Shelter Island Yacht Basin Dissolved Copper TMDL Temporary Pause of In-Water Hull Cleaning

Summary

SCH Number
2021110302
Public Agency
San Diego Unified Port District
Document Title
Shelter Island Yacht Basin Dissolved Copper TMDL Temporary Pause of In-Water Hull Cleaning
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/19/2021
Document Description
The San Diego Unified Port District (Applicant) proposes to conduct a pilot study to temporarily pause in-water hull cleaning (IWHC) activities for vessels with copper-based paint in the Shelter Island Yacht Basin (SIYB) for an eight-week period to explore the relationship between IWHC activities and water quality conditions. In 2005, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) set a Dissolved Copper Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Shelter Island Yacht Basin (SIYB) with a target 76 percent reduction of copper loading by 2022. The RWQCB attributed approximately 98 percent of all copper loading to SIYB to copper-based antifouling paints applied to the hulls of recreational boats. Passive leaching of copper from boat hulls and IWHC of the copper-based antifouling paints were identified as the primary mechanisms for the copper loading into the water. During the proposed pilot study, IWHC activities would be paused during the eight-week period. This would involve a proposed amendment to Article 4.14 of the District Code, “Regulation of In-Water Hull Cleaning,” to implement the temporary pause. Water quality samples would be collected weekly throughout the SIYB in three phases: four weeks prior to the pilot study, during the eight-week pilot study, and four weeks following the pilot study. The water quality samples would be analyzed to measure dissolved and total copper concentrations in SIYB. The proposed pilot study is anticipated to occur Winter 2021/2022 (approximately mid-December 2021 – mid-February 2022). Due to its nature and limited scope, construction of the proposed project would generate a minor amount of vehicle trips and would require limited use of equipment. Therefore, impacts related to air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation and traffic are not anticipated to occur. Furthermore, the Applicant would be responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding construction demolition debris, hazards and hazardous materials, and stormwater.

Contact Information

Name
Lily Tsukayama
Agency Name
San Diego Unified Port District
Job Title
Associate Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency

Location

Cities
San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California, Statewide

Notice of Exemption

Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301; 15304; 15306; 15308
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed study is determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines and the Sections of the District’s Guidelines for Compliance with CEQA as identified above. These are appropriate for the proposed project because it would involve no expansion of use beyond that previously existing and would not result in a significant cumulative impact due to the continuation of the existing use, would result in no permanent effects on the environment, would not involve the removal of mature, scenic trees, is for the purpose of basic data collection/research/experimental management/resource evaluation activities which would not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource, and includes actions taken by regulatory agencies to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment. The District has determined none of the six exceptions to the use of a categorical exemption apply to this study (CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2).
County Clerk
San Diego

Attachments

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