2022 Coastal Resilience Solicitation

Purpose

The overall goal of this solicitation is to build resilience on the coast to assist coastal communities in preparing for and adapting to the impacts of sea-level rise. Projects must be either research-based or provide on-the-ground resilience to climate change through restoration and/or habitat enhancement. All projects must benefit the coastal or San Francisco Bay region.

Description

The overall goal of this solicitation is to build resilience on the coast to assist coastal communities in preparing for and adapting to the impacts of sea-level rise (SLR). Projects must be either research-based or provide on-the-ground resilience to climate change through restoration and/or habitat enhancement. Applications submitted in response to this solicitation should advance implementation of the OPC’s Strategic Plan to Protect California’s Coast and Ocean 20202025 (Strategic Plan). Projects should identify and demonstrate quantitative progress in implementing Strategic Plan targets. All projects must benefit the coastal or San Francisco Bay region. OPC will fund at least one project from each of the priority areas described below: Coastal Habitat Mapping Research-based projects that feature coastal habitat mapping should focus on the mapping and tracking of shifts in coastal ecosystems expected as a result of sea-level rise, such as changes in habitat availability/quality, species composition, or other important ecosystem attributes. Contaminated Sites Research-based projects that feature contaminated sites should build on previous research, such as the Toxic Tides program, which identified contaminated sites, including power plants, refineries, industrial facilities, landfills and incinerators, cleanup sites, refineries, and hazardous waste (hazardous waste treatment and disposal) sites, vulnerable to sea-level rise and their proximity to disadvantaged communities. Socio-economic Impacts of SLR OPC is also seeking research to further our understanding of the social and economic impacts of SLR on coastal communities at a regional or statewide scale. Implementation projects should improve coastal resiliency and address the impacts of SLR through nature-based strategies. Projects must demonstrate resilience to sea levels projected for 2100. SLR impacts may include coastal erosion and beach loss, habitat degradation and fragmentation, and flooding and damage to infrastructure and facilities. Nature-based strategies should protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems through an adaptive capacity with biodiversity multi-benefits.