Productive Discussion of Flood Control

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A capacity crowd jammed the meeting room of the Bay Model on February 7 for a community gathering to discuss the effects of flooding due to high tides and storms. The event was hosted by Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters and her aide Doreen Gounard, a long-term resident of Galilee Harbor. The focus of the meeting was for residents and businesses from Gate 6 Road to Commodore Marina, as well as Marin City, to share concerns and solutions for future king tide events.

Supervisor Moulton-Peters (SMP) introduced Marin County Fire Chief Jason Weber, who spoke about the County’s response to the super moon and storms of early January, which produced the highest water levels so far this century. He acknowledged that the County could have issued warnings and suggestions sooner and more clearly and promised that mitigation will be improved. He also noted that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) typically underestimate tide heights, so future warnings need to be adjusted accordingly. Then he opened the floor for community input.

Brad Hathaway of East Pier noted that there is less water in the channel between his pier and the Gate 6 Road parking strip due to silting and added that king tides also result in longer low tides than usual, making the channel non-navigable for fireboats and other service vessels.

Various people stated that the Bay Conservation and Development Commission tends to focus on enforcement issues, not problem solving. SMP, who is also a BDCD commissioner, agreed that an emergency permitting process needs to be implemented for dealing with flooding, adding, “We will see a change in the BCDC mission” going forward.

Sasha Cole of Commodore Marina noted that the early January tides flooded his marina’s power panel, causing a 6-day power outage. During that time residents were unable to dispose of sewage. He noted that when he called to ask the BCDC about pumping out the standing water, the Commission staffer seemed more concerned about punishing the marina for allowing runoff into the Bay.

Several residents of Gate 6 ½ commented that the culvert used to empty the Marin City detention pond is in disrepair and cannot properly accommodate the outflows that occur after king tides and major storms. Lewis Shireman, whose Gate 6 1/2 home is directly in the path of the outflow, noted that it is eroding the mud under his home, which used to sit level and now has a permanent list. He also pointed out that when he moved aboard 30 years ago, it took a 6.3’ tide to float his shoreside home. Now, his home lifts off in 5.6’ of water due to erosion from the culvert runoff.

Residents reported that erosion and flooding have contributed to a scarcity of financing and insurance options for floating homes.

A number of residents expressed the need to raise Gate 6 Road, and SMP confirmed that any work to accomplish that must be subject to BCDC approval. She offered to discuss that issue with the chairman of the Commission, and to request emergency permitting.

FHA Environmental Chair Joe Novitski called for a resumption of Community Emergency Response Team training (see related post), so CERTS could help out during floods, such as posting signs directing people to detours around affected areas and alternative parking solutions. He also stressed that the Southern Marin Fire Protection District should be included in local emergency planning.

Chief Weber referred to an article in that morning’s Marin IJ quoting Michael McKinley, the Sausalito Police Department emergency services coordinator, stating that the Small Business Administration will soon be accepting applications from Marin’s flood-hit businesses for low-interest loans — “typically 1 to 3%.”

By the end of the meeting, attendees were grateful for the opportunity to have a constructive conversation about their concerns and ways to address them. SMP promised to discuss these issues with County staff and Public Works, and closed by saying, “We’ll come back to see you again.”