Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) Program- Acceptance of Grant Funds
Summary
SCH Number
2020120485
Public Agency
San Diego Unified Port District
Document Title
Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) Program- Acceptance of Grant Funds
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/24/2020
Present Land Use
Boat Navigation Corridor; Boat Anchorage; Open Bay/Water; Recreational Boat Berthing; Ship Anchorage; Ship Navigation Corridor; Specialized Berthing; Sportfishing Berthing; and Terminal Berthing
Document Description
The California State Parks Agency, Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW), announced awards under the Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) program. The SAVE Program provides grant funds for the abatement, removal, storage, and/or disposal of eligible surrendered vessels that pose hazards to navigation. The District was awarded the grant funds by the DBW, with the District matching funds. The District removes abandoned and surrendered vessels on an ongoing and continuous basis, and the awarded grant funds will assist the District’s efforts to remove abandoned and surrendered vessels from the San Diego Bay. This project entails acceptance of the awarded grant funds (and subsequent fund awards) and the continued periodic removal of recently abandoned vessels and parts, by both the District Harbor Police and District General Services. The District currently undertakes the ongoing removal of surrendered and abandoned vessels, and the awarded grant funds assist with the continuation of this activity. No construction is proposed as part of the project and the removal of surrendered and abandoned vessels would foster unrestricted navigation and less pollution, in San Diego Bay (e.g., debris removed; less copper leachate; and reduced hazardous chemicals). Pursuant to DBW’s authority under Harbors and Navigation Code Section 525, the District will enter into an agreement with the DBW to use the grant funds for the removal and disposal of abandoned, wrecked or dismantled noncommercial vessels, or parts thereof that pose a substantial hazard to navigation, or which are in danger of becoming a hazard to navigation or causing environmental degradation, within the District’s jurisdiction.
Contact Information
Name
Michael Paul
Agency Name
San Diego Unified Port District
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Agency Name
San Diego Unified Port District
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Cities
Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City, San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Other Location Info
San Diego Bay
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Existing Facilities (SG § 15301) (Class 1), and Minor Alterations to Land (SG § 15304) (Class 4)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Minor Alterations to Land (SG § 15304) because it consists of the acceptance of grant funds for the removal of abandoned or surrendered vessels from the San Diego Bay. The acceptance of the awarded grant funds, on its own, does not present significant impacts to the environment. The District removes these types of vessels on an ongoing and continuous basis, which allows for a cleaner San Diego Bay. The District’s ongoing activities prevent both navigational hazards and the further environmental degradation caused by in-water deterioration of surrendered or abandoned vessels. Further, this project would not result in permanent effects on the environment, and would not involve the removal of mature, scenic trees. The District has determined none of the six exceptions to the use of a categorical exemption apply to this project (CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2). Sections 3.a. and 3.d. of the District’s CEQA Guidelines are as follows:
3.a. Existing Facilities (SG § 15301) (Class 1): Includes operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that previously existing.
AND/OR
3.d. Minor Alterations to Land (SG § 15304) (Class 4): Includes minor alterations in the condition of land, water and/or vegetations not involving removal of mature, scenic trees.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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