Marin gets thousands for projects to combat sea-level rise

A host of Marin nature-based sea-level rise projects earned approval by a state panel this week as the county plans to gird against expected high seas in the coming decades.

San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission maps show a 3-foot rise over the next 100 years will push the bay over low-lying areas of Mill Valley, Sausalito and Tiburon, among other areas. “These are green initiatives to improve habitat to protect communities against sea-level rise.”

One of the funded projects involves creating a natural reef as a way to buffer wave action off Dunphy Park in Sausalito. The analysis resulted in a proposal for a conventional sheet pile breakwater to keep back waves, but more discussion has brought an environmentally-friendly solution to the fore.

“There are varied wildlife in that area and it can be seen right from Dunphy Park,” said Terri Thomas, director of natural resources for Conservation Corps North Bay. The project received $180,000 for planning.

The work could also provide protection for the Cass-Gidley, Galilee Harbor and Schoonmaker marinas, in addition to the shore at the park.

The conservancy grant dollars were given with an eye toward serving underserved communities. Conservation Corps North Bay employs youth and young adults from Marin City, the Canal area in San Rafael and other low-income communities in Marin.

The idea there is to develop a resilient beach and dune ecosystem to provide flood and erosion protection against existing coastal hazards and sea-level rise. That will involve educating the community through ecological research, science, restoration, adaptation planning and design.

“SFSU has extensive expertise in conservation planning and site-based living shoreline approaches, and the (Tiburon) site provides an excellent venue for hosting educational events to involve the community in the planning for this project,” the conservancy report reads.