Title
Approval of a Resolution Adopting the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan
Recommended Action
Utility Advisory Committee Recommendation:
The Utility Advisory Committee recommends adopting the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the resolution adopting the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan and authorizing staff to begin implementation.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a resolution adopting the 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, City of Olympia
Background and Analysis:
In early 2017, the City, 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 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.
Draft Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan public review and comment opportunities included:
• December 11, 2018 Community Meeting
• December 11, 2018 - January 25, 2019 public comment period
• February 26, 2019 Olympia City Council Public Hearing
• Public Hearing comment period (through March 6, 2019)
To address public (and staff) comments received during the December 11, 2018 - January 25, 2019 public comment period, staff developed the February 6, 2019, Plan Revision Errata Sheet.
The City 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 and appeal periods have closed.
The Draft Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan has been finalized, thereby incorporating:
• February 6, 2019, Plan Revision Errata Sheet proposed changes
• Public Hearing comments (and staff responses) - Appendix F
• State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) - Appendix G
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.
Options:
1. Approve the resolution adopting the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan and authorizing staff to begin implementation. Staff would move forward with implementing the Plan.
2. Approve the resolution with revisions to the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan. This option would require coordination with the Port of Olympia and LOTT Clean Water Alliance to ensure each agrees with Plan revisions, thereby delaying implementation.
3. Do not approve the resolution adopting the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan. This option would negatively impact the City’s opportunity to continue working with the Port of Olympia and LOTT Clean Water Alliance to protect downtown Olympia from the effects of sea level rise.
Financial Impact:
None at this time.
City of Olympia Storm and Surface Water utility budget includes $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:
Resolution
UAC Letter of Support
Link to the Sea Level Rise Response Plan