Santa Barbara subcommittee to be formed to survey sea level rise

SANTA BARBARA — Sea level rise is an enduring topic in California with the flooding causing damage, emergency situations and more. In an effort to get ahead of impending disturbance by this phenomenon, the city of Santa Barbara has been working to address the problem along with the rest of the state. At Harbor Commission meeting that took place on July 19, Waterfront Facilities Manager Karl Treiberg gave a presentation about the scope of a local Sea Level Rise coastal plan and a city subcommittee of elected officials to give direction about the project. The subcommittee would consist of three council members, two planning committee members, and one serving on each the harbor commission, parks and recreation department and water commission. Discussion between the commissioners ensued with Betsy Cramer raising the question of forwarding two commissioners for input instead of one since it was largely an issue that would impact the harbor department. The commissioners voted to forward Commissioners Betsy Cramer and Jim Sloan to serve on the subcommittee citing their devotion to the issue of sea level rise. A contract between the city and a Northern California firm Environmental Science Associates was approved in February 2018. Grant money from the California Coastal Commission...