ENVISIONING COASTAL FUTURES: EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE SCENARIOS FOR THE US PACIFIC NORTHWEST COASTLINE

Abstract

Sea level rise (SLR), changing storminess patterns, and development have exposed coastal communities to chronic coastal change and flooding hazards. Several U.S. Pacific Northwest communities are at high risk from coastal hazards and local decision makers often lack tools for developing adaptive capacity to increase resilience, particularly under climate change. Several sectors (e.g., local community groups, emergency managers, and land use planners) have recently begun to define responses to perceived increases in the frequency and magnitude of coastal hazards. Here we describe the efforts of a group of Oregon State University researchers and students, outreach specialists, and coastal community members in both Tillamook County, OR and Grays Harbor County, WA who are assessing climate change impacts and associated evolving community and ecosystem resilience.