Sea Level Rise team to explore FEMA flood protection despite federal challenges 

The Sea Level Rise Response Collaborative team is exploring the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) accreditation even as the federal agency faces uncertainties.  

Natalie Weiss, Olympia's Climate Resilience coordinator, presented an updated 2025 work plan at the SLR Response Collaborative Executive Committee meeting on Friday, March 7. Exploring FEMA accreditation is an additional item in this year's work plan.  

During the presentation, committee member Carolyn Cox raised concerns about the dismantling of FEMA under the current federal administration. 

"The current administration is talking about doing away with FEMA. How might that factor in our work plan?" Cox asked.

In response, Weiss said the staff will continue their work based on existing regulations, and deal with any changes that may come.  

Weiss said the staff team is evaluating FEMA flood protection accreditation for the shoreline. They will examine the potential costs, benefits and implications of pursuing flood protection status.  

The goal is to understand the full scope of what such a designation would mean for Olympia. The team will present its findings to the executive committee with a recommendation on whether to pursue FEMA accreditation.  

The committee adopted the work plan last year. It includes: 

• Refine sea level rise and flood monitoring strategy. 

• Develop guidelines to incorporate sea level rise considerations into capital planning. 

• Investigate long-term public finance mechanisms (currently on pause). 

• Update the SLR website and outreach materials. 

• Pursue state and federal funding. 

According to Weiss, the 2025 work plan marks a transition from near-term to mid-term sea level rise response.

She said the collaborative is now targeting sea level rise projections through 2050, with potential impacts ranging from 6 to 24 inches.  

The Sea Level Rise Response Plan outlined a strategic, phased approach to addressing sea level rise from 2019 to 2100.  

Weiss reported that the collaborative has completed about 92% of the near-term strategies outlined in the SLR plan.

The near-term response was about interventions with respect to adapting to low sea level rise, less than 6 inches (2019-2024).  

The mid-term strategies (2025-2050) aim to develop adaptive management approaches, such as flood proofing the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant (BITP) and implementing permanent flood control measures. 

The long-term strategies, covering 2050-210, will prepare for potential sea level rises up to 68 inches. 

Grant 

Olympia received a $420,000 climate resiliency and stormwater management grant from the Department of Ecology, Susan Clark, the city's Engineering and Planning supervisor, announced at the meeting.  

The grant will fund the Olympia Combined Sewer Peak Flow Reduction Plan, a study targeting downtown Olympia and two other neighborhoods — South Capital and Bigelow. These areas have a combined sewer system where stormwater and wastewater flow through the same pipes.  

Clark explained the study would focus on separating combined sewer systems. It aims to help reduce peak flows into treatment plants during storm events. 

Clark said the grant is the first step in developing both gray and green stormwater infrastructure solutions.

While no immediate construction is planned, the city's goal is to use this study to develop a concrete project proposal and identify additional funding sources for future infrastructure improvements.  

She noted the project is in the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan.