Phrafa the City with a August 20, 2024 The Honorable Mark Talamantes, Presiding Judge, Marin County Superior Court*

A comprehensive countywide agency is necessary to effectively address the impacts of sea level rise in Marin County. Response: Partially disagree. We agree that a comprehensive approach to adaptation is beneficial; however, there are inherent differences between jurisdictions and physical areas of the county. These differences should be adequately acknowledged and honored in any comprehensive approach to adaptation. At this moment, staff believes it is premature to recommend a specific governance or funding model to advance adaptation efforts and it is more appropriate to review the findings and recommendations that will arise from the County-led research project that is focused on answering these questions. The City of San Rafael is actively participating in that project and looks forward to contributing to the collaborative effort.

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. Response: Partially disagree At this time there is an on-going study investigating the most appropriate governance and funding mechanisms to effectively address the challenges of sea level rise. We look forward to participating in that study and reviewing the findings and recommendations. Staff concludes that it would be premature to draw conclusions on the best governance model or funding structure before that study is concluded. ١

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. Response: Agree A regional study led by the Bay Conservancy and Development Commission found that San Rafael is the community most at risk of significant impacts due to sea level rise expected in the short term. The potential damages are significant to vulnerable residents, regional infrastructure, and commercial interests. San Rafael is closely connected to neighboring communities economically, socially, and through complex, interconnected infrastructure and transportation networks. Cross-jurisdictional coordination will be essential in developing adequate solutions to sea level rise. City of San Rafael Response to Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations RAF City of San Rafael Response to Grand Jury Report Findings and Recommendations "Sea Level Rise: The Water is Upon Us We Cannot Run - We Cannot Hide" May 31, 2024

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. Response: Agree While planning work is underway and some adaptation projects have moved forward, adaptation efforts need to be scaled up and funding must be allocated from both the state and federal government to implement the measures that the studies identify. Given the long lead time needed to design, permit, fund, and construct large infrastructure projects, it is essential that adaptation be advanced as expeditiously as possible. This is particularly true for East San Rafael, which is already lower than today's highest tides and is experiencing impacts from sea level rise.

Under-represented populations reside in areas that are severely vulnerable to sea level rise because they are in low-lying ground. Response: Agree In San Rafael, thousands of residents live on land that is already lower than today's high tides and will be increasingly vulnerable as sea level continues to rise and the ground continues to subside. Equity considerations must be at the forefront of all adaptation investments and under- represented communities in vulnerable areas, such as East San Rafael, should be prioritized given the life-safety and displacement risks that exist there.

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. Response: Partially disagree We strongly agree that adaptation investments should be prioritized in under-represented communities most exposed to sea level rise, including the Canal neighborhood. It is not yet clear whether a countywide entity would be the best way to advance this goal advancing adaptation strategies in under-represented communities. City of San Rafael Response to Grand Jury Findings and Recommendations RAF City of San Rafael Response to Grand Jury Report Findings and Recommendations "Sea Level Rise: The Water is Upon Us We Cannot Run - We Cannot Hide" May 31, 2024