Resilience along the West Coast
Channel: eesionline
Date: 2019-12-04

More information at https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/120419west

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Coastal States Organization held a briefing on science and policy initiatives that are helping protect West Coast ecosystems and communities from erosion, sea level rise, and other coastal hazards. The briefing showcased nature-based solutions, which can protect human lives and property while creating habitat for wildlife and supporting various coastal industries. These techniques can also be paired with traditional “gray” infrastructure to meet a greater variety of planning needs.


    Dr. Patrick Barnard
    Research Geologist, USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
    Download Slides: https://www.eesi.org/files/Patrick_Barnard_120419.pdf
    Skip to presentation: https://youtu.be/XPJIKSQAkN8?t=6m24s

    Dr. Charles Lester
    Researcher, Ocean & Coastal Policy Center, Marine Science Institute, UC Santa Barbara
    Download Slides: https://www.eesi.org/files/Charles_Lester_120419.pdf
    Skip to presentation: https://youtu.be/XPJIKSQAkN8?t=25m25s

    Jessica Fain
    Director of Planning, San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission
    Download Slides: https://www.eesi.org/files/Jessica_Fain_120419.pdf
    Skip to presentation: https://youtu.be/XPJIKSQAkN8?t=43m46s

    Aimee Kinney
    Coastal Law and Policy Research Scientist, Puget Sound Institute
    Download Slides: https://www.eesi.org/files/Aimee_Kinney_120419.pdf
    Skip to presentation: https://youtu.be/XPJIKSQAkN8?t=1h02m45s

    Question & Answer Session
    https://youtu.be/XPJIKSQAkN8?t=1h19m40s


The panelists described the collaborative process between federal, state, local, and Tribal stakeholders in collecting, sharing, and acting on scientific data to inform policy decisions around adaptation and help communities define and achieve their resilience goals. These projects can serve as a model for other regions experiencing similar issues

Dr. Barnard outlined the climate-related challenges facing beaches and estuaries along the West Coast and discussed how U.S. Geological Survey science, particularly the Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS), helps communities adapt to reduce risk to lives and property.

Dr. Lester discussed the policy and governance challenges in balancing development and environmental needs, and provided case studies of resilience planning for California communities impacted by sea level rise and erosion.

Ms. Fain highlighted the Commission’s recently adopted coastal management policies on environmental justice and rising sea levels, the award-winning Adapting to Rising Tides program, and a new multi-agency permitting team to expedite wetland projects in San Francisco Bay.

Ms. Kinney discussed the innovative Shore Friendly program, which provides technical assistance, permitting, and financial incentives to encourage private landowners to voluntarily remove seawalls and install nature-based shoreline protection on residential properties in Puget Sound (Washington).

The West Coast represents a wide variety of geographical features, development trends, and extreme weather hazards. This briefing provided an overview of that diversity and provided specific examples of projects that protect both homes and industry, as well as showcased the legislation, regulations, and programs that help (or hinder) those projects’ success.