San Rafael sea-level report evaluates options for Canal area

Protecting the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael from the rising sea will come with significant tradeoffs and a massive price tag, according to a new report.

The sea-level rise feasibility study evaluates three adaptation strategies designed to protect the community of 12,000 for decades from being swallowed by the bay.

The options include constructing seawalls, installing flood gates or raising the land. Each presents benefits as well as drawbacks, not the least of which is the cost: $720 million to nearly $2 billion.