SEA LEVEL RISE POLICY FLOATS TO TOP OF AGENDA

The business community must take a more active role in guiding future policy related to the impact of sea level rise in the Bay Area. That was the thrust of a discussion on Aug. 16 that Bay Area Council CEO Jim Wunderman led among a group of business leaders and Will Travis, executive director of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC).

The discussion comes as BCDC considers amendments to its Bay Area Plan — the policy and regulatory blueprint for guiding land use and development along the bay shoreline – that attempt to address the potential impacts of sea level rise. BAC was instrumental in drafting new language that helps better define the regulatory reach of the proposed Bay Plan amendments. Among those participating in the discussion, which was hosted by Juniper Networks in partnership with the Bay Planning Coalition, Building Industry Association of the Bay Area, Joint Venture Silicon Valley, Moffett Park Business Group and Silicon Valley Leadership Group, were John Igoe of Google, Larry Burnett of Cisco, Miles Imwalle of Morrison & Foerster and Michael Covarrubias of TMG Partners. This issue will only increase in impotence and impact, so watch for much more on the topic.