Over the next century, climate change will continue to exacerbate sea level rise (SLR), increasing the frequency and intensity of coastal flooding. This places roads, businesses, and other essential structures in Marin County at risk, and contributes to the erosion of critical habitat, which provides valuable ecological and recreational services. EAC is dedicated to supporting climate adaptation strategies based on the most up-to-date science and research available as a member of the Coastal Communities Working Group (CCWG). CCWG is a group of stakeholders organized by the Marin County Community Development Agency (CDA), tasked with connecting the Marin County community with current research and planning for coastal climate adaptation.

The CDA released an update to the CCWG in June, elaborating on the group’s mission and objectives, and details on the progress being made on the Stinson Beach and Tomales Bay living shoreline feasibility studies. With these updates, EAC will continue to support communication between the County and the greater West Marin community, and to provide our community with project updates and opportunities for input, so we may collectively advocate for the best interests of our shoreline communities.

Mission of CCWG: The CDA highlighted the goals and objectives of the CCWG and how its members, such as EAC, contribute to project review and create essential connections between the County and community interest: “The purpose of the [CCWG] is to provide local, community input on hazard and climate adaptation planning initiatives and projects in West Marin, including the Stinson Beach Nature-Based Adaptation Feasibility Study, Tomales Bay Living Shoreline Feasibility Study, Local Coastal Program Hazard Element, and an Adaptation Plan. These projects and plans under review will include a range of sea level rise adaptation options, for protection, accommodation, and retreat.” This space allows “for members to be liaisons between the County and their respective communities and/or organizations”, and “for members to gain expertise and integrate knowledge from each project to inform its review of future planning processes, projects and programs.”

Stinson Beach Nature-Based Adaptation: In February, the County’s environmental consultants announced a dune enhancement and restoration study at Stinson Beach as a potential option for SLR adaptation. Research into this option is supported for its potential to protect shoreline development, while also nourishing the beach and minimizing coastal erosion. Since February, the County has developed draft criteria for evaluating dune restoration, as well as created a series of draft alternatives. The first Technical Advisory Meeting occurred on June 2nd, to provide technical advice on the draft criteria and alternatives, as well as provide support for continued analysis. CCWG will likely be asked to provide input on these changes sometime this fall.
Tomales Bay Living Shoreline: This project, also announced in February, is working to document and map existing ecological conditions around Tomales Bay to determine possible project sites for living shoreline studies. These studies will help the County better understand how nature-based adaptation strategies, such as wetlands and oyster beds, can provide flood and erosion protection, while supporting recreational opportunities and healthy ecological systems. The project team is beginning to narrow down initial site selection. CCWG will be asked to provide input once six to eight sites have been selected. The County plans to ultimately narrow this to two to five sites, when the County will begin to develop conceptual designs for project implementation.
The County has created one-page summary descriptions of the feasibility studies on the Stinson Beach and Tomales Bay projects, which provide a basis for understanding the potential benefits of nature-based adaptations to sea level rise.

“Living shorelines (also called nature-based infrastructure) are used to adapt to sea level rise by taking advantage of natural features and processes to protect homes, businesses, and shoreline communities from flooding.”

— County of Marin

Learn more:

EAC Adaptation Planning and Implementation
Marin County Background on Stinson Beach and Tomales Bay Feasibility Studies
Tomales Bay project fact sheet
Stinson Beach project fact sheet
Adaptation measures fact sheet