How could the climate adaptation plan affect Santa Barbara's city council?
City council may need to update land use policies for climate adaptation The joint Climate Adaptation Plan, funded by the California Coastal Commission and the city of Santa Barbara, is designed to protect critical infrastructure from rising sea levels and severe flooding. As the plan progresses, its third phase will update the airport's Coastal Land Use Plan by 2027. Since the city council is the governing body of Santa Barbara, it will be responsible for incorporating these new policies and strategies into local regulations to manage coastal resources and protect the community.
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How it reaches city council
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The California Coastal Commission and local partners in Santa Barbara jointly funded a climate adaptation plan. The plan addresses the vulnerability of Santa Barbara Airport to flooding due to its low-lying location near the Goleta Slough. The airport and the city are currently seeking public feedback on strategies to protect aviation infrastructure and surrounding coastal wetlands.
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The plan's third phase is scheduled to update the airport's Coastal Land Use Plan by 2027, incorporating specific policies to address sea level rise and protect coastal resources. This requires action from the local governing body.
No report states this step directly. Brind drew it from the reporting on each side of it, so treat it as an informed guess.
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The facts so far
As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.
- Santa Barbara Airport currently faces a 20% annual risk of a flood-related closure.ksby.com
- Without action, that flood-related closure risk could rise to 60% by 2076.ksby.com
- The plan will evaluate flood protection strategies, including traditional infrastructure improvements and nature-based solutions.ksby.com
- The third phase will update the airport's Coastal Land Use Plan by 2027.ksby.com
Why it matters
The adaptation plan is critical because the airport is highly vulnerable to flooding due to its low-lying location near the Goleta Slough. If the city council does not incorporate the necessary changes into local land use policies, the airport faces a significant increase in flood-related closure risk, potentially rising from 20% to 60% by 2076.
This effort is part of a broader regional response to climate change, involving joint funding from the California Coastal Commission and the city. The plan seeks to balance the need to protect critical aviation infrastructure with the preservation of the Goleta Slough's wetland habitat.
What we don't know yet
- What specific flood protection strategies will the plan recommend for the airport?
- What timeline is expected for the city council to approve the updated Coastal Land Use Plan?
What would change this answer
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Reporting
- ksby.comOct 1
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