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Sea level and ground water rise are accepted as inevitable in the Bay Area. Dr. Kristina Hill is the recognized, local, expert in this field, for more in depth information on this subject please start at https://vcresearch.berkeley.edu/faculty/kristina-hill
Another good resource: https://www.kqed.org/science/1971582/groundwater-beneath-your-feet-is-rising-with-the-sea-it-could-bring-long-buried-toxins-with-it
PGIM / Longfellow Bought a Landfill
PGIM / Longfellow Bought a Landfill
With the purchase they assumed the title and responsibilities as “discharger”
Based on the "Polluter Pays" model
The Regional Water Board is authorized by state regulations to prescribe waste discharge requirements. Order R2-202200031 mandates discharger provide a long term flood protection plan, financial assurances, and settlement analysis
Regardless of project approval, Longfellow must protect the “receiving” waters of the state, even against sea and ground water rise. This isn't a 50 million dollar community benefit, as stated by Longfellow, they must do it anyways!
Bay Waters Rising Will Push up Groundwater
Bay Waters Rising Will Push up Groundwater
Groundwater is underfoot everywhere and close to the surface in Redwood Shores
Groundwater at bays edge are at the same height as bay water
When sea level rise rises ground water will follow
Rising groundwater can inundate contaminated soils, mobilizing toxins
Levees can stop or slow bay waters but do not hinder groundwater as it seeps through the soil underneath
Salt Water Degrades Underground Structures
Salt Water Degrades Underground Structures
As salt water presses inland underground, salty water corrodes anything not designed to withstand it, such as:
Utilities (power, water)
Drainage
Foundations
Building support piles
Horizontal Levees (Ecotone)
Horizontal Levees (Ecotone)
Gently sloped, 20 to 30 foot run per 1 foot of rise
Mitigates wave and water energy
Up to 40% cheaper to build and maintain than traditional
Can acts as both carbon sink and water filter
Protects against sea level rise
Traditional Steep Levees Can Cause Shoreline Scouring
Traditional Steep Levees Can Cause Shoreline Scouring
A 2:1 or 3:1 levee (as defined in the current Redwood Life Plan provides more land for developers to build on but at what cost?
Increased water velocities along the levee destroys established wetlands as well as inhibits future ones
Erodes banks and shorelines by scouring
Require constant upkeep and reengineering
Intensifies wave and water energy
Ancient Waterways and Soils
Ancient Waterways and Soils
Redwood Shores accepts two creeks, Pulgas and Cordilleras, and is bordered by the Belmont and Steinbrenner sloughs
Waters flowing in and around Redwood Shores for centuries affected the lands and soils creating pathways and flood plains
Soil composition effects how waters flow below ground
Ancient pathways can cause failures of modern structures, like the levee collapse along the mouth of an older, filled in, channel
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