State science panel releases report on sea level rise in NC

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission’s Science Panel on Coastal Hazards today released its “North Carolina Sea Level Rise Assessment Report.”

The report is part of the CRC’s initiative to examine relative sea level rise in North Carolina, as part of an effort to help the commission prepare to address the potential effects of rising seas through policy development and adaptation planning.

Tancred Miller, coastal policy analyst with the N.C. Division of Coastal Management, presented the report to the N.C. Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change today.

The report synthesizes the best available science on sea level rise in the state and details expected relative sea level rise ranges for North Carolina through 2100.

Because the most likely scenario for 2100 is a rise of 0.4 – 1.4 meters (15-55 inches) above the current sea level, the report recommends the adoption of one meter (39 inches) of sea level rise as a rate for future policy development and planning purposes.

In addition, the report contains recommendations for improved sea level rise monitoring, including the installation of additional tide gauges in coastal North Carolina and the continued maintenance and upgrading of existing tide gauges.

To view the science panel’s report, visit www.nccoastalmanagement.net and select the first link under “What’s New.”

Created by the CRC in 1997, the 13-member science panel is composed of coastal engineers and geologists and provides the CRC with scientific data and recommendations on coastal topics.

INFORMATION FROM A NEWS RELEASE SENT TO THE WWAY NEWSCHANNEL 3 NEWSROOM.