City of Homer Comprehensive Plan

The current version of the City of Homer Comprehensive Plan, is an improvement over past versions regarding strategies for addressing the increasing number and level of intensity of climate change and development can present to human health and welfare, water infrastructure and critical fish and wildlife habitat challenges the City will face in the 21st century.

The Nation’s water supplies and services are at risk. 

Climate change, growing income disparities, and the threats posed by aging water infrastructure and impacts to fish and wildlife call for an increased focus on the use of ecosystem services and the need to manage watersheds on an ecosystem bases rather than a piecemeal approach to water management. In order to avoid the problems of the lower 48, Alaskans must come together and create a new era of water management that secures economic, environmental, and community wellbeing. To this end, across the state stake holders are collaborating and innovating to advance sustainable water management solutions. Through the Comprehensive Plan, the City of Homer (City) has an opportunity to spread and scale up these efforts to benefit communities and watersheds within and outside City boundaries.

The Plan therefore provides a good jumping off point for the City to engage in Integrated Water Resource Planning (IWRP) and nature-based solutions including planting trees to replenish forests, reconnecting rivers to floodplains, and restoring wetlands, is a sustainable and cost-effective way to help rebalance the water cycle, mitigate the effects of climate change and improve human health and livelihoods.