Title
Update on Sea Level Rise Planning in Olympia
Recommended Action
Information only. No action required.
Report
Issue:
Receive briefing on sea level rise planning work initiated by the City of Olympia, the Port of Olympia and LOTT Clean Water Alliance.
Staff Contact:
Eric Christensen, Engineering and Planning Supervisor, Public Works/Water Resources, 360.570.3741
Presenter(s):
Eric Christensen
Background and Analysis:
Downtown Olympia and its peninsula are vulnerable to flooding. Sea level rise increases 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 formal Sea Level Rise Response Plan.
The City of Olympia, the Port of Olympia, and the LOTT Clean Water Alliance share common concerns regarding sea level rise, yet also have unique individual vulnerabilities. The City, the Port and LOTT have entered into an Interlocal Agreement to jointly fund and participate in a formal sea level rise planning process for downtown Olympia and the Port peninsula. A consulting firm, AECOM Technical Services, has been hired to help lead the planning effort.
The tasks to be completed by AECOM and the City, Port and LOTT for this project include:
• Evaluating the best available science
• Developing a Sea level rise planning framework
• Conducting a vulnerability and risk assessment of downtown assets
• Developing three or four sea level rise adaptation strategies
• Completing a Sea Level Response Plan
Three major community meetings to gather feedback on draft project material are planned in 2017 and 2018. Additional community and stakeholder involvement opportunities are also planned.
The planning process will culminate with elected official consideration of the plan and its implementation.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Various community groups and other agencies are engaged in climate change and sea level rise issues. The City of Olympia Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Strategy support developing a sea level response plan. During a February 8, 2017 sea level rise community informational meeting, citizens voiced their support for the sea level response planning process. Coordination with regional climate change mitigation planning is occurring.
Options:
Information only.
Financial Impact:
None at this time. However, potential long-term private and public impacts are appreciable.
Attachments:
SLR Planning Summary
SLR Flow Chart