Photo credit: Sanpisa Sritrairat

Coastal Hazards Organizational Resilience Team (COHORT)

The Coastal Hazards Organizational Resilience Team (COHORT) was developed in response to coastal communities’ request for the state to help address the growing severity of natural hazards, which include flooding, erosion, sea level rise, landslides, and a Cascadia earthquake and tsunami event.

In 2016-17, the William D. Ruckelshaus Center conducted the Washington Coast Resilience Assessment, which explored long-term resilience opportunities in response to growing concerns about the impacts to Tribes, coastal communities, infrastructure, and the natural environment from coastal hazards. This report conducted 104 interviews with diverse communities, including coastal Tribes, residents, emergency management officials, local and state government staff, scientists, engineers, NGOs, and others, to assess Washington’s coastal resilience by examining various priorities, challenges, and needs. This process ensured comprehensive insights into coastal communities’ concerns and requirements.

Limited local capacity was identified as a major barrier to building long-term resilience, particularly in small, underserved, and geographically isolated communities. Local governments and Tribes recommended establishing a coordinated, multi-agency team to provide hands-on technical assistance that would help elevate existing local efforts, mobilize new efforts, and support collaborative, multi-benefit outcomes for communities. This coordinated approach would build on and respect the existing efforts and leadership of coastal Tribes and local communities while serving as bridge between communities, Tribal and government agencies, academic institutions, and federal funding programs.

Building off the recommendations of the Ruckelshaus assessment, the Washington Coast Resilience Action Demonstration Project (RAD) was a two-year (2019-2021) pilot program and partnership between the Department of Ecology and Washington Sea Grant that provided multi-organizational hazards assistance to communities on the Pacific Coast of Washington and laid the groundwork for the COHORT and other future resilience efforts.

After the initial success of the RAD, and with support from the Washington Coastal Marine Advisory Council (WCMAC), the Department of Ecology requested funding to create the COHORT, which was approved by the Washington State Legislature in 2023.

Over time, we aim to transform the state’s vision for coastal landscapes by establishing a unified, cohesive, and equitable approach to resilience planning and implementation. This strategy centers and aims to empower frontline communities and Tribes and builds upon ongoing efforts that protect, restore, and conserve coastal environments, including the human communities that are a part of them.

Washington State Department of Ecology provides expertise in coastal planning, flooding, erosion, sea level rise, nature-based and multi-benefit solutions, and shoreline permitting.

Washington Sea Grant provides expertise in sea level rise, erosion, flooding, climate change, coastal resilience and adaptation, multi-benefit solutions, equity focused community engagement, and capacity-building.

Washington State Emergency Management Division provides expertise in tsunamis, earthquakes, emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, community engagement and outreach, and funding support.

Washington State University Extension provides expertise in community engagement, educational programming, jobs training, and community development.

Interested in learning more about COHORT or want to connect with the team? Please fill out our survey form and we’ll get back to you shortly.