Sea Levels Already 8 Inches Higher on Marin's Pacific Coast

Marin County residents concerned about the local impact of rising sea levels have the opportunity to address the issue online.

The Marin County Community Development Agency (CDA) is posing questions on its Open Marin webpage. Residents are asked to share facts and opinions about local changes being seen.

The Open Marin conversation is a follow-up to public workshops held in West Marin during late October 2014, when residents helped planners identify key assets along the coast that may be vulnerable to higher sea levels and intense storms.

Debuted in 2013, Open Marin is a web-based civic forum that expands options for participation inCounty government. It encourages dialogue on specific issues and allows constituents to read what others are saying about hot-button topics. Open Marin makes it easier for people to provide feedback on County program and projects – especially for residents who have a tough time attending public hearings in person because of work schedules, family commitments, travel and other “real life” events.

County planners are deep into a public education campaign about the Collaboration: Sea level Marin Adaptation Response Team (C-SMART), which is assessing the vulnerabilities of coastal towns to potential rising ocean levels and intensifying storms. Scientific evidence shows that sea level rise is accelerating because of thermal expansion of the oceans and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets. Sea level has risen 8 inches along Marin’s Pacific Coast since record keeping began.

Although there is no immediate danger to residents, climate experts predict that the sea level could rise nearly 5 ½ feet between now and the year 2100, putting communities such as Bolinas, Stinson Beach, Muir Beach, Point Reyes Station, Inverness and Marshall at risk.

Additionally, the intensity and frequency of storms are expected to increase, compounding potential hazards. Natural resources, such as wetlands and habitat areas, also are in jeopardy.

The C-SMART program is partially funded with grants from the Ocean Protection Council and the California Coastal Commission. Additional partner organizations include the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, the U.S. Geological Survey, Point Blue Conservation Science, the MarinCounty Department of Public Works, Caltrans, the National Park Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In addition to Open Marin, residents man still send an email, mail a letter or attend a public meeting to share thoughts with County officials. Learn more at www.marinSLR.org.

--Information from County of Marin; Image Patch Archive

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