Assembly Votes to Require Sea Level Rise Planning

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) today announced the Assembly passed legislation that requires local coastal governments, and those surrounding the San Francisco Bay, to consider the impacts of sea level rise when amending general plans.

The bill, AB 1066, responds to the fact that Central and Southern California, as well as the San Francisco Bay, have witnessed a persistent sea level rise of approximately 4-8 inches over the past century. Climate change simulations project a substantial sea level rise will continue over the next century. Some of the impacts associated with sea level rise along the coast include, water quality problems, coastal flooding, coastal erosion, beach loss, cliff failure and saltwater intrusion.

“If we bury our heads in the sand on this one, we may drown,” Laird said. “We need to plan for sea level rise. We need to be ahead of the curve. With this bill, the state can provide local governments with important tools to assist in this essential planning.”

The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report (April 6, 2007) finds that coasts are projected to be exposed to increasing risks, including coastal erosion, due to climate change and sea level rise, and the effect will be exacerbated by increasing human-induced pressures on coastal areas.

The California Climate Change Center issued a report in 2006 entitled “Preparing for the Impacts of Climate Change in California.” In addition, the National Center for Atmospheric Research recently surveyed California coastal managers and issued a report entitled “Vulnerability to Inundation and Climate Change Impacts in California: Coastal Manager’s Attitudes and Perceptions.” Both reports raise concerns about the vulnerability of California’s coastal communities to the impacts of sea level rise.

Specifically, AB 1066 requires:

· Local governments to include consideration of sea level rise when amending appropriate elements of its general plan including land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space or safety elements, beginning January 1, 2009.

· The Resources Agency in coordination with other state agencies, to assist coastal managers in planning for impacts from sea level rise on the coast by collecting and disseminating information.

The bill next heads to the Senate for consideration.