California Must Sound Alarm Over Rising Seas, Analysts Say
California Must Sound Alarm Over Rising Seas, Analysts Say
(Bloomberg) -- California should take steps to encourage local governments to prepare for the “extensive and expensive” impact from rising sea levels expected as a result of climbing global temperatures, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office said in a report.
Although it’s largely up to local governments to craft plans dealing with the risks, the state should encourage and support their efforts given the importance of the 840 miles (1,350 kilometers) of coastline, the analysts said. Sea levels in California could rise by about half a foot (15 centimeters) by 2030 to as much as 7 feet by 2100.
“If California is to avoid the most severe, costly, and disruptive impacts in the coming decades” of rising seas, communities must step up the pace of planning, the analysts said in the report released on Tuesday. “The next decade represents a crucial time period for taking action.”
Among the recommendations are disclosures by those selling coastal properties at risk of flooding, which is currently required for real estate threatened by other kinds of flooding, forest fires and earthquakes. While the analysts acknowledged this may lead to lower property values and thus tax revenue, they said there needs to be greater public awareness of the risks that would ultimately result in decreased real estate prices anyway.
As far as financing efforts, the office suggests a few options: steering money from previously authorized bond measures and funds; redirecting federal dollars; and local bonds or parcel taxes. The report noted that lawmakers are considering a statewide bond measure for climate adaption projects.
Here are the report’s recommendations:
- Foster regional adaptation
- State could help develop regional plans and contribute funds towards projects
- Support local planning and adaption projects
- Increases assistance for local assessments and plans and support projects with widespread benefits
- Provide information, assistance and support
- Establish a center for technical support to local governments
- Develop standardized methodology and template for economic analyses of risks
- Enhance public awareness of risks and impacts
- Require coastal flooding disclosures for real estate transactions
- Require state-funded adaptation plans entail “robust public engagement efforts”
- Direct state departments to conduct a public awareness campaign
To contact the reporter on this story: Romy Varghese in San Francisco at rvarghese8@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Elizabeth Campbell at ecampbell14@bloomberg.net, William Selway
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