Title
Approval of 2025-2026 Sea Level Rise Collaborative Work Plan and Budget
Recommended Action
Move to approve the 2025-2026 Sea Level Rise Collaborative Work Plan and Budget.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the 2025-2026 Sea Level Rise Collaborative Work Plan and Budget.
Staff Contact:
Pamela Braff, PhD, Director of Climate Programs, 360.753.8249
Presenter(s):
Pamela Braff
Background and Analysis:
The proposed 2025-2026 work plan includes the following projects to continue implementation of near-term and mid-term adaptation actions identified in the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan.
1. Refine Sea Level Rise and Flood Monitoring Strategy
2. Develop Guidelines to Incorporate Sea Level Rise into Capital Planning
3. Investigate Long-term Public Financing Mechanisms
4. Evaluate Vertical Land Motion
5. Update Sea Level Rise Response Collaborative Website
6. Pursue State and Federal Funding
The proposed work plan budget also includes an additional task for the City of Olympia to continue to:
• Provide administrative support for the Executive Committee and Technical workgroup;
• Lead and coordinate the development and implementation of the Collaborative’s annual work plan; and
• Lead and coordinate ongoing education and outreach, sustain and enhance broader regional collaboration, and support long-term adaptation planning.
The estimated cost to implement these work plan items is $275,000. The proposed 2024 budget also includes an additional $85,000 to defray costs incurred by the City of Olympia to administer and facilitate the Collaborative.
The Interlocal Agreement (ILA) forming the Sea Level Rise Response Collaborative states: Within budget constraints, the Members, working through the Technical Work Group, may work jointly to implement short-term projects identified in Table 11 of the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan. Any requests for funding to implement short-term projects will require approval of the respective Members' governing bodies.
Approval by the Executive Committee does not guarantee implementation of this work plan. If approved by the Executive Committee, this funding request must also be approved by each Member’s governing body.
Climate Analysis:
This item is not expected to impact climate mitigation strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, the proposed work plan items will help the Collaborative more effectively prepare for and adapt to current and future impacts of sea level rise.
Equity Analysis:
The proposed work plan items will provide additional data and guidance on how to fund and implement sea level rise response strategies. When appropriate, staff will consider how data collection and analysis for these work items can be designed to improve our understanding of who may benefit and who will be impacted by future projects and funding. In particular, the evaluation of public financing mechanisms will include an assessment of how the costs and benefits of sea level rise adaptation projects can be equitably shared by the community and Members of the Collaborative.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There is considerable community interest in sea level rise planning and how flood protection measures will be funded and implemented in downtown Olympia.
Options:
1. Approve the 2025-2026 Sea Level Rise Collaborative work plan and proposed budget.
2. Approve the 2025-2026 Sea Level Rise Collaborative work plan and proposed budget with modifications.
3. Do not approve the 2025-2026 Sea Level Rise Collaborative work plan and proposed budget.
Financial Impact:
The estimated total cost to implement the 2025-2026 work plan is $360,000. The estimated annual contribution from each Member would be $90,000 from the City of Olympia (50%), $45,000 from LOTT (25%), and $45,000 from the Port (25%). Each Member’s governing body must also approve these funding allocations for the work plan to be implemented as proposed.
Attachments:
Draft Work Plan and Budget
Presentation