Shoreline Adaptation Plan

In September, the Alameda Sea Level Rise Planning Fair explored concepts for the development of the Alameda Shoreline Adaptation Plan. The materials for this community event cover the Hazards, Shoreline(PDF, 9MB) Transformations(PDF, 45MB) and Adaptation Concepts,(PDF, 21MB) as well as specific geographic areas: Alameda Point/West End(PDF, 32MB), Northern Waterfront(PDF, 24MB), South Shore(PDF, 23MB), East End(PDF, 21MB) and Bay Farm Island(PDF, 8MB).

What: A long-term sea level rise adaptation plan that details strategies and pathways for shoreline communities to take as the climate and shorelines change over time, as required by state law.

Where: The planning area is a larger sub-region including Oakland and Alameda shorelines, from the Bay Bridge in the north to the Oakland Airport in the south, connecting with the City of San Leandro.

Why: To adapt shoreline communities to rising sea levels and groundwater, and to reduce current and future flooding (2080 and beyond). Adaptation measures also will enhance transportation and bay access, restore habitat with nature-based solutions, and improve air quality.

How: An inclusive community engagement process ensures that all voices are heard to better understand the priorities of community members. Since subregional plans are required by state law, the plan is subject to approval by the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC).  The initial phase of the plan is funded by the San Francisco Estuary Partnership (SFEP) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).  The final planning phase is funded by the California Ocean Protection Council's SB 1 grant with completion expected in 2028.  

Who: For updates via the project email list, subscribe directly here. Please direct project questions or comments to Gail Payne, Project Manager: gpayne@alamedaca.gov or 510-747-6892.  If you need an alternative or translated format, please contact ada@alamedaca.gov

 

The purpose of the Shoreline Adaptation Plan is to:

  • Protect shoreline communities from sea level and groundwater rise;
  • Enhance transportation and recreation corridors and bay access;
  • Reduce flood exposure;
  • Create or restore marsh, upland and transitional habitat;
  • Improve air quality;
  • Reduce climate risks to shoreline communities throughout the Oakland-Alameda operational landscape unit (OLU)(PDF, 125KB)
  • Detail key steps and actions to take as the shoreline changes, identifying trigger points and costs; and
  • Ensure all stakeholder voices are heard in the Oakland-Alameda Adaptation Committee.

 

2025

  • Sat, Sept 27 at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Alameda Sea Level Rise Planning Fair at REAP Climate Center (2133 Tynan Ave in Alameda) - link here
  • Fall: Commissions/Boards
  • Dec 2: City Council work session

2024

2023

  • June: Alameda City Council approved the Long-term Plan SFEP and NFWF federal grant funds and the adaptation project Community Partner - Greenbelt Alliance - link to staff report
  • Sept: Alameda City Council approved the Technical Consultants for the adaptation projects - link to staff report
  • Fall: Analyze existing conditions. Committee approved Project Charter - Project Charter(PDF, 433KB)

2022

  • June: Alameda City Council adopted the City of Alameda Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan, which calls out the need for a sub-regional Long-term Adaptation Plan - link to staff report and to Plan

2020

  • Nov: Alameda City Council accepted the report: “City of Alameda, The Response of the Shallow Groundwater Layer and Contaminants to Sea Level Rise”, which states that the areas at risk of future flooding increase by up to 25 percent when considering emergent groundwater - link to staff report

2019

  • Sept: Alameda City Council approved the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan - link to staff report
  • Nov: Alameda voters passed the Water Quality and Flood Protection Fee, which is used to operate and maintain the storm drain system, protect water quality, replace aging infrastructure, and prepare for sea level rise and the impacts of climate change

The first phase of the Shoreline Adaptation Plan is funded by the SFEP and NFWF.  The final phase of the planning effort is funded by the California Ocean Protection Council's SB 1 grant with completion expected in 2028.