Canal Residents Call for Immediate Climate Change Solutions
March 13, 2025
San Rafael Residents Speak Out on Flooding, Displacement, and the Need for Immediate Solutions
At the San Rafael City Council meeting on March 3, 2025, the community gathered to address the pressing issue of sea level rise, particularly its impact on the Canal neighborhood. The discussions highlighted the urgency for proactive measures to safeguard our neighborhoods from the escalating threats posed by climate change.
Mayor Kate Colin opened the session by emphasizing the city’s commitment to addressing these challenges head-on. She remarked, “Our efforts must be inclusive and resilient, ensuring that all residents, especially those in the most affected areas, are protected.”
During the public comment segment, several community members shared their perspectives:
- Javier Villafañe, a long-time Canal resident and member of the Residential Advisory Committee under Canal Alliance’s Nuestro Canal, Nuestro Futuro initiative, expressed his concerns: “Many residents live in constant fear of losing everything in case of flooding. To have a plan in place or some sort of protection, so they don’t lose their homes and have nowhere to go.”
- Rita Mazariegos, a member of the Sea Level Rise steering committee, a 14-member group managed by Multicultural Center of Marin (MCM) that includes renters, homeowners, and business owners advising the sea level rise technical feasibility study and supporting community outreach, emphasized the need for immediate action: “The data is clear, and the risks are real. We can’t afford to wait any longer to implement protective measures.”
- Angel Minor, a local business owner and also a member of the Sea Level Rise steering committee, highlighted the economic implications: “If our businesses are not safeguarded against flooding, our local economy will suffer, and jobs will be lost. My cost of continuing to do business in the Canal is going to get more and more impacted.”
The Canal Community Resilience Planning Project, initiated in 2022, was also discussed. This initiative, supported by a $762,000 grant from the State Coastal Conservancy and the Marin Community Foundation, aims to conduct a technical feasibility study on sea level rise adaptation for East San Rafael.
While long-term planning is underway through the Canal Community Resilience Planning Project, supported by the State Coastal Conservancy and the Marin Community Foundation, the community has identified four urgent priorities for short-term action. These are steps the city can and should take now to prevent the situation from worsening:
- Emergency Preparedness – We need real evacuation plans, training, and materials in multiple languages, so people know what to do when the next big flood comes.
- Preventing Displacement – We need actual policies that stop renters and business owners from getting pushed out due to climate impacts.
- Infrastructure Resilience – If new buildings are going up in the flood zone, they need to be built to handle what’s coming. We can’t afford short-term fixes.
- Climate Justice – The people most affected by this crisis need a seat at the table when decisions are being made.
The city has recognized the urgency and is currently working on a long-term strategy. However, as this meeting showed, immediate actions remain equally critical. Our community is actively engaged and will continue advocating for these solutions.
Stay informed, stay involved, and continue advocating for solutions. Together, we can help shape the future of our community. Learn more about how you can join the Nuestro Canal, Nuestro Futuro initiative and subscribe for updates here.
