Assessing Sea Level Rise Impacts
To assess sea level rise impacts to granted lands, first inventory vulnerable natural and built resources and facilities. Then, consider the impacts of sea level rise itself and other dynamic coastal processes and climatic events that are projected to be exacerbated by sea level rise such as coastal erosion, storms, and high tides on the vulnerable assets identified. The following resources and tools are available for assistance:
Estimating the Financial Costs of Sea Level Rise
Considering the financial costs associated with the impacts of sea level rise will facilitate successful adaptation planning and the protection of Public Trust lands and resources. When estimating costs, replacement or repair of existing facilities may be a factor, as well as the quantification of non-market asset values such as recreation and ecosystem services. Costs may be projected across the same time scales as sea level rise (e.g., 2030, 2050, and 2100). In addition to a tally of losses, the cost of adaptation and mitigation strategies should be estimated, along with the potential economic benefits of those strategies. The following resources and tools are available to assist you:
- Duke University Marine Ecosystem Services Partnership
- Economic Impacts of Climate Adaptation Strategies for Southern Monterey Bay
- MIIS National Ocean Economics Program
- What Will Adaptation Cost? An Economic Framework for Coastal Community Infrastructure
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Carol M. Highsmith.
Protecting Public Trust Resources Impacted by Sea Level Rise
As Public Land Trustees, granted lands partners ensure the protection of Public Trust resources and values. Please describe in your assessment how proposed sea level rise adaptation and mitigation strategies will address the coastal asset vulnerabilities identified and the time frame for implementation of such measures. Include any plans to monitor the impacts of sea level rise and the effectiveness of implemented adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Kayaks at Moss Landing, California by Dan DeBold is licensed under CC BY 2.0.