Summit to Discuss Global Issue of Sea Level Rise in San Mateo County

Bay City News Service

The issue of sea level rise and what San Mateo County can do about it will be discussed at length in San Mateo Monday with local legislators and a nationally acclaimed expert on the subject of high tides.

U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo, Assemblyman Rich Gordon, D-Menlo Park, and San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine are expected to join keynote speaker John Englander, author of High Tide on Main Street, during a half-day summit to discuss the future of the county and how high tides could impact some of the region's infrastructure.

Representatives from federal, state and local agencies will present information on a variety of topics including global and local risks as well as potential strategies for meeting the rising tides, according to officials.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the rise in global sea level that has been observed during the 20th century — roughly seven inches — will be affected by the increase in global warming.

According to Pine, it is imperative that the county looks into this issue.

"Sea level rise is one of the most serious consequences of climate change and it will have a profound effect on San Mateo County, which has more people and property at risk from the rising sea than any other Bay Area county," Pine said.

King tides have already reached the edges of the Bayshore near Redwood City, according to Speier.

The conference, titled "Meeting the Challenges of Sea Level Rise in San Mateo County," will take place from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the College of San Mateo Theater, Building 3, 1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd., San Mateo. Free parking is available in Beethoven Lot 2.