Mill Valley will consolidate sea-level rise studies done in recent years and coordinate to-do lists with other government agencies.
The City Council authorized spending up to $630,000 in funds from California’s Ocean Protection Council to start a process that will prioritize responses, seek community input and begin the preliminary engineering needed to seek funding.
“We are required to complete this sub-regional adaptation plan,” Councilmember Katherine Jones said. “There is a foundation of information to build on. But once we have this plan complete, we will be eligible for a lot of public funding opportunities.”
The Bay Conservation and Development Commission, a state agency, is requiring every waterfront municipality in the region create a plan by 2034 that assesses existing conditions, vulnerabilities and responses to sea level rise caused by climate change.
Mill Valley has low-lying areas adjacent to Richardson Bay and nearby wetlands that flood in high tides and storms. Its bayfronts include major roadways, parks, schools, public works facilities and residential areas. The council was eager to start prioritizing and planning specific responses.
“This is pinpointing what we really want to do in Mill Valley,” said Mayor Max Perrey. “The product that we’re going to get at the end of this is essentially options that are going to come back to the council.”
“That’s really the crux of the whole thing. What are we going to do?” said Councilmember Urban Carmel. “There are a lot of assets right around the area that’s most vulnerable.”
Mari Swim, project manager for the city’s public works department, said consultants will take six months to consolidate various sea-level rise studies to present a menu of responses. The adaptation strategies would be discussed in community workshops during the next six months.
Based on public feedback, the council would prioritize projects, Swim said. Public works and the consultants would take projects to the 30% design stage. That task, which could take another 6 months, would position the city to seek funding from various government sources.
City Manager Todd Cusimano cautioned the council that any response would involve getting at least nine local and regional agencies on board. Swim’s presentation cited school, flood control, fire protection and park districts and agencies as stakeholders that may have different agendas.
“There’s a lot of agencies … and some of these assessments might not necessarily agree,” he said. “So there’s going to be some work behind the scenes as we start engaging our partners.”
Originally Published: August 20, 2025 at 11:21 AM PDT