PURPOSE OF MASTER PLAN
The Hayward Regional Shoreline Adaptation Master Plan was commissioned in 2019 by the Hayward Area Shoreline Planning Agency (HASPA) a joint powers agency consisting of representatives from the City of Hayward, East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD), and Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD).
The Master Plan will develop various multi-benefit strategies for the shoreline, its existing infrastructure, and the surrounding natural habitat in order to adapt to Sea Level Rise. Ultimately, it will act as a road map and help guide the development of future projects in a coordinated effort between state and local agencies, landowners, and the public. The Plan will be a forward looking tool for preparation, mitigation, and adaptation to climate change.
VIEW THE MASTER PLAN
MASTER PLAN PROCESS
The Shoreline Adaptation Master Plan began in 2019 with Project Initiation, where an analysis of existing conditions and stakeholder engagement were used to understand the constraints and opportunities for the project area. The Design Team then examined future risk across multiple scenarios with Sea Level Rise Modeling and Mapping across various time scales. Subsequently, the Team identified potential Adaptation Strategies to help the shoreline adapt to climate change. These Adaptation Strategies were then consolidated and combined to generate three Design Alternatives. Now the Design Team needs input on the Preferred Master Plan Alternative.
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
The Preferred Alternative balances risk reduction and ecological enhancement to foster a robust and layered system of shoreline adaptation. This hybrid configuration is based upon stakeholder feedback received during the Design Alternatives process.
The line of protection includes a FEMA-certified levee that will reduce risk to inland communities by buffering the shoreline to the impacts of sea level rise and storm surge. The spatial alignment of this levee protects critical built assets and provides opportunities for shoreline restoration.
A large extent of tidal habitat is enhanced outboard of the line of protection. Tidal marshes, existing and restored, would be monitored over time with an adaptive management plan that could use sediment augmentation to sustain healthy mudflat and marsh elevations in strategic areas. New tidal marsh is restored at Frank’s West and Hayward Marsh. Vulnerable ecosystems, like the Oliver Salt Ponds, would also be restored to tidal marshes as sea levels rise and make perimeter levee maintenance less feasible.
The Bay Trail is aligned to promote a diversity of experiences while reducing the risk of flooding.
The Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center is protected in place with interim levee raising and future adaptation could occur through the elevation of the building itself. Its location within a marsh maintains a direct connection to shoreline ecosystems. The San Lorenzo Community Park is also protected in place, but vulnerable to potential groundwater emergence.
Two alternate configurations are outlined below in two areas that may require additional flexibility to align with ongoing projects and permitting constraints.
To download versions of the report and the appendices click on the links below (Updated: October 2020):
COMMENT FORM
The Design Team is now looking to collect feedback on the Master Plan Report. This will inform the finalization of the Final Master Plan document that will be used to guide the implementation of future adaptation projects.