Proposed parcel tax for June ballot to protect the Bay from sea level rise, nine counties

San Jose Mercury News/Denis Cuff, 1/13/16, "Bay Area-wide tax aims to protect against rising sea levels."

A proposed tax to protect our inland Bay
may only cost parcel owners $12 this year.

A shared nine counties tax to protect coastside
flooding and erosion might also be nice fair.

"OAKLAND -- Bay Area voters will be asked in June to approve a $12 annual parcel tax to protect and restore the San Francisco Bay shoreline and wetlands from rising sea levels due to climate change. The proposed tax is believed to be the first to go on the ballot in all nine Bay Area counties. It needs two-thirds approval to pass. 

In authorizing the measure unanimously on Wednesday, members of the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority said the tax is needed to provide $500 million over 20 years to fortify levees and create flood relief plains to protect homes, businesses, airports, highways and parks around the bay, and restore wetlands important to fish and wildlife. ....  Scientists predict the sea level to rise 3 to 5 feet through 2100."  Read more. 

Related article. Marin Independent Journal/Environment/Bay Area News Group/Paul Rogers, 1/13/16, "$12 parcel tax proposed for Marin, Bay Area counties for bay restoration." "In a milestone for San Francisco Bay restoration that also raises questions about who should pay to protect property from rising seas caused by climate change, a low-profile government agency voted Wednesday to place a $12 annual parcel tax on the June 7 ballot in Marin and the rest of the Bay Area counties. The measure, whose campaign is being bankrolled by Silicon Valley business leaders and Bay Area environmental groups, is believed to be the first local tax ever placed before voters in all nine Bay Area counties." 

Reference.  San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority.  From that website FAQ.  "What is the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority? The San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority is a regional agency with a Governing Board made up of local elected officials. Its purpose is to raise and allocate local resources for the restoration, enhancement, protection, and enjoyment of wetlands and wildlife habitat in San Francisco Bay and along its shoreline, and associated flood management and public access infrastructure. ....Are there projects near where I live? There will be projects in each of the nine Bay Area counties and you do not have to live right next to a project to see the benefits of restoring the Bay. Revenue will be allocated to projects throughout the region, with 50% of funds allocated to the North Bay (Marin, Sonoma, Napa, and Solano), East Bay (Contra Costa and Alameda), South Bay (Santa Clara), and West Bay (San Mateo and San Francisco) proportional to the size of their populations and 50% allocated without regard to county. Provisions ensure projects are funded in each of the San Francisco Bay Area's nine counties. A potential project list and map can be found under the "Documents" tab of this website." 

Related.   San Francisco Estuary Partnership/San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority/Habitat Restoration. "Currently, the Authority is considering a 2014 ballot measure for the nine Bay Area counties, which would support the restoration of thousands of acres of natural habitat for wildlife while helping our local economy, creating thousands of new jobs, addressing flooding issues, and improving access to public lands. The Authority is led by a Governing Board of six representatives of local government, chaired by the Director of the Coastal Conservancy. An advisory board of private citizens, local stakeholders, and experts on Bay issues supports the Authority’s work." 

Note graphic and photograph: the Map found on the Mercury News/Bay Area News Group article (above) is from San Francisco Restoration.  Waves crashing along Beach Blvd in Pacifica 2010 by Paul Sakuma/AP from a Los Angeles Times article, 3/28/13.

Posted by Kathy Meeh