SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – On Monday, the City of Santa Barbara released its draft long-term, climate adaptation plans for water and wastewater systems, the first of its kind in the state.
The Draft Wastewater and Water Systems Climate Adaptation Plan identifies the highest priority risks to the city's infrastructure from impacts connected to a changing local climate including: flooding, erosion, sea level rise, and wildfires.
"Flooding and erosion during storms already affect the City’s wastewater and water infrastructure," explained the City of Santa Barbara. "The severity of these impacts is anticipated to accelerate significantly in the coming decades due to climate changes, including rising sea levels and heavier rainfall during storms. The City developed the Wastewater and Water Systems Climate Adaptation Plan to evaluate the current and future impacts on the City's water and wastewater systems and outline a phased approach for adapting these systems over time."
In particular, the City identified low-lying areas from the Waterfront to just north of Highway 101 as locations that will face increased flooding in the coming years.
Access roads to the El Estero Water Resource Center already experience flooding during heavy rainfall and those issues are expected to get worse due to both increased rainfall totals as well as sea level rise.
Flooding at the back gate at the El Estero Water Resource Center courtesy of the City of Santa Barbara.
"The City often gets asked whether we will have to move El Estero in the long term and where it would go," said the City of Santa Barbara's Water Resources Director Joshua Haggmark. "While this decision is not anticipated until the latter part of the 21st century, the City will eventually need to decide whether to protect the plant in place or relocate it."
The City of Santa Barbara offered that a city-owned property on parts of the municipal golf course could be considered as a new location for a relocated wastewater treatment plant, but the area is already dealing with similar issues adapting to the changing local climate.
Expected rises in sea levels in the coming decades, especially more intrusive coastal storm surges, could introduce saltwater into the wastewater collection system.
That saltwater threatens the bacteria that the sewer treatment system relies on to break down its contents noted the City of Santa Barbara.
Expected sea level increases. Santa Barbara's draft plan is based on the Intermediate-High Scenario highlighted in blue.
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Just in time for the holidays, Westside Dance of Santa Barbara will be performing a shorter, sweeter version of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker.
Coming up this weekend, the dance company will be putting three shows at Santa Barbara's Marjorie Luke Theatre: Sat. Dec 13th at 11am & 4pm, Sun. Dec 14th at 4pm.
Whether you're a fan of the original ballet, or just in search of holiday events this weekend, this shorter rendition is perfect for everyone.
Show director, Jennifer Phillips, and dancer, Emma Sizer, joined your Morning News to preview the upcoming performances.
"Our version is slightly different because it's shorter. It's very sweet, perfect for young families," Phillip explains. "We keep our show under an hour. It's really it's a sweet production and I bet so many kids are excited to see this and see it."
You can purchase your tickets and learn more information by visiting the dance company's website.
The post Westside Dance Previews Their Short & Sweet Performance of The Nutcracker appeared first on News Channel 3-12.