Santa Cruz Approves Climate Adaptation Plan

Vulnerabilities in Santa Cruz

The City of Santa Cruz is no stranger to natural disasters. In 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake destroyed its downtown, and the City has also contended with serious floods and drought in its recent history. The City has recovered from each and grown stronger and more experienced in planning and response efforts.

A first step in the City's adaptation planning process was to assess its vulnerabilities. The  City of Santa Cruz Vulnerability Study, released in January 2011, identified climate change impacts for which the community should prepare:

• Sea level rise
• Precipitation patterns that may lead to more extreme storm events
• Flooding
• Drought
• Ocean acidification
• Cliff erosion
• Salt water intrusion
• Urban/wild land fires
• Ambient temperature changes that may result in species migration, ecosystem endangerment, and increased risk of wildfire

Climate Adaptation Goals

The City developed its plan with extensive community input and a strong emphasis on coordinating the plan with existing City plans, such as its 2007 Hazard Mitigation Plan, Climate Action Plan, General Plan, and Emergency Operations Plan. Plan authors noted  that "having a well-researched and thought-out climate adaptation plan in place creates the opportunity for the City to apply for FEMA and other funding to address identified adaptation priorities."

Overall goals for the plan include the following:

1. Protect the unique character, scenic beauty and culture in the natural and built environment from being compromised by climate change impacts
2. Support initiatives, legislation, and actions to respond to climate change
3. Build resilience into all programs, polices and infrastructure
4. Encourage climate change resilience planning and actions in private companies, institutions, and systems essential to a functioning City of Santa Cruz
5. Support initiatives, legislation and actions for reducing and responding to climate climate
6. Encourage community involvement and public-private partnerships to respond to potential climate impacts
7. Ensure that Santa Cruz remains a safe, healthy and attractive place with a high quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors

Adaptation Actions Prioritized

The plan lists a series of actions prioritized in three categories:

• Very high priority
  Examples:
  
  • Upgrade or relocate city buildings and infrastructure including Emergency Operations Center to protect and prepare for sea level rise, flooding and storm events occurring as a result of climate change
  • Protect wastewater facility from ground water infiltration
  • Seal wastewater pipes throughout system
  • Diversify water portfolio
    
  
  

• High priority
  Examples:
  
  • Prepare for potential changes in water quality due to climate change
  • Require setbacks adjacent to cliffs
  • Restrict development in flood plains
  • Disseminate flood hazard information and encourage participation in Federal Flood Insurance Program
    
    
• Important
  Examples:
  
  • Prepare for climate change related short-term water shortage
  • Establish and/or maintain cooperative fire agreements
  • Prevent urban/wild land interface fire hazards in Parks