R3 Discussion and Possible Action Including Acceptance of Informational Report from the Department of Planning & Building Services Regarding the Sea Level Rise Resiliency Strategy Project and Local Coastal Program Update Project, Including Review of Proposed Amendments to Chapter 3.4 "Hazards Management" of the Coastal Element of the General Plan to Adopt Baseline Policies Addressing Sea Level Rise
(Sponsor: Planning and Building Services)
Vote Requirement: Majority
Good to see the attention being paid to Sea Level Rise Resiliency Strategy Project and the Local Coastal Program Update. What is proposed in studying the issues of severe flooding, saltwater intrusion, high tides, Super El Niños, etc. is only a beginning. There is so much more to be considered and we hope that plans are in the works to do a thorough study and public review of what the study uncovers and further actions to be taken soon. There's no time to waste.
The edits to the zoning code need to be further edited. This SLR Resiliency Strategy Project does not address the impacts on OWTS as King TIdes, Storms and SLR pressure the coastal areas that push saline groundwater inland and cause Aquifer Shoaling that forces the fresh ground water to rise. Septic systems failures are being noted by homeowners, renters, real estate agents, septic services. In addition this causes the OWTS to be unable to process the bacteria and instead it mixes with the saturated soil that then discharges raw sewage into the environment or backed up into the home. This is an aspect of the Local Coastal Program that shows a need for alternatives to the conventional water based septics OWTS.
Good to see the attention being paid to Sea Level Rise Resiliency Strategy Project and the Local Coastal Program Update. What is proposed in studying the issues of severe flooding, saltwater intrusion, high tides, Super El Niños, etc. is only a beginning. There is so much more to be considered and we hope that plans are in the works to do a thorough study and public review of what the study uncovers and further actions to be taken soon. There's no time to waste.
The edits to the zoning code need to be further edited. This SLR Resiliency Strategy Project does not address the impacts on OWTS as King TIdes, Storms and SLR pressure the coastal areas that push saline groundwater inland and cause Aquifer Shoaling that forces the fresh ground water to rise. Septic systems failures are being noted by homeowners, renters, real estate agents, septic services. In addition this causes the OWTS to be unable to process the bacteria and instead it mixes with the saturated soil that then discharges raw sewage into the environment or backed up into the home. This is an aspect of the Local Coastal Program that shows a need for alternatives to the conventional water based septics OWTS.