Responses to sea level rise along the coast of California: case studies of adaptive practices

Sea levels are rising due to anthropogenic causes. As the oceans rise coastal areas and inhabitants become progressively more vulnerable. Research done within and about communities grappling with sea-level rise that incorporates vulnerability and resilience theories remains largely lacking. Central to the exploration of this topic are the questions: What are local government responses to sea level rise along the coast of California? What circumstances lend themselves to either one of the three "adaptive practices" (managed retreat, coastal defense, or adaptive restoration scenarios) that local governments employ to respond to global sea-level rise? The three case studies, along the coast of California, that inform this study are: Goleta Beach Park in Santa Barbara (managed retreat), Balboa Island in Orange County (coastal defense), and tidal Napa Plant Site Restoration in Napa County (adaptive restoration). Both social vulnerability and resilience theory have guided my field research and thesis. Qualitative research methods have largely informed my thesis, via 28 semi-structured in-depth interviews, content analysis, site observation, and pictorial representation. Secondary sources and data will have also been utilized to inform this thesis mainly for content analysis. The overall purpose and goal of this examination is to critically analyze how local governments are attempting to address the impacts of sea-level rise, what "adaptive practice" scenarios are local governments employing, and community responses to government action (or non-action) to sea-level rise the along the coast of California.