addressing climate change adaptation in regional transportation plans

Central Coast RegionCounties: Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa CruzFive Largest Cities (CDOF, 2011): Salinas (151,219); Santa Maria (100,062);Santa Barbara (89,253); Santa Cruz (60,800); Watsonville (51,495)Total 2010 PopulationCentral Coast 1,426,240Monterey 415,057San Benito 55,269San Luis Obispo 269,637Santa Barbara 423,895Santa Cruz 262,382[U.S. Census Bureau, 2010]The Central Coast region is a largely agricultural, intermittently settled region ofover 1 million people, with substantial cities, the largest being Salinas (150,000+people). Its character is defined by features such as coastal mountains, the BigSur coastline, wooded hillsides, and the Salinas River Valley. Inland valleys have asomewhat different character from the coastal areas, but agriculture and tourismare common themes on both sides of the coastal ranges.Communities in the Central Coast region may face one or more of the followingclimate change impacts:• Increased temperatures• Reduced precipitation• Reduced agricultural productivity• Sea level rise – coastal flooding and infrastructure damage• Biodiversity threat• Public health threats• Reduced tourismAPG: UNDERSTANDING REGIONAL CHARACTERISTICS PAGE 65