FLOOD RISK TO RESILIENCE:

TAMPA BAY COASTAL MASTER PLAN

THE PLANNING PROCESS

The Tampa Bay Coastal Master Plan will assess flood risks for vulnerable communities and critical habitats and propose a coordinated suite of potential restoration and flood risk reduction projects (structural and nonstructural) to advance investments in regional adaptation. This planning process will facilitate regional collaboration to educate communities so that they are more aware of both risks and solutions and will help direct resources toward the highest impact projects that will foster greater resilience. The plan is an initiative of the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and its partners.

Key Components

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Communities are at the heart of the Coastal Master Plan and have an important role to play in its development

- Convene technical and community advisory workgroups.
- Develop a shared vision and collaborate with underrepresented communities.
- Build capacity through outreach and training workshops with diverse partners.

RISK ASSESSMENT

Clearly understanding and conveying risks and vulnerability around the region is essential to project development and prioritization

Create a suite of flood maps and analysis-ready data which will identify risks from sea level rise, storm surge, high tide flooding, and flooding from extreme rainfall events.
Identify vulnerable and high-risk areas to inform proactive adaptation measures.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

With input from community members and technical experts, feasible flood risk reduction projects will be evaluated and prioritized for inclusion in the plan.

- Solicit ideas from the public and stakeholders.
- Evaluate projects based on impact, equity, environmental outcomes, among other metrics.
- Leverage innovative resources and tools, like nature-based solutions, to maximize co-benefits to communities and habitats.

FINAL PLAN AND DASHBOARD

The final plan will serve as a roadmap for our shared regional resilience priorities to guide investments.

- Deliver a comprehensive plan detailing flood risks, prioritized projects, and adaptation pathways.
- Develop an interactive dashboard for accessible data and visualizations.

Guiding Principles

Guiding principles are like a moral compass for the plan. They help ensure the Tampa Bay Coastal Master Plan (TBCMP) stays rooted in community values, fair decision-making, and long-term resilience. They influence how projects are selected, how communities are engaged, and how trade-offs are weighed.

ACTIONABLE, ACCOUNTABLE & ADAPTIVE

The plan identifies clear, implementable projects and strategies to reduce near and long-term flood risks. Accountability will be maintained through transparent, public-facing reporting on progress and responsibilities. The plan remains flexible and adaptive to emerging science, data, and community needs.

COMMUNITY-CENTERED

Resilience begins with people. The plan prioritizes the needs of communities most at risk, acknowledges differences in vulnerability, and builds local capacity through education, partnerships, and collaboration. The plan is developed through a participatory process, empowering residents, businesses, industries, and nonprofits to take part in shaping and sustaining local flood solutions.

RESTORES & REDEFINES PARADISE

The plan advances nature-based and hybrid green–gray infrastructure solutions that protect people, property, and ecosystems. It recognizes that we cannot return to the past but can define and create a renewed version of “paradise”—one that restores natural systems, corrects environmental degradation, and strengthens the connection between communities and the environment.

COORDINATED & CONSISTENT

Since water does not follow jurisdictional boundaries, neither should flood management. The plan strengthens coordination among jurisdictions, agencies, and organizations to align policies, planning processes, funding, and design approaches. This coordination ensures consistency in resilience practices while supporting equitable starting points and shared responsibility for achieving a safer, more resilient region.

HEALTHY & PROSPEROUS

Flooding disproportionately impacts some communities more than others. The plan promotes healthy outcomes by targeting projects that reduce imbalances in exposure and vulnerability while maximizing co-benefits such as improved safety, cleaner water, healthier environments, and economic stability.

POSITIVE & VISIONARY

The plan is guided by a shared, forward-looking vision for reducing flood impacts region wide—where communities are vibrant, adaptive, and connected from coast to inland. It balances immediate action with long-term thinking, inspiring innovation and unity around a collective commitment to resilience.

INTEGRATED & DATA-INFORMED

The plan integrates the best available science, local and regional data, and community knowledge to understand and address flood risks and climate impacts. Data is made transparent and accessible through public tools and dashboards. Decision-making honors both objective evidence and the lived experiences, priorities, and values of communities across the region.

Priorities

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