West Marin Sea Level Rise Adaptation Workshop

Over the next century, the combination of sea level rise and storms could damage and flood one in five buildings in West Marin. Septic systems and water supply could be affected by saltwater intrusion even before water reaches buildings. Over 20 miles of West Marin’s public and private roadways may be flooded or washed out, impeding access to and from coastal communities. Beaches and cliffs may erode at increasing rates, and marsh and intertidal habitats could be drowned.

Over the past year, C-SMART (the Collaboration: Sea Level Marin Adaptation Response Team) has gathered information from technical experts, utility managers and coastal residents to identify the vulnerability of West Marin’s built and natural assets. While there are a broad range of projected changes in sea level, the overarching concern is that we prepare for rising waters. To help in that work, C-SMART will release the Marin Ocean Coast Vulnerability Assessment, a detailed analysis of the possible near- to long-term impacts on October 30, 2015.

Based upon a better understanding of the potential impacts of sea level rise, we now face the task of adapting to a changing environment. Together, we can find solutions to flooding from sea level rise and storms. Join your neighbors, FEMA, California Coastal Commission, Arcadis consultants, and Marin County staff in Stinson Beach on November 14 for a public workshop on sea level rise adaptation. We’ll discuss options to protect, accommodate or retreat from sea level rise over time. Come explore and evaluate the options for yourself!