Marin County launched the Coastal Communities Working Group (CCWG) in early 2020 and invited representatives from West Marin Village Associations, and other stakeholders including environmental and youth representatives. Participants in the CCWG are tasked with reviewing, providing input, and sharing information about key adaptation planning efforts in West Marin.
The work of the CCWG is to build off the County’s prior effort, Collaboration: Sea-Level Marin Adaptation Response Team (C-SMART) , an effort to understand potential impacts of sea level rise on Marin's ocean coast and work together with communities to prepare for a more resilient future.
In February, the CCWG met twice to review two projects that are underway in Marin County, the Stinson Beach Nature-Based Adaptation Feasibility Study, and Tomales Bay Nature-Based Adaptation Study.
Stinson Beach:
Nature-Based Adaptation Feasibility Study
The first CCWG meeting was held on February 12th and focused on the Stinson Beach Nature-Based Adaptation Feasibility Study and was followed by a public meeting. Stinson Beach has been identified as a vulnerable area to sea level rise including potentially significant beach loss.
County’s Notes of the Meeting
Powerpoint Presentation
“In Stinson Beach, a feasibility analysis will examine the extent to which nature-based adaptation, such as dune restoration and enhancement, can sustain the beach and protect development from coastal flooding. This study will assess the feasibility of a nature-based green infrastructure project at Stinson Beach to develop a resilient beach and dune ecosystem that enhances existing habitats and public access, supports vibrant recreational opportunities for users of all socioeconomic circumstances, and provides flood and erosion protection against existing coastal hazards and future sea level rise.”
Tomales Bay:
Nature-Based Adaptation Study
The second CCWG meeting was held on February 25th regarding the Tomales Bay Nature-Based Adaptation Study and was followed by a public meeting. Tomales Bay has been identified as a vulnerable area to sea level rise.
County Notes of Meeting
Powerpoint Presentation
Meeting Agenda
Meeting Handouts: Summary, Approach, Timeline and Terms
“In Tomales Bay a range of living shoreline measures will be evaluated to determine extent to which they are feasible for protection of habitat and shoreline development from flooding. Living shorelines such as eelgrass, oyster reefs, wetlands and other natural systems can provide services in adapting to climate change impacts, as well as sequester carbon. This study proposes to evaluate the feasibility of such adaptations in the context of identifying potential locations in Tomales Bay, informed by a decision-making matrix and developing preliminary designs for a few pilot locations.”
EAC will continue to keep our membership informed of the County’s progress on these projects and provide action alerts for public outreach and engagement.
