Shoreline Adaptation Plan

The Alameda Shoreline Adaptation Plan will adapt Alameda's shoreline to rising sea levels and groundwater and reduce current flood risk. The plan will include strategies, adaptation pathways, and priority projects, a study of potential land use changes and policies as well as an implementation plan. The plan will be developed using an inclusive community engagement planning process ensures that all voices are heard to better understand the priorities of community members. The Alameda plan will be completed in coordination with the Oakland Alameda Adaptation Committee (OAAC).

Notice of Intent to Initiate City of Alameda Shoreline Adaptation Plan that includes the Jurisdiction of City of Alameda

Key Documents

Community Workshop - Presentation boards (September 2025)

Governance White Paper(PDF, 894KB) (December 2024)

OAAC Exposure Memo(PDF, 12MB) (December 2024)

Interview with Corinna Gould, Sogorea Te' Land Trust (October 2024)

Community Workshop - Presentation boards (August 2024)

Community Workshop (May 2024)

Community Partner Engagement Strategy(PDF, 4MB) (March 2024)

Existing Conditions Report(PDF, 22MB) (February 2024)

OAAC ADAPT Sea Level Rise Criteria(PDF, 4MB) (January 2024)

OAAC King Tides Site Walk Project Overview Presentation(PDF, 19MB) (January 2024)

Schedule

2025

March 18: City Council adopts updated Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP) and Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan including updated priority flooding locations - staff report
September 27: Alameda Sea Level Rise Planning Fair at REAP Climate Center
November 24: BCDC posted Notice of Intent to Initiate City of Alameda Shoreline Adaptation Plan
December 2: City Council workshop to discuss Alameda's infrastructure needs regarding shoreline flood protection, sea level and groundwater rise, and disaster mitigation - staff report

2024

January: King Tides Site Walk - presentation(PDF, 19MB)
February: City Council Work Session on Adaptation Projects - staff report and video (51-minute mark)
April: OAAC Subregional Adaptation Planning Workshop - Presentation(PDF, 6MB)
May-July: First round of outreach: recording and survey results(PDF, 213KB)
August: Community Workshops - Presentation boards:
- Project Introduction(PDF, 6MB)
- Climate Science and Adaptation Pathways(PDF, 9MB)

November 20: Transportation Commission - presentation(PDF, 5MB), staff report, and video recording (starts at 2:37:49)
December 16: Planning Board - presentation(PDF, 13MB), staff report, and video recording (starts at 1:04:35)

2023

June: Alameda City Council approved the Long-term Plan SFEP and NFWF federal grant funds and the adaptation project Community Partner - Greenbelt Alliance - staff report
Sept: Alameda City Council approved the Technical Consultants for the adaptation projects - staff report

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 - 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 - staff report

2019

Sept: Alameda City Council approved the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan - 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

Funding

The first phase of the Shoreline Adaptation Plan was funded by the SFEP and NFWF.

The final phase of the planning effort is funded with a California Ocean Protection Council SB 1 grant. Plan completion is expected in 2027.

Purpose of the Plan

The goal of this project is to complete a Shoreline Adaptation Plan for the City of Alameda that meets all San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) requirements for the Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan. The plan will:

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.