Title
Sea Level Rise Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on progress and next steps to implement the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan.
Report
Issue:
Whether to Receive a briefing on progress and next steps to implement the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan.
Staff Contact:
Natalie Weiss, Climate Resilience Coordinator, City Manager's Office, Climate Program, 360.570.5828
Presenter(s):
Natalie Weiss, Climate Resilience Coordinator
Pamela Braff, PhD, Director of Climate Programs
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia, Port of Olympia, and LOTT Clean Water Alliance established the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Collaborative (Collaborative) in 2021. The Collaborative is tasked with implementing the sea level rise adaptation strategies outlined in the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan (Plan). The Plan provides science-based sea level rise projections, identifies key vulnerabilities, and offers high-level designs to mitigate future risks.
Since the Plan was published in 2019, the Collaborative has implemented adaptation strategies to manage up to six inches of sea level rise. These strategies include physical interventions to the stormwater system, informational studies, and operational improvements to respond to tidal flooding. In 2025, the Collaborative published a Five-Year Implementation Report that highlights the key achievements of the Collaborative.
The Collaborative is now moving forward with planning for increasing amounts of sea level rise (up to two feet) and public investment over the next 25 years. The City is beginning internal coordination between departments for planning, design, and engineering of adaptation strategies on City-owned properties and rights-of-way. In future work, we will also study funding and financing options for the interventions. The Collaborative is currently finalizing a 2025-2030 workplan, which will show the...
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