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Urgent Meetings Begin on Solano’s Sea Level Resiliency Project

Urgent Meetings Begin on Solano’s Sea Level Resiliency Project
Editorial
  • PublishedOctober 21, 2025

UPDATE: Officials kicked off crucial discussions on the Solano Bayshore Resiliency Project during a community meeting in Suisun City on Monday evening. This marks the beginning of a series of urgent community meetings aimed at tackling the pressing issue of sea level rise affecting coastal cities across the county.

About 10 community members attended the meeting, sharing valuable feedback on their priorities for the project. The Solano Bayshore Resiliency Project aims to create a future where shoreline communities are protected and thriving, especially amidst the looming threat of climate change. The draft mission emphasizes collaboration to safeguard critical infrastructure and restore natural ecosystems, focusing particularly on the most vulnerable populations.

With alarming statistics presented, officials highlighted that 90 percent of heat generated by greenhouse gases is absorbed by oceans, leading to significant water expansion and the melting of glaciers. This phenomenon shrinks dry land by approximately 3.3 millimeters annually. Projections indicate that by the end of the century, sea levels could rise between 1 to 6 feet, potentially impacting 160 million people in the U.S. and 600 million worldwide.

Co-Chair Meg Herston stated that the project must prepare for a potential rise of 6.5 feet plus an additional 10 feet of storm surge by the year 2100. “Climate change is not a distant issue,” she asserted, emphasizing the immediate relevance of the project.

The initiative will be funded at the state level and managed by Solano County, its coastal cities, and the Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District. A comprehensive vulnerability assessment is planned to identify communities and infrastructure at risk from rising seas. The collected data will inform a detailed action plan, with further community input expected before implementation.

Mayor Alma Hernandez opened the meeting by expressing gratitude to attendees, highlighting the community’s investment in its well-being. “It’s going to take all of us,” she said, underscoring the collective effort required to combat the challenges posed by sea level rise. The initiative aims to promote awareness through community outreach, including flood walks, as residents learn how climate change could directly affect them.

The Suisun City community spans approximately four square miles and is home to around 30,000 residents. Amanda Dunn, Management Analyst for the Suisun Public Works Department, noted that the southern boundary of the city is formed by the largest brackish estuary remaining in the U.S. west of the Mississippi. She warned that urban runoff could eventually impact the Pacific Ocean.

Planning for the project will continue through August 2027, with each affected community hosting at least two events for public engagement. The vulnerability assessment is expected to conclude by February 2026, followed by the completion of the action plan in August 2027. Residents expressed their hopes for a shoreline that remains resilient, safe, clean, and accessible, primarily used for recreation.

Herston emphasized the importance of utilizing social media to raise awareness, noting that traditional outreach methods have proven less effective. This project represents a critical step in addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change and ensuring that shoreline communities are equipped to face the future.

Stay tuned for further updates as community meetings continue and plans evolve. The urgency of this project cannot be overstated—every voice matters in shaping a resilient future for Solano County.

Editorial
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Editorial

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