Sea Level Rise Management Plan

Sea level rise, caused by climate change, is increasing total ocean water levels over time.   As a coastal city, Nanaimo is at risk from rising sea levels and coastal flooding.  In 2018, the City completed a Sea Level Rise Study.  This study provided a high level overview of sea level rise risk areas.  The City is now working with Snuneymuxw First Nation to complete a Sea Level Rise Management Plan (SLRMP)  The SLRMP will build on the work completed during the 2018 study.  The SLRMP will focus on the vulnerable areas identified in the study and improve the City's understanding of those risks.  Once those risks are identified, the SLRMP will consider plausible solutions.   

The Sea Level Rise Management Plan includes the following tasks:

Phase One

1. Probabilistic Calculation - This accounts for the joint probability of multiple factors (e.g. storm surge, wind speed, king tide) occurring at the same time and impacting coastal flooding. This will help us understand the likelihood of an extreme event occurring.

2. Inundation Modeling - 2D wave modeling to simulate wave effects along the shoreline. This will help us understand how wave conditions will impact coastal flooding.

3. Refined Flood Construction Level Mapping - Based on the results of Steps 1 and 2, a refined coastal flood impact map will be developed to update the previous maps completed in 2018. 

4. Economic Risk Assessment - A report estimating the financial implication of rising sea levels to coastal infrastructure and properties. This will help us understand the economic risk to coastal areas and evaluate management options.

5. Sea Level Rise Options Analysis - An identification of preferred sea level rise management options including a multi-criteria analysis and anti-racism and equity review. This will includes community and stakeholder engagement. This will help us understand the best options to help protect us from coastal flooding.

Phase Two

1. Coastal Erosion Monitoring and Management Strategy - Report and maps showing the extent of coastal erosion and strategies to minimize future erosion.  This will help us understand the rate of coastal erosion and how we can protect ourselves from its impacts.

2. Communications Strategy - A strategy that provides recommendations on how the City can communicate the findings of the Sea Level Rise Management Plan to the public.  This will help the community better understand sea level rise impacts and how we can work together to manage them.

The project is funded thanks to grants from the British Columbia Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

For more information regarding this project please contact Dave Stewart, Environmental Planner at sustainability@nanaimo.ca