Coastal Alignment Tips for All Plans

Embracing an All-Hazards Approach

Aim to holistically assess and address all applicable hazards on the coast, whether or not climate change exacerbates them. Additionally, while sea level rise and other coastal hazards such as tsunamis and coastal storms pose unique and significant challenges, other hazards such as wildfires, extreme heat, and drought also pose significant challenges along the coast. While not all plans should address all hazards, an all-hazards framework is always helpful for managing the timing and tradeoffs in how different hazards are addressed. Determine the right balance according to the unique conditions, best available information, socioeconomic circumstances, and goals of the community. Ideally, this includes coordinating and aligning data choices, risk assessments, monitoring, and strategies when appropriate.

Selecting Sea Level Rise Projections

Consider a range of sea level rise projections when evaluating potential risks, as opposed to looking at only one low or high sea level rise scenario. In general, it is useful to consider sea level rise risks over the lifetime of proposed projects and to understand the risks associated with best through worst case scenarios. Different types of developments or coastal resources will have different risk tolerance levels, so assessing a range of projections can provide a more holistic understanding for multiple different community needs and goals. Consider also incorporating monitoring strategies and measures that are consistent with other plans to track the progression of sea levels over time. (See the State of California sea level Rise Guidance for tips on selecting sea level rise projections).

Sharing and Aligning Data Regionally

The impacts of coastal hazards and adaptation decisions can affect areas outside of any individual jurisdiction or community. Consider coordinating hazard and vulnerability information and developing a shared vocabulary with neighboring jurisdictions to avoid future conflicts when developing and implementing solutions. For example, comparing shoreline inundation maps and other flood risk information, and developing aligned solutions, can be challenging if different underlying flood models or metrics were used, or if “short term” means “within 5 years” for one city but “within 30 years” for another. The box Information Alignment covers information useful to consider aligning with other jurisdictions.

Avoiding Maladaptation with Nature-Based Solutions

Natural or nature-based solutions should be prioritized wherever feasible, particularly in areas that could be flooded or eroded from tidal or fluvial processes in coastal areas. Nature-based solutions to climate change include approaches that work with and enhance nature to adapt to climate risks and/or contribute to carbon neutrality. Nature-based solutions also provide the opportunity to avoid maladaptation (see Adaptation Pathways section): a maladaptive example might be constructing grey infrastructure in a hazard-prone area that can “lock-in” vulnerabilities and asset exposure, which could be difficult and costly to change and provide a false sense of security (Sixth Assessment Report Technical Summary).

Sea Level Rise and Public Trust Lands

As sea level rise moves the high-water mark along shorelines more inland, areas currently located on upland property may become tidelands and submerged lands subject to the Public Trust Doctrine. Lands subject to the Public Trust Doctrine -- whether owned by the State or privately -- are deemed held in trust for the people of the State.

Adaptation planning needs to account for the protections and limitations that the Public Trust Doctrine imposes when applicable. For example, adaptation strategies proposed to impact sovereign land may require authorization from the State Lands Commission or the appropriate legislative grantee in addition to approval from the Coastal Commission or the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC). For more guidance on how to address potential encroachment on Public Trust Lands, reference Critical Infrastructure at Risk and the Public Trust Guiding Principles and Action Plan).