Coastal Resilience Ventura: Catalogue and Analysis of Local Sea Level Rise Planning Tools

Introduction

In response to forecasts predicting a substantial increase in sea level rise over the next century, The Nature Conservancy developed a study to support planning and impact analysis in Ventura County, California. The effort focuses on creating a mapping tool to visualize sea level rise impacts and guide decision making. The study examines planning efforts across Ventura County, including the cities of Ventura, Oxnard, and Port Hueneme, as well as Naval Base Ventura County. It emphasizes the importance of using public resource impacts to communicate risks and build awareness, rather than focusing on private assets.

The study also highlights how local agencies can use detailed spatial information to identify areas of highest risk and prioritize adaptation strategies. Drawing on lessons from other regions such as southern Florida, Hawaii, the San Francisco Bay Area, Long Island, and the Gulf Coast, the tool supports strategic planning to protect critical infrastructure and improve coastal resilience in the face of rising sea levels.