Sediment Remediation Project, Piers 39 to 43.5

Sediment Remediation Project, Piers 39 to 43.5

The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) Sediment Remediation Project, Piers 39 to 43½ (Project) entails the remediation of offshore sediment at Piers 39 to 43½ (the Remedial Area) within the Port of San Francisco and the Montezuma material handling facility (MHF) location for dewatering and loading sediments for transport to approved disposal facilities. Since 2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has investigated the nature, distribution, and extent of sediment contamination within the Remedial Area. Some sediments contain elevated concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are chemicals found in petroleum and by-product waste formed from manufactured gas plant operations. Impacts in sediments occur close to the shoreline and extend bayward in five areas within the Remedial Area. A Feasibility Study/Remedial Action Plan (FS/RAP) details the planned cleanup of offshore Bay sediments. The Remedial Area encompasses Pier 39 and the intertidal and subtidal area between Pier 39 and Pier 43½ along the margin of San Francisco, extending into San Francisco Bay to the north of The Embarcadero, approximately between Taylor and Kearny streets. The bayward limits of the Remedial Area extend approximately 1,000 feet offshore. The Remedial Area includes a small craft marina; multiple piers housing vessels for bay excursions, cruises, sailing, fishing, and ferry operations; and a high concentration of visitor-related commercial development (shops and restaurants). The adjacent upland area consists of densely developed commercial areas including parking lots, hotels, shops, restaurants, pedestrian and bicycle pathways, a playground, and some park areas. The purpose of the proposed Project is to remediate (i.e., clean up) sediments impacted (i.e., contaminated) with PAHs within the Remedial Area to protect human health and the environment. The recommended remedial alternative proposes dredging to remove contaminated sediment and capping to prevent exposure to remaining contaminated sediments that might pose risk through bioaccumulation. Placement of armoring where necessary during capping would protect installed sand caps or existing sediment from scour or disturbance that might expose sediment with elevated PAH concentrations. Dredged sediment would be transported by barge to a MHF where it would be offloaded and dried sufficiently to allow for transportation to a licensed landfill. MHFs for the project include the Montezuma Material Handling Facility (MHF) in Solano County, as well as the Duwamish Reload Facility in Seattle Washington. Licensed landfills include facilities in California and Oregon.

San Francisco

San Francisco, Solano

Citywide, Countywide, San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco