Sea level rise is a significant issue for the Bay Area. By 2060, it’s estimated that sea level rise will affect 132,365 socially vulnerable residents, 104,000 existing jobs, 85,000 new jobs, 20,000 acres of wetlands, lagoons, and tidal marsh habitat, 5 million daily highway vehicle trips, and 60,000 daily rail commuters.

Although sea level rise has been gradual until now, by 2040 the rise is expected to accelerate. As sea levels rise, so do the risks.

The City is one of the communities impacted by sea level rise within the Bay Area. Mountain View is susceptible both to river and creek flooding from watershed runoff and coastal flooding from high tide and waves from the San Francisco Bay.

That’s why the City has developed a comprehensive plan to address sea level rise with several projects either completed or under way. These projects will protect the City and the Shoreline Regional Park Community, a separate legal entity that includes a regional park, closed regional landfill, businesses that contribute to the regional economy, residences and future housing units that will be developed as part of complete neighborhoods to implement the North Bayshore Precise Plan.

One project already complete is the Sailing Lake Access Road Improvement project. This project improved the safety of the Sailing Lake, provided better access for operations and maintenance and fortified the road to support the anticipated soil transport for the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration project at Pond A1 in the future. Meanwhile, the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project is under construction at Pond A2W (directly west of Stevens Creek). This project, overseen by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California State Coastal Commission, will restore tidal marshes and reestablish tidal flow connections while reducing erosion risk at the shoreline. Currently, large amounts of soil are being imported for the project. The soil hauling and stockpiling are scheduled to be complete by the end of 2023. In the next phase, the project will move the soil further out into the pond to form the gradually sloped habitat zones and vegetation will be established over time.

The City of Mountain View is developing a comprehensive Biodiversity Strategy (Strategy) to preserve and enhance the diversity of plants, trees, and wildlife in parks and on other public and private lands. The Strategy will articulate a vision that incorporates the principles of protection, restoration, design, and community engagement. Development of the Strategy is included as a Sustainability and Climate Resiliency initiative in the City Council’s Strategic Work Plan. The Strategy will create guiding principles and build upon the City’s existing plans and projects that affect and influence biodiversity.

On June 28, 2022, the City Council adopted a Resolution of Intent to establish a pedestrian mall/plaza on Castro Street between West Evelyn Avenue and California Street as required by the 1960 Pedestrian Mall Law. On October 11, 2022, City Council adopted a resolution and introduce ordinance establishing pedestrian malls on Castro Street between the east leg of West Evelyn Avenue and Villa Street, Villa Street and West Dana Street, and West Dana Street and California Street. The ordinance second reading took place on October 25, 2022. Over the next few months, staff will continue to work with the Council Ad Hoc committee on the interim pedestrian mall plan and design guidelines/standards. More information about the proposed pedestrian mall, including work under way to plan for an interim pedestrian mall, can be found at MountainView.gov/PedMall

The City’s Transportation Team has completed Safe Routes to School training at all the schools in the Mountain View Whisman School District, and are working with other school districts to set up training in the remaining schools. Staff is also preparing for a Bike Circus as part of the Monster Bash at Rengstorff Park from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 29, 2022. The Bike Circus will include fun bike safety training for children as well as free bike repairs valued at more than $100—to be provided on a first come first served basis. Please bike to the event.