Score: +23 (39/47/16)
Marin County Grand Jury • 2024-2025

Sea Level Rise: The Water is Upon Us We Cannot Run - We Cannot Hide

Published: May 31, 2024 29 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 6 findings

F1
A comprehensive countywide agency is necessary to effectively address the impacts of sea level rise in Marin County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Board of Supervisors, in collaboration with Marin county cities, towns, Bel Marin Keys Community Services District and Marin Water should create a comprehensive countywide agency with authority to plan and implement adaptation efforts addressing the impacts of sea level rise in Marin County.
F2
To be effective, a countywide agency created to address sea level rise in Marin County should include the County of Marin, all cities and towns, and appropriate special districts in Marin County as funding participants.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
The Board of Supervisors, in collaboration with Marin county cities, towns, Bel Marin Keys Community Services District and Marin Water should create a comprehensive countywide agency with authority to plan and implement adaptation efforts addressing the impacts of sea level rise in Marin County.
R2
The Board of Supervisors should actively enlist the participation and support of state and federal legislators toward the creation and funding of this comprehensive countywide agency.
F3
The complete failure to create and implement effective countywide sea level rise adaptation projects in Marin County will result in significant damages and losses to commercial and residential properties as well as infrastructure, both public and private.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The 2034 deadline imposed by Sections 30985-30985.8 of the California Public Resources Code for each California county to submit its official sea level rise mitigation plan is “too little too late” for Marin county, and delaying action until then will expose coastal and Bay areas to unnecessary flooding risks, financial and other losses.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Under-represented populations reside in areas that are severely vulnerable to sea level rise because they are in low-lying ground.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Board of Supervisors should require the newly created countywide entity to create plans that recognize and address sea level rise exposure and the specific risks to the populations in the Canal District, Marin City, specific areas in Novato, and all low-lying geographic regions where lower income populations reside. The plan should identify and address the risks impacting those populations, which include: (a) risks of becoming stranded due to inaccessible roads; (b) lack of transportation if evacuations are called; (c) mold that may grow inside their homes; (d) exposure to infectious diseases due to contaminated standing water; (e) need to relocate temporarily or permanently as a result of floods; and (f) other community-specific risks identified in regional assessments.
F6
Sea level rise plans to be developed by a countywide entity should include adaptation strategies that directly apply to under-represented communities in low-lying areas with great exposure to sea level rise, such as the Canal District, areas of Novato, and Marin City, among others.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Board of Supervisors should require the newly created countywide entity to create plans that recognize and address sea level rise exposure and the specific risks to the populations in the Canal District, Marin City, specific areas in Novato, and all low-lying geographic regions where lower income populations reside. The plan should identify and address the risks impacting those populations, which include: (a) risks of becoming stranded due to inaccessible roads; (b) lack of transportation if evacuations are called; (c) mold that may grow inside their homes; (d) exposure to infectious diseases due to contaminated standing water; (e) need to relocate temporarily or permanently as a result of floods; and (f) other community-specific risks identified in regional assessments.

Agency Responses 15

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.