Big investments boost Washington’s coastal resiliency

Washington’s coastlines might be considered the canary in the coal mine for the impacts of climate change. Sea level rise, beach and bluff erosion, saltwater intrusion and coastal flooding are threatening roads, bridges and communities along the Pacific coast and shores of Puget Sound.

Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced a major new grant aimed at supporting climate resiliency projects to protect those Washington communities, infrastructure and habitats that are at risk.

The $73.6 million climate resiliency grant builds on more than 20 years of planning work by Ecology and a coalition of public agencies, Tribes, academic institutions and non-profit organizations. Together, they have investigated the steps needed to protect Washington’s coastal communities from climate-related hazards.

Snohomish Conservation District will use $2 million to improve climate change resilience and reduce flood risks for 400 acres of productive farmland between Ebey and Swans Trail sloughs in the Snohomish River watershed. The conservation district will also design projects to boost watershed resiliency and improve salmon-rearing habitat in Swans Trail Slough.

Nearly $15 million will fund projects tackling coastal erosion and sea level rise in Pacific and Grays Harbor counties. Pacific Conservation District is receiving $14.3 million to restore a large section of Willapa Bay’s north shoreline by strategically placing natural material – cobbles, gravel, and pebbles – to create cobblestone berms along the backshore of the beach. Complemented by large, assembled wood structures and planted native vegetation, the project will help reverse chronic coastal erosion.

Pacific and Grays Harbor conservation districts will also work to improve stormwater and drainage infrastructure along the Grayland Plains shoreline. In addition, WSDOT will use $600,000 to retrofit an existing sea groin along State Route 105. Groins are engineered structures perpendicular to the shoreline that are designed to inhibit the movement of beach sand.

For more: Big investments boost Washington’s coastal resiliency