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Adaptation and Resilience

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The City of Santa Barbara is vulnerable to many climate change impacts, including sea level rise, changes in rainfall patterns, increased groundwater levels, extreme heat, drought, and exacerbated wildfire danger. In response to these hazards, the City is analyzing risks and working to improve climate resilience.  

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Sea Level Rise, Coastal Erosion, and Flooding

The City is actively planning for increased flooding and shoreline erosion due to the combined impacts of sea level rise, increased river flooding from changes in rainfall patterns, and increased groundwater levels. The 2021 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan presents a phased approach to planning for sea-level rise based on monitoring of changing conditions and actions to reduce vulnerabilities once certain thresholds are reached. 

Since 2021, the City has launched several major climate adaptation projects including a Regional Coastal Adaptation Monitoring Program, a Wastewater and Water Systems Adaptation Project, 30-Year Waterfront Adaptation Project, and Airport Adaptation Plan. Learn more about the Coastal Adaptation Program. 

Wildfire

In 2021 the City of Santa Barbara Fire Department comprehensively updated the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which identifies high fire hazard areas in the city, presents policies and management actions to reduce wildland fire hazards and impacts, and provides a framework for coordinating community-wide protection efforts. This plan is an important step in resilience as climate-driven drought conditions exacerbate wildfire danger. 

      Other Wildfire Resources: 

Drought

As part of Water Vision Santa Barbara, the City adopted in 2021 the Enhanced Urban Water Management Plan that details the City’s water supply and management strategy for the next 30 years and includes an Adaptive Management Plan for flexible and responsive management of the City's water resources moving forward in an uncertain future where we are likely to see prolonged droughts due to climate changes. 

Local Hazard Mitigation Plan

The City regularly updates its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan  which identifies hazards, including those related to climate change, and identifies measures to improve disaster preparedness and reduce or eliminate risks to the community, life, and property. The identified mitigation measures are then eligible for funding through the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The City of Santa Barbara plan is an annex to the County of Santa Barbara Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan . 

 

Climate Resilience Resources 

U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit