Title
Approval of Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Olympia, Port of Olympia, and the LOTT Clean Water Alliance for Planning and Assessment of Potential Sea Level Rise
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Olympia, Port of Olympia, and the LOTT Clean Water Alliance for Planning and Assessment of Potential Sea Level Rise.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve an Interlocal Agreement to allow for joint planning and assessment of potential sea level rise between the Port of Olympia and the LOTT Clean Water Alliance.
Staff Contact:
Andy Haub, Water Resources Director, Public Works/Water Resources, 360-753-8575
Presenter(s):
Andy Haub, Water Resources Director, Public Works/Water Resources
Susan Clark, Senior Planner, Public Works
Background and Analysis:
Downtown Olympia and its peninsula are vulnerable to flooding. Sea level rise will increase the likelihood of flooding and could threaten large portions of downtown. Implications to various public and private entities are extensive. Without action, maintaining downtown public and private services will be challenging.
The City of Olympia has been engaged in climate change and sea level rise planning since the early 1990s. Considerable topographic, water elevation, and land use information has been generated and evaluated. The City of Olympia's Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Strategy provide support for the development of a Sea Level Response Plan. Based on research, the City is recommending that we plan for 24 inches of sea rise by the year 2050 and 55 inches by 2100. While these projections may change, researchers indicate with 99 percent confidence that sea rise will not exceed 72 inches by 2100.
The City of Olympia, the Port of Olympia and, the LOTT Clean Water Alliance share common concerns regarding sea level rise, yet also have uniq...
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