Subregional Adaptation Plan

StatusPlease review and provide comments on the August workshop materials by emailing Gail Payne, Project Manager, gpayne@alamedaca.gov: Project Introductions(PDF, 3MB) and Climate Science and Adaptation Pathways(PDF, 4MB).

What: A long-term Subregional Adaptation Plan that details preliminary strategies and pathways for shoreline communities to take as the climate and shorelines change over time, as required by state law.

Where: 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 flooding in the long term (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 planning 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 plan is funded by the San Francisco Estuary Partnership (SFEP) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). The plan will be completed in fall 2025.  

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.

The purpose of the Sub-regional Adaptation Plan is to:

  • Protect shoreline communities of Oakland and Alameda from expected sea level and groundwater rise and liquefaction;
  • Enhance transportation and recreation corridors and bay access;
  • Reduce flood exposure;
  • Create or restore marsh, upland and transitional habitat with nature-based solutions;
  • 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 for each of the outlined pathways; and
  • Use a decision-making process to ensure the voices of all stakeholders in the Oakland-Alameda Adaptation Committee are heard. 

 

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

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

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

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)

2024

  • Late: Strategy development

2025

  • Early: Strategy refinement
  • Mid: Conduct community engagement - 2nd round
  • Fall: Seek approvals of the final Subregional Adaptation Plan