SAN MATEO COUNTY
County Resilience Initiatives
This county has two coasts, ocean and bay, doubling the flooding challenges ahead from sea level rise. The bayshore also hosts a number of critical regional assets, like the SFO Airport, several important flood control channels and creeks, and a handful of underserved communities in the risk zone. The county moved quickly and early to address vulnerabilities, including creation of a model multi-jurisdictional flood district unique to the Bay Area.
INITIATIVES
Sustainable San Mateo County – This initiative’s mission is to drive action on economic, environmental, and social equity issues leading to sustainable practices and improving the county’s long-term health. Core programs include: an awards program celebrating local sustainability champions; a sustainability dashboard tracking sustainability progress in the County’s 20 cities using sustainability indicators; an annual Indicators Report examining one crucial sustainability issue; and a sustainability ideas bank.
Climate Ready SMC – Led by the County’s Office of Sustainability to help communities address climate impacts now and in the future this initiative uses a variety of strategies to understand and plan for climate risks including fostering collaboration through webinars and convening modeling climate impacts; providing technical assistance, partnership, and funding for resiliency projects; and investing in culturally competent community engagement.
RESOURCES
- San Mateo County Climate Action Plan
- Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment
- South Coast Sea Level Rise Risk and Solutions Study (ocean coast)
- Sustainable Streets Master Plan
- Planning Policy Guidance (sea level rise)
- Sustainability Ideas Bank
GOVERNMENT
Lead Contacts
- Hanna Doress, Office of Sustainability Climate Specialist
- Len Materman, One Shoreline Executive Director
- Dave Pine, County Supervisor
