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Town Council Resolution No. 16-2024 June 19, 2024
RESOLUTION NO. 16-2024 A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF TIBURON ADOPTING THE 2024 MULTI JURISDICTIONAL LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN WHEREAS, natural hazards, such as earthquakes, floods, and wildfires, pose a significant threat to the residents and visitors of Town of Tiburon; and WHEREAS, disasters start and end at the local level, it is the inherent responsibility of local government to lead hazard mitigation and the reduction of risk and vulnerability to hazards; and WHEREAS, the Town of Tiburon, in coordination with neighboring jurisdictions and special districts, produced the Town of Tiburon to the 2024 Marin Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to
provide a framework for hazard mitigation; and WHEREAS, the adoption of the 2024 MJLHMP in accordance with the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) and the adoption of the MJLHMP is exempt from CEQA because it is not considered a project pursuant to CEQA guidelines section 15378(b) in that it does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in potentially significant physical impact on the
environment. In addition, or in the alternative, adoption of the 2024 MJLHMP is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15061 (b)3 in that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that activities in question may have a significant effect on the environment and therefore are not subject to CEQA; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council adopted a new Safety and Resilience Element into the General Plan in 2023 that incorporates by reference the 2024 Marin Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan by including the following language: “Implement the adopted Local hazard Mitigation Plan to comply with the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and maintain eligibility for hazard mitigation funding from FEMA”. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Town of Tiburon does hereby adopt the 2024 Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (Tiburon Vol.2 Annex- Exhibit
A) and finds the plan consistent with the Town of Tiburon General Plan. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council held on this 19th day of June, 2024,
by the following vote: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Fredericks, Nikfar, Ryan, Thier, Welner
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
___________________________________ ALICE FREDERICKS, MAYOR TOWN OF TIBURON ATTEST: ___________________________________ LEA DILENA, TOWN CLERK
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EXHIBIT A
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15.TOWN OF TIBURON COMMUNITY
PROFILE
Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional
Hazard Mitigation Plan
2023
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Town of Tiburon and Preparative Consulting would like to thank those collaborators and partners who participated in the planning and development of this document.
The official Marin County hazard mitigation Steering Committee provided the oversight and dedication to this project that was required, and without their commitment, this project would not be possible.
As with any working plan, this document represents planning strategies and guidance as understood as of the date of this plan’s release. This plan identifies natural hazards and risks
and identifies the hazard mitigation strategy to reduce vulnerability and make the communities of the Town of Tiburon more disaster resistant and sustainable.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
15. TOWN OF TIBURON COMMUNITY PROFILE ................................................................. 15-1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................................................................... 15-3
TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................... 15-5
SECTION 1.0: INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................... 15-7
1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 15-7
1.2 Planning Process ....................................................................................................... 15-7
1.2.1 Steering Committee Members (Jurisdictional Representatives) ........................... 15-8
1.2.2 Steering Committee Planning Process ................................................................ 15-9
1.2.3 Coordination with Stakeholders and Agencies..................................................... 15-9
1.2.4 Public Engagement ........................................................................................... 15-16
1.3 Overview and History ............................................................................................... 15-23
1.4 Government ............................................................................................................. 15-26
1.5 Weather and Climate ............................................................................................... 15-26
1.6 Demographics ......................................................................................................... 15-27
1.7 Social Vulnerability and Risk .................................................................................... 15-31
1.8 Economy and Tax Base ........................................................................................... 15-35
1.9 Critical Facilities ....................................................................................................... 15-37
1.10 Historical Properties ............................................................................................... 15-39
SECTION 2.0: HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT ...................................... 15-40
2.1 Climate Change ....................................................................................................... 15-42
2.2 Hazards ................................................................................................................... 15-49
2.2.1 Debris Flows ..................................................................................................... 15-50
2.2.2 Drought ............................................................................................................. 15-56
2.2.3 Earthquake......................................................................................................... 15-57
2.2.4 Flooding ............................................................................................................ 15-64
2.2.5 Land Subsidence .............................................................................................. 15-71
2.2.6 Levee Failure .................................................................................................... 15-74
2.2.7 Sea Level Rise .................................................................................................. 15-77
2.2.8 Severe Weather – Extreme Heat ....................................................................... 15-82
2.2.9 Severe Weather – High Wind & Tornado........................................................... 15-83
2.2.10 Tsunami ........................................................................................................... 15-86
2.2.11 Wildfire ............................................................................................................ 15-89
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SECTION 3.0: MITIGATION STRATEGY ......................................................................... 15-101
3.1 Changes in Development....................................................................................... 15-101
3.2 Capability Assessment .......................................................................................... 15-103
3.2.1 Regulatory Capabilities ................................................................................... 15-103
3.2.2 Administrative and Technical Capabilities ....................................................... 15-109
3.2.3 Fiscal Capabilities ........................................................................................... 15-111
3.2.4 Community Outreach ...................................................................................... 15-112
3.2.5 Participation in the National Flood Insurance Program .................................... 15-113
3.3 Mitigation Goals ..................................................................................................... 15-116
3.4 Status of Previous Mitigation Actions ..................................................................... 15-118
3.5 Hazard Mitigation Actions ...................................................................................... 15-119
3.6 Progress in Local Mitigation Efforts ........................................................................ 15-124
3.7 Plan Integration ..................................................................................................... 15-124
3.8 Future Development Trends .................................................................................. 15-125
SECTION 4.0: PLAN REVIEW, EVALUATION, AND IMPLEMENTATION ................................ 15-127
4.1 Plan Adoption ........................................................................................................ 15-127
4.2 Plan Monitoring ...................................................................................................... 15-127
4.3 Plan Evaluation ...................................................................................................... 15-128
4.4 Plan Update ........................................................................................................... 15-128
FIGURES AND TABLES ............................................................................................... 15-130
ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................... 15-132
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SECTION 1.0: INTRODUCTION
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The Town of Tiburon, Community Profile has been prepared in conjunction with the Marin County
Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP), establishing an inter-jurisdictional process
for the development and implementation of effective hazard mitigation strategies in association
with identified hazards that pose real or potential threats to the Town of Tiburon.
1.2 PLANNING PROCESS
The majority of Marin County is unincorporated sparsely populated rural and protected lands. Most of the 262,000 county population is consolidated into the Eastern portion of the county.
The Marin County MJHMP Steering Committee and broader Planning Team approached the development of the Marin County MJHMP and the associated jurisdictional and district profiles from a coordinated and collaborative planning and public engagement unity of effort.
The Marin County and Town of Tiburon Steering Committee felt a unified effort, led by the County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), would be the most effective approach for this planning process. This approach allowed the small participating jurisdictions and districts with limited staffing and resources to take advantage of the combined efforts of the County, the Town of Tiburon and the other participating planning areas to reach a broader segment of each of their own populations and do so in a way to ensure greater equity and inclusion of the public in this planning process. Extensive and coordinated public outreach was done involving the Town of Tiburon and all participating jurisdictions and districts with an eye towards equity,
inclusion, openness, accessibility, and ensuring they meet the population where they live, work, or recreate to provide the public convenience of access and ease of participation in this planning process.
Marin County is very different from most California Counties in that the populated portion of the County where the participating jurisdictions and district’s planning areas are located has the same climate, similar topography, and are exposed to many of the same hazards. Only three jurisdictions, Larkspur, Ross, and San Anselmo, are not coastal jurisdictions and are not impacted by Tsunami or Sea Level Rise.
This unity of effort approach allowed the Marin County and Town of Tiburon Steering Committee
to establish a more robust Planning Team representing local Tiburon, countywide, regional, state, and federal stakeholders servicing the Marin County and Town of Tiburon planning area.
These stakeholders were in a unique position to provide informed and specific information and recommendations on hazard mitigation goals and actions, as well as population needs and social vulnerability for each of the jurisdictional and district planning areas. This united effort
allowed the planning team to attend fewer meetings than they would have been required to attend if they were required to attend separate meetings for each participating jurisdiction and district. The reduced number of meetings allowed the planning team the opportunity and time to provide more detailed and thoughtful contributions to the planning effort.
In addition to providing representation on the coordinated Marin County and Town of Tiburon
Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Steering Committee, the Town of Tiburon involved
additional internal planning team members to support the broader planning process. The Town
of Tiburon jurisdictional representatives for the coordinated Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional
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Hazard Mitigation Plans Steering Committee and the Planning Team Members are represented
below.
1.2.1 STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS (JURISDICTIONAL REPRESENTATIVES)
Primary Point of Contact Alternate Point of Contact Sam Bonifacio, Associate Planner Laurie Nilsen, Emergency Svs, Coord. Telephone: 415-435-7392 Telephone: 415-789-2805 E-mail: sbonifacio@townoftiburon.org E-mail: lnilsen@tiburonpd.org
This annex was developed by the primary point of contact with assistance from the members of
the local mitigation planning team listed in Table 1 and Table 2.
Table 1: Local Hazard Mitigation Planning Team Members
Jurisdiction Name Title/ Department Phone Email
Tiburon Sam Bonifacio Associate Planner 415-435-7392 sbonifacio@townoftiburon.org
Tiburon Dina Tasini Director of Community Development 415-435-7393 dtasini@townoftiburon.org
Tiburon Laurie Nilsen Emergency Svs, Coord. 415-789-2805 lnilsen@tiburonpd.org
Tiburon Patrick Kerslake
Public Works Operations Manager 415-435-7399 pkerslake@townoftiburon.org
Tiburon David Eshoo Public Works Engineering Manager 415-435-7388 deshoo@townoftiburon.org
Table 364: Local Hazard Mitigation Planning Team Members
This 2023 Marin County Operational Area (OA) MJHMP is a comprehensive update of the 2018
Marin County OA MJHMP. The planning area and participating jurisdictions and organizations were defined to consist of unincorporated Marin County, five special districts, and the eleven incorporated jurisdictions to include the Town of Tiburon. All participating jurisdictions are within
the geographical boundary of Marin County and have jurisdictional authority within this planning area.
The Marin County and Town of Tiburon Steering Committee led the planning process based on the contribution and input from the whole community stakeholders who identified the community’s concerns, values, and priorities. The Steering Committee met and reviewed the mitigation recommendations and strategies identified within this plan. Each participating local jurisdiction established a mechanism for the development and implementation of jurisdictional mitigation projects, as identified within this plan and associated locally specific supporting
documents. As deemed necessary and appropriate, participating jurisdictions will organize local mitigation groups to facilitate and administer internal activities.
The Marin County and Town of Tiburon Steering Committee assisted with the planning process
in the following ways:
• Attending and participating in the Steering Committee meetings.
• Identification of potential mitigation actions.
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• Updating the status of mitigation actions from the 2018 Marin County OA MJHMP.
• Collecting and providing other requested data (as available).
• Making decisions on plan process and content.
• Reviewing and providing comments on plan drafts; including annexes.
• Informing the public, local officials, and other interested stakeholders about the planning process and providing opportunity for them to be involved and provide comment.
• Coordinating, and participating in the public input process.
• Coordinating the formal adoption of the plan by the governing boards.
1.2.2 STEERING COMMITTEE PLANNING PROCESS
The Marin County and Town of Tiburon Steering Committee met monthly to develop the plan.
Email notifications were sent out to each Steering Committee member to solicit their participation in the Steering Committee meetings. The meetings were conducted using a Zoom platform videoconferencing. Meeting attendees signed in using the chat feature to record their attendance.
The Marin County and Town of Tiburon Steering Committee agreed to make and pass plan-based general policy recommendations by a vote of a simple majority of those members present. The Steering Committee will also seek input on future hazard mitigation programs and strategies from the mitigation planning team by focusing on the following:
• Identify new hazard mitigation strategies to be pursued on a state and regional basis, and review the progress and implementation of those programs already identified.
• Review the progress of the Hazard Mitigation program and bring forth community input on new strategies.
• Coordinate with and support the efforts of the Marin County OEM to promote and identify resources and grant money for implementation of recommended hazard
mitigation Strategies within local jurisdictions and participating public agencies. During the planning process, the Marin County and Town of Tiburon Steering Committee communicated through videoconferencing, face-to-face meetings, email, telephone conversations, and through the County and Town websites. The County and Town website included information for all stakeholders on the MJHMP update process. Hannah Tarling of the Marin County Office of Emergency Management and Preparative Consulting established a Microsoft 365 SharePoint folder which allowed the Steering Committee members and Marin OEM and Preparative Consulting to share planning documents and provide a format for the planning partners to submit completed documents and access other planning related documents and forms. Draft documents were also posted on this platform and the Marin County
OES website so that the Steering Committee members and the public could easily access and review them.
1.2.3 COORDINATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND AGENCIES
Opportunities for involvement in the planning process must be provided to neighboring
communities, local and regional agencies involved in hazard mitigation, agencies with
authority to regulate development, businesses, academia, and other private and nonprofit interests (44 CFR, Section 201.6(b)(2)).
Early in the planning process, the Marin County and Town of Tiburon Steering Committee
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reached out to the following Local and Regional Agencies involved in hazard mitigation activities to invite them to participate in this planning process as a member of the Planning Team. These individuals work with Marin County and the Town of Tiburon communities and could provide subject matter expertise and relevant information to the planning process
regarding the community history, hazard risk, vulnerability, and impact, mitigations efforts,
community needs, demographics, and social vulnerability, economic concerns, ecology,
and other community services and needs.
The Marin County and Town of Tiburon Steering also determined that data collection, risk assessment analyses, mitigation strategy development, and plan approval would be greatly enhanced by inviting other local, state and federal agencies and organizations to participate
in the process. Based on their involvement in hazard mitigation planning, their landowner
status in the County, the Town of Tiburon and/or their interest as a neighboring jurisdiction,
representatives from the following groups were invited to participate on the Planning Team:
Eighty-five planning partners participated in this update, as listed in Table 2.
Table 2: 2023 MJHMP Planning Team Members
No. Agency Point of Contact Title 1 Belvedere Laurie Nilsen Emergency Svs, Coord.
2 Belvedere Rebecca Markwick Planning Director
3 Belvedere Samie Malakiman Associate Planner
4 Bolinas Com. PUD Jennifer Blackman General Manager
5 Bolinas Fire Protection Dist. Stephen Marcotte Asst. Fire Chief
6 Central Marin Fire District Matt Cobb Battalion Chief/Fire
7 Central Marin Fire District Ezra Colman Battalion Chief/Fire
8 Central Marin Fire District Rubin Martin Fire Chief
9 Corte Madera RJ Suokko Director of Public Works
10 Corte Madera Chris Good Senior Civil Engineer
11 Sanitary District No. 2 RJ Suokko District Manager
12 Fairfax Loren Umbertis Public Works Director
13 Fairfax Mark Lockaby Building Official
14 Larkspur Dan Schwarz City Manager
15 Larkspur Julian Skinner Public Works Director/ City Engineer
16 Larkspur Robert Quinn Public Works Superintendent
17 Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Dale McDonald Administrative Services Mgr.
18 Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Greg Pease Safety Manager
19 Marin County Steven Torrence OEM Director
20 Marin County Hannah Tarling Emergency Management Coordinator
21 Marin County Chris Reilly OEM Project Manager
22 Marin County Woody Baker-Cohn Senior Emergency Management Coordinator
23 Marin County Leslie Lacko Community Development Agency
24 Marin County Hannah Lee Senior Civil Engineer
25 Marin County Felix Meneau Project Mgr./ FCWCD
26 Marin County Julia Elkin Department of Public Works
27 Marin County Beb Skye Department of Public Works
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Table 2: 2023 MJHMP Planning Team Members
No. Agency Point of Contact Title
28 Marin County Scott Alber Battalion Chief, Marin County Fire Dept. 29 Marin County Lisa Santora Deputy Public Health Officer, Marin Health & Human Services 30 Marin County Koblick, Kathleen Marin Health & Human Services
31 Marin County Amber Davis Public Health Preparedness
32 Mill Valley Patrick Kelly Department of Public Works
33 Mill Valley Ahmed A Aly Project Manager
34 Mill Valley Jared Barrilleaux Deputy Director of Engineering
35 Mill Valley Daisy Allen Senior Planner
36 Southern Marin Fire District Tom Welch Deputy Chief/South Marin Fire Dist.
37 Southern Marin Fire District Marshall Nau Fire Marshall/South Marin Fire Dist.
38 North Marin Water District Eric Miller Asst. General Manager
39 North Marin Water District Tim Fuette Senior Engineer 40 Novato David Dammuller Engineering Services Mgr. 41 Novato Dave Jeffries Consultant/JPSC 42 Ross Richard Simonitch Public Works Director 43 San Anselmo Sean Condry Public Works & Building Director 44 San Anselmo Erica Freeman Building Official
45 San Anselmo Scott Schneider Asst. PW Director
46 San Rafael Quinn Gardner Deputy Emergency Services Coord.
47 San Rafael Cory Bytof Sustainability
48 San Rafael Joanna Kwok Senior Civil Engineer
49 San Rafael Kate Hagemann Climate Adaptation & Resilience Planner
50 Sausalito Andrew Davidson Senior Engineer/ DPW
51 Sausalito Kevin McGowan Director of Public Works
52 Sausalito Brandon Phipps Planning Director
53 Tiburon Sam Bonifacio Associate Planner
54 Tiburon Dina Tasini Director of Community Development
55 Tiburon Laurie Nilsen Emergency Svs, Coord.
Special Districts & Partner Agencies 56 County of Marin Disability Access Program Laney Davidson Disability Access Manager/ ADA Coordinator
57 County of Marin Disability Access Program Peter Mendoza Disability Access Manager/ ADA Coordinator
58 Emergency Medical Svcs Chris Le Baudour EMS Authority 59 Fire Departments Jason Weber Fire Chiefs 60 Golden Gate Bridge, Highway & Transportation District Daniel Rodriguez Security, Emergency Management Specialist
61 Golden Gate Bridge, Highway & Transportation District Dennis Mulligan General Manager & CEO,
62 Marin City Climate Resilience and Health Justice Terrie Green Executive Director
63 Marin Center for Independent Living Peter Mendoza Director of Advocacy and Special Projects
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Table 2: 2023 MJHMP Planning Team Members
No. Agency Point of Contact Title
64 Marin City Community Services District Juanita Edwards Interim General Manager
65 Marin County Community Development Agency Leslie Lacko Community Development Agency
66 Marin County Flood Control & Water Conservation District Garry Lion Advisory Board Member
67 Marin County Office of Education Michael Grant Director, Marin County Office of Education
68 Marin County Parks Max Korten General Manager and Director
69 PG&E Mark Van Gorder Government Affairs, North Bay
70 PG&E Ron Karlen PG&E Public Safety Specialist
71 Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) Jennifer McGill Chief of Police
72 Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) Anne Richmond Executive Director
73 Willow Creek School Itoco Garcia Superintendent
State Partners
74 Cal OES - ESC Sarah Finnigan Cal OES Emergency Services Coordinator
75 Cal OES, Division of Safety of Dams Danielle Jessup Coordinator/ Dam Safety Planning Division
76 California Department of Public Health Svetlana Smorodinsky
Disaster Epidemiologist/ Environmental & Occupational Emergency Preparedness Team 77 California Department of Public Health Patrice Chamberlain Health Program Specialist II
78 California Department of Water Resources Julia Ekstrom, PhD Supervisor, Urban Unit Water Use Efficiency Branch 79 Caltrans Trang Hoang Senior Transportation Engr/ Office of Advance Planning
80 Caltrans Markus Lansdowne Caltrans D4 Emergency Coordinator
Federal Partners
81 Army Corps of Engineers Jessica Ludy Flood Risk Management, Equity, and Environmental Justice 82 National Park Service Stephen Kasierski OneTam
83 US Coast Guard LT Tony Solares Sector SF Waterways Safety Branch
84 US Coast Guard MST1 Brandon M. Ward Emergency Management Specialist
85 US Coast Guard LT William K. Harris USCG SEC San Francisco
Table 365: 2023 MJHMP Planning Team Members
Several opportunities were provided for the groups listed above to participate in the Town of Tiburon’s planning process. At the beginning of the planning process, invitations were extended to these groups to actively participate on the Planning Team. Participants from these groups
assisted in the process by attending several videoconferencing meetings where hazard vulnerability and risk were discussed along with hazard mitigation strategies and actions. Planning Team members provided data and other applicable information directly as requested
in meetings, emails, telephone calls, videoconferencing, worksheets, or through data contained
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on their websites or as maintained by their offices. This information was used to develop hazard vulnerability and risk profiles along with mitigation actions.
These key agencies, organizations, and advisory groups received meeting announcements, agendas, and minutes by e-mail throughout the plan update process. They supported the effort by attending meetings or providing feedback on issues. All the agencies were provided with an
opportunity to comment on this plan update and were provided with a copy of the plan to review and offer edits and revisions. They were also provided access to the Marin County OEM hazard mitigation plan website to review all planning documents and hazard mapping tools.
Each was sent an e-mail message informing them that draft portions of the plan were available for review. In addition, the complete draft plan was sent to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and FEMA Region IX for a pre-adoption review to ensure
program compliance.
In addition, through the public meetings conducted at the beginning of the planning process, members of the planning team, the public, and other key stakeholders were invited to participate in the planning process through public outreach activities.
Further as part of the public outreach process, all planning areas engaged in public outreach
and education by providing information on their Town of Tiburon website or though press releases directing the public to the main Marin County OEM website that provided coordinated and detailed public information of the planning process and how the public could participate. All planning areas were invited to attend the public meetings and to review and comment on the plan prior to submittal to Cal OES and FEMA. Additional public outreach action is detailed in the 1.2.4 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT section of this annex.
The following planning meetings were held with the planning team:
Table 3: Town of Tiburon & Marin County MJHMP Planning Meetings
No. Date Attendees Meeting Planning Meeting Objectives
1 10/26/22 Steering Committee Project Overview Meeting
• Plan Overview – Steps and Timeline
• Planning Process
• Steering Committee Role
2 11/9/22 Steering Committee
Steering
Committee Kickoff Meeting
• Hazard Mitigation and Emergency Management Overview
• Plan Overview – Steps and Timeline
• Community Overview
• Planning Process
• Hazard Identification and Risk
Assessment
• Stakeholders and Planning Team
Identification
3 12/6/22
Steering Committee, Planning Team
Planning Team Kickoff Meeting
• Hazard Mitigation and Emergency Management Overview
• Plan Overview – Steps and Timeline
• Community Overview
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Table 3: Town of Tiburon & Marin County MJHMP Planning Meetings
No. Date Attendees Meeting Planning Meeting Objectives
• Planning Process
• Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
4 02/07/23 Steering Committee
Steering
Committee Hazard Profile Meeting
• Jurisdictional Letter of Commitment
• Identify Planning Team Members
• Hazard Risk Ranking Worksheets
• Jurisdictional Profiles
• Jurisdictional/ District Capability
Assessment
• 2018 Hazard Mitigation Project Status Update
5 03/07/23
Steering Committee/
Planning Team
Planning Team Public Outreach Strategy Meeting
• Planning Goals and Objectives
• Hazard Risk Ranking Worksheets
• Jurisdictional Profiles
• Jurisdictional/ District Capability Assessment
• 2018 Hazard Mitigation Project
Status Update
• Public Outreach Strategy
6 04/04/23 Steering Committee
Steering Committee Meeting
• HMGP (DR-4683) Funding Timeline
• Public Outreach
• Planning Goals and Objectives
• Jurisdictional Hazard Vulnerability Maps
• Jurisdictional Profiles
• Jurisdictional/ District Capability Assessment
• 2018 Hazard Mitigation Project
Status Update
7 04/13/23
General Public, Steering Committee, Planning Team
Public Outreach Town Hall Meeting #1 (In-person and virtual on Zoom) Thursday, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm Marin County
BOS Chambers
• Meeting translated live in Spanish with 29 language subtitle capability for virtual participants.
• Meeting also interpreted in American Sign Language
• Meeting recorded and posted on Hazard Mitigation website.
• Hazard Mitigation and Emergency Management Overview
• Planning Process
• Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
• Planning Goals and Objectives
• Hazard Mitigation Projects
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Table 3: Town of Tiburon & Marin County MJHMP Planning Meetings
No. Date Attendees Meeting Planning Meeting Objectives
• Community Input
8 04/29/23
General Public,
Steering Committee, Planning Team
Public Outreach
Town Hall Meeting #2 (In-person and
virtual on Zoom) Saturday, 10:00 am to 11:30 am Marin County Health and Wellness Center
• Meeting translated live in Spanish with 29 language subtitle capability for virtual participants.
• Meeting also interpreted in American Sign Language
• Meeting recorded and posted on Hazard Mitigation website.
• Hazard Mitigation and Emergency Management Overview
• Planning Process
• Hazard Identification and Risk
Assessment
• Planning Goals and Objectives
• Hazard Mitigation Projects
• Community Input
9 05/31/23 Steering Committee
Steering Committee Hazard Ranking Meeting
• HMGP (DR-4683) Funding Timeline
• Public Outreach Status
• Jurisdictional Hazard Vulnerability
Maps
• OEM Overview of Hazard Maps and Marin Maps
• Marin Co. MJHMP Risk Assessment Tool Overview
• 2018 Hazard Mitigation Project Status Update
• Hazard Working Groups
10 06/27/23
Steering
Committee, Planning Team
Marin County Planning Team Meeting
• HMGP (DR-4683) & BRIC Grant Funding Timeline
• Public Outreach Status
• Jurisdictional Hazard Risk Assessment Tool
• OEM Overview of Hazard Maps and Marin Maps
• Marin County Hazards over the Last 5-Years
• 2018 Hazard Mitigation Project Status Update
• 2023 Hazard Mitigation Projects/Capital Improvement Projects
• Hazard Working Groups
11 07/01/23-
09/01/23
Steering Committee Members
Steering Committee Members Plan
• Individual phone or conference calls with planning jurisdictions and
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Table 3: Town of Tiburon & Marin County MJHMP Planning Meetings
No. Date Attendees Meeting Planning Meeting Objectives
Development Sessions districts to answer specific questions and assist them in developing their profile annex.
12 11/27/23
Steering Committee, Planning
Team
Marin County
Planning Team Meeting
• Presentation and review of the Draft Marin County OA MJHMP and Jurisdictional/District Annexes
13 11/28/23
General
Public
Public Outreach Presentation on Marin County
Office of Emergency Management
Website
• Presentation and review of the Draft Marin County OA MJHMP and Jurisdictional/District Annexes.
• Opportunity for public comment and questions and answers.
Table 366: Town of Tiburon & Marin County MJHMP Planning Meetings
1.2.4 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Early discussions with the Marin County OEM established the initial plan for public engagement to ensure a meaningful and inclusive public process with a focus on equity and accessible to the
whole community. The Public Outreach efforts mirrored the Planning Team approach with a unified effort, led by the County OEM and the Town of Tiburon, involving all participating jurisdictions and districts. Public outreach for this plan update began at the beginning of the plan
development process with a detailed press release from Marin County and the Town of Tiburon informing the community of the purpose of the hazard mitigation planning process for the Marin County OA planning area and to invite the public to participate in the process.
Public involvement activities for this plan update were conducted by Marin County, the Town of Tiburon, and all participating jurisdictions and districts and included press releases; website postings; a community survey; stakeholder and public meetings; and the collection of public and
stakeholder comments on the draft plan which was posted on the Marin County and Town of Tiburon website. Information provided to the public included an overview of the mitigation status and successes resulting from implementation of the 2018 plan as well as information on the
processes, new risk assessment data, and proposed mitigation strategies for the plan update.
Equity and Whole Community Approach
The Marin County OEM and the Marin County and Town of Tiburon Steering Committee prioritized equity and engagement of the whole community in the development of the Marin County OA MJHMP by establishing a framework with key actions for each step of the planning process. Elements of the equity approach included: Engaging hard-to-reach populations
This effort was to ensure the greatest equity and access to the public to enable participation in the process. The Marin County OEM outreach strategy is to “meet people where they are.” The Town Hall meetings were conducted at different familiar locations within the county where
people could easily access them and were conducted on both a weekday and weekend, and in the evening and during the daytime. The meetings were offered in-person with a virtual
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broadcast using Zoom videoconferencing and streamed live on Marin County OEM Facebook account. After the meeting, Marin County OEM uploaded the recorded meeting to their website
to allow the public on demand access to the meeting. Translation and Interpretation Services
The survey and outreach materials were provided in both English and Spanish to improve accessibility among populations with limited English proficiency. The website uses Google Translate for accessibility in multiple languages. Interpretation services were offered for both
town hall meetings. Each town hall meeting included live Spanish translation and subtitles, Live American Sign Language (ASL/CDI) interpretation, the ability for the Zoom videoconferencing attendee to activate subtitles in 29 different languages, and vision accessible PowerPoint slide. Three stakeholder and public meetings were held, two at the beginning of the plan development process and one prior to finalizing the updated plan. Where appropriate, stakeholder and public comments and recommendations were incorporated into the final plan, including the sections that address mitigation goals and strategies. Specifically, public comments were obtained during the plan development process and prior to plan finalization. All press releases and website postings are on file with the Marin County OEM. Public
meetings were advertised in a variety of ways to maximize outreach efforts to both targeted groups and to the public at large. Advertisement mechanisms for these meetings and for involvement in the overall MJHMP development process include:
• Development and publishing of an MJHMP public outreach article
• Providing press releases to local newspapers and radio stations
• Posting meeting announcements on the local County MJHMP website
• Email to established email lists
• Personal phone calls
The public outreach activities were conducted with participation from and on behalf of all
jurisdictions participating in this plan.
The Marin County and Town of Tiburon Steering Committee has made the commitment to
periodically bring this plan before the public through public meetings and community posting so
that citizens may make input as strategies and implementation actions change. Public meetings
will continue to be held twice a year after the first and third MJHMP meetings. Public meetings
will continue to be stand-alone meetings but may also follow a council meeting or other official
government meeting. The public will continue to be invited to public meetings via social media
messaging, newspaper invitations, and through the website for each jurisdiction participating in
the plan. Each jurisdiction is responsible for assuring that their citizenry is informed when
deemed appropriate by the Steering Committee.
WEBSITE
At the beginning of the plan update process, Marin County OEM established a hazard mitigation
website https://emergency.marincounty.org/pages/lhmp on behalf of all the planning areas to
ensure consistent messaging and information, to keep the public posted on plan development
milestones, and to solicit relevant input. The website also provided information on signing up for
Alert Marin, provided detailed information about the hazard mitigation process and plan
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development, provided a URL and QR code link to the survey in both English and Spanish, and
provided information about upcoming town hall meetings. (See Figure 1)
The site’s address was publicized in all press releases, surveys and public town hall
meetings. Each planning partner also established a link on their own agency website.
Information on the plan development process, the Steering Committee, a link to the Hazard
Mitigation survey, and drafts of the plan were made available to the public on the site. Marin
County intends to keep a website active after the plan’s completion to keep the public
informed about successful mitigation projects and future plan updates.
Figure 701: Marin County OEM MJHMP Website
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Two separate Marin County MJHMP Public Town Hall Meeting were conducted at different
locations within the County, on different days of the week and during different times of the
day. This effort was to ensure the greatest equity and access by the public to enable
participation in the process. The Marin County OEM outreach strategy is to “meet people
where they are.” Each Town Hall Meeting included live Spanish translation and subtitles,
Live American Sign Language (ASL/CDI) interpretation, the ability for the Zoom
videoconferencing attendee to activate subtitles in 29 different languages, and vision
accessible PowerPoint slide.
The first Town Hall Meeting was conducted on Thursday, April 13, 2023, from 6:00 pm to
7:30 pm, at the Marin County Board of Supervisors Chambers, Marin County Civic Center,
3501 Civic Center Drive, Room #330 San Rafael, CA 94903. The in-person meeting was
also broadcast virtually using Zoom videoconferencing and streamed live on Marin County OEM Facebook account. Each of the jurisdictions participating in the MJHMP released a Press Release on their respective websites announcing the Public Town Hall Meeting and
providing the date, time, and URL link to the Zoom Meeting for the public to log in and attend
the Zoom Meeting. Marin County OEM also posted a notice for the Public Town Hall Meeting
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on their Facebook account. At the conclusion of the presentation, a question and answer session was held to answer questions from the attendees.
The second Town Hall Meeting was conducted on Saturday, April 29, 2023, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am, at the Marin County Health and Wellness Center, 3240 Kerner Ave. Rooms
#109 and #110 San Rafael, CA. 94903. The meeting followed the same format as the first
and hosted the same access level of equity and accessibility.
The Marin County MJHMP Public Town Hall Meeting was recorded and downloaded from
Zoom and made available to all of the jurisdictions and districts to place on their websites and local Access TV for the public to view.
Meeting participants were also invited to complete the Hazard Mitigation Survey and were
provide the URL link to the Survey Monkey website to complete the survey.
Figure 702: Marin County OEM MJHMP Public Town Hall Meeting
SOCIAL MEDIA
Marin County and its participating jurisdictions utilized several forms of social media to reach residents and customers. Information about the Hazard Mitigation Planning process was communicated to the public via Facebook, Twitter, and local access TV. Residents and customers were invited to complete the Hazard Mitigation Plan survey which was accessible
via an attached URL or QR Code and provide feedback on potential hazard mitigation projects or programs.
The results of the survey were provided to each of the planning partners and used to support the jurisdictional annex process. Each planning partner was able to use the survey results to help identify actions as follows:
• Gauge the public’s perception of risk and identify what citizens are concerned about.
• Identify the best ways to communicate with the public.
• Determine the level of public support for different mitigation strategies.
• Understand the public’s willingness to invest in hazard mitigation.
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PRESS RELEASES
Press releases were distributed over the course of the plan’s development as key milestones were achieved and prior to each Marin County MJHMP Public Town Hall Meeting. All press releases were made available to the community in both English and Spanish.
Figure 703: Hazard Mitigation Plan Public Outreach Press Release
SURVEY
A hazard mitigation plan survey (see Figure 4) was developed by the Steering Committee and made available to the public in both English and Spanish. The survey was used to
gauge household preparedness for natural hazards and the level of knowledge of tools and techniques that assist in reducing risk and loss from natural hazards. This survey was designed to help identify areas vulnerable to one or more natural hazards. The answers to its ten questions helped guide the Steering Committee in defining our hazards, and selecting goals, objectives, and mitigation strategies. The survey was available on the hazard mitigation plan website, advertised in press releases, and at town hall meetings. Finally, the survey and the process of public input was advertised throughout the course of the planning process. The survey was available to the public on March 13, 2023, and closed on June 12, 2023. At the conclusion of the planning process 293 surveys were completed by the public.
Public Comments Considered by the Planning Team
The Planning Team used the following information gathered from the Public Outreach
Survey to inform decisions regarding hazard mitigation strategies, actions, and priorities.
• Climate Change, Wildfire, and Drought were the top hazards of concern for the public.
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• Text messages, mail, and the County website were the preferred methods for receiving hazard mitigation information.
• 48% of respondents expressed that they were “Very Much” concerned and 31% were
“Moderately” concerned that a natural disaster could impact their home or place of
residence.
• 85% of respondents own their own home.
• 99% of respondents have access to the internet.
Figure 704: Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey
PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE PLAN
To solicit public feedback on the draft plan, Marin OEM engaged in a multi-faceted approach
intended to reach as many Marin residents as possible, including members of the community
who are under-served and under-represented. All members of the community had the
opportunity to provide initial comments on the plan during a two-week period from
Public Outreach Survey
h�ps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MarincountyMJHMP
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Wednesday, December 4, 2023, to Wednesday, December 18, 2023. Although the initial comment period was listed as two weeks, the public could submit comments indefinitely via the County’s website to support the County’s continuous improvement efforts. The base plan, as well as city, town and special district annexes, were available for download on
emergency.marincounty.org (include photos). The website additionally asked for feedback in a
survey in English and Spanish (include photos), the survey was designed to establish where
that person lives or works, their top hazards of concern, elicit feedback on the plan and offer a
place for them to share projects to reduce risk in their community. The survey collected responses from the community in English and in Spanish.
The website and survey were shared through traditional and social media (photos) The Marin
Independent Journal (Marin IJ) used the press release to write an article (hopefully; include
photos). Social media accounts were updated four times with an initial ask, two reminders,
and a closing announcement. The Marin OEM Public Information Officer coordinated with the
Marin County Public Information Officers (MAPIO) working group to distribute information
to partner jurisdictions (city, town, and special districts) to share this information on their social
media sites and with the communities in the area.
To reach those who may not be engaged digitally, the planning team worked with Marin
County Community Response Teams, (CRTs are a collaboration of non-profit organizations
supporting underrepresented communities in four zones) to conduct outreach with half-sheet
flyers in English and Spanish to share in the 4 CRT zones (southern Marin, north Marin, west
Marin, San Rafael). These half sheets were also shared county-wide at libraries, including in
areas not covered by CRTs, like at the Fairfax library. CRTs are designed to reach Marin’s
traditionally underserved and underrepresented communities, so by conducting outreach
through this method, we were able to inform residents who may not have been engaged
otherwise, including residents in Marin City, West Marin, and the Canal District of San
Rafael.
After December 18, 2023, the various participating jurisdiction and district profiles remained
on the Marin County OEM website for public comments. The Town of Tiburon had an
additional 14-day comment period for the Town of Tiburon Community Profile where their
profile was posted on the Town website for final public comment from January 29 – February 5, 2024.
The 14-day public comment period gave the public an opportunity to comment on the draft plan update prior to the plan’s submittal to Cal OES. Comments received on the draft plan are
available upon request. All comments were reviewed by the planning team and incorporated into the draft plan as appropriate.
Public Comments Considered by the Planning Team
The Marin County OEM posted the draft Hazard Mitigation Plan and hazard mitigation
actions on their website and solicited public comments on the content. The Town of Tiburon distributed press releases directing the community to the Marin County OEM website to review the draft plans. The Planning Team gathered public comments and information on the Marin County OEM website regarding proposed and current Hazard Mitigation Actions. The Planning Team used the comments and suggestions to inform decisions regarding hazard
mitigation strategies, actions, and priorities. Most comments included ideas for hazard
mitigation projects and comments on the effectiveness of current mitigation projects. These
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comments were used to revise the proposed hazard mitigation actions which resulted in the final list of hazard mitigation actions listed in 3.5 Hazard Mitigation Actions.
1.3 OVERVIEW AND HISTORY
Tiburon is an incorporated town in Marin County, California. It was incorporated on June 23, 1964, and is located on the Tiburon Peninsula, which reaches south into the San Francisco Bay. It shares a ZIP code (94920) with the smaller incorporated city of Belvedere (formerly a separate island), which occupies the southwest part of the peninsula and is contiguous with Tiburon. Tiburon is bordered by Corte Madera to the north and Mill Valley to the west but is otherwise mostly surrounded by the bay. Besides Belvedere and Tiburon, much of the peninsula is unincorporated, including portions of the north side and the communities of Strawberry and Paradise Cay.
Elevations on the Tiburon Peninsula range from sea level to about 650 feet, and it is drained by multiple small watersheds on the north and south sides. Vegetation occurring within the
planning area primarily consists of agricultural, ruderal, riparian, and landscaping vegetation. The Town of Tiburon comprises approximately 4.5 square miles of land area and 8.75 square miles of submerged land.
The town’s name derives from the Spanish word tiburón, which means "shark". The name was first given to the peninsula on which the town is situated, and probably inspired by the prevalence of locally native leopard sharks in the surrounding waters. Tiburon was formerly the southern terminus of the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad (subsequently the Northwestern Pacific Railroad), which transported freight for transfer to barges for shipping to cities around San Francisco Bay. It is now a commuter and tourist town, linked by fast ferry services to San Francisco and with a concentration of restaurants and clothes shops. It is the nearest mainland point to Angel Island and a regular ferry service connects to the island.
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Figure 705: Map of Town of Tiburon in Marin County Source: Marin County OEM
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Figure 706: Map of the Town of Tiburon Source: Marin County OEM
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1.4 GOVERNMENT
The Town of Tiburon is governed by a five-person Town Council. The Town Council elects one of
its members to serve as Mayor, the executive head of the town; and appoints a Town Manager,
the administrative head of the town. The town consists of 5 departments: Administration and
Finance, Community Development, Police, Public Works, and Town Clerk.
The Town Council assumes responsibility for the adoption of this plan; and the Town Manager
will oversee its implementation.
Tiburon Fire Protection District is a combination department with 21 career safety employees,
one clerical and one finance officer, 13 volunteer firefighters, and 6 trainee firefighters.
Protecting the town of Tiburon and the city of Belvedere, California and the surrounding area,
the Fire District’s boundaries represent a diverse community with responsibility for commercial,
residential, wildland/urban interface, and parts of the San Francisco Bay to Angel Island State
Park. The Tiburon Fire Protection District was established in April 1941 and remained an all-
volunteer fire department until December 1959. In 1981 the Tiburon Fire District contracted with
the City of Belvedere, providing emergency medical and fire related services to the City.
The Tiburon Police Department was established in 1972 following the Town's incorporation by
eight years. In addition to normal police activities, the Police Station also houses the Emergency
Operations Center, which is equipped to manage disaster response for Tiburon and Belvedere.
The Police Department and Emergency Operations Center are also responsible for developing
and maintaining the Emergency Operations Plan for the entire Tiburon Peninsula.
1.5 WEATHER AND CLIMATE
The Town of Tiburon lies approximately 100 feet above sea level. In Tiburon, the summers are
long, comfortable, arid, and mostly clear and the winters are short, cold, wet, and partly cloudy.
Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 48°F to 73.1°F and is rarely
below 43°F or above 62.3°F. The difference in precipitation between the driest month and the
wettest month is 8 inches. The annual rainfall is 42 inches. The month of highest relative
humidity is February (80%). The month with the lowest relative humidity is June (69%). The
month which sees the most rainfall is January. The driest month of the year is July.
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Figure 707: The Town of Tiburon Precipitation and Monthly Temperatures Source: en.Climate-Data.org
1.6 DEMOGRAPHICS
The California Department of Finance shows an overall estimated decrease in the population of Marin County and the Town of Tiburon since the last plan update in 2018. Of the total estimated
257,135 residents of Marin County in 2022 based on the 2020 U.S. Census Survey, 190,148 residents live in the incorporated county and 66,987 residents live in the unincorporated county.
The Town of Tiburon had an estimated population of 9,542 in the 2018 plan. 2020 U.S. Census
Survey estimated the Town’s population at 9,146. However, revised estimates for 2022
estimated the population to decrease to 8,956 population.
Table 4: Town of Tiburon Estimated Jurisdictional Population
Jurisdiction Population 2022 (Estimate) Population 2020 Population 2018 (Estimate) Percent Change 2018-2022 Marin County 257,135 262,321 262,179 -1.92%
Town of Tiburon 8,956 9,146 9,542 -6.14%
Table 367: Town of Tiburon Estimated Jurisdictional Population
Source: California Department of Finance
Table 5: Population Change of The Town of Tiburon
Jurisdiction Total Population Change, 2010-2020 April 1, 2010 April 1, 2020 Number Percent California 37,253,956 39,538,223 2,284,267 6.1% Marin County 252,409 262,321 9,912 3.9% Tiburon, town 9,542 9,146 396 -6.14% Table 368: Population Change of The Town of Tiburon Source: Town of Tiburon Housing Element, US Census Bureau, California Department of Finance
Table 6 lists the various languages spoken in the Town of Tiburon.
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Avg. Temperature °C (°F)
9.4 °C (48.9) °F 10.2 °C (50.3) °F 11.3 °C (52.4) °F
12.3 °C (54.1) °F
14 °C (57.2) °F 15.9 °C (60.7) °F
16.3 °C (61.3) °F
16.7 °C (62) °F 16.8 °C (62.3) °F 15.3 °C (59.6) °F 12.2 °C (53.9) °F 9.6 °C (49.4) °F
Min.
Temperature °C (°F)
6.1 °C (43) °F 6.9 °C (44.4) °F 7.9 °C (46.2) °F 8.6 °C (47.6) °F 10.2 °C (50.3) °F
11.7 °C (53) °F
12.4 °C (54.3) °F
12.9 °C (55.2) °F 12.6 °C (54.7) °F 11.4 °C (52.5) °F 8.7 °C (47.7) °F 6.6 °C (43.9) °F
Max. Temperature °C (°F)
13.7 °C (56.7) °F 14.5 °C (58.1) °F 15.9 °C (60.6) °F
17 °C (62.7) °F 18.9 °C (66.1) °F
21.5 °C (70.6) °F
21.8 °C (71.3) °F
22.2 °C (72) °F 22.8 °C (73.1) °F 20.9 °C (69.6) °F 16.8 °C (62.2) °F 13.6 °C (56.5) °F
Precipitation / Rainfall mm (in)
113 (4) 118 (4) 83 (3) 40 (1) 21 (0) 6 (0) 2 (0) 2 (0) 3 (0) 25 (0) 57 (2) 111 (4)
Humidity(%) 78% 80% 77% 72% 71% 69% 74% 75% 72% 71% 75% 77%
Rainy days (d) 8 7 6 4 2 1 0 0 0 2 5 7
avg. Sun hours (hours)
5.9 6.5 7.8 9.1 9.1 9.3 7.4 6.8 7.6 7.3 6.8 5.8
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Table 6: Languages Spoken in Tiburon
Primary Language Spoken % of Population
English only 75.7% Spanish 3.4%
Other Indo-European languages 16.1% Asian and Pacific Islander languages 4.5%
Other languages 0.2% Table 369: Languages Spoken in Tiburon Source: US Census Bureau (2020)
Figure 708: Races in Tiburon Source: City-Data.com
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Table 7: Marin County Jurisdictional Housing Stock
2022 and 2018
Year Total Units Single Family Multi-Family Mobile Homes Detached Attached 2 to 4 5 plus
California
2022 Number 14,583,998 8,341,577 1,010,851 1,168,669 3,500,674 562,223
Percent 100.0% 57.2% 6.9% 8.0% 24.0% 3.9%
2018 Number 14,157,502 8,160,864 985,926 1,129,761 3,318,946 562,005
Percent 100.0% 57.6% 7.0% 8.0% 23.4% 4.0%
Marin County
2022 Number 111,879 68,004 11,314 8,524 22,013 1,984
Percent 100.0% 60.8% 10.1% 7.6% 19.7% 1.8%
2018 Number 112,294 68,697 11,318 8,307 21,986 1,986
Percent 100.0% 61.2% 10.1% 7.4% 19.6% 1.8%
Town of Tiburon
2022 Number 4,051 2,645 386 383 624 14
Percent 100.00% 65.29% 9.53% 9.45% 15.40% 0.35
2018 Number 4,036 2,644 384 370 624 14
Percent 100.00% 65.51% 9.51% 9.17% 15.46% 0.35%
Table 370: Marin County Jurisdictional Housing Stock
Source: California Department of Finance
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Figure 709: Town of Tiburon Land Use Map
Source: Town of Tiburon 2040 General Plan
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1.7 SOCIAL VULNERABILITY AND RISK
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has initiated the “Prepare California” grant program focused on building community resilience amongst vulnerable individuals living in the areas of the state most susceptible to natural disasters. The Prepare California Initiative is aimed at reducing long-term risks from natural disasters by investing in local capacity building and mitigation projects designed to protect communities.
Prepare California leverages funds approved in Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2021-22 State Budget and is designed to unlock federal matching funds for community mitigation projects that vulnerable communities would otherwise be unable to access. This program is intended for
communities that are the most socially vulnerable and at the highest risk for future natural hazard events. The state identified communities by prioritizing California census tracts according to their estimated hazard exposures and social vulnerability.
The National Risk Index is a dataset and online tool to help illustrate the United States
communities most at risk for 18 natural hazards: Avalanche, Coastal Flooding, Cold Wave,
Drought, Earthquake, Hail, Heat Wave, Hurricane, Ice Storm, Landslide, Lightning, Riverine
Flooding, Strong Wind, Tornado, Tsunami, Volcanic Activity, Wildfire, and Winter Weather.
For purposes of this plan the following National Risk Index (NRI) hazards are profiled in support
of eight of the twelve Marin County OA MJHMP Hazards. NRI data was not available for Dam
Failure, Land Subsidence, Levee Failure, or Sea Level Rise.
Table 8: NRI Hazards and Marin County MJHMP Hazards
NRI Hazards Marin County MJHMP Hazards
Earthquake Earthquake
Riverine Flooding Flooding
Coastal Flooding Flooding
Wildfire Wildfire
Landslide Debris Flow
Drought Drought
Heat Wave Severe Weather -Extreme Heat
Tsunami Tsunami
Strong Wind Severe Weather – Wind, Tornado
Table 371: NRI Hazards and Marin County MJHMP Hazards Source: FEMA National Risk Index 2023
The National Risk Index leverages available source data for Expected Annual Loss due to these
18 hazard types, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience to develop a baseline relative
risk measurement for each United States county and Census tract. These measurements are
calculated using average past conditions, but they cannot be used to predict future outcomes for
a community. The National Risk Index is intended to fill gaps in available data and analyses to
better inform federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial decision makers as they develop risk
reduction strategies.
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Calculating the Risk Index
Risk Index scores are calculated using an equation that combines scores for Expected Annual
Loss due to natural hazards, Social Vulnerability and Community Resilience:
Risk Index = Expected Annual Loss × Social Vulnerability ÷ Community Resilience
Hazard Type Risk Index
Hazard type Risk Index scores are calculated using data for only a single hazard type, and
reflect a community's Expected Annual Loss value, community risk factors, and the adjustment
factor used to calculate the risk value. Table 9 illustrates the NRI Hazard Type Risk Index for
Tiburon Census Tract 1212.00.
Table 9: NRI Hazard Type Risk Index for Tiburon Census Tract 1212.00
Hazard Type EAL Value Social Vulnerability Community Resilience CRF Risk Value Score
Earthquake $1,424,606 Relatively Low Very High 1.02 $1,445,994 94
Riverine Flooding $286,988 Relatively Low Very High 1.02 $291,297 93.9
Landslide $108,329 Relatively Low Very High 1.02 $109,955 99.6
Coastal Flooding $27,845 Relatively Low Very High 1.02 $28,263 93.1
Heat Wave $8,479 Relatively Low Very High 1.02 $8,606 48.8
Tornado $6,286 Relatively Low Very High 1.02 $6,381 15.4
Wildfire $2,710 Relatively Low Very High 1.02 $2,751 77
Tsunami $636 Relatively Low Very High 1.02 $646 95.6
Strong Wind $338 Relatively Low Very High 1.02 $343 11.2
Drought $0 Relatively Low Very High 1.02 $0 0
Table 372: NRI Hazard Type Risk Index for Tiburon Census Tract 1212.00
Source: FEMA Na�onal Risk Index 2023
Figure 10 illustrates the Social Vulnerability Map for Tiburon Census Tract 1212.00.
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Figure 710: Town of Tiburon Social Vulnerability Map Census Tract 1212.00 Source: FEMA National Risk Index 2023
Table 10 illustrates the NRI Hazard Type Risk Index for Tiburon Census Tract 1241.00.
Table 10: NRI Hazard Type Risk Index for Tiburon Census Tract 1241.00
Hazard Type EAL Value Social Vulnerability Community Resilience CRF Risk Value Score
Earthquake $1,168,268 Very Low Very High 0.65 $764,278 89.3
Riverine Flooding $253,225 Very Low Very High 0.65 $165,659 89.8
Coastal Flooding $29,091 Very Low Very High 0.65 $19,032 91.9
Landslide $17,468 Very Low Very High 0.65 $11,427 96.6
Heat Wave $8,723 Very Low Very High 0.65 $5,707 42
Tornado $5,174 Very Low Very High 0.65 $3,385 7.8
Wildfire $4,175 Very Low Very High 0.65 $2,731 77
Tsunami $1,113 Very Low Very High 0.65 $728 95.7
Strong Wind $305 Very Low Very High 0.65 $199 7.4
Drought $0 Very Low Very High 0.65 $0 0
Table 373: NRI Hazard Type Risk Index for Tiburon Census Tract 1241.00 Source: FEMA Na�onal Risk Index 2023
Figure 11 illustrates the Social Vulnerability Map for Tiburon Census Tract 1241.00.
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Figure 711: Town of Tiburon Social Vulnerability Map Census Tract 1241.00
Source: FEMA National Risk Index 2023
Most socially vulnerable residents in Marin County reside in parts of Novato, parts of San
Rafael, including in and around the Canal District, the Greenbrae neighborhood of Larkspur, and
the unincorporated areas of Marin City and Santa Venetia. This aligns with what the County
knows about Marin residents. However, discrepancy lies in the western, more rural area of the
county. West Marin is comprised of seven villages, and other populated areas, that are
distanced from the centralized resources in the eastern part of the county. At three local
elementary school in West Marin (2022-2023 school year), students eligible for free and
reduced lunch program are, 62%, 41%, and 52%, a reflection of the financial capacity of local
families. West Marin is home to many farms that may employ and house underrecognized
workers that may not have taken part in a census survey, what the SVI is calculated from. In the
fourth quarter of FY 2021/22 the bus routes traveling to West Marin (Rural Routes) were the
only service category to have increased in ridership since pre-COVID (increase 0.1%; Marin
Transit, 2022) showing the reliance of West Marin residents on public transportation; however,
this data continues to adjust based upon the increase in alternate methods of mass
transportation. Considering this, the County of Marin acknowledges that unique social factors in
West Marin require different approaches than other parts of the County.
Looking to the community resilience index (CRI) results, the data is only calculated at the
county-level and compared across the nation. As a whole, Marin County is considered to have a
“very high” ability to prepare for anticipated natural hazards, adapt to changing conditions, and
withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions when compared to the rest of the U.S.
Unfortunately, this metric does not give us the distinct experiences of the diverse communities
across Marin.
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When the Estimated Annual Loss Index, Social Vulnerability Index, and Community Resilience
Index are aggregated as one, final results of the National Risk Index show Marin County as a
whole to have “Relatively High” risk, this is due to the financial implications a disaster may have
on the county. When broken out by census tract, five tracts are in the highest category (“Very
High Risk”), this matches generally with the same tracts that are ranked in as higher social
vulnerability; parts of Novato, parts of San Rafael, including in and around the Canal District, the
Greenbrae neighborhood of Larkspur, and unincorporated areas of Santa Venetia.
The median income for a household in the Town of Tiburon was $192,292 and the per capita
income for the Town was $119,477. Approximately 0 percent of families and 1.3 percent of the
population were below the poverty line (2010 data, U.S. Census Bureau).This poverty line is
lower than other communities within Marin County. The two census tracts reflect both a
Relatively Low and Very Low Social Vulnerability Index in the Town.
1.8 ECONOMY AND TAX BASE
Table 11 shows income by household in The Town of Tiburon as of 2021.
Table 374: Household Income for The Town of Tiburon as of 2021 Source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2021 Estimates
Table 12 shows the percentage of people in The Town of Tiburon over the age of 16 employed
by industry.
Table 11: Household Income for The Town of Tiburon as of 2021
Household Income Number Percent
Total Households 3,515 -
Less than $10,000 56 1.6
$10,000 to $14,999 0 0.0
$15,000 to $24,999 77 2.2
$25,000 to $34,999 102 2.9
$35,000 to $49,999 141 4.0
$50,000 to $74,999 91 2.6
$75,000 to $99,999 264 7.5
$100,000 to $149,999 734 20.9
$150,000 to $199,999 380 10.8
$200,000 or more 1670 47.5
Median household income (dollars) $192,292
Mean household income (dollars) $304,909
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Table 12: Town of Tiburon Civilian Employed Population 16 years+ by Industry
Industry Estimated Employed Percent
Civilian employed population 16 years and over 3,982 -
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining 14 0.35%
Construction 228 5.73%
Manufacturing 83 2.08%
Wholesale trade 81 2.03%
Retail trade 261 6.55%
Transportation and warehousing, and utilities 161 4.04%
Information 147 3.69%
Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing 888 22.30%
Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services 1304 32.75%
Educational services, and health care and social assistance 544 13.66%
Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services 160 4.02%
Other services, except public administration 61 1.53%
Public administration 50 1.26%
Table 375: Town of Tiburon Civilian Employed Population 16 years+ by Industry
Source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019 Estimates
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1.9 CRITICAL FACILITIES
The following list of facilities has been determined to be critical to the ability of the Town of Tiburon
to fulfill the requirements of its mission during an emergency:
Table 13: Town of Tiburon Critical Facilities
Category Name Address Fire Severity Zone Flood Zone
Critical Facilities
66. Fire Tiburon Fire Department 1679 Tiburon Blvd Tiburon, CA 94920 Moderate AE
67. Fire Tiburon Fire Department 4301 Paradise Drive Tiburon, CA 94920 High X
68. Law Tiburon Police Department 1155 Tiburon Blvd Tiburon, CA 94920 Moderate AE
69. EOC Bel-Tib Joint EOC 1155 Tiburon Blvd Tiburon, CA 94920 Moderate AE
70. Local Government Tiburon Town Hall 1505 Tiburon Blvd Tiburon, CA 94920 Moderate AE
71. Local Government Tiburon Library 1501 Tiburon Blvd Tiburon, CA 94920 Moderate AE
72. Local Government Tiburon Corporation Yard 101 Kleinert Way Tiburon, CA 94920 Moderate AE
73. School Reed School 1199 Tiburon Blvd Tiburon, CA 94920 Moderate AE
74. School Bel Aire School 277 Karen Way Tiburon, CA 94920 Moderate X
75. School St Hilary School church 765 Hilary Drive Tiburon, CA 94920 Moderate X
76. School Del Mar School 105 Avenida Miraflores Tiburon, CA 94920 Moderate X
77. Evacuation Shelter Kol Shofar 215 Blackfield Tiburon, CA 94920 Moderate X
78. Evacuation Shelter Tiburon Baptist Church 445 Greenwood Beach Rd Tiburon, CA 94920 Unzoned X
79. Evacuation Shelter Community Congregation Church 145 Rock Hill Tiburon, CA 94920 High X
80. Health/ Medical Marin Convalescent Hospital 30 Hacienda Drive Tiburon, CA 94920 High X
Critical Infrastructure
81. Transportation Tiburon Ferry Docks 1 & 21 Main Street Tiburon, CA 94920 Moderate VE
82. Wastewater Sanitary District 5 2001 Paradise Drive Tiburon, CA 94920 Moderate X
83. Wastewater Richardson Bay Sanitary District 500 Tiburon Blvd Tiburon, CA 94920 Moderate X
Table 376: Town of Tiburon Critical Facilities Source: Town of Tiburon
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Figure 712: Town of Tiburon Critical Facilities Source: Marin County OEM
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1.10 HISTORICAL PROPERTIES
The Town of Tiburon has four registered historically significant homes, public buildings, or
landmarks. To inventory these resources, the Marin County OA MJHMP Planning Team
collected information from a number of sources:
• California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Historic Preservation (OHP)
OHP is responsible for the administration of federally and state mandated historic
preservation programs to further the identification, evaluation, registration, and
protection of California’s irreplaceable archaeological and historical resources. OHP
administers the National Register of Historic Places, the California Register of Historical
Resources, California Historical Landmarks, and the California Points of Historical
Interest programs.
• Town of Tiburon Chamber of Commerce.
• Town of Tiburon website.
As defined by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), any property over 50 years of age
is considered a potential historic resource and is potentially eligible for the National or California
Register. Thus, in the event that the property is to be altered, or has been altered, as the result
of a major federal action, the property must be evaluated under the guidelines set forth by
NEPA. Structural mitigation projects are considered alterations for the purpose of this
regulation. Similar regulations exist for buildings under the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA)
Table 14: Historic Sites in Tiburon
Name/Landmark State Plaque Number
National Register (NR)
State Landmark California Register
Date Listed (NR) Jurisdiction
Angel Island, U.S. Immigration Station (529) X X X 10/14/1971 Tiburon
Lyford's Stone Tower X 12/2/1976 Tiburon
Benjamin and Hilarita Lyford House X 11/10/2000 Tiburon
St. Hilary's Mission Church X 2/3/2020 Tiburon
San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad Station House-Depot
X 8/4/1995 Tiburon
Table 377: Historic Sites in Tiburon Source: California Office of Historic Preservation and the National Register of Historic Places
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SECTION 2.0: HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK
ASSESSMENT
The Town of Tiburon identified hazards that affect the town and developed natural hazard
profiles based upon the countywide risk assessment, past events and their impacts. Figure 13
shows the top hazards that the Jurisdiction is at risk from according to the hazard mitigation
Steering Committee.
Figure 713: Town of Tiburon Risk Assessment – Planning Team Top Hazards
Figure 14: Risk Rank Categorization
Risk Level Risk Numerical Score
High Risk 12 - 16 Serious Risk 8 - 11 Moderate Risk 4 - 7 Low Risk 1 - 3 Figure 714: Hazard Risk Categorization Each Marin County MJHMP participating jurisdiction and organization reviewed and approved
the Top Hazards identified by the Planning Team. Each participating jurisdiction and district then completed a more complex assessment tool to further develop their hazard assessment and prioritization.
The planning process used the available FEMA tools to evaluate all the possible threats faced. The primary tool selected was the Hazard Assessment and Prioritization Tool. This matrix
allowed the participating jurisdiction or organization to assess their own level of vulnerability and
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Hazard Types
Hazards by Rank
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mitigation capability. Each participating Jurisdiction and organization assessed the top hazards for:
• Probability/ Likelihood of Future Events
• Geographic Extent
• Magnitude/ Severity
• Climate Change Influence
• Significance
Probability/ Likelihood of Future Events
• Unlikely: Occurs in intervals greater than 100 years - Less than 1% probability of
occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval greater than 100 years.
• Occasional: Occurring every 11 to 100 years - 1-10% probability of occurrence in the
next year or a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years.
• Likely: Occurring every 1 to 10 years - 10-90% probability of occurrence in the next year
or recurrence interval of 1 to 10 years.
• Highly Likely: Occurring almost every year - 90-100% probability of occurrence in the
next year or a recurrence interval of less than 1 year.
Geographic Extent
• Negligible: Less than 10% of the planning area
• Limited: 10-25% of the planning area
• Significant: 25-75% of planning area
• Extensive: 75-100% of planning area
Magnitude/ Severity
• Weak: Limited classification on scientific scale, slow speed of onset or short duration of
event, resulting in little to no damage.
• Moderate: Moderate classification on scientific scale, moderate speed of onset or
moderate duration of event, resulting in some damage and loss of services for days.
• Severe: Severe classification on scientific scale, fast speed of onset or long duration of
event, resulting in devastating damage and loss of services for weeks or months.
• Extreme: Extreme classification on scientific scale, immediate onset or extended
duration of event, resulting in catastrophic damage and uninhabitable conditions.
Table 15: Select Hazards Magnitude and Severity Scale
Hazard Scale/Index Weak Moderate Severe Extreme
Drought Palmer Drought Severity Index +1.99 to -1.99 -2.00 to -2.99 -3.00 to -3.99 -4.00 and below
Earthquake Modified Mercalli I to IV V to VII VIII IX to XII
Richter Magnitude 2,3 4,5 6 7,8
Tornado Fujita Tornado Damage Scale FO F1, F2 F3 F4, F5
Table 378: Select Hazards Magnitude/ Severity Scale or Index
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Climate Change Influence
• Low: Minimal potential impact
• Medium: Moderate potential impact
• High: Widespread potential impact
Significance
• Low: Minimal potential impact - Two or more criteria fall in lower classifications, or the
event has a minimal impact on the planning area. This rating is sometimes used for
hazards with a minimal or unknown record of occurrences or for hazards with minimal
mitigation potential.
• Medium: Moderate potential impact - The criteria fall mostly in the middle ranges of
classifications and the event’s impacts on the planning area are noticeable but not
devastating. This rating is sometimes used for hazards with a high extent rating but very
low probability rating.
• High: Widespread potential impact - The criteria consistently fall in the high
classifications and the event is likely/highly likely to occur with.
2.1 CLIMATE CHANGE
The County of Marin and associated jurisdictions profiled jointly recognize that the earth’s
climate is forcibly being augmented due to humans’ reliance on fossil fuels and non-natural
resources which pose negative impacts on the earth’s climate. Reliance on fossil fuels and non-
natural products results in the climate shifting to include unseasonable temperatures, more
frequent and intense storms, prolonged heat and cold events, and a greater reliance on
technological advancements to maintain the wellbeing of community members and balance of
the environment. The forced adaptation to climatic shifts is necessary for the County and
jurisdictions to understand and include with these assessments.
Locally to Marin, drought and rain events have already had devastating impacts to critical
infrastructure, agriculture, and water resources; and globally, unseasonable temperatures have
been identified as the cause for enhanced wildfires, severe droughts, ice sheets and glaciers
disappearing, and persons emigrating from their countries due to a lack of sustainable, local
resources. Melting land ice contributes additional water to the oceans and as ocean
temperatures rise the water expands, both of which contribute to increase rates of sea level rise.
Marin is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the east by San Francisco Bay,
making it particularly vulnerable to flooding and erosion caused by sea level rise.
The cause of current climate change is largely human activity, burning fossil fuels, natural gas,
oil, and coal. Burning these materials releases greenhouse gases into Earth’s atmosphere.
Greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun’s rays inside the atmosphere causing Earth’s average
temperature to rise. This rise in the planet's temperature was formerly called, “global warming”,
but climate change has shown to include both intense heat and cold shifts. The warming of the
planet impacts local and regional climates. Throughout Earth's history, climate has continually
changed; however, when occurring naturally, this is a slower process that has taken place over
hundreds and thousands of years. The human influenced climate change that is happening now
is occurring at an abnormally faster rate with devastating results.
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GLOBAL OBSERVED AND PROJECTED IMPACTS AND RISKS
Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Headline Statements from the Summary
for Policymakers, 2022
• Human-induced climate change, including more frequent and intense extreme events,
has caused widespread adverse impacts and related losses and damages to nature and
people, beyond natural climate variability.
• Global warming, reaching 1.5°C in the near-term, would cause unavoidable increases in
multiple climate hazards and present multiple risks to ecosystems and humans.
• Beyond 2040 and depending on the level of global warming, climate change will lead to
numerous risks to natural and human systems.
• The magnitude and rate of climate change and associated risks depend strongly on
near-term mitigation and adaptation actions, and projected adverse impacts and related
losses and damages escalate with every increment of global warming.
• Multiple climate hazards will occur simultaneously, and multiple climatic and non-climatic
risks will interact, resulting in compounding overall risk and risks cascading across
sectors and regions.
FUTURE TRENDS/ IMPACTS
Source: Study Confirms Climate Models are Getting Future Warming Projections Right –
Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet (nasa.gov)
Global Warming
• If global warming transiently exceeds 1.5°C in the coming decades or later, then many
human and natural systems will face additional severe risks.
• An estimated 60% of today’s methane emissions are the result of human activities. The
largest sources of methane are agriculture, fossil fuels, and decomposition of landfill
waste.
• The concentration of methane in the atmosphere has more than doubled over the past
200 years. Scientists estimate that this increase is responsible for 20 to 30% of climate
warming since the Industrial Revolution (which began in 1750).
• According to the most recent National Climate Assessment, droughts in the Southwest
and heat waves (periods of abnormally hot weather lasting days to weeks) are projected
to become more intense, and cold waves less intense and less frequent.
• The last eight years have been the hottest years on record for the globe.
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Figure 715: NASA Global Temperature Change CO2 Gas Source: NASA Global Climate Change, 2022
Figure 716: NASA Global Temperature Change 1884 to 2022 Source: NASA Global Climate Change, 2022
Drought
• A NASA-led study in 2022 concluded that the 22-year-long megadrought in
southwestern US was the driest the territory had experienced in at least 1,200 years and
was expected to persist through at least 2022.
Sea Level Rise
• Global sea levels are rising as a result of human-caused global warming, with recent
rates being unprecedented over the past 2,500-plus years.
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• U.S. Sea Level Likely to Rise 1 to 6.6 Feet by 2100.
• Global sea level has risen about 8 inches (0.2 meters) since reliable record-keeping
began in 1880. By 2100, scientists project that it will rise at least another foot (0.3
meters), but possibly as high as 6.6 feet (2 meters) in a high-emissions scenario.
• Sea ice cover in the Arctic Ocean is expected to continue decreasing, and the Arctic
Ocean will very likely become essentially ice-free in late summer if current projections
hold. This change is expected to occur before mid-century.
• An indicator of changes in the Arctic sea ice minimum over time. Arctic sea ice extent
both affects and is affected by global climate change.
Figure 717: NASA Global Temperature Change Sea Level Source: NASA Global Climate Change, 2022
Wildfire
• Warming temperatures have extended and intensified wildfire season in the West, where
long-term drought in the region has heightened the risk of fires.
• Scientists estimate that human-caused climate change has already doubled the area of
forest burned in recent decades. By around 2050, the amount of land consumed by
wildfires in Western states is projected to further increase by two to six times.
• Even in traditionally rainy regions like the Southeast, wildfires are projected to increase
by about 30%.
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Flooding (Precipitation)
• Climate change is having an uneven effect on precipitation (rain and snow) in the United
States, with some locations experiencing increased precipitation and flooding, while
others suffer from drought.
• On average, more winter and spring precipitation is projected for the northern United
States, and less for the Southwest, over this century.
• Projections of future climate over the U.S. suggest that the recent trend toward
increased heavy precipitation events will continue. This means that while it may rain less
frequently in some regions (such as the Southwest), when it does rain, heavy downpours
will be more common.
Extreme Cold
• The length of the frost-free season, and the corresponding growing season, has been
increasing since the 1980s, with the largest increases occurring in the western United
States.
According to the California Natural Resource Agency (CNRA), climate change is already
affecting California and is projected to continue to do so well into the foreseeable future.
Current and projected changes include increased temperatures, sea level rise, a reduced winter
snowpack, altered precipitation patterns, and more frequent storm events. Over the long term,
reducing greenhouse gases can help make these changes less severe, but the changes cannot
be avoided entirely. Unavoidable climate impacts result in a variety of secondary consequences
including detrimental impacts on human health and safety, economic continuity, ecosystem
integrity and provision of basic services. Climate change is being profiled in the 2023 Marin
County OA MJHMP as a standalone hazard while addressing each of the other natural hazards.
The Marin County OA is considering climate change issues when identifying future mitigation
actions.
California is experiencing a climate crisis that is increasingly taking a toll on the health and well-
being of its people and on its unique and diverse ecosystems. Every Californian has suffered from the effects of record high temperatures, dry winters, prolonged drought, and proliferating
wildfires in recent years. California’s biodiversity is threatened as alterations to habitat
conditions brought about by a changing climate are occurring at a pace that could overwhelm
the ability of plant and animal species to adapt.
Indicators of Climate Change in California
Source: 2022 Report: Indicators of Climate Change in California | OEHHA
• Since 1895, annual average air temperatures in California have increased by about 2.5
degrees Fahrenheit (°F). Warming occurred at a faster rate beginning in the 1980s.
• Recent years have been especially warm: Eight of the ten warmest years on record
occurred between 2012 and 2022; 2014 was the warmest year on record.
• Of all the Western states, California endured the hottest temperatures for the longest
time, driving the average statewide temperature to the second warmest over the past
128 years.
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• Extreme heat ranks among the deadliest of all climate-driven hazards in California, with
physical, social, political, and economic factors effecting the capacity of individuals,
workers, and communities to adapt, and with the most severe impacts often on
communities who experience the greatest social and health inequities.
• Glaciers have essentially disappeared from the Trinity Alps in Northern California
• In 2020, wildfire smoke plumes were present in each county for at least 46 days.
• The 2022 fire season saw more fires than the previous fire season along with continued
extreme drought and heat conditions.
• The drought, begun in 2019, was the third statewide drought declared in California since
2000.
• This drought has been marked by extreme swings; the state received record-breaking
amounts of precipitation in October and December 2021 that were offset by the driest
January, February, and March 2022 dating back more than 100 years. The year 2023
opened with California simultaneously managing both drought and flood emergencies.
• A series of storms in late December 2022 and early January 2023 broke rural levees,
disrupted power, flooded roads, downed trees, and eroded coastal land.
• Sea level rise accelerates coastal erosion, worsens coastal flooding during large storms
and peak tidal events, and impacts important infrastructure positioned along our state’s
1,100-mile coast.
• The western drought which impacted all of California and the western United States was
nearly lifted due to unseasonably heavy rains in late 2022 and early 2023.
The graph below shows the relative change, in millimeters, in sea levels at Crescent City (1933-
2020), San Francisco (1900-2020), and La Jolla (1925-2020).
Figure 718: Annual Mean Sea Level Trends Source: 2022 Report: Indicators of Climate Change in California | OEHHA
Climate Change in the Marin County Operational Area
Climate change is already having significant impacts across California. Temperatures are
warming, heat waves are more frequent, and precipitation has become increasingly variable.
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Climate change will continue to alter Marin County OA ecosystems as a result of rising
temperatures, changes in precipitation, and sea level rise, which will increase the severity and
occurrence of natural hazards across the Marin County OA well into the future. Coastal cooling
processes that keep temperatures down, such as fog, will continue to decrease. Rising
temperatures will exacerbate drought conditions and raise the potential for significant wildfires
and associated smoke as vegetation becomes drier and tree mortality increases. Forested
woodlands that play a major role in carbon reduction will gradually transition into chaparral and
shrublands. There will be more extreme storms and weather events, including expanded heat
waves and increased rain events with changes in precipitation. Significant rain events will lead
to an increase in flooding and the potential for severe landslides. Shoreline communities will
become inundated with sea level rise and high tide events. Marshlands and wetlands that act
as natural storm barriers will disappear as they transition into open water.
Notable impacts from climate change that are already evident in the Marin County OA and
surrounding region as identified in a 2020 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report include:
• From 1895-2018, the average temperature in Marin County increased by 2.3 degrees
Fahrenheit.
• Over the past century, sea level rise in the San Francisco Bay Area rose by eight inches
and has accelerated rapidly since 2011.
• The threat of wildfires in 2019 was so severe that Pacific Gas and Electric shut off
electric power to the County for multiple days.
Climate change will continue to affect homes, businesses, infrastructure, utilities, transportation
systems and agriculture across the Marin County OA. The risk to socially vulnerable
populations will increase as they feel the immediate impacts of climate change more
significantly and are less able to adapt to climate change and recover from its impacts.
The Marin County OA has adopted numerous planning initiatives and mitigation measures to
help combat the effects of climate change across the OA. The Marin Climate Energy
Partnership (MCEP), which is a partnership program of Marin County jurisdictions, the County,
and Marin County regional agencies, adapted a model Climate Action Plan (CAP) that is
intended to support countywide implementation efforts and is currently being used to update
additional climate action plans for other jurisdictions in Marin County. The CAP supports the
Climate Action Plan for the unincorporated County, which was completed in 2020. The MCEP
also collects data and report on progress in meeting each County jurisdictions’ individual
greenhouse gas emission targets. In June 2023, the County published the Greenhouse Gas
Inventory for Unincorporated Community Emissions for the Year 2021. Marin County OA
jurisdictions have already met their greenhouse reduction goals for 2020 and are about halfway
to meeting the statewide goal to reduce emissions 40% below 1990 levels by the year 2030.
Marin County also formed a Sea Level Marin Adaptation Response Team in 2018 and had a
Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment and associated Adaptation Report completed for the
County and each of its jurisdictions in 2017 as part of their Bay Waterfront Adaptation and
Vulnerability Evaluation. Additional Marin County OA climate change mitigation initiatives
include Marin Clean Energy, Electrify Marin, the Marin Solar Project, the Marin Energy Watch
Partnership, Resilient Neighborhoods, and Drawdown: Marin.
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2.2 HAZARDS
Of the hazards profiled in the Marin County MJHMP, those noted in the table are specific for the
Town of Tiburon as per the planning team.
Table 16: Town of Tiburon Hazard Risk Assessment
Hazard Probability/ Likelihood of Future Events Extent Magnitude/ Severity
Climate Change Influence Significance Risk Score
Debris Flow Occasional Extensive Severe Medium Medium 13.00
Drought Highly Likely Extensive Moderate High High 16.00
Earthquake Highly Likely Extensive Extreme None High 15.00
Flooding Highly Likely Limited Severe High Medium 14.00
Land Subsidence (Sinkhole) Occasional Limited Moderate Medium Medium 10.00
Levee Failure Unlikely Negligible None None High 5.00
Sea Level Rise Highly Likely Limited Extreme High High 16.00
Severe Weather – Extreme Heat Highly Likely Extensive Moderate High Medium 15.00
Severe Weather – Wind, Tornado Highly Likely Extensive Moderate High Medium 15.00
Tsunami Highly Likely Limited Extreme Medium High 15.00
Wildfire Highly Likely Significant Severe High High 16.00
Table 379: Town of Tiburon Hazard Risk Assessment Source: Town of Tiburon
Omitted Hazards
Dam Failure: The Town of Tiburon does not have any exposure to flood water inundation
resulting from a dam failure.
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Table 17: County of Marin Hazard Risk Assessment
Hazard Probability/ Likelihood of Future Events
Geographic Extent Magnitude/ Severity
Climate Change Influence Significance Risk Score
Dam Failure Unlikely Negligible Extreme Low Medium 9.00
Debris Flow Occasional Extensive Severe Medium Medium 13.00
Drought Highly Likely Extensive Moderate High High 16.00
Earthquake Highly Likely Extensive Extreme None High 15.00
Flooding Highly Likely Limited Severe High Medium 14.00
Land Subsidence Occasional Limited Moderate Medium Medium 10.00
Levee Failure Unlikely Negligible Moderate None High 7.00
Sea Level Rise Highly Likely Limited Extreme High High 16.00
Severe Weather – Extreme Heat Highly Likely Extensive Moderate High Medium 15.00
Severe Weather – High Wind/Tornado Highly Likely Extensive Moderate High Medium 15.00
Tsunami Highly Likely Limited Extreme Medium High 15.00
Wildfire Highly Likely Significant Severe High High 16.00
Table 380: Hazard Risk Assessment Source: Marin County
2.2.1 DEBRIS FLOWS
For the purposes of the Marin County OA MJHMP, debris flows are classified as landslides
(including rockslides) and mud flows.
A landside is the breaking away and gravity-driven downward movement of hill slope materials,
which can travel at speeds ranging from fractions of an inch per year to tens of miles per hour
depending on the slope steepness and water content of the rock/soil mass. Landslides range
from the size of an automobile to a mile or more in length and width and, due to their sheer
weight and speed, can cause serious damage and loss of life. The rate of a landslide is
affected by the type and extent of vegetation, slope angle, degree of water saturation, strength
of the rocks, and the mass and thickness of the deposit. Some of the natural causes of this
instability are earthquakes, weak materials, stream and coastal erosion, and heavy rainfall. In
addition, certain human activities tend to make the earth materials less stable and increase the
chance of ground failure. These activities include extensive irrigation, poor drainage or
groundwater withdrawal, removal of stabilizing vegetation and over-steepening of slopes by
undercutting them or overloading them with artificial fill. These activities can cause slope
failure, which normally produce landslides.
Landslide material types are often broadly categorized as either rock or soil, or a combination of
the two for complex movements. Rock refers to hard or firm bedrock that was intact and in
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place prior to slope movement. Soil, either residual or transported material, means
unconsolidated particles. The distinction between rock and soil is most often based on
interpretation of geomorphic characteristics within landslide deposits but can also be inferred
from geologic characteristics of the parent material described on maps or in the field. Landslide
movements are also based on the geomorphic expression of the landslide deposit and source
area, and are categorized as falls, topples, spreads, slides, or flows. Falls are masses of soil or
rock that dislodge from steep slopes and free fall. Topples move by the forward pivoting of a
mass around an axis below the displaced mass. Lateral spreads move by horizontal extension
and shear or tensile fractures. Slides displace masses of material along one or more discrete
planes and can either be rotational or transitional. Flows mobilize as a deforming, viscous mass
without a discrete failure plane.
Natural conditions that contribute to landslide include the following:
• Degree of slope
• Water (heavy rain, river flows, or wave action)
• Unconsolidated soil or soft rock and sediments
• Lack of vegetation (no stabilizing root structure)
• Previous wildfires and other forest disturbances
• Road building, excavation and grading
• Earthquake
In addition, many human activities tend to make the earth materials less stable and, thus,
increase the chance of ground movement. Human activities contribute to soil instability through
grading of steep slopes or overloading them with artificial fill, by extensive irrigation,
construction of impermeable surfaces, excessive groundwater withdrawal, and removal of
stabilizing vegetation.
Another hazard related to landslide and erosion is the fall of a detached mass of rock from a cliff
or down a very steep slope (rockfall). Weathering and decomposition of geological materials
produce conditions favorable to rockfalls. Other causes include ice wedging, root growth, or
ground shaking (earthquake). Destructive landslides and rockfalls usually occur very suddenly
with little or no warning time and are short in duration.
Landslide susceptibly can be characterized by looking at both slope class and rock strength.
Landslide susceptibility classes express the generalization that on very low slopes, landslide
susceptibility is low even in weak rock, and that landslide susceptibility increases with slope and
in weaker rocks. Very high landslide susceptibility includes very steep slopes in hard rocks and
moderate to very steep slopes in weak rocks. Figure 19 shows landslide susceptibility classes.
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Figure 719: Landslide Susceptibility Classes Source: USGS
A mud flow is a general term for a mass-movement landform and process characterized by a
flowing mass of fine-grained earth material with a high degree of fluidity. Heavy rainfall,
snowmelt, or high levels of groundwater flowing through cracked bedrock may trigger a
movement of soil or sediments. Floods and debris flows may also occur when strong rains on
hill or mountain slopes cause extensive erosion and/or what is known as "channel scour."
Some broad mud flows are rather viscous and therefore slow; others begin very quickly and
continue like an avalanche. Mud flows are composed of at least 50% silt and clay-sized
materials and up to 30% water.
The point where a muddy material begins to flow depends on its grain size and the water
content. Fine grainy material or soil has a smaller friction angle than a coarse sediment or a debris flow, but falling rock pieces can trigger a material flow, too. When a mud flow occurs it is
given four named areas, the 'main scarp', in bigger mud flows the 'upper and lower shelves',
and the 'toe'. See Figure 20 for the typical areas of a mud flow, with shelves (right) and without
(left). The main scarp will be the original area of incidence, the toe is the last affected area(s).
The upper and lower shelves are located wherever there is a large dip (due to mountain or
natural drop) in the mud flow's path. A mud flow can have many shelves.
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Figure 720: Mud Flow Areas Source: Washington Department of Natural Resources
If large enough, mud flows can devastate villages and country-sides. Mud flows are common in
mountain areas prone to wildfire, where they have destroyed many homes built on hillsides
without sufficient support after fires destroy vegetation holding the land. The area most
generally recognized as being at risk of a dangerous mud flow are:
• Areas where wildfires or human modification of the land have destroyed vegetation
• Areas where landslides have occurred before
• Steep slopes and areas at the bottom of slopes or canyons
• Slopes that have been altered for construction of buildings and roads
• Channels along streams and rivers
• Areas where surface runoff is directed
A landslide in Tiburon would most likely occur in areas where the terrain is steeper and is more susceptible to movement of hill slope materials. Most of Tiburon has areas of steeper terrain, with the area around the Ring Mountain Open space preserve on the north side of the town, the area around the numerous open spaces in the middle of the town, and the area around the Tiburon Uplands Nature Preserve and the Old St. Hilary Open Space Preserve on the south side of the town being most susceptible. These areas are primarily residential and consist of numerous winding streets and hillside homes that could be damaged or destroyed by a
landslide. Both Tiburon Boulevard and Paradise Drive, the only two primary access points to the Tiburon Peninsula, both have sections with high landslide susceptible. The Bel Aire School, the Del Mar School, the St. Hilary School, several health care facilities and a Marin Emergency
Radio Authority antenna site lie in or directly adjacent to areas of high landslide susceptibility. Most of the downtown commercial core of Tiburon has little to no landslide susceptibility.
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Figure 721: Town of Tiburon Debris Flow Critical Facilities and Infrastructure Source: Marin County OEM
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A landslide having major impacts on any of the roads on the Tiburon Peninsula could affect the
ability of residents to reach their homes and could affect the provision of emergency and
essential services. An earthquake has the potential to cause landslides in the areas of Tiburon
with landslide susceptibility. A wildfire and subsequent rain event in the Ring Mountain Open
Space Preserve, any of the open spaces in the center of the town, or in the Tiburon Uplands
Nature Preserve and Old St. Hilary Open Space Preserve could potentially contribute to debris
flows and mudslides in Tiburon. There are no creeks that flow directly into Tiburon that could
contribute to debris flows, though the area around Blackie’s Pasture along Richardson Bay
serves as a natural alluvial fan for drainage from parts of the Ring Mountain Open Space
Preserve through Belveron Mini-Park. There are also numerous small canyons in the Tiburon
Open Space Preserve and the Old St. Hillary Open Space Preserve that could channel debris
flows into Tiburon after a wildfire and subsequent rain event.
In February 2019, winter storms caused a section of Vistazo West halfway between the Lyford
Drive turnoff and the Old St. Hilary Open Space Preserve trailhead to wash out after runoff
overwhelmed the storm-drain system and undermined the roadbed, and a landslide occurred on
Paradise Drive.
Figure 722: Landslide in Vistazio West (Tiburon) - February 2019 Source: The Ark
On 12/16/2014, a December storm caused a mudslide behind a home on Venado Drive and a
resident had to be evacuated. The storm also overwhelmed a marsh on Tiburon Boulevard,
sending muddy water into the Town Hall and local businesses.
From 1/3–1/5/1982, a severe storm caused a mudslide that collapsed several homes, resulting
in fatalities.
Climate Change and Future Development Considerations
Extreme storm events and more frequent wildfires as a result of climate change have the
potential to increase the amount and severity of landslides, including disastrous debris flows.
Climate change is leading to more volatile precipitation patterns around the world with very dry
stretches punctuated by storms that drop large amounts of rain in a short amount of time.
Landslides in wetter regions of California, including the Marin County OA, move on average
faster and farther downhill during rainy periods compared to drought years, according to a 2022
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study by the American Geophysical Union (AGU)47, showing the increased potential for
landslides in the Marin County OA in rainy years. As development increases in the numerous
canyons and around the many open spaces of the Marin County OA, the potential for significant
impacts from a landslide and/or mudflow increases. Further development of the residential
areas of Tiburon that have a higher landslide susceptibility, including the numerous open
spaces around town, will expose more people and property to landslide risk. With increased
wildfire potential as a result of climate change, more residents throughout Tiburon could be
susceptible to post-fire debris flows. Future development should take into account the
movement of mud and debris after a major rain event, particularly down streets and driveways
in areas where there are no natural water channels. Adequate space adjacent to open spaces
should be maintained free of development to allow for the passage of mud and debris, and
catchment basins should be built in these areas to help capture any excess mud and debris.
2.2.2 DROUGHT
A drought is a deficiency in precipitation over an extended period, usually a season or more,
resulting in a water shortage causing adverse impacts on vegetation, animals, and/or people. It
is a normal recurrent feature of climate that occurs in virtually all climate zones, from very wet to
very dry. Drought is a temporary aberration from normal climatic conditions and can thus vary
significantly from one region to another. Droughts occur slowly, over a multi-year period, and it
is often not obvious or easy to quantify when a drought begins and ends. Drought is a complex
issue involving many factors—it occurs when a normal amount of moisture is not available to
satisfy an area’s usual water-consuming activities.
There are several types of drought which can often be defined regionally based on its effects:
• Meteorological drought is usually defined by a period of below average water supply, based on the degree of dryness (in comparison to normal or average) and the
duration of the dry period. Drought onset generally occurs with a meteorological drought.
• Agricultural drought occurs when there is an inadequate water supply to meet the needs of the state’s crops and other agricultural operations such as livestock. Agricultural drought links various characteristics of meteorological (or hydrological)
drought to agricultural impacts, focusing on precipitation shortages, soil water deficits, reduced ground water or reservoir levels needed for irrigation.
• Hydrological drought is defined as deficiencies in surface and subsurface water supplies. It is generally measured as stream flow, snowpack, and as lake, reservoir, and groundwater levels. Hydrological drought usually occurs following periods of
extended precipitation shortfalls.
• Socioeconomic drought occurs when a drought impacts health, well-being, and
quality of life, or when a drought starts to have an adverse economic impact on a region.
47 Landslide Sensitivity and Response to Precipitation Changes in Wet and Dry Climates.
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2022GL099499
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Drought can occur in all areas of Tiburon, though it’s effects would be most felt in the hilly areas
where the risk of wildfire would increase. An increase in brush fires as a result of drought could
impact local businesses and residences in the area. Dry trees in public spaces and in the tree-
lined hillside neighborhoods of Tiburon can become a safety hazard to the public due to falling
limbs or the toppling of the tree itself.
Climate Change and Future Development Considerations
Climate change increases the odds of worsening drought. Warmer temperatures enhance
evaporation, which reduces surface water and dries out soils and vegetation. This makes
periods with low precipitation in the summer drier than they would be in cooler conditions.
Climate also alters the timing of water availability as warmer winter temperatures cause less
precipitation to fall. During droughts, communities in the Marin County OA including Tiburon
may have limited access to water for household use, including drinking, cooking, cleaning, and
watering plants, as well as for agriculture, transportation, and power generation. Drought may
lead to higher water costs, rationing, or even the decimation of important water sources like
wells in the Marin County OA. As more people move into the Marin County OA and Tiburon,
additional strain will be placed on the OA’s water supply. Drought can affect livestock and crops
in the Marin County OA, impacting its economy. Drought can increase the occurrence and
severity of wildfires and tree mortality in the Marin County OA including in the open spaces in
and around Tiburon. Impacts to residents and infrastructure from wildfire as a result of drought
will increase as more development occurs in the mountainous and hilly areas of the Marin
County OA including Tiburon where wildfires are more likely to occur. Future development in
the hilly areas of Tiburon around its open spaces could expose people to drier summer
conditions that could increase their vulnerability to wildfire. Drought also increases the amount
of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, including by decreasing land productivity, which reduces
the amount of vegetation storing carbon dioxide. In addition, increases in drought-related
wildfire and soil erosion can release carbon dioxide sequestered in trees and plants back into
the atmosphere. This will only worsen climate change for the Marin County OA into the future.
When considering future development, the Marin County OA including Tiburon can help prepare for both future droughts and climate change by practicing and promoting water conservation and
enhancing water efficiency throughout landscapes, town plans, and water infrastructure. The
Marin County OA can also identify alternative water supplies, create drought emergency plans,
and encourage farmers to plant drought-resistant crops.
2.2.3 EARTHQUAKE
Earthquakes are sudden rolling or shaking events caused by movement under the earth’s
surface. Earthquakes happen along cracks in the earth's surface, called fault lines, and can be
felt over large areas, although they usually last less than one minute.
The amount of energy released during an earthquake is usually expressed as a magnitude and
is currently measured by seismologists on the Moment Magnitude (Mw Scale). The Mw Scale
was developed to succeed the previously used Richter Scale and is measured on a scale of
zero to ten with increasing values reflecting increasing intensity.
The other commonly used measure of earthquake severity is intensity, which is an expression of
the amount of shaking at any given location on the ground service. Intensity is most commonly
measured on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) Scale (see Figure 23).
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Figure 723: Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale
Source: USGS
Figure 24 gives intensities (measured on the MMI scale) that are typically observed at locations
near the epicenter or earthquakes of different magnitudes.
Figure 724: Mercalli Scale vs. Magnitude Source: USGS
The extent of ground shaking also depends in large part on how soft the underlying soil is. Soft
soils amplify ground shaking (see Figure 25). This was observed during the 1989 Loma Prieta
Earthquake when the most significant damages experienced in San Francisco were in the
Marina District, which was built on fill.
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Figure 725: Soil Types Source: USGS
An earthquake fault is defined as “a fracture or fracture zone in the earth’s crust along which
there has been displacement of the sides relative to one another.” For the purpose of planning
there are two types of faults, active and inactive. Active faults have experienced displacement
in historic time, suggesting that future displacement may be expected. Inactive faults show no
evidence of movement in recent geologic time, suggesting that these faults are dormant.
Two types of fault movement represent possible hazards to structures in the immediate vicinity
of the fault: fault creep and sudden fault displacement. Fault creep, a slow movement of one
side of a fault relative to the other, can cause cracking and buckling of sidewalks and
foundations even without perceptible ground shaking. Sudden fault displacement occurs during
an earthquake event and may result in the collapse of buildings or other structures that are found along the fault zone when fault displacement exceeds an inch or two. The only protection
against damage caused directly by fault displacement is to prohibit construction in the fault
zone.
An earthquake could occur anywhere in and around Tiburon due to the number of active faults within and near Marin County.
Earthquake Shake Intensity
The colors on Figures 32 and 33 represent the level of ground shaking intensity of a potential future earthquake. The result is expressed as the level of ground shaking (expressed as a
percentage of gravity) that on average occurs every 500 years.
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This map shows the expected relative intensity of ground shaking and damage in California from anticipated future earthquakes. The shaking potential is calculated as the level of ground
motion that has a 2% chance of being exceeded in 50 years, which is the same as the level of ground-shaking with about a 2500 year average repeat time. The relatively long-period (1.0 second) earthquake shaking is shown here. Long period-shaking affects tall, relatively flexible
buildings, but also correlates well with overall earthquake damage. Earthquake Shaking Potential Maps for California depict expected intermediate period (1s or
1hz) ground motions with 2% exceedance probability in 50 years.
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Figure 726: Marin County Earthquake Impact and Fault Lines Source: Marin County OEM
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Figure 727: Town of Tiburon Earthquake Critical Facilities and Infrastructure Source: Marin County OEM
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Tiburon is located directly between the San Andreas and Hayward faults. A moderate to extreme earthquake originating from either of these major faults or any of the other faults in the
region could have major impacts to the town. All buildings located in Tiburon are vulnerable to earthquake damage, but depending upon construction, some buildings are expected to perform better than others. There is increased risk of shaking and liquefaction in lowland areas of
Tiburon from an earthquake, particularly in the downtown commercial area, the areas north of Blackie’s Pasture and the Cove Shopping Center, and on Tiburon Boulevard along Richardson Bay where superficial deposits and fill are more prevalent. There are hundreds of residences,
numerous commercial buildings, and several critical facilities including the Bel Aire School the Reed School, the Tiburon Police Department and Town Hall (including the Emergency Operation Center for both Tiburon and Belvedere) and the Tiburon Fire Protection District Station #11 that like in areas of the town with higher earthquake shaking vulnerability. Vulnerable structures include bridges and older buildings that have not undergone major seismic retrofitting. Utility infrastructure throughout the town could be impacted by an earthquake.
Earthquakes could also cause landslides in open space areas around Tiburon with steeper
terrain, causing damage to homes and roads as a result of shifting soils.
Tiburon hasn’t yet experienced a significant earthquake. Marin County was sparsely populated
at the time of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, and the effects across the County were
relatively minimal. Likewise, the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake caused minimal impacts across
Marin County as the epicenter of the quake was further south in Santa Cruz County. Smaller
earthquakes with minimal to no impacts are routinely felt in Tiburon.
Climate Change and Future Development Considerations There is no direct link between climate change and seismic activity that could impact the Marin County OA including Tiburon, so climate change is not expected to cause any changes to the
frequency or intensity of seismic shaking. According to a 2018 study by the Institute of Physics (IOP)48, climate change could result in “isostatic rebounds,” or a sudden upward movement of the crust because of reduced downward weight caused by glaciers. As glaciers are known to melt when overall global temperatures increase, climate change could indirectly lead to an increase in seismicity in the Marin County OA including Tiburon. Climate change could also impact earthquakes felt in the Marin County OA as droughts can further deteriorate existing fault lines and pumping groundwater can put further pressure on the earth’s crust. Future development in the populated areas of Marin County OA where seismic shaking and subsidence are more prevalent could exacerbate the impacts of an earthquake. This includes the lowlands of Tiburon, where the risk of subsidence and subsequent earthquake shaking are higher. Future development in these areas could expose more people and infrastructure to earthquake shaking as a result of climate change.
48 An Enhanced Seismic Activity Observed Due to Climate Change: Preliminary Results from Alaska.
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/167/1/012018
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2.2.4 FLOODING
Flooding is the rising and overflowing of a body of water onto normally dry land. Floods are
among the costliest natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss nationwide.
The area adjacent to a channel is the floodplain. Floodplains are illustrated on inundation maps,
which show areas of potential flooding and water depths. In its common usage, the floodplain
most often refers to that area that is inundated by the 100-year flood, the flood that has a one
percent chance in any given year of being equaled or exceeded. The 100-year flood is the
national minimum standard to which communities regulate their floodplains through the National
Flood Insurance Program. The 200-year flood is one that has 0.5% chance of being equaled or
exceeded each year. The 500-year flood is a flood that has a 0.2 percent chance of being
equaled or exceeded in any given year. The potential for flooding can change and increase
through various land use changes and changes to land surface, which result in a change to the
floodplain. A change in environment can create localized flooding problems inside and outside
of natural floodplains by altering or confining natural drainage channels. These changes are
most often created by human activity such as construction of bridges or channels. In areas
where flow contains high sediment load, such as Easkoot Creek in Stinson Beach (due to an
active landslide upstream), the flow carrying capacity of the channel may be reduced
dramatically during a single flood event. Coastal floodplains may also change over time as
waves and currents alter the coastline (especially wetlands) and sea levels rise.
Flooding can occur in several ways:
Riverine flooding – Riverine flooding, defined as when a watercourse exceeds its “bank-full”
capacity, generally occurs as a result of prolonged rainfall, or rainfall that is combined with
snowmelt and/or already saturated soils from previous rain events. This type of flood occurs in
river systems whose tributaries may drain large geographic areas and include one or more
independent river basins. The onset and duration of riverine floods may vary from a few hours
to many days and is often characterized by high peak flows combined with a large volume of
runoff. Factors that directly affect the amount of flood runoff include precipitation amount,
intensity and distribution, the amount of soil moisture, seasonal variation in vegetation, snow
depth, and water-resistance of the surface due to urbanization. In the Marin County OA,
riverine flooding can occur anytime from November through April and is largely caused by heavy
and continued rains, sometimes combined with snowmelt, increased outflows from upstream
dams, and heavy flow from tributary streams. These intense storms can overwhelm the local
waterways as well as the integrity of flood control structures. Flooding is more severe when
antecedent rainfall has resulted in saturated ground conditions. The warning time associated
with slow rise riverine floods assists in life and property protection.
Flash flooding – Flash flooding describes localized floods of great volume and short duration.
This type of flood usually results from a heavy rainfall on a relatively small drainage area.
Precipitation of this sort usually occurs in the winter and spring. Flash floods often require
immediate evacuation within the hour and thus early threat identification and warning is critical
for saving lives.
Localized/Stormwater flooding – Localized flooding problems are often caused by flash
flooding, severe weather, or an unusual amount of rainfall. Flooding from these intense weather
events usually occurs in areas experiencing an increase in runoff from impervious surfaces
associated with development and urbanization as well as inadequate storm drainage systems.
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Tidal flooding – Tidal flooding develops when high tides exceed either the top of bank
elevation of tidal sloughs and channels, or the crest of bay levees. An especially high tide event
that occurs during alignment of the gravitational pull between the sun and the moon, causing
tidal water levels to rise to higher-than normal levels. King tides are normal, predictable events
that occur semi-annually during winter months. Typically storms in which high tides coincide
with peak stormwater flow may be damaging to municipal infrastructure and private property.
The area is also at risk to flooding resulting from levee failures and dam failures. Dam failure
flooding is discussed separately in the Dam Failure Section of this document; levee failure
flooding is discussed separately in the Levee Failure Section of this document. Regardless of
the type of flood, the cause is often the result of severe weather and excessive rainfall, either in
the flood area or upstream reach.
A weather pattern called the “Atmospheric River” contributes to the flooding potential of the
area. An Atmospheric River brings warm air and rain to the West. A relatively common weather
pattern brings southwest winds to the Pacific Northwest or California, along with warm, moist
air. The moisture sometimes produces many days of heavy rain, which can cause extensive
flooding. The warm air also can melt the snowpack in the mountains, which further aggravates
the flooding potential. In the colder parts of the year, the warm air can be cooled enough to
produce heavy, upslope snow as it rises into the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada or
Cascades. Forecasters and others on the West Coast often used to refer to this warm, moist air
as the “Pineapple Express” because it comes from around Hawaii where pineapples are grown.
A diagram of an atmospheric river event is shown in Figure 28.
Figure 728: Diagram of an Atmospheric River Event
Source: NOAA
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The Marin County OA is susceptible to various types of flood events. In coastal areas, flooding may occur when strong winds or tides result in a surge of seawater into areas that are above
the normal high tide line. Other types of flooding in Marin include isolated ponding and stormwater overflow. Isolated ponding is when pools form on the ground and can occur in any area that doesn’t drain effectively – for example, in a natural depression in the landscape.
Stormwater overflow is when storm drains back up. Stormwater drainage systems quickly convey rainwater through underground pipes to creeks and the Bay. When the storm drains are obstructed or broken or when the water bodies to which they lead to are already full, water
backs up onto the streets. Although stormwater overflow and isolated ponding also occur throughout the County, the effects are typically not widespread or significantly damaging.
Flooding in Tiburon generally results from a combination of high tides from Richardson Bay and San Francisco Bay and from storm runoff in low-lying areas. Most of the lowland areas in Tiburon, including the commercial downtown area, are in the 100-year floodplain, with several areas in the 500-year floodplain including the areas around Blackie’s Pasture and the Cove Shopping Center, and along Tiburon Boulevard. Dozens of residences north of the Cove Shopping Center lie in the 500-year floodplain, along with part of the Reed Elementary School. The Tiburon Fire Protection District Station #11 lies in the 100-year floodplain.
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Figure 729: Town of Tiburon Flooding Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Source: Marin County OEM
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Table 18 shows the number of residential structures by flood zone in the Town of Tiburon.
Table 18: Residential Structures in The Town of Tiburon by Flood Zone
Flood Zone FEMA Flood Zone Designations
Improved
Residential Parcels
High Risk Areas
A
Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding and a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30‐year mortgage. Because detailed analyses are not performed for such areas; no depths or base flood elevations are shown within these zones.
AE The base floodplain where base flood elevations are provided. AE Zones are now used on new format FIRMs instead of A1‐A30 Zones. 1245
A1-30 These are known as numbered A Zones (e.g., A7 or A14). This is the base floodplain where the FIRM shows a BFE (old format).
AH
Areas with a 1% annual chance of shallow flooding, usually in the form of a pond, with an average depth ranging from 1 to 3 feet. These areas have a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30‐year mortgage. Base flood elevations derived from detailed analyses are shown at selected intervals within these zones.
AO
River or stream flood hazard areas, and areas with a 1% or
greater chance of shallow flooding each year, usually in the form of sheet flow, with an average depth ranging from 1 to 3 feet. These areas have a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30‐
year mortgage. Average flood depths derived from detailed analyses are shown within these zones.
AR
Areas with a temporarily increased flood risk due to the building or restoration of a flood control system (such as a levee or a dam). Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements will
apply, but rates will not exceed the rates for unnumbered A zones if the structure is built or restored in compliance with Zone AR floodplain management regulations.
A99
Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding that will be protected
by a Federal flood control system where construction has reached specified legal requirements. No depths or base flood elevations are shown within these zones.
High Risk - Coastal Areas
V
Coastal areas with a 1% or greater chance of flooding and an additional hazard associated with storm waves. These areas have a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30‐year mortgage. No base flood elevations are shown within these zones.
VE, V1 ‐ 30
Coastal areas with a 1% or greater chance of flooding and an additional hazard associated with storm waves. These areas have a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30‐year mortgage. Base flood elevations derived from detailed analyses
are shown at selected intervals within these zones.
17
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Moderate to Low-Risk Areas
B and X (shaded)
Area of moderate flood hazard, usually the area between the
limits of the 100‐year and 500‐year floods. B Zones are also used to designate base floodplains of lesser hazards, such as areas protected by levees from 100‐year flood, or shallow
flooding areas with average depths of less than one foot or drainage areas less than 1 square mile
2390
C and X (unshaded)
Area of minimal flood hazard, usually depicted on FIRMs as above the 500‐year flood level. Zone C may have ponding and local drainage problems that don't warrant a detailed study or designation as base floodplain. Zone X is the area determined to be outside the 500‐year flood and protected by levee from 100‐ year flood.
Undetermined Risk Areas
D Areas with possible but undetermined flood hazards. No flood hazard analysis has been conducted. Flood insurance rates are commensurate with the uncertainty of the flood risk.
Total 3,652
Table 381: Residential Structures in The Town of Tiburon by Flood Zone Source: FEMA
Table 19 shows the number of Town of Tiburon critical facilities by flood zone.
Table 19: Town of Tiburon Critical Facilities
Category Name Address Flood Zone
Critical Facilities
Fire Tiburon Fire Department 1679 Tiburon Blvd Tiburon, CA 94920 AE
Fire Tiburon Fire Department 4301 Paradise Drive Tiburon, CA 94920 X
Law Tiburon Police Department 1155 Tiburon Blvd Tiburon, CA 94920 AE
EOC Bel-Tib Joint EOC 1155 Tiburon Blvd Tiburon, CA 94920 AE
Local Government Tiburon Town Hall 1505 Tiburon Blvd Tiburon, CA 94920 AE
Local Government Tiburon Library 1501 Tiburon Blvd Tiburon, CA 94920 AE
Local Government Tiburon Corporation Yard 101 Kleinert Way Tiburon, CA 94920 AE
School Reed School 1199 Tiburon Blvd Tiburon, CA 94920 AE
School Bel Aire School 277 Karen Way Tiburon, CA 94920 X
School St Hilary School church 765 Hilary Drive Tiburon, CA 94920 X
School Del Mar School 105 Avenida Miraflores Tiburon, CA 94920 X
Evacuation Shelter Kol Shofar 215 Blackfield Tiburon, CA 94920 X
Evacuation Shelter Tiburon Baptist Church 445 Greenwood Beach Rd Tiburon, CA 94920 X
Evacuation Shelter Community Congregation Church 145 Rock Hill Tiburon, CA 94920 X
Health/ Medical Marin Convalescent Hospital 30 Hacienda Drive Tiburon, CA 94920 X
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Critical Infrastructure
Transportation Tiburon Ferry Docks 1 & 21 Main Street Tiburon, CA 94920 VE
Wastewater Sanitary District 5 2001 Paradise Drive Tiburon, CA 94920 X
Wastewater Richardson Bay Sanitary District 500 Tiburon Blvd Tiburon, CA 94920 X
Table 382: Town of Tiburon Critical Facilities in the Flood Zones Source: Marin County/FEMA DFIRM
Although the Town of Tiburon has not experienced recent catastrophic flooding, floodwaters can
be deep enough to drown people and move fast enough to sweep people and vehicles away, lift
buildings off foundations, and carry debris that smashes into buildings and other property. Flood
waters can cause significant erosion which can lead to slope instability, severely damaging
transportation and utility infrastructure by undermining foundations or washing away pavement.
If water levels rise high enough to get inside buildings, flooding can cause extensive damage to
personal property and the structure itself. Flood events that develop very quickly are especially
dangerous because there may be little advance warning. Flooding may occur when strong
winds or tides result in a surge of seawater into areas that are above the normal high tide line.
Tide elevations within Richardson Bay and San Francisco Bay have the potential to significantly
impact the Tiburon storm drain system. Tiburon sees flooding from king tides in Richardson
Bay and San Francisco Bay and this is only expected to increase with sea level rise and climate
change. During heavy rainfall conditions, and especially when combined with high tides, certain
areas are known to flood, including Beach Road at Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon Boulevard at
Ned’s Way, and Tiburon Boulevard near Greenwood Beach Road by the gas station.
The Tiburon Peninsula saw nearly 40 inches of rain between October 2022 and March 2023,
including nearly 24 inches between 12/29/2022 and 1/15/ 2023 that wreaked havoc, with storms
frequently downing trees and power lines and flooding roads, including the intersection at
Tiburon Boulevard and Beach Road.
Figure 730: Town of Tiburon Flooding – January 5, 2023
Source: The ARK
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Between 2/12 and 2/14/2019, the Town of Tiburon declared a local state of emergency in the
wake of back-to-back storms that dumped nearly six inches of rain in the area and triggered
minor flooding.
On 12/16/2014, heavy rains caused significant flooding downtown. Six inches of water
inundated one business on Tiburon Boulevard. Over a foot of water had to be pumped out of
Tiburon Town Hall. Tiburon Lagoon was pumped in anticipation of more rain.
Climate Change and Future Development Considerations Climate change is expected to affect California's precipitation patterns, which are likely to
influence future flood events. A 2017 study49 found that the number of very intense precipitation days in California is projected to more than double by the end of the century, increasing 117 percent, making it likely that flood events will become more frequent in the Marin County OA including Tiburon. Climate change is expected to alter rainfall patterns in Northern California, including the Marin County OA. As the climate warms, rain events are predicted to become more intense. The Marin County OA including Tiburon will likely experience more rain inundation events that lead to flooding and increase the potential threat of levee failure, tree mortality, and other potential hazards. Sea level rise as a result of climate change will exacerbate the impacts of tidal flooding in the lowland areas of the Marin County OA including the shoreline areas of Tiburon. Future development in these areas, particularly in the downtown commercial area of Tiburon, will expose more people and infrastructure to the effects of tidal flooding and storm surge as a result of climate change.
2.2.5 LAND SUBSIDENCE
Land subsidence is a gradual settling or sudden sinking of the Earth's surface owing to
subsurface movement of earth materials. The principal causes are aquifer-system compaction,
drainage of organic soils through groundwater pumping, underground mining, hydro-
compaction, natural compaction, sinkholes, and thawing permafrost. More than 80 percent of
the identified subsidence in the United States is a consequence of underground water
exploitation. The increasing development of land and water resources threatens to exacerbate
existing land-subsidence problems and initiate new ones.
Sinkholes can form in three primary ways. Dissolution sinkholes form when dissolution of the
limestone or dolomite is most intensive where the water first contacts the rock surface.
Aggressive dissolution also occurs where flow is focused in preexisting openings in the rock,
such as along joints, fractures, and bedding planes, and in the zone of water-table fluctuation
where groundwater is in contact with the atmosphere. See Figure 31 for a picture and
description of how dissolution sinkholes form.
49 Precipitation in a Warming World: Assessing Projected Hydro-Climate Changes in California and other
Mediterranean Regaions. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-11285-y
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Figure 731: Dissolution Sinkhole Formation Source: USGS
Cover-subsidence sinkholes tend to develop gradually where the covering sediments are
permeable and contain sand. In areas where cover material is thicker, or sediments contain
more clay, cover-subsidence sinkholes are relatively uncommon, are smaller, and may go
undetected for long periods. See Figure 32 for a picture and description of how cover-
subsidence sinkholes form.
Figure 732: Cover-Subsidence Sinkhole Formation Source: USGS
Cover-collapse sinkholes may develop abruptly over a period of hours and cause catastrophic
damages. They occur where the covering sediments contain a significant amount of clay. Over
time, surface drainage, erosion, and deposition of sediment transform the steep-walled sinkhole
into a shallower bowl-shaped depression. See Figure 33 for a picture and description of how
cover-collapse sinkholes form.
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Figure 733: Cover-Collapse Sinkhole Formation Source: USGS
New sinkholes have been correlated to land-use practices, especially from groundwater
pumping and from construction and development practices that cause land subsidence.
Sinkholes can also form when natural water-drainage patterns are changed and new water-
diversion systems are developed. Some sinkholes form when the land surface is changed,
such as when industrial and runoff-storage ponds are created. The substantial weight of the
new material can trigger an underground collapse of supporting material, thus causing a
sinkhole.
The overburden sediments that cover buried cavities in the aquifer systems are delicately
balanced by groundwater fluid pressure. The water below ground helps to keep the surface soil
in place. Groundwater pumping for urban water supply and for irrigation can produce new sinkholes in sinkhole-prone areas. If pumping results in a lowering of groundwater levels, then
underground structural failure, and thus, sinkholes, can occur.
Areas in Tiburon designated with very high potential for land subsidence are generally located in
the downtown commercial from San Francisco Bay to Mar West Street, including the Tiburon
Town Hall and the Tiburon Fire Protection District Station #11; the Blackie’s Pasture area and
Tiburon Ridge and Belveron neighborhoods; and the Cove Shopping Center and Bel Aire
neighborhood. These areas consist of numerous residences and commercial buildings. Land
subsidence could have numerous impacts for Tiburon, including the settling of businesses and
homes as well as the shifting of roadways and utility infrastructure that run through the town.
The lowland areas of Tiburon could anticipate increased rates of subsidence as bay waters
saturate the soil from below.
On 01/25/24, a large sinkhole formed near Tiburon Boulevard and Stewart Drive in Tiburon, along a portion of Highway 131. The sinkhole formed just days after heavy rainfall swept through the Bay Area.
Climate Change and Future Development Considerations
Climate change could indirectly influence land subsidence as more severe and prolonged
periods of drought may encourage more groundwater withdrawals. In coastal areas like the Marin County OA including Tiburon, land subsidence leads to higher sea levels and increased flood risk. The rate of land subsidence could increase across the Marin County OA including the lowland areas of Tiburon as a result of climate change. The impacts of land subsidence on infrastructure, including roads and underground utilities, in Tiburon could increase with future
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development in the lowland populated areas of town, particularly the downtown commercial area, where land subsidence is more likely to occur.
2.2.6 LEVEE FAILURE
Levee failure is the overtopping, breach or collapse of the levee. Levees can fail in the event of
an earthquake, internal erosion, poor engineering/construction or landslides, but levees most
commonly fail as a result of significant rainfall or very high tides. During a period of heavy
rainfall, the water on the water-body side of the levee can build up and either flow over the top
(“overtopping”) or put pressure on the structure causing quickening seepage and subsequent
erosion of the earth. The overflow of water washes away the top portion of the levee, creating
deep grooves. Eventually the levee weakens, resulting in a breach or collapse of the levee wall
and the release of uncontrollable amounts of water. Figure 34 shows a levee and the multiple
ways it can fail.
Figure 734: Levee Failure Mechanisms Source: University of California
Tiburon is protected by one levee, the San Rafael Avenue sea wall, in the City of Belvedere
along Richardson Bay. The seawall is 0.4 miles long with an undocumented height.
Approximately 1,266 people and 349 buildings with a property value of $347 million in both
Tiburon and Belvedere combined are at risk of a failure of the sea wall, including most of
commercial downtown Tiburon and the Tiburon Fire Protection District Station #11 in the 100-
year floodplain. Fortunately, few residences in Tiburon at risk of failure of the sea wall. A failure
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of the seawall during a high rain event could cause flooding across Tiburon Boulevard,
impacting ingress and egress into the southern area of town.
On 10/10/2018, Belvedere declared a state of emergency due to increased shifting of the San
Rafael Avenue sea wall that provides protection for the Town of Tiburon and the City of
Belvedere. An inspection of the sea wall in 2017 revealed that portions of the concrete had
crumbled and cracked and that a portion of the sea wall was sagging toward the water. The
most problematic section directly across from Peninsula Road was at a high risk for failure. The
levee had to be shored up.
Climate Change and Future Development Considerations
Climate change is expected to lead to an increase in the frequency and severity of major storm
events, which can place added strain on levee systems. An increase in rainfall and runoff as a
result of climate change will increase the potential for higher water levels in leveed areas across
the Marin County OA including in Tiburon, increasing the potential for a levee failure. Rising
seas will lead to increased stress on the levees around the Marin County OA shoreline including
in Belvedere adjoining Tiburon, particularly during a major tidal event and potential tsunami. As
development increases in the populated areas of Tiburon, particularly the downtown commercial
area, the potential for significant impacts to businesses and infrastructure will only increase.
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Figure 735: Town of Tiburon Levee Failure Critical Facilities and Infrastructure Source: Marin County OEM
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2.2.7 SEA LEVEL RISE
Climate change is the distinct change in measures of weather patterns over a long period of
time, ranging from decades to millions of years. More specifically, it may be a change in
average weather conditions such as temperature, rainfall, snow, ocean and atmospheric
circulation, or in the distribution of weather around the average. While the Earth’s climate has
cycled over its 4.5-billion-year age, these natural cycles have taken place gradually over
millennia, and the Holocene, the most recent epoch in which human civilization developed, has
been characterized by a highly stable climate until recently.
The Marin County OA MJHMP is concerned with human-induced climate change that has been
rapidly warming the Earth at rates unprecedented in the last 1,000 years. Since industrialization
began, the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) at escalating quantities has
released vast amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases responsible for trapping
heat in the atmosphere, increasing the average temperature of the Earth. Secondary impacts
include changes in precipitation patterns, the global water cycle, melting glaciers and ice caps,
and rising sea levels. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),
climate change will “increase the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts for
people and ecosystems” if unchecked.
Through changes to oceanic and atmospheric circulation cycles and increasing heat, climate
change affects weather systems around the world. Climate change increases the likelihood and
exacerbates the severity of extreme weather – more frequent or intense storms, floods,
droughts, and heat waves. Consequences for human society include loss of life and injury,
damaged infrastructure, long-term health effects, loss of agricultural crops, disrupted transport
and freight, and more. Climate change is not a discrete event but a long-term hazard, the
effects of which communities are already experiencing.
Climate change adaptation is a key priority of the State of California. The 2013 State of
California Multi- Hazard Mitigation Plan stated that climate change is already affecting
California. The State has also seen increased average temperatures, more extreme hot days,
fewer cold nights, a lengthening of the growing season, shifts in the water cycle with less winter
precipitation falling as snow, and earlier runoff of both snowmelt and rainwater in the year. In
addition to changes in average temperatures, sea level, and precipitation patterns, the intensity
of extreme weather events is also changing.
Rising sea levels are considered a secondary effect of climate change due to warming ocean
temperatures and melting glacial ice sheets into the ocean. The California coast has already
seen a rise in sea level of four to eight inches over the 20th century due to climate change. Sea
level rise impacts can be exacerbated during coastal storms, which often bring increased tidal
elevations called “storm surge.” The large waves associated with such storm surges can cause
flooding in low-lying areas, erosion of coastal wetlands, saltwater contamination of drinking
water, disruption of septic system operations, impacts on roads and bridges, and increased
stress on levees. In addition, rising sea levels results in coastal erosion as shoreline sediment is
re-deposited back into the ocean. Evidence shows that winter storms have increased in
frequency and intensity since 1948 in the North Pacific, increasing regional wave heights and
water levels during storm events.
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According to the 2017 “Rising Seas in California, An Update on Sea-Level Rise Science” report
Marin County may experience impacts from Sea Level Rise over defined periods of time, to
include long-term changes (second half of this century and beyond), and short- to mid-term
projections (within the next two or three decades).
Parts of Tiburon are at a lower elevation than many of the coastal areas in Marin County. As
such, the lowland areas in Tiburon, including the commercial downtown area and the areas
around Blackie’s Pasture and the Cove Shopping Center are particularly vulnerable to sea level
rise and could experience between one and six feet of inundation (Mean High Water (MHW)),
especially as these neighborhoods continue to subside over time. (Marin Shoreline Sea Level
Rise Vulnerability Assessment, 2017). Numerous businesses, residential neighborhoods,
schools, medical facilities roads, and other critical facilities lie in areas of Tiburon susceptible to
sea level rise.
The following are key issues related to Tiburon sea level rise and a 100-year storm surge:
• Highly valued Main Street shoreline shops and restaurants could be vulnerable in the
near-term.
• Homes along the interface of the bluffs and shoreline could be vulnerable to increased
erosion and bluff collapse during storms.
• The Tiburon and Angel Island ferries may face complications with loading during
extreme high tides and may experience compromised American Disabilities Act (ADA)
access.
• Vehicular access along Tiburon Boulevard could be compromised at the Cove Shopping
Center and in the downtown area in the long-term.
• The Tiburon Fire Protection District Station #11, library, post office, and municipal
facilities may be vulnerable to tidal flooding in the long-term.
• The Bay Trail and hotels downtown are compromised in the near-term.
• Corinthian Yacht Club facilities could be vulnerable to storm damage and flooding in the
medium- to long-terms.
• The Cove Shopping Center is vulnerable in the long-term to sea level rise, though could
suffer sooner from combinations of higher tides and stormwater. A batch of homes
could suffer tidal impacts just east to the Cove Shopping Center in the long-term.
• If US 101 is compromised, so is service and goods delivery to Tiburon businesses.
• Access to Tiburon from the City of Corte Madera could also flood in the medium-term.
• Homes high in the hills could become isolated and cut off from necessities and the ability
to leave the community, as alternative access routes are not available at this time.
• Several historic sites downtown and the old shipping terminal could flood with saltwater
as early as the near-term.
Tiburon’s most vulnerable assets are concentrated on the face of the peninsula, downtown, and
around the Cove. These areas feature housing and a number of business, civic, recreation,
historic and visitor serving uses. These areas tend to draw millions of visitors a year and provide
a significant amount of economic and cultural value to the community and Marin County.
Approximately 65 percent of commercial properties could be vulnerable to long-term levels of
sea level rise in Tiburon. Tidal flooding could extend down Tiburon Boulevard. Additional
stormwater from the hillsides would only exacerbate his flooding during storms. Reductions in
service or loss due to building or inventory damage could have significant economic and
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employment repercussions for Tiburon. Compared to other communities in the Marin County
OA, Tiburon has fewer buildings that could be vulnerable to sea level rise due to the bluff side
development pattern. Nevertheless, these buildings provide much of Tiburon’s historic and
charming character. Tiburon Boulevard could expect 100-year storm surge impacts at Main
Street, Paradise Drive, and the Cove. Paradise Drive faces its own flooding issues in Corte
Madera. With both Tiburon Boulevard and Paradise Drive being the main access roads to
Tiburon, public transportation could be cut off more with sea level rise. People who travel
through or to the area for work could be cut off and people with mobility or health constraints
could be affected. The smaller of two treatment plants in Sanitary District No. 5, the Paradise
Cove Plant, could be impacted at 5 feet of sea level rise, plus 100-year storm surge. The
primary treatment facility off Tiburon Boulevard could anticipate some flooding during storm
surges in the parking lot. This flooding may also create access issues for employees.
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Figure 736: Town of Tiburon Sea Level Rise Source: Marin County OEM
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The 2017 Marin Shoreline Sea Level Rise Vulnerably Assessment estimates that Tiburon could
anticipate impacts to over 8,500 people and 341 living units with over $400 million in assessed
property value as a result of a 100-year sea level rise scenario and including storm surge.
Structures throughout the town can become damaged extensively with their foundations
compromised over time. Of particular concern are those structures and infrastructure that have
not been elevated to projected sea level rise heights over the next century. Sea level rise in
Tiburon has the potential to exacerbate inland flooding when a significant rain or tidal event
occurs, pushing water from the bays over their banks and into adjacent neighborhoods. Sea
level rise can also cause increased subsidence along Tiburon’s shoreline, which may damage
underground water and wastewater pipelines and disrupt services. Tiburon would begin to
experience seasonal, king tide, and storm surge flooding more frequently in the future.
Climate Change and Future Development Considerations
The two major causes of global sea level rise are thermal expansion of warming oceans and the
melting of land-based glaciers and polar ice caps. Climate change is affecting natural and built
systems around the world, including the California coast. In the past century, average global
temperature has increased about 1.4°F, and average global sea level has increased 7 to 8
inches. Sea level rise in the San Francisco Bay Area is projected to increase by eight inches
MHW in 2050 and could reach 4.5 to eight feet by 2021 if greenhouse gas emissions aren’t
reduced.
Figure 737: Projections of Sea Level Rise in the San Francisco Bay Area, 2000-2100 Source: 2019–2020 Marin County Civil Grand Jury, Climate Change: How Will Marin Adapt?
While the Marin County OA shoreline including around Tiburon already experiences regular
erosion, flooding, and significant storm events, sea level rise will exacerbate these natural
processes, leading to significant social, environmental, and economic impacts. The third
National Climate Assessment cites strong evidence that the cost of doing nothing exceeds the
costs associated with adapting to sea level rise by 4 to 10 times. Sea level rise will continue to
affect the Marin County OA including Tiburon with increased tidal flooding and storm surge
during severe weather events, and future development along the Marin County OA shoreline
including around Tiburon will only amplify these impacts. Sea level can also lead to increased
land subsidence and the potential of levee failure. The impacts of a tsunami would also be
magnified with rising seas. Future development in the coastal and lowland areas of Tiburon,
including the commercial downtown area, will put more people and property at risk from flooding
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as a result of sea level rise. Roads and utility infrastructure across Tiburon will continue to
become inundated, impacting ingress and egress across the Tiburon peninsula.
2.2.8 SEVERE WEATHER – EXTREME HEAT
Extreme heat is defined as temperatures that hover 10 degrees or more above the average high
temperature for the region and last for several weeks. A heat wave is an extended period of
extreme heat, often with high humidity. When relative humidity is factored in, the temperature
can feel much hotter as reflected in the Heat Index (see Figure 38):
Figure 738: Heat Index Source: NOAA
Heat kills by taxing the human body beyond its abilities. In a normal year, about 1,300 Americans succumb to the demands of summer heat. Heat is the leading weather-related cause of mortalities in the US. In 2006, California reported a high of 204 heat related deaths, with 98
reported in 2017 and 93 deaths reported in 2018.
Extreme heat has the potential to impact all areas of Tiburon and would be felt more at lower elevations in the central and eastern areas of the town. Temperatures can feel warmer in this
area due to the widespread presence of concrete and asphalt, which stores heat longer. Heat waves can cause power outages and can sicken people who are exposed to high temperatures too long, particularly infants and the elderly.
In September 2022 the Marin County OA experienced an Extreme Heat Event with temperatures exceeding 103 degrees.
Climate Change and Future Development Considerations
The primary effect of climate change is warmer average temperatures. The annual average
daily high temperatures in California are expected to rise by 2.7°F by 2040, 5.8°F by 2070, and
8.8°F by 2100 compared to observed and modeled historical conditions. At the current rate,
annual average temperatures in the Marin County OA region and Bay Area will likely increase
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by approximately 4.4 degrees by 2050 and 7.2 degree by the end of the century unless
significant efforts are made to reduce greenhouse emotions according to California’s latest
climate change assessment.
Figure 739: Annual Average Temperatures in the San Francisco Bay Area, 2000-2100 Source: California Climate Change Assessment (Fourth Edition)
As climate change accelerates in the 21st century, it is anticipated that extreme heat events will become more frequent and intense across the Marin County OA including in Tiburon. There will
be increased residential and business needs for cooling and addressing heat-related issues. These effects would primarily be felt in the lowland areas of Tiburon where heat builds in developed areas. Heat waves also tax the energy grid. Future development in the Marin County OA including Tiburon could exacerbate the impacts from heat related events, particularly in electricity provision and water delivery. Increased temperatures will also lead to an increase in the occurrence and severity of wildfires across the Marin County OA including Tiburon as conditions become hotter and drier. These effects will primarily be felt in the open space areas of Tiburon where hotter and drier conditions are more apt to lead to wildfires. Future development near the many open spaces around Tiburon could expose more people and
infrastructure to the threat of a major wildfire as a result of increasing temperatures.
2.2.9 SEVERE WEATHER – HIGH WIND & TORNADO
High Wind
High wind is defined as a one-minute average of surface winds 40 miles per hour or greater
lasting for one hour or longer, or winds gusting to 58 miles per hour or greater regardless of
duration that are either expected or observed over land. These winds may occur as part of a
seasonal climate pattern or in relation to other severe weather events such as thunderstorms.
The Beaufort scale is an empirical measure that relates wind speed to observed conditions on
land and is a common measure of wind intensity (see Figure 40).
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Figure 740: Beaufort Wind Scale Source: NOAA Windstorms in the Marin County OA are typically straight-line winds. Straight-line winds are
generally any thunderstorm wind that is not associated with rotation (i.e., is not a tornado). It is
these winds, which can exceed 100 mph, which represent the most common type of severe
weather and are responsible for most wind damage related to thunderstorms.
Tornado
Tornadoes are rotating columns of air marked by a funnel-shaped downward extension of a
cumulonimbus cloud whirling at destructive speeds of up to 300 mph, usually accompanying a
thunderstorm. Tornadoes are the most powerful storms that exist, and damage paths can be in
excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. The Enhanced Fujita Scale (see Figure 41) is
commonly used to rate the intensity of tornadoes in the United States based on the damages
that they cause.
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Figure 741: Enhanced Fujita Scale Source: NOAA
Tornadic waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water or move from land to water. They
have the same characteristics as a land tornado. They are associated with severe
thunderstorms, and are often accompanied by high winds and seas, large hail, and frequent
dangerous lightning.
Figure 742: Waterspout Formation Source: MarineInsights
All of Tiburon is susceptible to storms and damage from wind and tornadoes particularly those
areas throughout town that have increased susceptibility due to a higher presence of trees.
Drought can increase the susceptibility of trees toppling over in a high wind event. Fallen trees
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could damage homes and other facilities. Power lines could be impacted by fallen trees and
wind, causing power outages. Roadways could also become blocked by fallen trees, affecting
the ability of residents to reach their homes.
On 3/21/2023, a torrent of powerful winds caused trees and power lines to fall all over Tiburon.
Wind gusts of 48 mph were reported in Tiburon.
On 1/11/2023, pair of 40-foot cypress trees in Tiburon snapped off during the high winds, just
missing a house below.
Climate Change and Future Development Considerations It is anticipated that the atmospheric rivers that deliver storms to Northern California may intensify because of climate change. This increase in storm intensity may bring more intense winds and potential tornados to Northern California, including the Marin County OA and Tiburon. Significant wind events and tornados can topple trees, particularly those that may be saturated, or drought stressed as a result of climate change. An increase in fallen trees in Tiburon as a result of increased storms due to climate change can lead to an increase in power outages.
Future development in any of the areas of high tree cover throughout Tiburon including in residential areas will increase the effects of severe wind events.
2.2.10 TSUNAMI
Tsunamis consist of waves generated by large disturbances of the sea floor, which are caused by volcanic eruptions, landslides or earthquakes. Shallow earthquakes along dip slip faults are
more likely to be sources of tsunami than those along strike slip faults. The West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (WC/ATWC) is responsible for tsunami warnings. Tsunamis are often incorrectly referred to as tidal waves. They are actually a series of waves that can travel at
speeds averaging 450 (and up to 600) miles per hour with unusual wave heights. Tsunamis can reach the beach before warnings are issued.
A tsunami experienced by Tiburon would most likely occur from an earthquake, the location of which would determine the amount of time that the tsunami waves would reach the town. Areas of Tiburon in the 100 and 500-year floodplain are at a lower elevation and lie in a tsunami hazard area, including most of commercial downtown area with Tiburon Town Hall and the Tiburon Fire Protection District Station #11; Blackie’s Pasture; the Cove Shopping Center; and waterfront properties along Paradise Drive and Tiburon Boulevard. Additionally, many recreational areas such as beaches, the shoreline park, Paradise Park, and the Old Rail Trail are at risk from tsunamis. Dozens of residences in these areas are vulnerable to a tsunami.
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Figure 743: Town of Tiburon Tsunami Critical Facilities and Infrastructure Source: Marin County OEM
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Tiburon has never experienced a tsunami, however, given its proximity to Richardson Bay and
San Francisco Bay, it potentially experience the impacts of one. On 1/16/2022 a tsunami
resulting from a massive volcanic eruption near Tonga caused powerful waves around Tiburon.
A dock pulled away from an apartment.
Figure 744: Town of Tiburon Tsunami Impacts – January 16, 2022 Source: Marin County OEM
Climate Change and Future Development Considerations
The biggest threat to tsunamis is sea level rise which is a direct result of climate change. Sea level rise can make tsunamis worse than they already are because higher sea levels allow for tsunamis to travel further inland and cause even more damage. Sea level rise results in more vulnerable coastlines which make coastal communities even more vulnerable to an incoming tsunami as the natural buffer to absorb the energy of an incoming tsunami will cease to exist. This is particularly true in the Marin County OA including Tiburon, where a large segment of the downtown commercial area lies in an area vulnerable to sea level rise. Furthermore, it has been theorized that ocean warming, caused by climate change, can impact the tectonic plates that rest below large bodies of water. Ultimately, this can result in more geological activities and
worse tsunamis. Climate change has also affected ocean patterns, which could eventually lead to tsunamis distributing themselves across the ocean and impacting areas that are currently not susceptible to a tsunami. Tsunamis as a result of climate change and associated sea level rise will exacerbate the impacts of flooding in the lowland areas of the Marin County OA including Tiburon. This is particularly true in the downtown commercial area, the Blackie’s Cove area and
the Cove Shopping Center area where additional storm surge as a result of a larger tsunami could cause greater impacts. Future development in these areas will expose more people and infrastructure to the effects of flooding in the Marin County OA as tsunami inundation areas expand with climate change. Flooding could be exacerbated in areas where levees could fail in Belvedere as a result of high wave heights associated with a more significant tsunami.
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2.2.11 WILDFIRE
A wildfire is a fire that occurs in an area of combustible vegetation. The three conditions
necessary for a wildfire to burn are fuel, heat, and oxygen. Fuel is any flammable material that
can burn, including vegetation, structures, and cars. The more fuel that exists and the drier that
fuel is, the more intense the fire can be. Wildfires can be started naturally through lightning or
combustion or can be set by humans. There are many sources of human-caused wildfires
including arson, power lines, a burning campfire, an idling vehicle, trains, and escaped
controlled burns. On average, four out of five wildfires are started by humans. Uncontrolled
wildfires fueled by wind and weather can burn acres of land and everything in their path in mere
minutes and can reach speeds up to 15 miles per hour or faster depending upon wind speed
and ember distribution. On average, more than 100,000 wildfires burn 4 to 5 million acres of
land in the United States every year. Although wildfires can occur in any state, they are most
common in the Western states including California where heat, drought, and thunderstorms
create perfect wildfire conditions.
Wildfires are of primary concern when they occur in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), which
is defined as areas where homes are built near or among lands prone to wildfire. Even
relatively small acreage fires may result in disastrous damages. Most structures in the WUI are
not destroyed from direct flame impingement, but from embers carried by wind. The damages
can be widely varying, but are primarily reported as damage to infrastructure, built environment,
and injuries to people.
The pattern of increased damages is directly related to increased urban spread into historical
forested areas that have wildfire as part of the natural ecosystem. Many WUI fire areas have
long histories of wildland fires that burned only vegetation in the past. However, with new
development, a wildland fire following a historical pattern may now burn these newly developed
areas. WUI fires can occur where there is a distinct boundary between the built and natural
areas or where development or infrastructure has encroached or is intermixed in the natural
area. WUI fires may include fires that occur in remote areas that have critical infrastructure
easements through them, including electrical transmission towers, railroads, water reservoirs,
communications relay sites or other infrastructure assets.
Consequently, wildland fires that burn in natural settings with little or no development are part of
a natural ecological cycle and may actually be beneficial to the landscape. Century old policies
of fire exclusion and aggressive suppression have given way to better understanding of the
importance fire plays in the natural cycle of certain forest types.
Warning times are usually adequate to ensure public safety, provided that evacuation
recommendations and orders are heeded in a timely manner. While in most cases wildfires are
contained within a week or two of outbreak, in certain cases, they have been known to burn for
months, or until they are completely extinguished by fall rains.
Wildfire poses the greatest risk to human life and property in the Marin County OA’s densely
populated WUI, which holds an estimated 69,000 living units. The Marin County OA is home to
23 communities listed on CAL FIRE’s Communities at Risk list, with approximately 80% of the
total land area in the county designated as having moderate to very high fire hazard severity
ratings. The county has a long fire history with many large fires over the past decades, several
of which have occurred in the WUI. To compound the issue, national fire suppression policies
and practices have contributed to the continuous growth (and overgrowth) of vegetation
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resulting in dangerously high fuel loads. The Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
provides a scientifically based assessment of wildfire threat in the WUI of the Marin County OA.
Fire protection in California is the responsibility of either the federal, state, or local government
depending upon the location of the incident. On federally owned land, or federal responsibility
areas (FRA), fire protection is provided by the federal government, and or in partnership with
local agreements. In state responsibility areas (SRA), CAL FIRE typically provides fire
protection. However, in some counties CAL FIRE contracts with county fire departments to
provide protection of the SRA – this is the case in the Marin County OA, where CAL FIRE
contracts with MCFD. Local responsibility areas (LRA) include incorporated cities and cultivated
agriculture lands, and fire protection is typically provided by city fire departments, fire protection
districts, counties, and by CAL FIRE under contract to local government.
CAL FIRE contracts with MCFD to provide wildland fire protection and associated fire
prevention activities for lands designated by the State Board of Forestry as SRA.. The MCFD is
responsible for the protection of approximately 200,000 acres of SRA within the county and is
the primary agency that handles wildland fires. MCFD also provides similar protection services
to approximately 100,000 acres of FRA in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA),
the Muir Woods National Monument, and the Point Reyes National Seashore.
Figure 45 indicates the federal responsibility areas, state responsibility areas and local
responsibility areas in the Marin County OA.
Figure 745: Federal, State and Local Responsibility Areas in the Marin County OA Source: Marin Community Wildfire Protection Plan, 11/27/23
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The mix of weather, diverse vegetation and fuel characteristics, complex topography, and land
use and development patterns in the Marin County OA are important contributors to the fire
environment. The MCFD Woodacre ECC currently manages the data from four Remote
Automated Weather Stations (RAWS) for predicting fire danger utilizing the National Fire
Danger Rating System (NFDRS) during the fire season. The RAWS are located in Woodacre,
Middle Peak, Barnabe, Big Rock and a new station will be coming online in Novato.
The Marin County OA is bounded by the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean to the west, the San
Francisco and Richardson Bays to the southeast, the San Pablo Bay to the east, and Sonoma
County agricultural lands to the north. The combination of these large bodies of water, location
in the mid-latitudes, and the persistent high pressure over the eastern Pacific Ocean results in
several micro-climates. Weather in the OA consists of warm, dry summers and cool, wet
winters. The climate in early fall and late spring is generally similar to the summer, and late fall
is similar to winter. Spring is generally cool, but not as wet as the winter. While these general
weather conditions are fairly representative of the typical Marin County OA weather, complex
topography, annual variability of weather patterns, and less frequent and transient weather
patterns are important to fire conditions.
In the late spring through early fall, the combination of frequent and strong high-pressure
systems (known as the Pacific High) over California combined with the cool waters of the
ocean/bays results in persistent fog and low clouds along the coast (including over the southern
Marin County OA near the San Francisco Bay) with winds. The fog often penetrates into the
inland valleys of the northern and central Marin County OA, especially during overnight hours.
At the coastline, mist from fog can keep the land surfaces modestly moist while inland land
surfaces above the fog or inversion are often very dry.
The Pacific High that persists from late spring through early fall over the eastern Pacific,
combined with a thermal low pressure over the Central Valley of California, results in an almost
continuous sea breeze. These winds usher in cool and moist air and can be strong at times (15
to 25 mph), especially over the ridge tops and through northwest to southeast lying valleys,
including San Geronimo/Ross, Hicks, Lucas Valleys, and Mill Valley and the Marin Headlands.
These westerly winds are usually highest in the afternoon, decrease in the evening, and are
light overnight before increasing again in the late morning/early afternoon.
Occasionally in the summer and more often in the fall, the Pacific High moves inland and
centers over Oregon and Idaho, while low pressure moves from the Central Valley of California
to southern California and Arizona. The resulting north-to-south pressure gradient can be strong
enough to retard the typical sea breeze and can even result in winds blowing from the land to
the ocean (offshore winds). As the offshore winds move air from the Central Valley to the
coastal areas of California, the air descends and compresses, which greatly warms and dries
the air. Under these “Diablo” wind conditions, temperatures in the Marin County OA can reach
100°F in the inland areas and even 80°F at the coast, and relative humidity can be very low. In
addition, wind speeds can be high (20 to 40 mph), gusty and are often much faster over the
mountains and ridge tops such as Mt. Tamalpais, Loma Alta, Marin Headlands and Mt. Burdell
compared to low-lying areas. Wind speeds can be high over the ridges and mountains at all
times of day under this “offshore” wind pattern and are often much slower or even calm at night
in low-lying areas because nighttime cooling decouples the aloft winds from the surface winds. It
is during these Diablo wind events that there is a high potential for large, wind-driven fires
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should there be an ignition. Historically, the largest and most destructive fires have occurred
during these offshore (also known as Foehn) wind events including the Angel Island and the
Vision fires which were located in West Marin.
A few times per year in the summer and early fall, monsoonal flow from Mexico may bring in
moist and unstable air over central and northern California, which can result in thunderstorms
with or without precipitation. With the otherwise dry summer conditions, lightning from this type
of weather pattern can ignite fires. These monsoonal flow patterns are usually only one to two-
day events.
Beginning in late November and lasting through the end of March, the Pacific High moves south
and weakens, allowing storms that originate in the Gulf of Alaska to move over California.
These storms bring precipitation and, at times, strong winds out of the south. Each storm
usually results in one fourth inch to several inches of rain over a day or so. Near Mt. Tamalpais,
rainfall amounts are enhanced by orographic lifting, resulting in higher rain amounts in the
Kentfield and Fairfax areas compared to the rest of the county. Typically, after the first rain in
November, the cool weather and occasional storm keeps the ground wet through late Spring.
However, in some years, significant rain does not occur until later in the year (e.g., early-to-late
December) and there can be several weeks without any storms and rain. During storms,
temperatures are usually mild.
When there are no storms over California, a land-breeze typically forms (i.e., winds blowing
from the Central Valley to the Pacific Ocean). These winds can reach 30 mph, and travel
through the southeast to northwest lying valleys, over low-lying ridges such as the Marin
Headlands, and through the Golden Gate. These winds are usually highest in the mid-morning
hours and decrease in the afternoon as the Central Valley warms during the day. The winds are
associated with cold and modestly moist air.
In late February/early March through late April, the Pacific High strengthens and moves north,
and storms impacting the county become less frequent. During this time of year there is often a
low-pressure area over the desert in southwest California. The combination of the Pacific High
to the north and low-pressure to the southwest results in strong winds blowing from the
northwest to the southeast. Like the sea breeze, these winds bring in cool, moist air and are
usually highest in the afternoon hours. Because of winter and spring rains, the land is wet and
there is little danger of wildland fire despite the strong winds and only occasional precipitation. There is often little coastal fog this time of year.
Vegetation, which is also known as fuel, plays a major role in fire behavior and potential fire
hazards. A fuel’s composition, including moisture level, chemical make-up, and density,
determines its degree of flammability. Of these, fuel moisture level is the most important
consideration. Generally, live trees contain a great deal of moisture while dead logs contain very
little. The moisture content and distribution of fuels define how quickly a fire can spread and how
intense or hot it may become. High moisture content will slow the burning process since heat
from the fire must first eliminate moisture.
In addition to moisture, a fuel’s chemical makeup determines how readily it will burn. Some
plants, shrubs, and trees such as chamise and eucalyptus (both present in the Marin County
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OA) contain oils or resins that promote combustion, causing them to burn more easily, quickly,
and intensely.
Finally, the density of a fuel influences its flammability; when fuels are close together but not too
dense, they will ignite each other, causing the fuel to spread readily. However, if fuels are so
close that air cannot circulate easily, the fuel will not burn freely.
The Marin County OA has extensive topographic diversity that supports a variety of vegetation
types. Marin County’s OA has significant changes in topography with steep vegetated slopes
which can also add to the ability of the fuel to further expand a wildfire.
Environmental factors, such as temperature, precipitation, soil type, aspect, slope, and land use
history, all help determine the existing vegetation at any given location. In the central and
eastern parts of the county, north facing slopes are usually densely wooded from lower
elevations to ridge peaks with a mixture of mostly hardwood tree species such as coast live oak,
California bay, Pacific madrone, and other oak species. Marshlands are also present throughout
the county; once ignited marsh fires can be difficult to contain and extinguish.
Grasslands with a mixture of native and nonnative annual and perennial plant species occur
most often in the northern and western parts of the county due to a combination of soil type,
lower rainfall, and a long history of ranching. The southern and western facing slopes tend to
have a higher percentage of grasslands, which in turn have the potential to experience higher
rates of fire spread. Grassland fires are dangerous even without extreme fire weather scenarios
due to the rapid rate of fire spread; in some cases, fires spread so quickly that large areas can
burn before response resources are able to arrive.
In the west portion of the county closer to the coast, where precipitation is higher and marine
influence is greater, most areas are densely forested with conifer species (i.e., Bishop pine,
Douglas-fir, and coast redwood) and associated hardwood species. Chaparral vegetation also
occurs in parts of the county, especially on steeper south and west facing slopes. This mix of
densely forested areas mixed with chaparral results in higher fuel loads and potentially higher
fire intensity. Expansion of the residential community into areas of heavier vegetation has
resulted in homes existing in close proximity to dense natural foliage; these homes are often
completely surrounded by highly combustible or tall vegetation, increasing the potential that
wildland fires could impact them.
As part of the development of the Marin Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), an
updated vegetation map layer was created using the most recent vegetation information
available from a variety of state and local data sources.
Vegetation distribution in the Marin County OA is characterized by approximately 20 different
types of vegetation which have been classified into 15 fire behavior fuel models.
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Figure 746: Fuel Model Map for the Marin County OA Source: Marin CWPP, 11/27/23
Insect infestations and plant diseases, such as California oak mortality syndrome (sudden oak
death), are increasing and threaten to change the structure and overall health of native plant
communities in Marin County. Sudden oak death has no known cure and is the biggest concern;
this syndrome is caused by the fungus-like Phytophthora ramorum, which has led to widespread
mortality of several tree species in California since the mid-1990s; the tanoak (Lithocarpus
densiflorus) in particular appears to have little or no resistance to the disease. Sudden oak
death has resulted in stands of essentially dead trees with very low fuel moistures.
Studies examining the impacts of sudden oak death on fire behavior indicate that while
predicted surface fire behavior in sudden oak death stands seems to conform to a common fuel
model already in use for hardwood stands, the very low moisture content of dead tanoak leaves
may lead to crown ignitions more often during fires of “normal” intensity.
Two other plant diseases prevalent in the Marin County OA are pitch canker (which affects
conifers such as Bishop pine and other pine species) and madrone twig dieback (which affects
Pacific madrones). Pitch canker is caused by the fungus Fusarium circinatum (F. subglutinans,
F. sp. pini), which enters the tree through wounds caused by insects. While some trees do
recover, most infected trees are eventually killed by the fungus. Management of this disease
largely focuses on containment to reduce the fungus spreading to other trees. Pitch canker is a
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particular issue in the NPS lands of Pt. Reyes National Seashore, where many acres of young
Bishop Pines that were seeded on the Inverness Ridge by the Mount Vision Fire of 1995 have
been infected.
These dead and dying trees have created large swaths of land with dense and dry fuel loads.
Madrone twig dieback is caused by the native fungus Botryosphaeria dothidea and appears to
be getting worse throughout the county due to drought effects on Pacific madrones. Three
additional threats to trees common to the Marin County OA include:
• Bark and ambrosia beetles (Monarthrum dentiger and monarthrum scutellare), which
target oak and tanoak trees. Sudden oak death may be exacerbating the effects of
beetle infestations which prey on trees already weakened by this disease.
• Root rot, caused by oak root fungus (Armillaria mellea), is primarily associated with oaks
and other hardwoods but also attacks conifers. These fungal infestations cause canopy
thinning and branch dieback and can kill mature trees. As with the beetle infestations,
sudden oak death may be exacerbating the effects of root rot fungus in the county
forests.
• Velvet-top fungus (Phaeolus schweinitzii) is a root rot fungus affecting Douglas-fir and
other conifers, with the infection typically occurring through a wound.
Topography characterizes the land surface features of an area in terms of elevation, aspect,
and slope. Aspect is the compass direction that a slope faces, which can have a strong
influence on surface temperature, and more importantly on fuel moistures. Both elevation and
aspect play an important role in the type of vegetation present, the length of the growing
season, and the amount of sunlight absorbed by vegetation. Generally, southern aspects
receive more solar radiation than northern aspects; the result is that soil and vegetation on
southern aspects is warmer and dryer than soil and vegetation on northern aspects. Slope is a
measure of land steepness and can significantly influence fire behavior as fire tends to spread
more rapidly on steeper slopes. For example, as slope increases from 20 – 40%, flame heights
can double and rates of fire spread can increase fourfold; from 40 – 60%, flame heights can
become three times higher and rates of spread can increase eightfold.
The Marin County OA is topographically diverse, with rolling hills, valleys and ridges that trend
from northwest to southeast. Elevation throughout the county varies considerably, with Mt.
Tamalpais’ peak resting at 2,574 feet above sea level and many communities at or near sea
level. Correspondingly, there is considerable diversity in slope percentages. The San Geronimo
Valley slopes run from level (in the valley itself) to near 70%. Mt. Barnabe has slopes that run
from 20 to 70%, and Throckmorton ridge has slopes that range in steepness from 40 – 100%.
These slope changes can make fighting fires extremely difficult.
In the WUI where natural fuels and structure fuels are intermixed, fire behavior is complex and
difficult to predict. Research based on modeling, observations, and case studies in the WUI
indicates that structure ignitability during wildland fires depends largely on the characteristics
and building materials of the home and its immediate surroundings.
The dispersion of burning embers from wildfires is the most likely cause of home ignitions.
When embers land near or on a structure, they can ignite near-by vegetation or accumulated
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debris on the roof or in the gutter. Embers can also enter the structure through openings such
as an open window or vent and could ignite the interior of the structure or debris in the attic.
Wildfire can further ignite structures through direct flame contact and/or radiant heat. For this
reason, it is important that structures and property in the WUI are less prone to ignition by
ember dispersion, direct flame contact, and radiant heat.
Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Events
As a result of the 2017 Northern California Wildfires, the 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County and
other wildfires caused by power line infrastructure, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) began
initiating Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events in their service areas (including Marin
County) to help prevent the start of future wildfires. PG&E will initiate a PSPS if conditions
indicate potentially dangerous weather conditions in fire-prone areas due to strong winds, low
humidity, and dry vegetation. During these events, PG&E will proactively turn off power in high
fire risk areas to reduce the threat of wildfires. The most likely electric lines to be considered for
a public safety power outage will be those that pass through areas that have been designated
by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) High Fire-Threat District at elevated (Tier
2) or extreme risk (Tier 3) for wildfire. Customers outside of these areas could have their power
shut off, though, if their community relies upon a line that passes through a high fire-threat area
or an area experiencing severe weather. PG&E will consider numerous factors and analyze
historical data to help predict the likelihood of a wildfire occurring, and closely monitoring
weather watch alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS). These factors generally
include, but are not limited to:
• A Red Flag Warning declared by the National Weather Service
• Low humidity levels, generally 20 percent and below
• Forecasted sustained winds generally above 25 mph and wind gusts in excess of
approximately 45 mph, depending on location and site-specific conditions such as
temperature, terrain and local climate
• Condition of dry material on the ground and live vegetation (moisture content)
• On-the-ground, real-time observations from PG&E's Wildfire Safety Operations Center
and field crews
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) operates a total of 1,179 miles of overhead electricity
transmission and distribution lines in the Marin County OA. Overhead electricity lines and poles
can be damaged or downed under severe weather conditions, particularly severe wind
conditions, which increases the potential for wildfire ignition. 52 percent of PG&E’s overhead
distribution lines and 41 percent of its overhead transmission lines are located in CPUC-
identified High-Fire Threat Districts subject to elevated or extreme fire risk. PG&E is currently
planning and implementing safety measures to prevent wildfires and reduce the impacts of
Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events on communities in the Marin County OA and
throughout California.
In October 2019 Marin County and the Town of Tiburon experienced two PSPS events.
These measures include installing weather stations; installing high-definition cameras; installing
sectionalizing devices on its overhead lines to separate the grid into smaller sections; hardening
the system by installing stronger power poles, covering lines, and undergrounding lines in
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targeted areas; creating temporary microgrids to provide electricity during PSPS events; and
enhancing existing vegetation management activities. From 2018 to July 2021, PG&E hardened
three miles of overhead lines, installed 68 transmission and distribution sectionalizing devices,
completed enhanced vegetation management on approximately 51 of overhead line miles,
installed 28 weather stations, and installed 12 high-definition cameras in the Marin County OA.
PG&E has also begun undergrounding several overhead transmission lines throughout
California.
A wildfire in Tiburon would most likely occur in any of the open spaces throughout town, including the Ring Mountain Open space preserve on the north side of the town, the area around the numerous open spaces in the middle of the town, and the area around the Tiburon Uplands Nature Preserve and the Old St. Hilary Open Space Preserve on the south side of the
town. These areas of Tiburon are primarily residential and consist of numerous winding streets and hillside homes that could be damaged or destroyed by wildfire. Many of the hillside neighborhoods are at risk of wildfires and have extremely limited ingress and egress for
residents and emergency services. Much of Tiburon lies in a high FHSZ, including hundreds of residences, the St. Hilary School and a Marin Emergency Radio Authority antenna. Part of the
downtown commercial area lies in a moderate FHSZ. All of Tiburon could be impacted by a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event and/or suffer
poor air quality from smoke as a result of a wildfire in Marin County or the surrounding region. As wildland areas around Tiburon become drier due to climate change, the risk of a wildfire occurring and impacting the town will continue to increase. Brush fires in the town may increase over time as parks and other open spaces experience drier conditions.
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Figure 747: Town of Tiburon Wildfire Critical Facilities and Infrastructure Source: Marin County OEM
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Tiburon has historically experienced several huge fires before the formation of the Tiburon Fire
Protection District, but none in the last century. On 11/13/1890, Tiburon was destroyed by an
urban conflagration. There have been no major wildfires or brush fires in Tiburon since the last
plan update.
On 7/7/2017, a brush fire on Gilmartin Drive threatened two houses in Tiburon. Defensible
space created by residents allowed fire crews to access and douse the blaze. No injuries or
property damage was reported by the blaze, the cause of which was undetermined.
On 6/15/2012, a three-acre brush fire was reported near Reed Ranch Road. Nearby homes and
structures were not threatened by the blaze.
Climate Change and Future Development Considerations
Climate change can lead to an increase in wildfire events. Climate change has been a key factor in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires in the western United States. Changes in climate create warmer, drier conditions. Increased drought, and a longer fire season are boosting these increases in wildfire risk.
Figure 748: Trends in the Annual Number of Large Wildfires in the United States Source: Fourth Climate Change Assessment, 01/04/23
As summer conditions in Northern California become hotter and drier due to climate change, the
occurrence and severity of wildfires will only increase. The Marin County OA including Tiburon
is particularly susceptible to these future impacts of climate change on wildfire, as the OA’s
climate has generally been wet enough historically to avoid major wildfires. Extreme heat
events and high wind events could cause electrical systems to become overloaded and fail,
sparking wildfires. An increase in wildfires as a result of climate change could lead to more
significantly burned areas that could contribute to debris flows after a significant storm event,
particularly in the open space areas around Tiburon. Future development in the WUI throughout
Tiburon will expose more people and property to the impacts of a potentially significant wildfire.
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The growing number of people in the Tiburon WUI can increase risk to life, property and public
health as a result of a wildfire.
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SECTION 3.0: MITIGATION STRATEGY
3.1 CHANGES IN DEVELOPMENT
The various Marin County Jurisdiction’s General Plans guide growth and development across the County based on maintaining the County’s small communities with their own unique character.
The Town of Tiburon is a community of approximately 9,400 residents and 4,050 housing units located on a relatively narrow four square mile peninsula extending into San Francisco Bay. The peninsula rises quickly from the Bay reaching a central spine known as the Tiburon Ridge.
This ridge is prominent from widespread locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Most of the peninsula is sloping land. Neighborhoods vary in age from the 1890’s to the present. Over 95 percent of the Town’s land area is comprised of residential neighborhoods, public parks, and secured open space. Tiburon is a community of neighborhoods covering a wide range of construction dates, housing types, architectural styles, and neighborhood design characteristics. At one end of the range is Old Tiburon, an 1890’s-vintage subdivision of small lots on generally steep slopes with a variety of housing types and styles. At the other end of the range are newer multi-million dollar homes located on larger parcels in thoroughly modern estate-style subdivisions that were common in the 1980’s and 1990’s. In between are numerous subdivisions from the post-war boom of the late 1940’s up through the 1950’s and 1960’s and into the 1970’s. Neighborhoods and homes in Tiburon are quite well maintained and are desirable and attractive places to live.
The Council of Governments for Tiburon and the nine-county Bay Area region is the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). ABAG, in collaboration with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, develops a Regional Housing Needs Allocation Plan that assigns the regional housing need to the individual cities, towns and counties within the Bay Area.
Tiburon’s share of the regional housing need for the 2023-2031 planning period is 639 units, which represents 4.4 percent of the 14,405 units allocated to Marin County. The Town’s Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) is approximately eight times the previous 5th cycle
allocation of 78 units.
The regional share is further allocated according to four income levels: very low income, low income, moderate income, and above moderate income. Tiburon’s regional housing need of
639 units is distributed among the four income categories as follows:
•193 units affordable to very low- income households (up 50 percent of the area medianincome)
•110 units affordable to low-income households (50 to 80 percent of the area median
income)
•93 units affordable to moderate- income households (80 to 120 percent of the areamedian)
•243 units affordable to above moderate-income households over 120 percent of the
area median income)
As detailed in the "Climate Change and Future Development Considerations" section of each hazard profile, development in Tiburon has occurred and will continue to occur throughout the
town in areas prone to all of its identified hazards. Increased growth in these areas may
increase the vulnerability of people and structures to these hazards.
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Table 20: Town of Tiburon Future Growth Areas
Development # of Units # of Parcels Project Date Acres Fire Severity Zone Flood Zone
1525 Tiburon Blvd 19 1 N/A 0.66 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) AE
1535 Tiburon Blvd 21 1 N/A 0.72 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) AE
1601 Tiburon Blvd 17 1 N/A 0.57 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) AE
1601 Tiburon Blvd 32 1 N/A 1.07 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) AE
1550 Tiburon Blvd 66 1 N/A 2.21 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) AE
1620 Tiburon Blvd and 1640/50 Tiburon Blvd 26 2 N/A 0.87 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) AE
6 Beach Rd and 12 Beach Road 39 2 N/A 1.41 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) AE
1199 Tiburon Blvd. 58 1 N/A 2.9 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) AE
1100 Mar West St, 1110 Mar West St, and 1120 Mar West St 40 3 N/A 1.36 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) X
1555 Tiburon Blvd 25 1 N/A 0.86 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) AE
1599 Tiburon Blvd 49 1 N/A 1.66 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) AE
1600 Tiburon Blvd 11 1 N/A 0.39 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) AE
1610 Tiburon Blvd 3 1 N/A 0.13 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) AE
1660 Tiburon Blvd 12 1 N/A 0.43 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) AE
1680 Tiburon Blvd 8 1 N/A 0.29 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) AE
26 Main St./ 2 Juanita Ln 8 1 N/A 0.43 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) AE
4576 Paradise Dr 93 1 N/A 9.58 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) VE
Various- Anticipated number of new Accessory Dwelling Units 72 Various N/A Varies Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) Varies
Various - Anticipated number of new Single Family Dwellings 93 Various N/A Varies Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) Varies
1525 Tiburon Blvd 19 1 N/A 0.66 Wildland Urban Interface ( WUI) AE
Total 692 Table 383: Town of Tiburon Future Growth Areas Source: Town of Tiburon
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3.2 CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT
The overall priorities in the Town of Tiburon have not changed since the 2018 MJHMP update. However, the strategies in which to support the overall town priorities have changed and are reflected in the sections below. There were many projects that were either ongoing day-to-day
business activities or were response related that were completed or deleted from the 2018 MJHMP project list and not carried over to this plan update. Several actions were completed
and new projects were added to coincide with the changes in priorities, progress in local mitigation efforts and changes in development.
Capabilities are the programs and polices currently in use to reduce hazard impacts or that
could be used to implement hazard mitigation activities. The capability assessment identifies the
local planning mechanisms where information from the 2018 MJHMP is incorporated and where
updated hazard mitigation information from this 2023 MJHMP will be incorporated once
approved. The 2018 capability assessments have been successfully incorporated into the Town
of Tiburon General Plan to include the Public Safety Element, Land Use Element, and Housing
Element and the 2023 capability assessments will also be incorporated into the General Plan
and these Elements. The capability assessment is divided into four sections: regulatory,
administrative and technical, fiscal, and outreach and partnerships.
3.2.1 REGULATORY CAPABILITIES
The legal and regulatory capabilities include existing ordinances and codes that affect the
Town’s physical or built environment. Examples of legal and/or regulatory capabilities can
include: a jurisdiction’s building codes, zoning ordinances, subdivision ordnances, special
purpose ordinances, growth management ordinances, site plan review, general plans, capital
improvement plans, economic development plans, emergency response plans, and real estate
disclosure plans. The table below lists regulatory mitigation capabilities, including planning and
land management tools, typically used by local jurisdictions to implement hazard mitigation
activities and indicates those that are in place.
Table 21: Legal and Regulatory Capabilities
Plans Yes/No Latest
Update
Does the plan/program address hazards? Does the plan identify projects to include in the mitigation
strategy?
Can the plan be used to implement mitigation actions?
General Plan/Master Plan
Y 2020
The General Plan outlines long-term direction for development and policy. It describes hazard areas and regulates current and future development based on known hazard areas. As this plan gets updated there is potential to improve it with updated risk information and strategies.
Strategic Plan N The Town does not currently have a separate strategic
plan.
Capital Improvements Plan
Y
The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) directs construction activities for Town owned facilities and infrastructure for the next five years. Mitigation actions may involve construction of new or upgraded facilities and infrastructure. As this plan gets updated there is potential to improve it with updated strategies.
Economic Development Plan N The Town does not currently have an independent
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Economic Development Plan,
Local Emergency Operations
Plan Y
2020
The Emergency Operation Plan is a guide to operations in
the event of an emergency and EOC operation. The plan
follows the ICS/NIMS structure and is consistent with other
plans in Marin County
Continuity of Operations
Plan
Y
2020
Flood Mitigation Plan (FMP) N
Hazards and preparedness are address through the Local Emergency Operations Plan, which is a joint partnership
with the Town of Tiburon and City of Belvedere. The
purpose of this plan is to address hazard mitigation and
provide community resources for preparedness.
Engineering Studies for
Streams N
However, the General Plan, Climate Action Plan, and
Floor Damage Prevention Ordinance account for
mitigation and preventative measures in response to flooding.
Open Space Management Plan Y
Open Space management influences risk of landslides,
wildfire, and in some cases flooding. The Town manages
250 acres of open space. Fire hazard and fuel loading is
the primary concern driving management of non-native
species in this pan.
Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)
Y
The Town is part of the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission and Association of Bay Area Governments’
Plan Bay Area 2050 to address impacts and mitigation
measures for housing, the economy, transportation, and the environment.
Stormwater Management Plan/Program Y
The Town follows guidance established through the Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program to
prevent comply with all state and federal regulations and
prevent stormwater pollution.
Community Wildfire
Protection Plan Y
2023
Create Tiburon 2040, the updated General Plan,
establishes policy and programs to retain existing environments and protect community wildlife.
Other special plans (e.g., brownfields redevelopment, disaster recovery, coastal
zone management, climate
change adaptation)
Y
2021
The updated Climate Action Plan was adopted in 2021 and
has established goals and programs to reduce the Town’s contribution to climate change and other hazards.
Building Code, Permitting,
and Inspections Y/N Are codes adequately enforced?
Building Code Y All applicable Building codes are enforced through
permits and verified through field inspections.
Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS)
Score
Y
Yes
Fire department ISO rating: Y The Tiburon Fire Protection District has been evaluated
and received a PPC of 1.
Site plan review
requirements Y The Fire District reviews all substantial construction and
grading project subject to building permits or Planning
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Department. Minor exterior improvements are also reviewed when deemed appropriate.
Land Use Planning and
Ordinances Y/N
Is the ordinance an effective measure for reducing
hazard impacts? Is the ordinance adequately administered and enforced?
Municipal Code
Y
The Municipal Code includes several sections that address
hazard mitigation including Title IV Land Improvement and Use, Title V Public Works, and Title VI Public Health, Safety and Welfare. Zoning ordinance
(Chapter 16 of Municipal
Code)
Y
The Zoning Ordinance implements the General Plan by
establishing specific regulations for development. It
includes standards for where development can be located, how buildings must be sized, shaped, and
positioned, and what types of activities can occur in an
area. Mitigation actions that pertain to new or
substantially redeveloped buildings can be adopted into the Zoning Ordinance.
Subdivision ordinance
Y
The purpose of the Town’s Subdivision Ordinance is to
implement and supplement the requirements of the
Subdivision Map Act found in California Government
Code title 7, division 2 concerning the design and
improvement of subdivisions and regulating other divisions of land within the town including the form and
content of all maps and the procedure to be followed in
securing official approval.
Floodplain ordinance
Y
The Municipal Code includes a Flood Damage
Prevention chapter which seeks to promote the public health, safety and general welfare, and to minimize
public and private losses to flood conditions in specific
areas.
Natural hazard specific
ordinance (stormwater,
steep slope, wildfire) Y
The Municipal Code includes various chapters and
ordinance to address natural hazards including:
Chapter 20A: Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Chapter 16-21.040 - Residential zones development
standards.
Flood insurance rate maps
Y
Chapter 13D- Flood Damage Prevention was
established to minimize the public and private losses to
flood conditions. Standards for construction are included within to account for areas in various flood zones.
Elevation Certificates Y Elevations are required during construction of new residences and other substantial projects.
Acquisition of land for open space and public recreation
uses
N
Erosion or sediment control
program
Y
Tiburon Municipal Code section 20A-10 (Reduction of
pollutant in stormwater) establishes requirements to
mitigate the amount of pollution entering the Town’s storm drain systems. Compliance with this section is
done by review of the Department of Public Works
during the zoning and building permit process and
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construction within the public right of way and Town maintained properties.
Table 384: Town of Tiburon Legal and Regulatory Capabilities Source: Town of Tiburon Town of Tiburon General Plan or Master Plan
California Government Code 65300 requires that every City and County in the state have a
General Plan. The Town of Tiburon General Plan, adopted in May 22, 2023, was prepared over
a one year period that included an extensive public review process. The General Plan is the
most important policy and planning document in the Town and is used by virtually every
department. The General Plan is the Town's statement of its vision for the future. The General
Plan contains policies covering every aspect of the Town: land use (how land can be
developed), circulation, noise, air quality, housing, open space and conservation, and health
and safety. The Housing, Land Use, and Safety Elements of the General Plan were updated in
2023.
Town of Tiburon specific goals and policies related to mitigation of natural hazards are as
follows:
Table 22: Town of Tiburon General Plan
Goal/Policy/ Program Explanation
Land Use Element
Goal GOAL LU-B: Ensure that new development is sensitive to on-site and surrounding environmental resources and hazards and can be adequately served by public infrastructure.
Policy
POLICY LU-2: INFRASTRUCTURE FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT. Assure that sewer, water, and other essential infrastructure improvements must be available to the developer to serve new development by the time of completion of construction and that
anticipated traffic levels are consistent with adopted Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) standards. New development shall pay its fair share of essential expanded infrastructure to the maximum extent allowed by law.
Program Program LU-e: Infrastructure Capacity. Analyze project impacts on infrastructure capacity and services as part of CEQA review and require mitigation measures as needed in consultation with provider agencies.
Conservation and Open Space Element
Goal
GOAL S-B: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the community and within government operations to mitigate the effects of climate change.
GOAL C-A: Preserve and improve the quality of the environment through resource restoration and conservation, management, and pollution control.
Policy
POLICY C-10 FLOOD HAZARD ZONE. Avoid construction on lands that are shown to be within the 100-year flood hazard zone as shown on the current FEMA Flood Rate Insurance Map
POLICY C-22 AIR QUALITY IMPACTS TO SENSITIVE RECEPTORS: Minimize exposure of sensitive
receptors to concentrations of air pollutant emissions, toxic air contaminants, and odors.
Program Program S-b Climate Action Plan: Implement the Town’s Climate Action Plan and
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Table 22: Town of Tiburon General Plan
Goal/Policy/ Program Explanation
periodically update the plan to incorporate new emission reduction targets, strategies, and best practices.
Public Safety
Goal GOAL SR-C : Identify hazardous areas & discourage to the maximum extent feasible development of areas subject to hazards including, but not limited to, geotechnical hazards, unstable slopes, and flood-prone areas.
Policy
POLICY SR-1 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: Ensure that the Town is prepared to effectively respond to any emergency or disaster, including hazardous material releases, in cooperation with other public agencies and appropriate organizations.
POLICY SR-7 HAZARD REDUCTION. Actively encourage owners of developed property to repair or improve unstable slopes, install drainage facilities, and take other measures that may reduce potential safety hazards.
POLICY SR-10 FLOOD RISK REDUCTION: Reduce the risk of loss of life, personal injury, and property damage resulting from flooding by properly maintaining storm drainage systems, natural flood control channels, and waterways and regulating runoff from new construction and development projects. Encourage flood control measures that retain the natural features and conditions of watercourses to the maximum extent feasible.
POLICY SR-11 SEA LEVEL RISE PROJECTIONS: Integrate flooding and sea level rise projections into policies and regulations to inform the public of the future hazard areas, assess and address potential impacts to future development, inform future planning and building requirements, plan for opportunity areas for adaptation, and inform funding and financing decisions about short- and long-term adaptation projects.
POLICY SR-15 MITIGATION OF STORM DRAINAGE IMPACTS: Ensure new development mitigates storm drainage impacts and potential increases in runoff
through a combination of measures, including improvement of local storm drainage facilities.
POLICY SR-17 FIRE RISK REDUCTION: Reduce the risk of loss of life, personal injury, and property damage resulting from wildfire and urban fire hazards through code enforcement and coordination the local Fire Districts and other agencies to ensure the safe delivery of emergency services and the effective evacuation of the community in the event of a disaster.
Program
Program SR-a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan: Implement the adopted Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan to comply with the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and maintain eligibility for hazard mitigation funding from FEMA.
Program SR-d Identify Evacuation Routes: Work with the Tiburon Fire Protection District, the Southern Marin Fire Protection District, the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority, and the Tiburon Police Department to identify and map residential developments in hazard areas that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes and identify mitigation measures as feasible.
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Table 22: Town of Tiburon General Plan
Goal/Policy/ Program Explanation
Program SR-f Improve Evacuation Routes. Improve local evacuation capacity by identifying evacuation routes through signage and promotion of public safety route identification applications. Assess the feasibility of adding additional evacuation routes.
Program SR-g Essential Facilities. Ensure essential public facilities are accessible and operational during flooding, seismic events, fires, extreme heat events, and other
emergencies. Essential public facilities include, but are not limited to, hospitals and health care facilities, emergency shelters, emergency command centers, and emergency communications facilities.
Program SR-h Post-Earthquake Assessments: Conduct an immediate post-earthquake
assessment of critical facilities and buildings in the Planning Area to determine the extent of damages, if any, to essential Town infrastructure. This should be performed by trained professional(s) utilizing the current state-of-knowledge regarding post- earthquake assessment.
Program SR-l Landslide Mitigation Policy: Require that new development in areas subject to land sliding comply with the Town’s Landslide Mitigation Policy. Require physical improvements to landslides and to potential landslide areas in instances where avoidance is not feasible or appropriate, as determined through the development review process.
Program SR-n Seismic Improvement Program: Create and implement a Seismic Improvement Program for public buildings and infrastructure. The Program shall include conducting a seismic risk assessment of existing Town infrastructure, which would help to create a list which would prioritize the buildings and equipment that should be retrofitted. Following risk assessment, the Town should adopt a Program that would upgrade vulnerable facilities based on the priority list.
Program SR-y Special Flood Hazard Areas: Require new development and/or construction, where feasible, to be outside Special Flood Hazard Areas, which are defined by FEMA as areas that would be inundated by a flood having a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. Construction proposed within Special Flood Hazard Areas shall comply with the Town’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 13D).
Program SR-z Protection from Wave Action: Require structures constructed adjacent
to areas subject to the 100-year tidal flood to be protected from destructive wave action.
Program SR-dd Stormwater Detention: Utilize on-site detention of stormwater runoff to ensure that post-development peak flow rates from a site resulting from both the two-year and 100-year design rainstorms are not increased by new subdivisions or other permitted development projects.
Public Facilities Element
Goal GOAL OS-B: Permanently preserve as much open space as possible to protect shorelines, open water, wetlands, significant ridgelines, streams, drainageways, riparian
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Table 22: Town of Tiburon General Plan
Goal/Policy/ Program Explanation
corridors, steep slopes, rock outcroppings, special status species and their habitat, woodlands, cultural and historic resources, and areas of visual importance, such as views of and views from open space.
Policy
POLICY OS-15 LANDSLIDE MITIGATION: Avoid site grading that is not required by the Town’s Landslide Mitigation Policy to the maximum extent feasible to retain natural landforms.
POLICY OS-17 MINIMIZE GRADING IMPACTS: Minimize the impact of grading on adjacent properties, water quality, and air quality.
Program
Program OS-c Environmental Assessment: Require an environmental assessment for development proposed on sites that may contain sensitive biological resources including wetlands, occurrences of special-status species and sensitive natural communities, native wildlife nurseries and nesting locations, and native wildlife movement corridors. The assessment shall be conducted by a qualified professional to determine the presence, potential presence, or absence of any sensitive resources which could be affected by proposed development, shall provide an assessment of the potential impacts, and shall define measures to avoid significant adverse impacts to the
resource. The development project shall be required to implement feasible measures to avoid or, if avoidance is not feasible, reduce significant adverse impacts. Table 385: Town of Tiburon General Plan Source: Town of Tiburon General Plan
3.2.2 ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES
The administrative and technical capability identifies the Town personnel responsible for activities
related to mitigation and loss prevention. Many positions are full time and/or filled by the same
person.
Table 23: Administrative and Technical Capabilities
Administrative Yes/No Is coordination effective?
Planning Commission
Y
The Planning Commission serves as the planning agency for the Town and is the review authority for a variety of
applications including (but not limited to) use permits,
zoning amendments, and subdivision of land.
Administrative Services
Y
Administrative Services Department handles finance and
purchasing, budgeting, risk management, information
technology, and business licensing for the community. The department may be responsible for implementing
mitigation actions related to the department’s scope.
Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee Y The Town participates in the Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee that
meets quarterly to review and manage Hazard Mitigation
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projects and programs.
Maintenance programs to
reduce risk (e.g., tree
trimming, clearing
drainage systems) Y
Chipper Days encourage residents to clear dry brush and
vegetation and dispose of at no cost. “BroomBusters” and
the Green Team are local volunteer groups that help clear
flammable vegetation. The Town of Tiburon has hired goats to clear dry brush (Summer 2023)
Mutual aid agreements
Y
The Tiburon Police Department and the Tiburon Fire Protection District utilizes mutual aid agreements with
local agencies and jurisdictions that provide public safety
personnel in times of emergency.
Technical Yes/No Has capability been used to assess/mitigate risk in
the past?
Warning systems/services
(Reverse 911, outdoor
warning signals) Y
Utilizes the emergency warning systems through the EAS
system as their primary warning capability. Utilizes the
emergency warning systems through telephone, text and email notification called Alert Marin utilizing reverse 911.
There are six emergency sirens on the peninsula and
when sounded alert people to tune in to 840am for local
emergency information.
Hazard data and
information Y Through documents such as the Emergency Operations
Plan and General Plan.
Grant writing Y Grant writing has primarily been completed through full
time Community Development and Administrative staff.
Hazus analysis N The Town relies on the information and resources provided
through FEMA to asses this information.
Staff/Personnel Resources Yes/No
FT/ PT
Is staffing adequate to enforce regulations? Is staff trained on hazards and mitigation? Is coordination between agencies and staff effective?
Chief Building Official Y/FT Yes to all.
Floodplain Administrator
Y/FT
The town engineer is appointed to administer and
implement this chapter. The Town may explore certifying
the Floodplain Administer to enhance this capability.
Emergency Manager N/PT Yes
Community Planner
Y/FT
There are two full time Planners on Town Staff who process current Planning projects and applications, serve as staff
liaisons to the Design Review Board, Planning Commission,
and Town Council, and assist the Director of Community
Development with long range Planning projects. Staff will explore additional Hazard Mitigation Training.
Civil Engineer Y/ PT A Civil Engineer is contracted through the Town on a part time basis in addition to the full time Public Works
and Engineering staff.
GIS Coordinator N/FT The GIS Sytem (MarinMap) used by the Town is
maintained through the County of Marin.
Community Development Staff Y/FT There are currently two divisions under the Community
Development Department. The Building Division is
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comprised of a Building Official, Building Inspection, Permit Technician, and Permit Clerk. The Planning
Division is Comprised of the Director of Community
Development, two Associate Planners, and a Planning
Technician.
Town Planning, Building,
and Public Works Staff
Y/FT
These departments are responsible for planning and
building related activities including issuing permits,
conducting environmental review, preparing planning
documents, and addressing housing issues. Mitigation
activities related to planning and building can be
implemented by this department. Public Works Department is responsible for Town-owned
infrastructure, including streets, bike lanes and
sidewalks, storm drains, traffic signals, and streetlights.
Mitigation actions involving new or retrofitted public
infrastructure, as well as those related to water
conservation, fall within the purview of the Public Works
Department.
Police Department Staff
Y/FT
The Tiburon Police Department conducts emergency
preparedness activities for the community. Mitigation
activities related to emergency preparedness can be implemented by the Police Department.
Fire Protection
District Staff
Y/FT
The Tiburon Fire District protects the town of Tiburon,
the Town of Belvedere, and the surrounding area. The
Fire District's boundaries represent a diverse community
with responsibility for commercial, residential, wildland /
urban interface, and parts of the San Francisco Bay. The Fire Protection District supports implementation of
mitigation actions that reduce the risk of wildfire.
Table 386: Town of Tiburon Administrative and Technical Capabilities Source: Town of Tiburon
3.2.3 FISCAL CAPABILITIES
The fiscal capability assessment shows specific financial and budgetary tools available to the
jurisdictions such as community development block grants; capital improvements project funding;
authority to levy taxes for specific purposes; fees for water, sewer, gas, or electric services; impact
fees for homebuyers or developers for new development; ability to incur debt through general
obligations bonds; and withholding spending in hazard-prone areas.
Table 24: Fiscal Capabilities
Financial Yes/No
Has the funding resource been used in the past and for
what type of activities?
Could the resource be used to fund future mitigation
actions?
Capital improvements project
funding Y Funding has not been used in the past for mitigation, but
could possibly fund future mitigation activities.
Authority to levy taxes for Y Funding has not been used in the past for mitigation but
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specific purposes could possibly fund future mitigation activities.
Fees for water, sewer, gas, or
electric services Y
Water, gas, and electric utilities are managed by other
agencies. Sanitary funding has not been used in the past
for mitigation but could possibly fund future mitigation
activities.
Impact fees for new
development Y Funding has not been used in the past for mitigation but
could possibly fund future mitigation activities.
Storm water utility fee Y The Town does not collect a storm water utility fee,
however it could be a source of revenue in the future.
Incur debt through general obligation bonds and/or
special tax bonds
Y
Funding has not been used in the past for mitigation but could possibly fund future mitigation activities.
Incur debt through private activities N
Community Development Block Grant Y Funding has not been used in the past for mitigation but could possibly fund future mitigation activities.
Other federal funding
programs Y Funding has not been used in the past for mitigation but
could possibly fund future mitigation activities.
State funding programs Y Funding has not been used in the past for mitigation but
could possibly fund future mitigation activities.
Table 387: Town of Tiburon Fiscal Capabilities Source: Town of Tiburon
3.2.4 COMMUNITY OUTREACH
The outreach and partnerships capability assessment shows outreach and public education
programs available to the Town of Tiburon and the Town of Tiburon partnerships utilized to
promote those programs.
Table 25: Town of Tiburon Community Outreach
Outreach and Partnerships Yes/No Could the program/organization help implement future
mitigation activities?
Local citizen groups or
non-profit organizations focused on environmental protection, emergency
preparedness, access and
functional needs populations, etc.
Y
The Tiburon Talk newsletter gets emailed every other month and often contains articles about hazard
preparedness and
mitigation, including how to sign up for Get Ready classes.
Ongoing public education
or information program (e.g., responsible water
use, fire safety, household
preparedness,
environmental education)
Y
A communications team, comprised of staff from Tiburon
Town Hall, Public Works, Tiburon Fire and the Tiburon Police Department meet bi-weekly and disseminate
information via e-newsletter, nextdoor, all social media
outlets and other public messaging methods,
Natural disaster or safety
related school programs Y GR5 – Get Ready 5th grade, teaches disaster
preparedness and includes homework that gets their
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entire household involved and prepared
StormReady certification Y Achieved
Firewise Communities certification Y
Certification and oversight by the Tiburon Fire Protection
District
Community Rating System
Y
As part of the update to the General Plan, a new program was added to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program and to periodically update the Community Rating
System to notify residents of hazards of living in a flood-
prone area.
Public-private partnership
initiatives addressing
disaster-related issues Y
The Get Ready program, developed in Marin County, is a
free 2-hour course provided to the community. The course
is designed to help residents plan for an emergency with a family plan, evacuation checklist, and strategies to keep
residents and their families safe.
(https://readymarin.org/get-ready/)
Table 388: Town of Tiburon Community Outreach Source: Town of Tiburon
3.2.5 PARTICIPATION IN THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
Given the flood hazard in the planning area, an emphasis will be placed on continued
compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Detailed below is a description
of Town of Tiburon flood management program to ensure continued compliance with the NFIP.
Town of Tiburon has participated in the Regular Phase of the NFIP since May 16, 1977. Since
then, the Town of Tiburon has administered floodplain management regulations that meet or
exceed the minimum requirements of the NFIP. Under that arrangement, residents and
businesses paid the same flood insurance premium rates as most other communities in the
Town of Tiburon. The Community Rating System (CRS) was created in 1990. It is designed to
recognize floodplain management activities that are above and beyond the NFIP’s minimum
requirements. Town of Tiburon are not currently CRS participants.
In addition to the capabilities in the municipal code regarding floodplains, the Town of Tiburon
has additional capabilities. Table 26 shows the Town of Tiburon participation in and continued
compliance with the NFIP, as well as identify areas for improvement that could be potential
mitigation actions.
Table 26: Town of Tiburon NFIP Status
NFIP Topic Comments
Insurance Summary
How many NFIP policies are in the community? What is the total premium and coverage?
68 policies in force in the Town of Tiburon with $105,507 in premiums and 23,362,00 in coverage.
How many claims have been paid in the community? What is the total amount of 4 claims have been paid for a total of $256,396. No claims for substantial damage.
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paid claims? How many of the claims were for substantial damage? How many structures are exposed to flood risk within the community? *“flood risk” is defined as the 1% annual chance flood (100-year flood. Numbers are from overlay of FEMA SFHA and building stock data.
13
Describe any areas of flood risk with limited NFIP policy coverage None
Staff Resources
Is the Community Floodplain Administrator or NFIP Coordinator certified?
No
Is floodplain management an auxiliary function? Yes
Provide an explanation of NFIP administration services (e.g., permit review, GIS, education or outreach, inspections, engineering capability)
The Town has a dedicated website with resources for properties located in the floodplain. Projects in the floodplain are evaluated for whether they meet the threshold for “substantial improvement” and compliance with Chapter 13D - Flood Damage Prevention of the Tiburon Code od Ordinance.
What are the barriers to running an effective NFIP program in the community, if any?
Cost and staffing challenges.
Compliance History
Is the community in good standing with the NFIP? Yes
Are there any outstanding compliance issues (i.e., current violations)? No
When was the most recent Community Assistance Visit (CAV) or Community Assistance Contact (CAC)?
2021
Is a CAV or CAC scheduled or needed? No
Regulation
When did the community enter the NFIP? May 16, 1977
Are the FIRMs digital or paper? Digital
Do floodplain development regulations meet or exceed FEMA or State minimum requirements? If so, in what ways?
Exceed the NFIP by State mandated building codes and adopted higher regulatory standards.
• State regulations for required disclosure of flood hazards
• Current building code adoption and enforcement
• Freeboard requirements for residential and non-residential development
• Cumulative substantial improvement
• Foundation protection requirements with required compaction reports
• Positive drainage from foundation walls per building code
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Provide an explanation of the permitting process. The Town of Tiburon Code of Ordinance implements a permitting process for properties located in flood zones. The ordinance clarifies that no development is allowed in floodways, and projects considered to be “substantial improvement” in a floodplain triggers special construction standards such as floodproofing and elevation above base flood elevation. These construction standards reduce risk of damage from future flood events. Standards must be met as a condition of approval of a building permit in a floodplain.
Community Rating System (CRS)
Does the community participate in CRS? No
What is the community’s CRS Class Ranking? N/A
What categories and activities provide CRS points and how can the class be improved?
N/A
Does the plan include CRS planning requirements N/A
Table 389: Town of Tiburon NFIP Status Source: FEMA, Town of Tiburon
NFIP Insurance Coverage Details
Town of Tiburon joined the NFIP on May 16, 1977. The Town of Tiburon does not participate in
the Community Rating System. NFIP insurance data provided by DWR indicates that as of
August 8, 2023 there were 68 policies in force in the Town of Tiburon with $105,507 in
premiums, resulting in $23,362,000 of insurance in force. There have been 45 closed paid
losses totaling $439,490.16. None of the claims were considered substantial damage losses. Of
these losses, no parcels were in A or V zones. Of the 68 claims, 53 claims were associated with
pre-FIRM structures and 15 with post-FIRM structures. There was 1 repetitive loss structure in
the town. There were not any severe repetitive loss properties in the Town of Tiburon.
Repetitive Loss Structures
Repetitive Loss Residential Structures: 1
Repetitive Loss Non-Residential Structures: 0
Severe Repetitive Loss Residential Structures: 0
Severe Repetitive Loss Non-Residential Structures: 0
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3.3 MITIGATION GOALS
The information developed from the risk assessment was used as the primary basis for developing mitigation goals and objectives. Mitigation goals are defined as general guidelines explaining what each jurisdiction wants to achieve in terms of hazard and loss prevention. Hazard Risk Prioritization Mitigation Goals & Objectives
Mitigation Project Identification Mitigation Project Implementation
Goal statements are typically long-range, policy-oriented statements representing jurisdiction-wide visions. Objectives are statements that detail how each jurisdiction’s goals will be achieved, and typically define strategies or implementation steps to attain identified goals. Other
important inputs to the development of jurisdiction-level goals and objectives include performing reviews of existing local plans, policy documents, and regulations for consistency and complementary goals, as well as soliciting input from the public. The following represents overarching strategic goals associated with the identification and eventual implementation of appropriate and meaningful hazard mitigation efforts in relation to prioritized hazards and threats confronting Marin County. These goals form the basis for specific supporting process objectives and are shown from the highest priority, at the top of the list, to those of lesser importance. The establishment of hazard mitigation goals represents both individual and collective strategies that have been mutually agreed upon by the Steering Committee and have changed with the
2023 MJHMP update. Objectives were added to Goals 2 and 5. Eventually, these goals have been adopted by Marin County and its participating jurisdictions as the guiding policy behind
local hazard mitigation efforts, in conjunction with other associated principles. Goals were defined for the purpose of this mitigation plan as broad-based public policy
statements that:
• Represent basic desires of the community;
• Encompass all aspects of community, public and private;
• Are nonspecific, in that they refer to the quality (not the quantity) of the outcome;
• Are future-oriented, in that they are achievable in the future; and
• Are time-independent, in that they are not scheduled events. Goals are stated without regard to implementation. Implementation cost, schedule, and means
are not considered. Goals are defined before considering how to accomplish them so that they
are not dependent on the means of achievement. Goal statements form the basis for objectives
44 CFR Requirement §201.6(c)(3)(i) [The hazard mi�ga�on strategy shall include a] descrip�on of
mi�ga�on goals to reduce or avoid long‐term vulnerabili�es to the iden�fied hazards.
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and actions that will be used as means to achieve the goals. Objectives define strategies to
attain the goals and are more specific and measurable.
Goal 1: Minimize risk and vulnerability of the community to the impacts of natural hazards and protect lives and reduce damages and losses to property, economy, and environment in Marin County.
•Minimize economic and resource impacts and promote long-term viability andsustainability of resources throughout Marin County.
•Minimize impact to both existing and future development.
•Provide protection for public health.
•Prevent and reduce wildfire risk and related losses.
Goal 2: Provide protection for critical facilities, infrastructure, utilities, and services from hazard impacts.
•Incorporate defensible space and reduce hazard vulnerability.
•Develop redundancies in utilities and services.
•Enhance resilience through enhanced construction.
Goal 3: Improve public awareness, education, and preparedness for hazards that threaten our communities.
•Enhance public outreach and participation in the Alert Marin Emergency NotificationSystem.
•Enhance public outreach, education, and preparedness program to include all hazardsof concern.
•Increase public knowledge about the risk and vulnerability to identified hazards and theirrecommended responses to disaster events, including evacuation and shelteringoptions.
•Provide planning and coordination for "At-Risk" populations.
•Provide planning and coordination for companion animals, livestock, and other animalpopulations.
•Increase community awareness and participation in hazard mitigation projects andactivities.
Goal 4: Increase communities' capabilities to be prepared for, respond to, and recover from a disaster event.
•Improve interagency (local, state, federal) emergency coordination, planning, training,and communication to ensure effective community preparedness, response andrecovery.
•Enhance collaboration and coordination of disaster-related plans, exercises, and trainingwith local, state, and federal agencies, neighboring communities, private partners, andvolunteers.
•Enhance the use of shared resources/Develop a strong mutual aid support system.
•Create and maintain a fully functional, interoperable radio and communication systemwith all regional public safety partners.
Goal 5: Maintain FEMA Eligibility/Position the communities for grant funding.
•Review hazard events and ongoing hazard mitigation projects annually.
•Assess the need to pursue or adjust hazard mitigation projects after significant hazardevents.
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Goal 6: Reduce exposure to High Hazard Dams that pose an unacceptable risk to the public.
•Improve alert and warning systems to provide residents downstream of a High Hazard
Dam to receive timely warning to evacuation when threatened by potential or imminent
dam failure.
•Enhance overall community preparedness to respond and evacuate a potential or
imminent dam failure.
•Increase public awareness of the risk posed by High Hazard Dams and the potential for
relocation of housing outside a possible inundation zone.
•Prioritize High Hazard Dam Mitigation projects and programs.
3.4 STATUS OF PREVIOUS MITIGATION ACTIONS
Table 27 summarizes the actions that were recommended in the previous version of the hazard
mitigation plan and their implementation status at the time this update was prepared.
Table 27: Status of Previous Hazard Mitigation Actions
Action Number / Name Completed Ongoing NotStarted
Included in Updated Action Plan
Also as part of the Capital Improvement Program, the Town will implement a foundation repair to a section of Paradise Drive in order to shore up the embankment by constructing a "soil nail" wall. This would help stabilize the exposed earthen bank that holds up Paradise Dr. just past the Caprice restaurant, which street segment could be susceptible to landslide as a result of earthquakes or storms.
X X
The Town will continue to research the possibility of construction of a new LEED certified Public Works Corp Yard, as this is the Town's primary critical facility in need of repair/updating. Seismic retrofit work would be done simultaneously in order to ensure this critical facility could withstand the next major earthquake in the Bay Area. This project is largely dependent on funding.
X X
In order to assist with the prevention of wildfires, the Town will work with Conservation Corps North Bay to obtain a matching Cal Fire Grant in order to implement the fire related items within the Town's Open Space Management Plan. The Town's Public Works Department will also begin working on a "zone approach" to remedy the highest priority areas in the open space to clear out invasive species and heavy brush. In addition, the Town will begin implementation of a program designed for residents living adjacent to open space, which outlines the guidelines for mowing grasses and vegetation clearing on open space lands.
X X
Continue to facilitate the distribution of emergency preparedness materials and trainings through the Tiburon Office of Emergency Services X X
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Table 390: Status of Previous Hazard Mitigation Actions Source: Town of Tiburon
3.5 HAZARD MITIGATION ACTIONS
The 2023 Marin County MJHMP and Town of Tiburon Annex were revised to reflect progress in
local mitigation efforts. Mitigation projects were selected for each hazard and for the Town of
Tiburon based off the hazard risk assessment. The projects are supported by the mitigation
goals and objectives, and are ranked using the following criteria; approximate cost, timeframe of
completion, whether the project requires Town Council regulatory action, and an assumption as
to whether or not the project would be subject to CEQA or NEPA requirements. Funding
sources are identified for all projects. All projects consider new, future, and existing
development. Project worksheets are used by the Planning Team and Marin County and Town
of Tiburon Steering Committee to describe criteria for each project.
Based on the hazard profiles, threat assessment, capabilities assessment, community survey
results, discussions among the Planning Team members, and existing best practices, a set of
potential mitigation actions was developed and then evaluated based on the following criteria:
•FEMA requires local governments to evaluate the monetary and non-monetary costsand benefits of potential mitigation actions. Although local governments are notrequired to assign specific dollar values to each action, they should identify thegeneral size of costs and benefits.
•The Planning Team may elect to include measures with a high cost or low benefits, but
such measures should be clearly beneficial to the community and an appropriate useof local resources.
In addition, FEMA directs local governments to consider the following questions as part of the
financial analysis:
•What is the frequency and severity of the hazard type to be addressed by the action,
and how vulnerable is the community to this hazard?
•What impacts of the hazard will the action reduce or avoid?
•What benefits will the action provide to the community?
Table 27: Status of Previous Hazard Mitigation Actions
Action Number / Name Completed Ongoing NotStarted
Included in Updated Action Plan Continue to facilitate the distribution of emergency preparedness materials and trainings through the Tiburon Office of Emergency Services Conduct periodic tests of the emergency sirens and BEARS emergency warning systems X X
Continue to maintain the emergency operations center X X
Address coastal erosion along Main Street seawall X X
Use existing hydraulic analysis to design and implement improvements to Beach Road area drainage. X X
Culvert repair/replacement on San Rafael Ave at Lagoon where flooding occurred. (Belvedere- Tiburon joint project) X X
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The Planning Team also chose to review and revise the potential hazard mitigation actions with consideration for climate impact and social vulnerability. Projects and programs were assessed
with consideration of these variables.
Prioritization
As part of the mitigation actions development and review, the Planning Team also prioritized the actions. The prioritization efforts looked at the risks and threats from each hazard; lifesaving, life safety, property protection and lastly environmental protection; financial costs and benefits;
technical feasibility; consideration for climate impact, and social vulnerability, and community values. Planning Team members were asked to identify their priority actions using the following criteria.
Implementation priority ratings were assigned as follows:
•High Priority - An action that meets multiple objectives, is linked to a high risk hazard,
has benefits that exceed costs, and has a potential source of funding. Action can beginwithin the short term (1 to 5 years).
•Medium Priority - An action that meets multiple objectives, is linked to a high or
medium risk hazard, has benefits that exceed costs, and is eligible for funding though no
funding has yet been secured for it. Action can begin within the short term (1 to 5 years)
once funding is secured.
•Low Priority - An action that will mitigate the risk of a hazard, has benefits that do notexceed the costs or are difficult to quantify, has no secured source of funding, and is noteligible for any known grant funding. Action can be completed in the long term (1 to 10years). Low-priority actions may be eligible for grant funding from programs that havenot yet been identified.
Table 28 lists the Current Hazard Mitigation Actions for the Town of Tiburon.
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Table 28: Town of Tiburon Current Hazard Mitigation Actions
No. Mitigation Actions Hazards Mitigated/ Goals Met
Jurisdiction/ Responsible Agency
New, Existing, Completed, Removed
Estimated Cost and Potential Funding Source
Timeline/ Priority Comments/ Progress
T-1 Get Ready 94920 Disaster Preparedness Program All Hazards/ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Town of Tiburon and Tiburon Office of Emergency Services
Existing
Cost: $4,600 per year, General Fund, BRIC, MHGP, FMA, CDAA Grants.
Ongoing, Very High
Program to educate residents how to protect themselves for disaster, including earthquakes, wildfires, storms, and power outages. Outreach is done through public meetings and individual training with residents.
T-2
Encourage participation in Alert Marin and other community alert & warning systems to ensure the public is aware of any potential emergencies.
All Hazards/ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Town of Tiburon and Tiburon Office of Emergency Services
Existing
Cost: TBD General Funds, BRIC, MHGP, FMA, CDAA Grants.
Ongoing, High
T-3 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) All Hazards/ 1, 2, 4, 5
Tiburon Office of Emergency Services Existing
Cost: TBD General Fund, BRIC, MHGP, FMA, CDAA Grants.
Ongoing, Very High
Continue to maintain the Emergency Operations Center
T-4 Climate Action Plan All Hazards/ 1, 2, 4, 5 Town of Tiburon Existing Cost TBD General Funds Present To 2030, High
Establish programs and policies to mitigate climate change, including sea level rise and flooding.
T-5 Review and adopt current California Building and Fire codes All Hazards/ 1, 2, 4, 5
Town of Tiburon, Tiburon Fire Protection District
Existing Cost: TBD General Funds 1 – 3 years/ High
The Town continues to review and adopt current California Building and Fire codes.
T-6
Review and adopt current California Building codes for seismic, flood, fire and other disaster. All Hazards/ 1, 2, 4, 5 Town of Tiburon Existing Cost: TBD General Funds 1 – 3 years/ High
The Town continues to review and adopt current California Building and Fire codes.
T-7 Open Space Management All Hazards/ 1, 2, 4, 5
Town of Tiburon Public Works Existing
Cost: $925,000, Capital Improvement Projects
2023-28, Medium
The plan sets forth priorities for managing approximately 250 acres of open space among 21 parcels. The primary emphasis of the pro-
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Table 28: Town of Tiburon Current Hazard Mitigation Actions
No. Mitigation Actions Hazards Mitigated/ Goals Met
Jurisdiction/ Responsible Agency
New, Existing, Completed, Removed
Estimated Cost and Potential Funding Source
Timeline/ Priority Comments/ Progress
gram is the management of vegetation.
T-8 Assess Vulnerability to Landslides and Land Subsidence
Debris Flow, Land Subsidence/ 1, 2, 4, 5
Town of Tiburon Existing Cost: TBD General Funds Ongoing/ Low
Review landslides and Land subsidence to date and geological data to determine areas at risk of future landslides or land subsidence.
T-9 Elevate or Retrofit Structures and Utilities
Debris Flow, Flooding/ 1,2, 4, 5
Town of Tiburon Existing
Cost: TBD BRIC, MHGP, FMA, CDAA grants or privately funded
Ongoing/ High
Recommend and support property owners in raising their homes out of the flood zone.
T-10 Increase Awareness of Sea Level Rise
Sea Level Rise/ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Town of Tiburon New (2023) Cost: TBD General Funds 1-3 Years/High
Updated Climate Action Plan and General Plan to provide information, policies, and programs related to sea level rise
T-11 Storm Drain Maintenance & Rehabilitation
Flooding, Sea Level Rise, Tsunami/ 1, 2, 4, 5
Town of Tiburon Public Works Existing
Cost: $2,004,171, Capital Improvement Projects
2023-28, High
Design complete, (2) projects planned for FY23-24, storm drain lining and Railroad Marsh maintenance.
T-12 Main Street Seawall Repairs
Flooding, Sea Level Rise, Tsunami/ 1, 2, 4, 5
Town of Tiburon Public
Works Existing
Cost: $250,000, Capital Improvement Projects
2023-24, High
The design phase is underway. Construction to occur in FY23-24.
T-13 ORT Culvert Rehabilitation
Flooding, Sea Level Rise, Tsunami/ 1, 2, 4, 5
Town of Tiburon Public Works
New (2023)
Cost: $155,000, Capital Improvement Projects
2023-24, Medium
T-14 Beach Road Drainage Improvements
Flooding, Sea Level Rise, Tsunami/
Town of Tiburon Public Works
New (2023)
Cost: $710,000, Capital Improvement Projects
2023-25, High
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Table 391: Town of Tiburon Current Hazard Mitigation Actions
Table 28: Town of Tiburon Current Hazard Mitigation Actions
No. Mitigation Actions Hazards Mitigated/ Goals Met
Jurisdiction/ Responsible Agency
New, Existing, Completed, Removed
Estimated Cost and Potential Funding Source
Timeline/ Priority Comments/ Progress
1, 2, 4, 5
T-15 Main Street Sea Level Rise
Flooding, Sea Level Rise, Tsunami/ 1, 2, 4, 5
Town of Tiburon Public Works
New (2023)
Cost: TBD Capital Improvement Projects
Ongoing, High
T-16 Fire Road Maintenance Wildfire/ 1, 2, 4, 5
Town of Tiburon Public Works Existing
Cost: $100,000, Capital Improvement Projects
2023-2024, Medium
T-17
Vegetation Management Plans (VMP) for development in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas. Wildfire/ 2, 4, 5,
Town of Tiburon, Tiburon Fire Protection District
Existing Cost: TBD General Funds Ongoing, Very High
T-18 Follow MMWD and State guidelines on water conservation during droughts Drought 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Town of Tiburon Existing Cost: TBD General Funds Ongoing/ Low
Follow MMWD and State guidelines on water conservation during droughts
T-19
Enhance Community facilities to support the socially vulnerable population during extreme weather events.
Severe Weather - Heat 1, 2, 4, 5
Town of Tiburon, Marin County, Fire Districts
New (2023)
Cost TBD: HMGP, BRIC, CDAA, Private Local Grants
1 - 2 years/ High
T-20 Vegetation Management around at risk PG&E power lines and electrical line undergrounding projects by PG&E.
Wildfire, Drought, Severe Weather – Heat & Wind 1, 2, 4, 5,
Town of Tiburon, Marin County, Fire Districts
New (2023)
Cost TBD: HMGP, BRIC, Fire Safe Marin, Private Local Grants
1 - 2 years/ High
T-21 Earthquake natural gas valves are required in new construction or during substantial remodel work.
Earthquake/ 1, 2, 4, 5 Town of Tiburon New (2023)
Cost: TBD HMGP, BRIC, CDAA
2 -5 Years/ High
T-22 Increase height and retrofit existing levees in town
Levee Failure/ 1, 2, 4, 5
Town of Tiburon Public Works
New (2023)
Cost: TBD HMGP, FMA, BRIC, CDAA Grants
5-20 Years/High Increase height and retrofit existing levees in town
Town properties with high amounts of dry, brushy, and other wind driven fire prone vegetation to have work done to
remove this material.
Reduces the chance of a wildland fire igniting the structure(s). Supports
environmental restoration.
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3.6 PROGRESS IN LOCAL MITIGATION EFFORTS
This plan has been created as a “living” document with input from the population and professionals
within the Town of Tiburon. Based on the planning meetings and the progress monitored by the
steering committee members several mitigation actions were accomplished since the last
planning cycle. Table 27 provides a brief description of the progress made in the local mitigation
efforts and the plan for those mitigation actions that were not completed or are ongoing.
The planning team for the Town of Tiburon identified and prioritized the mitigation actions as
detailed in Table 28, based on the risk assessment and in accordance with the process outline in
Section 3, Mitigation Strategy, of the base plan. Background information and information on how
each action will be implemented and administered, such as ideas for implementation, responsible
office, potential funding, estimated cost, and timeline are also included. General processes and
information on plan implementation and maintenance of this LHMP by all participating jurisdictions
is included in Section 4.0: Plan Review, Evaluation, and Implementation.
3.7 PLAN INTEGRATION
For hazard mitigation planning, “integration” means that hazard mitigation information is used in
other relevant planning mechanisms, such as general planning, capital facilities planning,
emergency management, hazard specific planning, and that relevant information from those
sources is also used in hazard mitigation. This section identifies where such integration is
already in place from the 2018 MJHMP, and where the 2023 MJHMP will be used for further
integration.
The planning team for the Town of Tiburon will maintain this plan and will serve as a lead staff
for grant project applications on Town projects selected for application under the Hazard
Mitigation Assistance grant programs.
An important implementation mechanism that is highly effective and low-cost is incorporation of
the hazard mitigation plan recommendations and their underlying principles into town plans and
mechanisms. Where possible the Town of Tiburon will use existing plans and/or programs to
implement hazard mitigation actions. Mitigation is most successful when it is incorporated into
the day-to-day functions and priorities of government and development. As described in this
plan’s capability assessment, the Town of Tiburon already implements policies and programs to
reduce losses to life and property from hazards. This plan builds upon the momentum
developed through previous and related planning efforts and mitigation programs and
recommends implementing actions, where possible, through these other program mechanisms.
These existing mechanisms include Integration opportunities for the 2023 Marin County
MJHMP:
Town General Plan - Integrates hazard mitigation through the consideration of hazards most
likely to impact the Town. These hazards are considered in the Safety Element, Housing
Element and Open Space Element.
Town Emergency Operations Plans – Integrates hazard mitigation through the consideration
of the Town’s planned response to hazards most likely to impact the Town.
County, City and Town Ordinances - Integrates hazard mitigation through the consideration of
plans and policies outlined in the capability assessments in the jurisdictional annexes.
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Flood/Storm Water Management/Master Plans - Integrates hazard mitigation through the
consideration of strategies to reduce flood risk and storm water management for the protection
of life and property.
Community Wildfire Protection Plan - Integrates hazard mitigation through the consideration
of strategies to reduce fire hazard and the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the WUI, while
promoting the protection and enhancement of the county’s economic assets and ecological
resources.
The successful implementation of this mitigation strategy will require review of existing plans
and programs for coordination and multi-objective opportunities that promote a safe, sustainable
community. A few examples of incorporation of the MJHMP into existing planning mechanisms
include:
34.As recommended by Assembly Bill 2140, each community should adopt (by reference or
incorporation) this MJHMP into the Safety Element of their General Plans. Evidence of
adoption (by formal, certified resolution) shall be provided to CalOES and FEMA
35.Integration of flood actions identified in this mitigation strategy with the actions and
implementation priorities established in existing Flood Management Programs
36.Using the risk assessment information to update the hazards section in the County, City
and Town Emergency Operations Plans
Efforts should continuously be made to monitor the progress of mitigation actions implemented
through these other planning mechanisms and, where appropriate, their priority actions should
be incorporated into updates of this hazard mitigation plan.
3.8 FUTURE DEVELOPMENT TRENDS
The Town of Tiburon is located in Marin County, approximately eight miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Incorporated in 1916, the Town of Tiburon encompasses approximately 4.5 square miles in total. However, 1.25 square miles of this area is submerged under bay waters and 0.67 square mile is protected marshland, leaving a net land area of 2.55 square miles. Parks, open space, and flood control areas comprise 0.38 square mile of this net land area. Highway 101, the main freeway connecting San Francisco with the Marin communities and Sonoma County, bisects Corte Madera. The Town’s most significant growth period was from 1940 to 1970 when the community’s population increased from 1,098 to
8,464. The Town currently has a population of 10,029 according to the California Department of Finance.
Housing affordability in Marin County and in the Bay Area has become an increasingly important issue. Tiburon’s housing conditions are reflective of many area-wide and even nation-wide trends. Over the past several decades, housing costs have skyrocketed out of proportion to many people’s ability to pay, with increasing construction and land costs contributing to the rise in housing prices. In the Bay Area, the high demand for housing pushes prices even higher. This mismatch in household incomes and housing costs has several implications: it becomes more difficult for employers to recruit and retain employees; new residents are pushed farther away from job centers where home prices are less expensive, leading to long traveling distances to work, higher greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, and increasingly clogged highways; and many young families, longtime residents, their children, and other community members without high incomes relocate because they can no longer afford to live in the community.
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The Town recognizes that it occupies the ancestral home of the Coast Miwok indigenous people. The Coast Miwok were displaced during Spanish colonization and the rise of
missionaries, and were further excluded from their land during Mexican occupation and the ranching era. Today, there are few Native American people living in Tiburon and Marin County.
Historical lending and zoning practices, including redlining and exclusionary covenants, have resulted in segregated living patterns in Marin and racially disparate housing outcomes. People of color have not benefited from the generational transfer of home equity and homes themselves, as some white people have, and rapidly escalating housing costs in more recent decades have made it extremely difficult for people of color to get a foothold in the housing market. Anti-development sentiment throughout Marin County has also restricted new housing development, helping maintain patterns of segregation. As a result, Marin is one of the most segregated counties in the Bay Area, with five of the ten most segregated Census tracts in the region. Providing more housing and a variety of housing types at different affordability levels will help to diversify the Corte Madera community and result in more balanced and integrated living patterns throughout the Bay Area. It will also bring fresh perspectives, lived experiences, skills, and expertise to Tiburon, ensuring that the community is well equipped to face future challenges and opportunities.
As detailed in the "Climate Change and Future Development Considerations" section of each
hazard profile, development in Tiburon has occurred and will continue to occur throughout the
town in areas prone to all of its identified hazards. Increased growth in these areas may
increase the vulnerability of people and structures to these hazards.
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SECTION 4.0: PLAN REVIEW, EVALUATION, AND
IMPLEMENTATION
The strategies presented are deemed appropriate and effective by recommendation of the Town
of Tiburon.
4.1 PLAN ADOPTION
Upon submission to the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) for review, and
subsequent approval by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Marin
County MJHMP will be presented to local government for formal adoption. As appropriate, the
adopted plan and accompanying Town of Tiburon Community Profile will then be incorporated
into local general plans for integration into organizational policy.
4.2 PLAN MONITORING
The process of hazard mitigation does not end with the completion, approval, and adoption of the Marin County OA MJHMP. During the five-year lifespan the Marin County and Town of
Tiburon plan, the County, cities, towns and special districts, along with community-based organizations will ensure that the mitigation goals and strategies identified are exercised and
monitored under a collaborative and cooperative umbrella, and that the document itself is properly maintained.
The Marin County Office of Emergency Management, as lead coordinating agency for hazard mitigation planning within the Marin County OA, leads the Marin Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Working Group that meets quarterly to review and manage the plan, projects, and programs. The Town of Tiburon is a participating member of the Marin Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Working Group. The Town of Tiburon Public Works Director will monitor and update the Town of Tiburon Annex to the Marin County OA MJHMP. The review will identify changing community priorities, updated or new planning documents and the progress or status of the mitigation actions as detailed in the mitigation strategy. Additional questions to complete the review will be considered as follows:
• Do the goals address current and expected conditions?
• Are the goals and objectives consistent with changes in the local, state, and federal policy?
• Status updates on all mitigation actions?
• Have the hazards or risks changed?
• Are current resources appropriate for implementing the MJHMP?
• Have the outcomes occurred as expected?
• Is the County and jurisdictions or districts participating in the plan implementation process as expected?
The Working Group is a subgroup of the Marin Disaster and Citizens Corps Council. During the five-year update cycle, the Marin Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Working Group will have quarterly update meetings with the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee and local stakeholders to discuss revisions to the plan and progress updates for the hazard mitigation actions. Further, Marin OEM will host an annual one-day mitigation summit to increase engagement and enhance collaboration on the plan and projects. The summit will also have the
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goal to educate stakeholders on innovative approaches to mitigation, trends, and new plan requirements. Marin OEM, as the host, will seek subject matter experts, state and federal officials, and representatives from within the Marin OA to speak to mitigation and planning. The knowledge gathered and the coordination facilitated during the summit will be used to update the base plan and annexes. Marin OEM has the capacity to lead the Working Group and Multi-Jurisdictional Planning with one coordinator assigned with direct maintenance of the plan, a department analyst assigned to support the coordinator with project and grant tracking, and a community preparedness
coordinator assigned with conducting regular public outreach on the plan and education on mitigation. Community feedback and integration will continue through outreach events and OEM website, where residents and visitors are invited to provide feedback through a survey, available
in English or Spanish.
Specific plan maintenance activities by the Marin County Office of Emergency Management and its participating jurisdictions/special districts may include:
• Hold quarterly update meetings with the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee and local stakeholders to discuss revisions to the plan and progress updates for the hazard mitigation actions.
• Annual Hazard Mitigation Summit
• Holding public meetings after the first quarter and third quarter update meetings.
• Maintaining the Marin County OEM Hazard Mitigation Website, which provides the public
with the ability to access identified hazard impact maps, location address search capability, and a listing of hazard mitigation actions.
• Monitoring of the Marin County and all participating jurisdiction mitigation project activities and dissemination of status reports.
• Generation of reports relative to plan status, project management, and revision updates to executive leadership. Preparations for the plan’s future revision and updating.
4.3 PLAN EVALUATION
Upon approval and adoption by the Town of Tiburon, the prioritized mitigation strategies will be further developed for funding and implementation by the lead agencies. The plan describes the potential sources of hazard mitigation funding, and general procedures to obtain that funding.
The mitigation strategies represented and adopted within this plan are recommendations only and must be approved and funded in order to be implemented as official mitigation solutions. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of jurisdictional and agency officials within the Marin County to
undertake project implementation based upon identified mitigation strategies, funding availability, and local need when it arises. The Marin County Office of Emergency Management will meet with the Marin Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Working Group, including the Town
of Tiburon, to evaluate the plan after each update meeting.
4.4 PLAN UPDATE
The Town of Tiburon Public Works Director will monitor and update the Town of Tiburon Annex
to the Marin County OA MJHMP. During the five-year update cycle, the Town of Tiburon and the
Marin County Office of Emergency Management will hold quarterly update meetings with the
Marin Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Working Group and local stakeholders to discuss
revisions to the plan and progress updates for the hazard mitigation actions. The Marin County
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Office of Emergency Management and all participating jurisdictions and special districts will
continue to hold public meetings after the first quarter and third quarter update meetings
annually and will continue to invite public participation in the update process via updated public
surveys.
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FIGURES AND TABLES
Figures
Figure 1: Marin County OEM MJHMP Website.................................................................... 15-18
Figure 2: Marin County OEM MJHMP Public Town Hall Meeting ......................................... 15-19
Figure 3: Hazard Mitigation Plan Public Outreach Press Release ....................................... 15-20
Figure 4: Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey ............................................................................. 15-21
Figure 5: Map of Town of Tiburon in Marin County .............................................................. 15-24
Figure 6: Map of the Town of Tiburon .................................................................................. 15-25
Figure 7: The Town of Tiburon Precipitation and Monthly Temperatures .............................. 15-27
Figure 8: Races in Tiburon .................................................................................................. 15-28
Figure 9: Town of Tiburon Land Use Map ............................................................................ 15-30
Figure 10: Town of Tiburon Social Vulnerability Map Census Tract 1212.00 ........................ 15-33
Figure 11: Town of Tiburon Social Vulnerability Map Census Tract 1241.00 ........................ 15-34
Figure 12: Town of Tiburon Critical Facilities ....................................................................... 15-38
Figure 13: Town of Tiburon Risk Assessment – Planning Team Top Hazards ...................... 15-40
Figure 14: Hazard Risk Categorization ................................................................................ 15-40
Figure 15: NASA Global Temperature Change CO2 Gas .................................................... 15-44
Figure 16: NASA Global Temperature Change 1884 to 2022 .............................................. 15-44
Figure 17: NASA Global Temperature Change Sea Level ................................................... 15-45
Figure 18: Annual Mean Sea Level Trends .......................................................................... 15-47
Figure 19: Landslide Susceptibility Classes ........................................................................ 15-52
Figure 20: Mud Flow Areas ................................................................................................. 15-53
Figure 21: Town of Tiburon Debris Flow Critical Facilities and Infrastructure ....................... 15-54
Figure 22: Landslide in Vistazio West (Tiburon) - February 2019 ........................................ 15-55
Figure 23: Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale ........................................................................ 15-58
Figure 24: Mercalli Scale vs. Magnitude .............................................................................. 15-58
Figure 25: Soil Types .......................................................................................................... 15-59
Figure 26: Marin County Earthquake Impact and Fault Lines .............................................. 15-61
Figure 27: Town of Tiburon Earthquake Critical Facilities and Infrastructure ........................ 15-62
Figure 28: Diagram of an Atmospheric River Event ............................................................. 15-65
Figure 29: Town of Tiburon Flooding Critical Facilities and Infrastructure ............................ 15-67
Figure 30: Town of Tiburon Flooding – January 5, 2023 ...................................................... 15-70
Figure 31: Dissolution Sinkhole Formation .......................................................................... 15-72
Figure 32: Cover-Subsidence Sinkhole Formation .............................................................. 15-72
Figure 33: Cover-Collapse Sinkhole Formation ................................................................... 15-73
Figure 34: Levee Failure Mechanisms ................................................................................ 15-74
Figure 35: Town of Tiburon Levee Failure Critical Facilities and Infrastructure .................... 15-76
Figure 36: Town of Tiburon Sea Level Rise ......................................................................... 15-80
Figure 37: Projections of Sea Level Rise in the San Francisco Bay Area, 2000-2100 ......... 15-81
Figure 38: Heat Index ......................................................................................................... 15-82
Figure 39: Annual Average Temperatures in the San Francisco Bay Area, 2000-2100 ........ 15-83
Figure 40: Beaufort Wind Scale .......................................................................................... 15-84
Figure 41: Enhanced Fujita Scale ....................................................................................... 15-85
Figure 42: Waterspout Formation ........................................................................................ 15-85
Figure 43: Town of Tiburon Tsunami Critical Facilities and Infrastructure ............................. 15-87
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Figure 44: Town of Tiburon Tsunami Impacts – January 16, 2022 ....................................... 15-88
Figure 45: Federal, State and Local Responsibility Areas in the Marin County OA .............. 15-90
Figure 46: Fuel Model Map for the Marin County OA .......................................................... 15-94
Figure 47: Town of Tiburon Wildfire Critical Facilities and Infrastructure .............................. 15-98
Figure 48: Trends in the Annual Number of Large Wildfires in the United States ................. 15-99
List of Tables
Table 1: Local Hazard Mitigation Planning Team Members ................................................... 15-8
Table 2: 2023 MJHMP Planning Team Members ................................................................. 15-12
Table 3: Town of Tiburon & Marin County MJHMP Planning Meetings ................................. 15-16
Table 4: Town of Tiburon Estimated Jurisdictional Population .............................................. 15-27
Table 5: Population Change of The Town of Tiburon ........................................................... 15-27
Table 6: Languages Spoken in Tiburon ............................................................................... 15-28
Table 7: Marin County Jurisdictional Housing Stock ............................................................ 15-29
Table 8: NRI Hazards and Marin County MJHMP Hazards.................................................. 15-31
Table 9: NRI Hazard Type Risk Index for Tiburon Census Tract 1212.00 ............................ 15-32
Table 10: NRI Hazard Type Risk Index for Tiburon Census Tract 1241.00 .......................... 15-33
Table 11: Household Income for The Town of Tiburon as of 2021 ........................................ 15-35
Table 12: Town of Tiburon Civilian Employed Population 16 years+ by Industry .................. 15-36
Table 13: Town of Tiburon Critical Facilities ......................................................................... 15-37
Table 14: Historic Sites in Tiburon ....................................................................................... 15-39
Table 15: Select Hazards Magnitude/ Severity Scale or Index ............................................. 15-41
Table 16: Town of Tiburon Hazard Risk Assessment ........................................................... 15-49
Table 17: Hazard Risk Assessment ..................................................................................... 15-50
Table 18: Residential Structures in The Town of Tiburon by Flood Zone .............................. 15-69
Table 19: Town of Tiburon Critical Facilities in the Flood Zones ........................................... 15-70
Table 20: Town of Tiburon Future Growth Areas ................................................................ 15-102
Table 21: Town of Tiburon Legal and Regulatory Capabilities ............................................ 15-106
Table 22: Town of Tiburon General Plan ............................................................................ 15-109
Table 23: Town of Tiburon Administrative and Technical Capabilities .................................. 15-111
Table 24: Town of Tiburon Fiscal Capabilities ..................................................................... 15-112
Table 25: Town of Tiburon Community Outreach ................................................................ 15-113
Table 26: Town of Tiburon NFIP Status .............................................................................. 15-115
Table 27: Status of Previous Hazard Mitigation Actions ...................................................... 15-119
Table 28: Town of Tiburon Current Hazard Mitigation Actions ........................................... 15-123
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ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS
Acronym Definition
ABAG Association Bay Area of Governments
ADU Accessory Dwelling Units
AQI Air Quality Index
ARP Address Resolution Protocol
ASL American Sign Language
ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
BAAQMD Bay Area Air Quality Management District
BCDC Bay Conservation and Development Commission
BCEGS Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule
BCPUD Bolinas Community Public Utility District
BFE Base Flood Elevation
BRIC Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities
CA California
CAC Community Assistance Contact
CAL FIRE California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Cal OES California Office of Emergency Services
CAP Climate Action Plan
CASPER Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response - California Department of Public Health
CAV Community Assistance Visit
CDAA California Disaster Assistance Act
CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDI Certified Deaf Interpreter
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CERT Community Emergency Response Team
CGS California Geological Survey
CIP Capital Improvement Plan
CIR Conservation Incentive Rate
CITR Conservation Incentive Tier Rate
CMFD Central Marin Fire District
CMSA Central Marin Sanitation Agency
CNRA California Natural Resource Agency
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CO Carbon Monoxide
COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease 2019
COYL Coyote Creek Left Bank Levee
CPUC California Public Utilities Commission
CRF Community Risk Factor
CRI Community Resilience Index
CRS Community Rating System
CRT Community Response Team
CSA County Service Area
C-SMART Sea-level Marin Adaption Response Team
CWPP Community Wildfire Protection Plan
DDoS Distributed Denial of Service
DMA Disaster Mitigation Act
DNS Domain Name System
DOF California Department of Finance
DoS Denial-of-Service
DPW Department of Public Works
DR Disaster Relief
DSOD Division of Safety of Dams - California Department of Water Resources
DWR California Department of Water Resources
EAL Expected Annual Loss
EAS Emergency Alert System
ECC Emergency Command Center
EOC Emergency Operation Center
EOP Emergency Operations Plan
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
EPC Emergency Preparedness Commission
ESHA Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas
FD Fire Department
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FHSV Fire Hazard Severity Zones
FIRM Flood Insurance Rate Maps
FMA Flood Mitigation Assistance
FMP Flood Mitigation Plan
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FOG Fats, Oils, & Grease
FPA Floodplain Administrator
FRA Federal Responsibility Areas
FY Fiscal Year
GGBHTD Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District
GGNRA Golden Gate National Recreation Area
GGNRA Golden Gate National Recreation Area
GIS Geographic Information System
Gov Government
GPAC General Plan Advisory Committee
H2S Hydrogen Sulfide
HFHSZ High Fire Severity Zone
HIRA Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
HLR Historic Loss Ratio
HMGP Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
IoT Internet of Things
IP Intellectual Property
IPAWS Integrated Public Alert and Warning System
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
ISEPA Identified Site Emergency Planning Application
JPA Joint Powers Agreement
LCP Local Coastal Program
LGVSD Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District
LHMP Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
LOMA Letters of Map Amendment
LOMR Letters of Map Revision
LRA Local Responsibility Areas
LRAD Long-Range Acoustic Device
LSAC Levee Safety Action Classification
Marin IJ Marin Independent Journal
MCEP Marin Climate Energy Partnership
MCFD Marin County Fire Department
MCOSD Marin County Open Space District
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MCPIO Marin County Public Information Officers
MCSTOPP Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program
MERA Marin Emergency Radio Authority
MERS Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome
MFHSZ Moderate Fire Severity Zone
MG Million Gallons
MGD Million Gallons Per Day
MHOAC Medical/Health Operational Area Coordinator
MHW Mean High Water
MJHMP Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
MMI Modified Mercalli Intensity
MMRC Marin Medical Reserve Corps
MMWD Marin Municipal Water District
MRZ Mineral Resource Zones
MV2040 Mill Valley General Plan 2040
Mw Scale Moment Magnitude Scale
MWPA Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NCDC National Climatic Data Center
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NFDRS National Fire Danger Rating System
NFIP National Flood Insurance Program
NID National Inventory of Dams
NIH National Institute for Health
NMWD North Marin Water District
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NPR Northwestern Pacific Railroad
NR National Register of Historic Places
NRI National Risk Index
NWS National Weather Service
O3 Ozone
OA Operational Area
OEM Office of Emergency Management
OHP Office of Historic Preservation
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OWTA On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems
PD Police Department
PG&E Pacific Gas & Electric
PM10 Particulate Matter Less Than 10 Microns In Aerodynamic Diameter
PSPS Public Safety Power shutoffs
PtH Pass the hash
PUD Public Utility District
PW Public Works
RACES Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
RAWS Remote Automated Weather Stations
RCD Resource Conservation District
RHNA Regional Housing Needs Assessment
RTP Regional Transportation Plan
SASM Sewerage Agency of Southern Marin
SFBRA San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority
SFHA Special Flood Hazard Area
SFHA Special Flood Hazard Areas - FEMA
SFHA Special Flood Hazard Area
SHMP State Hazard Mitigation Plan
SHSGP State Homeland Security Grant Program
SMART Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit
SMCSD Sausalito Marin City Sanitary District
SMFD Southern Marin Fire District
SOD Sudden Oak Death
SOX Sulfur Oxides
SQL Structured Query Language
SR State Route
SRA State Responsibility Areas
SSMP Sewer System Management Plan
SVI Social Vulnerability Index
TAM Transportation Authority of Marin
TBD To Be Determined
TENS Telephone Emergency Notification System
UCERF2 Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast, Version 2
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UCERF3 Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast, Version 3
USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USGS United States Geological Survey
UWMP Urban Water Management Plan
VHFHSV Very High Fire Severity Zone
VMP Vegetation Management Plans
WC/ATWC West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center
WHO World Health Organization
WSCP Water Shortage Contingency Plan
WUI Wildland Urban Interface
WWTP Waste Water Treatment Plant
XSS Cross-Site Scripting
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