Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is advancing its comprehensive Climate Adaptation Plan to address the impacts of future sea level rise and increased flooding caused by climate change.
Community members are invited to attend the Climate Plan Open House and the Airport Commission meeting to learn more about the plan, chat with SBA staff, and provide comments.
The open house will be at 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7 in the Direct Relief conference room, 6100 Wallace Becknell Road. The Airport Commission meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, in the Airport Administration Office, 601 Firestone Road.
The Climate Adaptation initiative aims to safeguard the airport’s infrastructure, operations, and surrounding habitats while preparing for evolving environmental challenges, the city said.
Community members can review the Climate Adaption Plan Vulnerability Assessment, and email recommendations by Jan. 16, 2025 to SBA_CAP@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.
This plan will be developed in three phases:
- Phase I: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (current phase): Quantitative analyses and mapping will assess risks to SBA’s infrastructure, operations, and the Goleta Slough habitat. This assessment analyzes flood and sea level rise hazards and assesses potential vulnerabilities.
- Phase II: Climate Adaptation Plan Development: SBA will identify and evaluate flood protection strategies, balancing nature-based solutions with traditional infrastructure.
- Phase III: Airport Coastal Land Use Plan Update: SBA will update its Coastal Land Use Plan by 2026 to incorporate adaptation policies, aligning with the latest state and local guidance on sea level rise and resource protection.
For more, visit the Climate Adaptation Plan.