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

A comprehensive countywide agency is necessary to effectively address the impacts of sea level rise in Marin County. Response: Disagree wholly. While the City of Novato agrees that more formal collaboration amongst the County of Marin, Marin cities, towns, special districts, and public agencies is essential to effectively address the impacts of sea level rise, the City does not support the creation of a new countywide agency at this time. The City is eager to learn more about, and participate in, the County-funded 'Marin County' Sea Level Rise Adaptation Organizational Structure and Decision-Making Process' project currently being undertaken by consultant AECOM. Once this work is complete, the City of Novato will be in a better position to make an informed decision on the merits of establishing a countywide agency.

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: Disagree wholly. Should the Marin County Board of Supervisors agree with the Marin Civil Grand Jury

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: Disagree partially. While the City of Novato agrees that the accelerated implementation of effective countywide sea level rise adaptation projects is necessary to avoid damages and losses to commercial and residential properties, as well as infrastructure (both public and private), it is unclear whether the creation of a new countywide agency is the best approach to move this work forward. Once the County-funded 'Marin County Sea Level Rise Adaptation Organizational Structure and Decision-Making Process' project currently being undertaken by consultant AECOM is complete, the City of Novato will be in a better position to make an informed decision on the merits of establishing a countywide agency.

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: Disagree partially. In June 2024, the Novato City Council allocated funding to engage a consultant team from PlaceWorks to update the City's General Plan Safety Element. The Safety Element Update (Update) will include an analysis of climate change vulnerabilities, a comprehensive set of adaptation and resilience goals and policies, and an evaluation of evacuation-constrained residential lots. The Update will comply with the requirements of Senate Bill (SB) 379 and SB 99. Climate change vulnerabilities include but are not limited to sea level rise, drought, extreme heat, wildfires, and flooding. Additionally, the Update also intends to meet the requirements of SB 272, which requires local governments in the coastal zone and/or San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission jurisdictional area to develop a sea level rise plan, thereby increasing the potential to receive state funding for sea level rise projects in Novato in the future. At a minimum, the Update will set the groundwork for the City's compliance with Government Code Sections 30985-30985.8. The City and its consultant are also committed to ensuring that strategies identified in the Safety Element can be implemented as quickly as possible to protect lives, property, and community well-being.

Under-represented populations reside in areas that are severely vulnerable to sea level rise because they are in low-lying ground. Response: Agree.

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: Agree. RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY RECOMMENDATIONS By March 20, 2025, the following actions should be implemented by: