We are experiencing climate change which is transforming our beaches, ports, and recreational resources and if left unchecked, we could lose our precious coastline.  Therefore, it is important to work hand-in-hand with local and state agencies to ensure our rights as property owners and visitors are protected.  There are multiple strategies to adapt to this ever-changing climate, which is causing sea level rise, but not all of them are in the best interest for property owners, local governments, businesses, and visitors.

Smart Coast California encourages local municipalities and state agencies to listen to all their stakeholders and understand that there are numerous other strategies besides “retreat”.  If we “retreat” and abandon our coastline, where will we live?  Where will our harbors be? How will visitors be able to partake in sinking their toes in the California sand?  We need to make sure we keep our coastline beautiful with smart land use policies.

Understanding Hazard Types
Dangers which increase the risk to the community

Understanding Asset Categories
Assets (public or private) in danger from Sea Level Rise

Adaptation Plans will probably include the following...

• Minimize the risks of coastal hazards factoring in the effects of sea level rise
• Be designed using best available science and technology
• Given the uncertainties associated with the impacts of sea level rise and climate change, and evolving science and practices, adaptation strategies should be designed to be flexible, allow for adjustments in the future, and avoid unnecessarily prescriptive actions for addressing long term hazards.
• Be consistent with the State of California Sea Level Rise guidance and California Coastal Commission Sea Level Rise Policy Guidance
• Be consistent with federal and state laws
• Be legally, technically, economically, and socially feasible
• Address near-term hazards shall not preclude or prevent implementation of adaptation strategies that address long-term hazards
• Avoid, and where avoidance is not feasible, minimize the risks to development
• Encourage equitable sharing of the benefits and costs of sea-level rise and related hazards - consider equity in selection and funding of adaptation measures
• Benefit a majority of the community should be encouraged over those measures that benefit only a few members of the community - if only a small sector of the community is to benefit, then adaptation strategies should not result in impacts (fiscally, economically, or other) to the larger community
• Avoid, and where avoidance is infeasible, minimize potential impacts to coastal resource (biological resources, water quality, scenic resources and public scenic views, archaeological resources, etc.)
• Protect or replace public access to and along the shoreline, beaches, parks, open spaces, and recreational resources to the maximum extent feasible
• Avoid, and where avoidance is infeasible, minimize potential impacts to the local economy from sea-level rise and related hazards
• Ensure adaptation strategies are economically / fiscally sound
• Encourage adaptation strategies that have co-benefits such as greenhouse gas reduction, resiliency to other climate change impacts, habitat protection or creation, or economic improvement
• Prioritize adaptation strategies that:
  • Protect human life
  • Protect or replace critical facilities, public transportation systems, and public services
  • Protect coastal-dependent and coastal-related development

POSSIBLE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES

Expanded Coastal
​Sediment Management

Beach & Dune Nourishment

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Sand Bypassing

Shoreline Protective Devices

Sea Wall

Sand Retention Structures

Groins or Artificial Headlands

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Breakwaters

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Offshore Reefs

Accommodation & Managed Retreat

Allow for Landward Migration of Beach

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Elevate Beach

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Remove Structures

Impact Types and Damages to be Assessed
Knowing the Economics of the Community and Adopting a Plan