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Please check back over the course of the project to stay updated on the latest news and subscribe below! We will share information on the upcoming public meetings, opportunities to provide input on the draft SLR Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Study, as well as the latest project updates. In the meantime, feel free to check out the material provided below to stay up to date on the planning process.

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Project Glossary

County: Grays Harbor County  |  M&N: Moffatt & Nichol, consultant  |  SLR: Sea Level Rise  |  SMP: Shoreline Master Program  |  SR: State Route

How can Grays Harbor County plan to protect low-lying communities in unincorporated areas, important natural resources and critical infrastructure from rising sea levels and mitigate future conditions projected from climate change hazards?

This is the central question that Grays Harbor County is trying to address with support from its consultants with the County’s SLR Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Study. We invite you to be a part of this important conversation.

 

Project Overview

Grays Harbor County, with its extensive coastline and intertidal lands, is heavily influenced by ocean waves, currents, and tides. These natural forces shape the area's unique ecosystem but also pose risks, especially with rising sea levels. High tides and storm surges can lead to flooding and erosion, impacting low-lying communities, infrastructure, and natural habitats.

Flood of 1933 in Aberdeen. Photo credit: Polson Museum

 

Key Points:

  • Location: Grays Harbor County, including open coast beaches, bay/estuarine shorelines, and riverbanks exposed to tides
  • Challenges: Rising sea levels, flooding, erosion, and potential saltwater intrusion into groundwater.
  • Project Study Area: The project study area includes the unincorporated areas of Grays Harbor County, excluding tribal reservations. All jurisdictions with their own Shoreline Master Plan (SMP) are excluded1.
  • Goals:
    • Assess risks and develop strategies to manage sea level rise.
    • Update local plans and regulations to address these challenges.
    • Engage with the community and stakeholders for input and feedback.
    • Identify and prioritize projects to mitigate hazards.
    • Seek funding opportunities for these initiatives.

Success Factors:

  • Collaboration with stakeholders.
  • Effective communication and planning.
  • Designing resilient infrastructure.
  • Securing funding for projects.

Public Outreach:

The project team will discuss potential adaptation strategies to address climate change impacts, considering public and stakeholder input.

Funding:

Washington State Department of Ecology’s the Shoreline Planning Competitive Grant Program for the 2023-25 biennium.

1The list of jurisdictions with SMPs is published at State-approved SMP list - Washington State Department of Ecology.

Source: Moffatt & Nichol, 2024

Project Team (led by County staff)

  • Moffatt & Nichol (M&N), consultant
  • GeoEngineers, subconsultant for groundwater intrusion
  • LeadToResults, subconsultant for stakeholder engagement
  • Grays Harbor County staff

The M&N project team is well versed in resilience planning, environmental science, and shoreline/waterfront engineering.

Project Schedule
 

This project schedule outlines the general overview of the project effort. Please note, the timeline may shift to adapt to changes in the planning process and will be updated accordingly.

 

 

Source: Moffatt & Nichol, 2024

Engage with Us

This webpage is a part of the SLR Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Study being conducted to determine Grays Harbor County’s vulnerability to these effects and develop policies to mitigate these vulnerabilities for residents and visitors alike.

Want to get involved? We'd love to hear from you! Below are several ways you can stay engaged in our project efforts.

1. Complete the Project Survey

Thank you to everyone who participated in our survey! The survey launched December 4, 2024 and closed January 31, 2025. The survey results are available for download below under "Documents". 

2. Subscribe to our Mailing List

Subscribe for the latest updates by entering your email and zip code at the link above. We will communicate project and plan updates to subscribers during key milestones in the planning process.

3. Participate in our Public Meetings

The public can engage with us to learn more about the planning process and provide input towards the SLR Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Study. There will be two public meetings held over the course of the planning process, the first for information gathering and the second for sharing our findings. Please subscribe to stay informed on the latest updates and meeting announcements. 

4. Provide Information on Previous Studies

Stakeholders play an integral role in the community engagement process as your local knowledge, history, and familiarity with issues that concern your community are of vital importance. If you know of related, previously conducted or ongoing studies, we kindly ask that you email the project team with this information: GraysHarborCountySLR@PublicInput.com.

5. Email Questions and Provide Feedback

Please email us at GraysHarborCountySLR@PublicInput.com with any point during the planning process with your questions and concerns. We will respond to your request at our earliest convenience.

 

Available Presentations and Downloads

Please find below links to our presentations and downloads. We will continue to add to this archive as materials are prepared, refined, and released. Additionally, planning resources, such as studies conducted for/by other stakeholders are available for download.