SEA LEVEL RISE SUBCOMMITTEE STAFF MEMO
Meeting Date: July 15, 2026
From: Maz Bozorginia, Public Works Director
Subject: Brisbane Lagoon Watershed Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan – Project Status Update
Recommendation
Receive an update on the Brisbane Lagoon Watershed Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan project and discuss the remaining project schedule and next steps.
Background
The Brisbane Lagoon Watershed Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan is being developed to identify long-term adaptation strategies that improve the resilience of the Brisbane Lagoon watershed while protecting surrounding infrastructure, supporting ecological function, and enhancing public access. The project is funded through the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission's (BCDC) Regional Shoreline Adaptation Planning (RSAP) Grant Program.
Project work began in 2025 with development of existing conditions analyses, technical studies, and stakeholder outreach. Since project initiation, the consultant team has completed the existing conditions assessment, hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, development of conceptual adaptation alternatives, and multiple rounds of stakeholder and community engagement.
Major project milestones completed to date include:
• October 16, 2025 – Project Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting #1. • October 21, 2025 – Community Meeting #1, introducing the project and presenting the Existing Conditions Analysis.
• December 16, 2025 – Project Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting #2. • March 6, 2026 – Project Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting #3. • March 30, 2026 – Sea Level Rise Subcommittee update on project progress and development of adaptation alternatives.
• April 30, 2026 – Community Meeting #2, presenting the conceptual adaptation alternatives and receiving community feedback.
• June 25, 2026 – Project Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting #4, reviewing the draft report outline, adaptation alternatives, evaluation criteria, and public feedback received to date.
The presentation from PAC #4 summarizing the project's current status is attached for the Subcommittee's information and discussion.
Discussion
The project remains on schedule and is transitioning from the evaluation phase into preparation of the Draft Adaptation Strategies Document. Work completed to date includes:
• Completion of the existing conditions assessment and technical analyses. • Completion of hydrologic and hydraulic modeling.
• Development and refinement of conceptual sea level rise adaptation alternatives. • Four Project Advisory Committee meetings with agency and stakeholder participation. • Two public community meetings and ongoing public outreach. • One Sea Level Rise Subcommittee update.
• Development of a draft report outline and evaluation framework for comparing adaptation alternatives based on ecological benefits, permitting considerations, public access, implementation schedule, and relative cost.
The remaining project schedule is anticipated as follows:
• Incorporate feedback received from the Project Advisory Committee, Sea Level Rise Subcommittee, and public outreach efforts.
• Prepare and release the Draft Adaptation Strategies Document for public review in early Fall 2026.
• Present the Draft Adaptation Strategies Document to the Project Advisory Committee and Sea Level Rise Subcommittee for review and discussion. • Conduct additional public outreach and receive comments on the draft strategies. • Prepare the final Brisbane Lagoon Watershed Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan. • Present the final plan to the City Council for consideration and adoption by the end of calendar year 2026.
The purpose of this update is to keep the Sea Level Rise Subcommittee informed of project progress and provide an opportunity for discussion prior to release of the Draft Adaptation Strategies Document later this year.
Attachments
1. Brisbane Lagoon Watershed Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan Presentation – PAC #4 dated June 25, 2026