Climate change is causing global sea levels to rise. Oregon’s coastlines are vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise. The Oregon Coastal Management Program (OCMP) is developing tools to assist local communities in planning for the impacts of sea level rise, which are listed below. We will continue to update this page as more resources and information are developed for Oregon’s coastal communities.
Sea Level Rise Planning Guide
One such resource OCMP has developed is the Sea Level Rise Planning Guide, meant to provide a process for coastal communities to identify and assess the risk to populations and assets to sea level rise and provide potential adaptation strategies to address that risk. A planning area was also developed to be used in conjunction with the Guide. The Planning Area maps the areas that may be impacted by sea level rise over time using the best available data. It is not a regulatory map unless a jurisdiction decides to adopt the map as such. Please reach out to OCMP staff for assistance in using these resources or if you want to provide comments. Find both resources below.
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Estuary Exposure Inventory for Sea Level RiseAs sea level rises, Oregon’s estuary floodplains will increase in extent. Land currently in the floodplain will be flooded more frequently, and land outside of the floodplain may become a part of the floodplain. An exposure inventory was completed in 2017 to serve as a statewide resource for sea level rise planning in and around estuaries. The exposure inventory determined the assets and geographies most likely to be affected by a sea-level rise driven increase in flooding in 21 of Oregon’s estuaries, and prioritized areas to focus future resources and further study. An exposure inventory is the first step in sea-level rise adaptation planning. Six future flooding scenario polygons are available to use in planning, a written report details the assets that are within each of those scenarios, and a web map allows for an easy visualization of both. These products support state and local efforts to better understand and plan for sea-level rise. |
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Get the DataDownload the Future Flooding Scenario PolygonsWeb Map Services203020502100 |
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This estuary SLR inventory was completed by Julie Sepanik through the NOAA Coastal Management Fellowship program, supported by the Oregon Coastal Management Program (OCMP) and the NOAA Office for Coastal Management. Please contact Andy Lanier, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions.