Survey - Highway 1 Elkhorn Slough Corridor Resiliency Project
Survey - Highway 1 Elkhorn Slough Corridor Resiliency Project
Elkhorn Slough, a major estuary along the Monterey Bay shoreline, is one of California’s most ecologically significant wetlands, supporting nearly 2,700 acres of intact habitat for hundreds of aquatic bird, fish, marine mammal, and invertebrate species. As one of the state’s largest remaining estuarine marshes, the Slough plays a critical role in regional biodiversity and ecological health. However, sea level rise poses an imminent threat to both its sensitive habitats and the surrounding built environment, with projections indicating that as much as 85% of the Slough’s marshlands could be lost or converted to open water without intervention. The region’s transportation infrastructure, including an eight-mile stretch of Highway 1 linking Monterey and Santa Cruz, and a five-mile section of rail line critical to freight movement and potential future passenger rail service, is similarly vulnerable. Communities such as Moss Landing, which are entirely dependent on Highway 1 for access, face increasing risks from flooding and extreme weather events, underscoring the urgency of coordinated adaptation efforts that balance ecological preservation with community resilience.
To address these challenges, the Elkhorn Slough Corridor Resiliency Study seeks to build upon the 2020 Central Coast Highway 1 Climate Resiliency Study led by the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG). Through a robust Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) process, this study will identify and assess adaptation scenarios, engage community stakeholders, and establish a preferred approach that safeguards transportation assets, specifically Highway 1 and the Union Pacific Railroad corridor, while restoring ecological function within Elkhorn Slough.
Key goals for this study include:
· Improve Highway 1 infrastructure by providing congestion relief and improved safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists
· Prepare the Elkhorn Slough Corridor Resiliency Project for future local, state, and federal grant opportunities
· Reduce tidal flooding and dangers to the Elkhorn Slough Natural Estuarine Reserve (ESNERR)
· Protect the local communities and businesses in the area by ensuring the long-term resilience of the critical transportation corridors and mitigating flooding issues
Please complete this survey to help us better understand the environment, communities, and industries that are impacted by the Elkhorn Slough. It contains 13 questions and will take about 2-5 minutes to complete.
This survey is part of the Highway 1 Elkhorn Slough Corridor Resiliency Project and is intended to gather community input to inform potential solutions for addressing flooding risks and sea level rise in the Elkhorn Slough corridor. The Elkhorn Slough is one of California’s most ecologically significant wetlands, supporting nearly 2,700 acres of intact habitat for hundreds of aquatic birds, fish, marine mammal, and invertebrate species. However, sea level rise and extreme weather events pose an imminent threat to both the sensitive habitats within the Slough and the surrounding built environment.
To address these challenges, the Project builds on earlier Highway 1 climate planning to explore long-term solutions that reduce flooding, protect natural habitats, and keep key transportation routes safe and reliable. "The corridor" refers to five miles of Union Pacific Railroad tracks that run through Elkhorn Slough and an eight-mile stretch of Highway 1 from Salinas Road to the Castroville Hwy 156 interchange.
For more information, visit the project website by using the following link: Highway 1 Elkhorn Slough Corridor Resiliency Project webpage or scanning the following QR code: