Sea Level Rise Not A Big Issue For Alameda Berkeley Lab Site

Proposed Berkeley Lab site at
Alameda Point.  Red area is Phase 1.

According to a September 23 news article in the Alameda Journal, the Lab expressed concern about the potential impact of sea level rise on the proposed Alameda site.  A look at the coastal sea level rise maps prepared by the Pacific Institute suggest that sea level rise at the proposed Lab site at Alameda Point would be minor and easily addressed.  One way to address the issue would be to reorient the layout of the Lab site, something city negotiators have flexibility to do.

You can view and navigate the Pacific Institute sea level rise map by clicking here.

There are other reasons that sea level rise will not likely undermine longterm planning for the Lab in the dock area of Alameda Point:

WETA maintenance and admin building (approved). 

> The Water Emergency Transit Authority (WETA) will soon be constructing a maintenance building and dock directly adjacent to the Lab site.  They've already looked into this matter.

> The US Maritime Administration has a long term contract with Alameda to dock their Ready Reserve ships at the dock next to the Lab site.  This corner of Alameda Point would be on a high priority list to receive funding should there ever be a need for sea level rise geotechnical work.

As for the Enterprise Park area on the southern waterfront adjacent to the proposed Lab site, under the worst case scenario this would become wetlands and marsh.

The Alameda Point site is essentially at the same elevation as the Richmond Field Station, one of the other finalists in the Lab Second Campus selection process.  You can view and navigate the Richmond/East Shore area by going to this Pacific Institute map.