-Title
Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan Implementation Update
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Update and discussion on the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan Implementation Update.
Staff Contact:---
Pamela Braff, PhD, Director of Climate Programs, 360.753.8249
Presenter(s):
Pamela Braff, City of Olympia
Background and Analysis:
In March of 2019, the City of Olympia, LOTT Clean Water Alliance and the Port of Olympia completed the Olympia Sea Level Rise (SLR) Response Plan. The SLR Plan aims to protect downtown Olympia, the Port Peninsula, and the LOTT Budd Inlet Treatment Plant from flooding due to predicted sea level rise through 2100.
The Plan provides an incremental approach to adaptation that identifies near-term, mid-term, and long-term response strategies that can be implemented over time.
• Near-term actions were designed to be implemented between 2019 and 2024 to address existing flood vulnerabilities and low sea level rise (less than 6 inches).
• Mid-term actions are intended to be implemented between 2025 and 2050 to address flood vulnerabilities through mid-century and moderate sea level rise (up to 24 inches).
• Long-term actions are intended to be implemented beyond 2050 to address flood vulnerabilities through end-of-century and high sea level rise (up to 68 inches).
The implementation of near-term actions is nearly complete. In this presentation, staff will provide an update on the completion of near-term strategies (2019-2024) and discuss proposed activities for the Collaborative’s 2025-2026 work plan.
Climate Analysis:
This item is not expected to impact climate mitigation strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, implementation of the Sea Level Rise Response Plan will help the Collaborative more effectively adapt to sea level rise and climate impacts that can no longer be avoided.
Equity Analysis:
Climate change does not affect all people equally. Some communities experience disproportionate impacts because of existing vulnerabilities, historical patterns of inequity, socioeconomic disparities, and systemic environmental injustices.
The SLR Plan acknowledges the potential impacts of sea level rise and flooding on vulnerable populations. Downtown residents could see their housing, services, and transportation networks disrupted by rising waters. In the next decade or two, unmanaged floods are expected to be of short duration and without appreciable impacts to residents. However, in the longer term, unmitigated flooding could impact downtown residents and businesses, as well as critical services and transportation corridors that support the entire region.
Additional work is ongoing to evaluate approaches for equitable distribution of future costs to implement sea level rise preparedness strategies.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There is considerable community interest in sea level rise planning and implementation of flood protection measures in downtown Olympia.
Options:
Not Applicable
Financial Impact:
Long-term costs to implement sea level rise preparedness strategies are anticipated to be significant over time.
Attachments:
Presentation