Title
Public Hearing on the Draft Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan
Recommended Action
Utility Advisory Committee Recommendation:
The Utility Advisory Committee recommends adopting the Draft Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan.
City Manager Recommendation:
Hold a public hearing to gather additional public comments on the Draft Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan.
Report
Issue:
Whether to hold a public hearing on the Draft Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan.
Staff Contact:
Susan Clark, Senior Planner, Public Works/Water Resources, 360.753.8321
Presenter:
Andy Haub, Water Resources Director
Background and Analysis:
In early 2017, the City of Olympia, the Port of Olympia and the LOTT Clean Water Alliance 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, assisted with the planning effort.
The Draft Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan provides comprehensive short-term, mid-term and long-term strategies for minimizing and preventing flooding to downtown Olympia from rising sea levels. The Plan is organized into ten chapters addressing the following:
• Planning context
• Public engagement and outreach
• Climate science
• Vulnerability and risk
• Approach to adaptation
• Physical and operational strategies
• Governance and informational strategies
• Cost of adaptation
• Implementation and next steps
• Monitoring and action triggers
The Draft Olympia Sea Level Rise Plan was available for public review and comment from December 11, 2018 - January 25, 2019. To address public (and staff) comments, revisions to the Draft Plan are proposed and have been incorporated into a February 6, 2019 Plan Revision Errata Sheet.
The City of Olympia issued a notice of State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Determination of Non-significance (DNS) for the Olympia Sea Level Rise Plan on February 13, 2019. The DNS comment deadline is February 27, 2019 and the DNS appeal period deadline is March 6, 2019. After the appeal period concludes on March 6, staff will return to the City Council to consider adoption of the Plan.
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. Citizens voiced their support for the sea level response planning process during four well-attended public meetings conducted during the 18-month planning process. Comments received at each public meeting are included in meeting summary reports that are available on the City’s website. Coordination with the City’s regional climate change mitigation planning is also occurring.
Option:
Hold a public hearing to gather additional comments on the Draft Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan.
Financial Impact:
None at this time.
City of Olympia Storm and Surface Water utility budgets include $125,000 for continued planning and technical work associated with Plan implementation. Additional capital facility funding is provided annually for downtown flood reduction work.
Attachments:
1. UAC Letter of Support
2. Link to Draft Sea Level Rise Response Plan, Plan Revision Errata Sheet and Appendices