Memorandum 16-132 Budget for Erosion Mapping

Memorandum 16-132

TO:                       Mayor Wythe and Homer City Council

THROUGH:       Katie Koester, City Manager

FROM:                 Rick Abboud, City Planner

DATE:                  August 3, 2016

SUBJECT:         Ordinance 16-41 Mid-year Budget Amendments: Erosion Mapping

In response to questions about the proposed mid-year budget amendment requesting $8,000.00 to be transferred from planning reserves for use to produce an updated GIS layer mapping Homer’s coastal erosion:

This project proposes that the Research Reserve, working through UAA, create an update to previous work produced in 2003. The process of updating our mapping includes georeferencing data produced from other sources, photos from NOAA and Borough projects. Once the images are corrected for distortion using a coordinate reference system, they can be used to analyze the changes in time. Here we would be combining our past information with new information to give an updated estimate of erosion rates along our coastline.

This information is a valuable planning tool for the city and developers alike. We can evaluate the threat of coastal erosion to both existing and proposed private and public properties and infrastructure. The Planning Office is in the process of applying for mitigation funds from the state to purchase at-risk properties to then be dedicated for open space. Updated mapping will help in identifying the most at-risk properties which would qualify for funding.

Currently, the Borough has no plans to update the erosion mapping. We have timely data, which is unlikely to be updated any time soon. We have local expertise with this particular project. Planning reserve funds are adequate. I believe now is a good time to produce this valuable tool that will serve the community for many years.