With more than 70 miles of coastline, the San Diego region is especially vulnerable to sea level rise. Rising sea levels threaten our beaches and coastal landscapes, homes and businesses, transportation infrastructure, and key economic assets such as air, sea, and land ports.
Sea Level Rise Assessments
In 2014, SANDAG and Caltrans developed the San Diego Region Coastal Sea Level Rise Analysis Report. This report used the latest scientific guidance to describe future scenarios for sea level rise along the region’s coastline. It also offered design water level (DWL) guidance for local projects, an adaptive management strategy, and general recommendations for construction along the North Coast Corridor (NCC).
In 2017, Caltrans awarded SANDAG a SB1 Adaptation Planning Grant to prepare the Regional Transportation Infrastructure Sea Level Rise Assessment and Adaptation Guidance. This project analyzed potential sea level rise impacts to transportation facilities such as highways, bikeways, trails, and light and heavy rail that cross jurisdictional lines. The adaptation guidance also compiled adaptation policies, projects, and funding opportunities relevant to the San Diego region.