The City of Olympia has requested proposals from qualified consultants to help develop a data-driven strategy that will guide when and how the city and its regional partners respond to the growing threat of sea level rise.
The request seeks a consultant to refine and finalize the sea level rise monitoring strategy outlined in the Sea Level Rise Response Plan, a 2019 document developed by the Sea Level Rise Collaborative, which is composed of Olympia, Port of Olympia and LOTT Clean Water Alliance.
The selected consultant will collaborate with the three agencies to assess current monitoring systems, evaluate land subsidence or gradual sinking of the ground over time, update sea level rise projections if needed, and establish clear trigger points for adaptive actions. These trigger points will help inform when to begin planning, secure funding, and implement capital projects aimed at protecting key areas from flooding.
The consultant will also design a monitoring and reporting system, identify data needs, and develop tools and templates to support long-term implementation.
Downtown Olympia is the social, cultural, historic, and economic core of the city. It is particularly vulnerable to flooding due to its extensive shoreline.
Sea level rise projections show that within decades, even modest increases could dramatically increase flood frequency, with just 12 inches of rise, what was once considered a rare 100-year flood event could occur every other year.
Recognizing this threat, the City of Olympia, LOTT Clean Water Alliance, and the Port of Olympia jointly developed the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan, which outlined phased adaptation strategies to protect downtown Olympia, the port peninsula, and the LOTT Budd Inlet Treatment Plant from increasing flood risks.
The three organizations established the Sea Level Rise Collaborative, which coordinates actions and oversees ongoing adaptation work.
The consultant's role will be to:
The budget for the contract is not to exceed $75,000. Deadline for submission of proposals is June 2, at 5 p.m., and must be submitted electronically by email to Natalie Weiss, Request for Proposals Coordinator, at nweiss@ci.olympia.wa.us. No physical submissions will be accepted.
Interested applicants are encouraged to review the original Sea Level Rise Response Plan and relevant research, including the work of coastal resilience expert Scott A. Stephens, who has written extensively on developing early warning systems for rising seas.
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Southsoundguy
Defund now.
Thursday, May 15 Report this
bonaro
Every taxpayer dollar spent on this is a dollar wasted.
Thursday, May 15 Report this
jwiley
Add in DOE as they monitor and maintain the Superfund Site's water dioxin decontamination unit down on Port Property. They developed a plan for sea level rise years back after I complained about this to multiple State agencies.
Friday, May 16 Report this
ViaLocal
In states like Texas they already experiencing sunny day flooding, which has happened in the NW on occasion. This is a direct result of melting ice in the Antarctic and too much water in the oceans - all a direct result of human activities. Scientists have confirmed that sea levels are rising. They have no reason to make something like that up. Anyone who would rather believe Donald Trump or corporations who profit from the activities driving climate change, paying millions to make others believe it's a hoax, is brainwashed or just plain ignorant.
Friday, May 16 Report this
mathisje
The same people who complain about planning for climate change will be the first to complain when the effects hit, cost taxpayers millions to fix and they are inconvenience. RFP looks like a lot of requirements for not much money. Unless definitive hard data is already in place, the report will be high level and vague,
Friday, May 16 Report this
Bobwubbena
A major missing element in the discussion is a "real life hydraulic model" of the impact shoreline changes will have on the management of the routine and periodic tidal changes and the Deschutes River flood timing. Check out how the Netherlands have managed seawater rise/floods and storms. Removal of the Fifth Avenue Dam, installation of flood brims and dredging activity of the marine waters and Capitol Lake will change the hydraulics of the waterfront (flooding potential and two-hour high tide critical period) At this time the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing---State Estuary design options vs protecting the downtown from seawater rise flood periods. The consultant needs to review the entire "South Budd Inet hydraulics to develop the real story"
Saturday, May 17 Report this
Boatyarddog
Wubbenas comment is compleat BS. There has NOT been a study done yet, so in essence Its a farce. And meant to scare the Estuary Project away. As a Past Marina Owner Wubbena has made friends with the same people building on Contaminated Land, and wants to see dredging for the sake of the Port and The Current Olympia Yacht club and Current Marina Developers. GO back to POCAC and rethink why the Bay is So Polluted and See who The Culprits are.
Sunday, May 18 Report this
Boatyarddog
S.S GUY AKA Potatohead is Just plain Dumb.
Sunday, May 18 Report this