Pastor
Sully - Marine Wildlife Tour Guide
Elena - Owner of Tidewater Inn (boutique hotel with restaurant attached)
Lee - Head of Interpretation at Visitor Center
Micah - Farmland Development Consultant
Ren - Public Works Environmental Engineer
Meera - Veterinarian Certified in Behavior (works at local Veterinary Clinic)
Nevaeh - Landscaping Business Owner
Sustainability Initiative Proposal (SIP)
The goal of this SIP is to create a sustainable future for Seaview by utilizing strategies aimed at habitat restoration along with eco-tourism. The town should both conduct informational workshops and organize public meetings with inland communities about sustainability initiatives. Green infrastructure combined with waste management systems will help reduce coastal pollution by 20%. Programs should be developed for improving inclusivity alongside creating economic opportunities within inland areas, thus reducing societal differences by 15 percent. Sustainable fishing methods would boost fish populations by 25% across the region. The statement of intent defines the path Seaview needs to travel in order to create a sustainable and inclusive future.
Chosen Solution - Shoreline Protection and Equitable Development Plan
Reduction in Flood Damage by 30-50%:
1) Restoring natural dune and implementing stricter zoning laws can lessen storm surge effects and flooding risks, protecting coastal infrastructure.
Political and Social Resistance to Zoning Changes:
1) Stricter zoning laws may face resistance from developers and affluent coastal property owners, reducing their speed in implementation.
2) Coastal communities often oppose zoning restrictions due to issues over property values and restricted development rights.
Increase in Affordable Housing Availability by 10-15%:
1) Revenue from coastal businesses could be restated into affordable housing projects, easing economic inconsistencies (Singh, Keefer & Ota, 2023).
Do the following, based on the scenario above (include in-text citations and a reference section in APA 7 format):
A. Identify one regulatory agency and one professional organization relevant to the SIP. Write how both are relevant to the chosen solution. How are the chosen parties relevant? What role do the parties play in implementing the sustainability initiative proposal? Does the group outline any relevant policies, standards, or guidelines? Get the instant assignment help.
B. Given the roles of these parties, is the SIP feasible? If not, what changes would need to be considered to ensure the SIP's feasibility?
C. Given the policies, standards, or guidelines explored, is the SIP aligned with best practices and/or legal requirements? If not, what changes would need to be considered to more closely align the SIP with best practice and/or legal requirements?