The California Coastal Commission's recent ruling allows Pacifica to maintain and enhance seawalls for two decades amidst growing climate-related threats like erosion and flooding. Mayor Sue Beckmeyer highlighted problems with the outdated coastal plan that fails to address rising sea levels and severe weather. While some support the ruling for immediate protection, critics argue it undermines long-term adaptation strategies and could lead to greater risk from sea level rise by prioritizing temporary fixes over permanent relocation.
In a controversial ruling on Thursday, the California Coastal Commission allowed Pacifica to use seawalls to protect its shoreline for two decades, but emphasized that a long-term solution is needed.
'That plan is no longer sufficient to address the challenging conditions we face in Pacifica: significant bluff erosion impacts from intensifying weather events, flooding from storm surges, rising sea levels and other effects of climate change,' said Mayor Sue Beckmeyer.
'When large-scale seawalls are built or rebuilt or reinforced, and the new development goes in behind it, long-term solutions like relocating out of harm's way will fall by the wayside and seawalls will remain,' said Mandy Sackett.
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