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The following entities are involved in this project:

• The Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG): Project lead responsible for executing study

• Caltrans: Oversees grant allocation

• Mendocino County Department of Transportation (MCDOT): Responsible for the maintenance and operation of County maintained infrastructure

• Terraphase Engineering: Engineering firm and lead technical consultant

• Alta Planning + Design (Alta): Sustainable transportation engineering firm

• Craig Communications: Public outreach consulting firm responsible for stakeholder engagement

• University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE Mendocino – Water and Climate Program): Local entity assisting with community engagement implementation

• Technical Advisory Group (TAG): Advisory panel that will provide support and technical advice, advocate for member priorities and support outreach; composed of MCOG, MCDOT, the California Coastal Commission, Caltrans, City of Fort Bragg, and the project consultant team.

This study will identify and prioritize coastal roadways in Mendocino County that are at risk due to sea level rise (SLR), flooding, erosion and other climate-related impacts. It will explore and evaluate potential strategies to protect or adapt these roads to maintain access and safety for local communities and provide a recommended adaptation approach for each selected roadway.

Many of Mendocino County’s roadways run through narrow valleys and along the coastline. These routes are critical for daily travel, emergency response and access to coastal communities. Rising sea levels and more frequent storm events are already beginning to impact these roads, and this study will help plan for long-term solutions.

The study evaluated 23 Mendocino County and city-managed roadway segments near the coast that could be affected by sea level rise, including local roads and access routes used by residents, emergency services and businesses. The study does not include private roadways or state highways.

The five locations selected for further study are Point Cabrillo Drive, Old Coast Highway (Gualala), Eastern Portion of Port Road, Lighthouse Road, and Ocean View Drive (Cliff Way). During the next phase of the project, adaptation options will be developed and evaluated for each location, with findings documented in a Feasibility Study anticipated for release in Winter 2026.

No. This project is a planning study only and does not include funding for design, permitting, or construction of roadway improvements. The purpose of the study is to identify and evaluate potential adaptation strategies for the five selected locations and recommend a preferred approach for each site.

The findings will be documented in a Feasibility Study that can help local agencies better understand future risks, prioritize investments, and pursue funding opportunities for future projects.

No. Due to limited grant funding, the study narrowed an initial list of 23 potential sites down to five priority locations for more detailed analysis and planning. Five priority locations have been selected for detailed analysis: Point Cabrillo Drive, Old Coast Highway (Gualala), Eastern Portion of Port Road, Lighthouse Road, and Ocean View Drive (Cliff Way). These locations were selected based on roadway use, consequences of roadway failure, climate vulnerability, potential adaptation approaches, implementation feasibility, and community feedback.

State highways are managed by Caltrans and the agency is conducting its own sea level rise and climate resilience planning for the state highway system. While this study is not focused on state highways, community input on highways gathered during this project is shared with Caltrans representatives for consideration in ongoing and future planning efforts.

At this time, we have selected the five final sites for further evaluation under this grant.

However, if you have concerns about other roadways, MCOG welcomes feedback. Please email info@MendocinoSLRstudy.org. Please note that while the road will not be considered as part of this evaluation, it is still helpful to share this information for future planning efforts.

Adaptation strategies may include elevating or realigning roads, improving drainage, adding shoreline protections or identifying and developing alternate routes.

We encourage you to use the Contact Us page to be added to our project contact list so you can stay informed as the project progresses.