Title
Workshop to receive oral presentations and information on Climate Change Hazards (e.g., Sea Level Rise) including review of the Coastal Commission guidance, Coastal resiliency studies prepared by the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, and how these plans impact land use planning, ordinance development, and development review in Monterey County.
Project Location: Coastal Zone
Proposed CEQA action: Statutorily Exempt per CEQA Guidelines section 15262
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Planning Commission:
1. Receive information on Climate Change Hazards, including presentations from the Coastal Commission staff, Moss Landing Marine Laboratory, and the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments; and
2. Provide direction to staff.
SUMMARY:
County staff is currently updating the Moss Landing Community Plan chapter of the North County Land Use Plan. As a community especially susceptible to the effects of climate change, staff has reviewed information related to climate change and its effects in developing the update. A number of efforts are being pursued at the local and state level that are useful in informing the direction of the Moss Landing Community Plan and its implementing ordinances as well as other areas beyond the Moss Landing Community:
- As part of the Moss Landing Community Plan update, the County obtained a grant to study climate change effects. The grant funded a 2017 study related to climate change effects along the Monterey Bay, including a specific focus on North Monterey County. This report is the first comprehensive look at this section of coast, related to climate change effects, and identifies specific potential effects on private property and on public infrastructure.
- The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) is leading an effort to study risks to Highway 1 infrastructure in northern Monterey County.
- The California Coastal Commission has been working on policy guidance for use by local governments for inclusion in their Land Use Plans.
- The County has an adopted Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan that addresses the types of hazards that could occur from climate change. Risks associated with climate change include sea level rise, storm surge along the coast, coastal erosion changes, and potential changes in flooding patterns from rainfall variability. This plan is being updated over the next year.
- The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, as part of its 2008 Final Management Plan, developed a Coastal Armoring Action Plan with a goal of reducing expansion of hard coastal armoring. The Final Management Plan is in the process of being updated, with expected adoption in summer 2020.
- The State of California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office issued a report (December 2019) describing the state and local government’s role in addressing climate change.
Staff has coordinated a presentation on climate change from the California Coastal Commission, Ross Clark from the Moss Landing Marine Laboratory and Central Coast Wetlands Group, and AMBAG. The presentation for this meeting will touch on just a few of the efforts that are happening at the state and local level. Staff will also demonstrate an on-line sea level rise calculator available for general informational purposes.
DISCUSSION:
See Exhibit A for a discussion of some of the local current efforts related to climate change.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Staff has been conferring with the Water Resources Agency (WRA) regarding flood zones and with the Coastal Commission related to protection of the Moss Landing Community and policies related to the Moss Landing Community Plan Update. County Staff is involved with the AMBAG Steering Committee for the Central Coast Highway 1 Climate Resiliency Study. These conversations are assisting staff in developing policies and eventual regulations relating to climate change effects.
Prepared by: Mike Novo, Management Specialist
Anna Quenga, Senior Planner
Shelley Glennon, Senior Planner
Approved by: Brandon Swanson, Interim Chief of Planning
John M. Dugan, FAICP, Deputy Director of Land Use and Community Development
The following attachments are on file with the RMA:
Exhibit A - Discussion
Exhibit B - Monterey County Hazard Mitigation Plan Excerpts; full plan at - <https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/home/showdocument?id=13709>)
Exhibit C - CA Coastal Commission Sea-Level Rise Policy Guidance 2018 Update Executive Summary; full plan at <https://documents.coastal.ca.gov/assets/slr/guidance/2018/0_Full_2018AdoptedSLRGuidanceUpdate.pdf>
Exhibit D - Moss Landing Coastal Climate Change Vulnerability Report (2017); Appendices found at <https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/home/showdocument?id=57558>
Exhibit E - Projected Sea Level Rise Scenarios for 2030, 2060 and 2100 for Moss Landing (Excerpts from Exhibit D)
Exhibit F - Draft Policies (2018) presented to Moss Landing Community
Exhibit G - Central Coast Highway 1 Climate Resiliency Study, November 13, 2019 AMBAG Staff Memorandum to AMBAG Board of Directors
Exhibit H - High Tide Tax: The Price to Protect Coastal Communities from Rising Seas
Exhibit I - Miscellaneous Documents:
1. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary - Final Management Plan, Section II, Coastal Development, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (<https://montereybay.noaa.gov/intro/mp/mp.html> for full Management Plan)
2. Preparing for Rising Seas: How the State Can Help Support Local Coastal Adaptation Efforts, State of California Legislative Analyst’s Office (<https://lao.ca.gov/Publications?Year=&CategoryID=&Type=&phrase=Preparing+for+Rising+Seas> for full report)
3. Storm Water Resource Plan for the Greater Monterey County Integrated Regional Water Management Region, Coastal Conservation and Research, Inc. (<http://www.greatermontereyirwmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Greater-Monterey-County-SWRP_Final-Plan_2019_06_27-v2-Aug-2019.pdf> for full Plan)
4. Salinas River State Beach Dune Restoration Project Brochure. Salinas River State Beach Dune Restoration and Management Plan, January 2016, Central Coast Wetlands Group and Coastal Conservation and Research in partnership with California State Parks (<https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4qUY-zc8V-WMXhFSi1SaGh5Wlk/view> for full Plan)