AgdaPkt 2014-03-24 Closed and Regular

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8.A. - Page 14 Action Team's current sea level rise projections, ranging from 10-17 inches at mid- century and 31-69 inches at the end of the century, or more specifically: • 16" by 2050 • 36" by 2070, and • 55" by 2100. To ensure that Pete's Harbor is protected against rising sea level, the Project has implemented a series of adaptation strategies recommended by the BCDC that address the immediate concerns of sea level rise while reducing future risk. Those strategies include: 1) concrete sea walls that will be installed along the coastal perimeter when sea level approaches the projected 55" level, 2) earth berms installed along coastal perimeter as sea level approaches the 55" level and 3) prior to construction, the existing grade will be raised to the projected 36" level (2070). (Refer to Sheets L7 and C2 in Project application, Attachment 7). Finally, the BCDC itself will not actually consider the proposal until after the Applicant has received the discretionary approvals from the City. The Project will need to comply with the regulations in effect at the time BCDC reviews the Project. Appellant also suggests that the road from Bair Island Road onto Uccelli Boulevard is too low, and that to the extent it is raised, it will settle. The EIR studied the environmental issues related to Appellant's contentions regarding settling, including without limitation the contents of the soil, topography, seismicity, and foundation and settlement impacts. (See Chapter 11 of the EIR, including p. 11-12.) Again, there are no substantial changes to the Project, new significant information or circumstances that the Appellant has presented that lead to a new environmental impact or increased severity of a previously identified impact. Moreover, City staff has thoroughly reviewed the grading plan and determined that it is consistent with City street standards, adaptive management guidelines as well as safe and adequate access considerations. (Sheet C- 2, Attachment 7.) Furthermore, prior to construction of any access and road improvements, Applicant has to obtain a Grading Permit and related infrastructure permits to ensure that road grading is in compliance with the City's Engineering Standards. (See Conditions of Approval, 13 and 14.) In addition, Appellant queries whether the Project is relying on any levees. The Project does not include, nor does BCDC or the City require, the construction of a levee per any sea level rise or climate change policies or regulations. As discussed above, the adaptive management strategies include the use of sea walls and berming along the perimeter, and the use of fill to respond to sea level rise. Moreover, to the extent that Appellant claims the EIR does not sufficiently consider the impact of sea level rise on the Project, the contention misses the mark. Sea level rise, as it was understood and predicted at the time through the year 2036 (EIR ch. 9, pp. 9-5 and 9-6), was considered in the 2003 EIR and incorporated into the tidal calculations provide an explanation.