San Diego Bay/SD Bay National Wildlife Refuge Caulerpa Prolifera Infestation Eradication Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024050151
Public Agency
San Diego Unified Port District
Document Title
San Diego Bay/SD Bay National Wildlife Refuge Caulerpa Prolifera Infestation Eradication Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/3/2024
Document Description
The Port of San Diego and the Southern California Caulerpa Action Team, including member agencies California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Santa Ana and San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Boards, California Coastal Commission, NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are mobilizing a response to a new discovery of the invasive algae (seaweed) Caulerpa prolifera in the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge, in the San Diego Bay. During monitoring surveys, the new discoveries occurred on both April 18, and April 20, 2024. This non-native seaweed can take over natural habitats, disrupting the ecosystem and displacing native plants and the animals that rely on them. Invasions have happened in several locations in southern California, as well as across the globe. It is illegal in California to possess, sell, or transport any seaweed in the in genus Caulerpa. The Southern California Caulerpa Action Team is preparing a Rapid Response Eradication Plan to address the immediate need to remove this invasive species. It is critical that the response begin immediately to prevent additional spread, and to minimize the cost of the response effort while the infestation site is still small. It is fortunate that the Southern California Caulerpa Action Team and the eradication teams are already in place and active; regional authorizations and funding sources are being sought. The Rapid Response Eradication plan includes the following components:
Control of Infestation Site- To prevent disturbance by boat anchors and boat wakes the affected boat slip will be controlled through coordination with the site homeowner’s association and slip occupant. Additional visual exclusion markers will be deployed if necessary.
Localized Eradication Level Survey - An intensive diver survey will be conducted within the affected area. Divers will locate, record, and map any Caulerpa prolifera found. The current coverage estimate is 23 square meters.
Localized Removal – The Caulerpa prolifera will be covered by trained divers with a sealed barrier that will kill the algae by exclusion from light, oxygen, and circulation. This method has been successfully used in the past at three other Caulerpa infestation sites.
Post Removal Surveys – Diver surveys will be conducted both immediately following removal and over a longer timeframe to help ensure the species is completely removed and does not repopulate the area.
Broad Area Surveys – Diver surveys will occur in surrounding areas of San Diego Bay to ensure other areas have not been invaded.
The summarized work will occur generally within the area delineated on Figure 1 below, within the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge and may be performed outside of this expanded area located within the Coastal Commission’s jurisdictional boundaries.
Contact Information
Name
Dennis Campbell
Agency Name
San Diego Unified Port District
Job Title
Program Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Coronado
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Citywide
Other Location Info
Various and outside the San Diego Unified Port District jurisdictional boundary and inside the Coastal Commission permitting jurisdiction.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
SG § 15307 (Class 7) and SG § 15308 (Class 8)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project 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 since the SDUPD is a regulatory agency and the proposed Caulerpa prolifera eradication will protect native species from infestation, by this invasive seaweed. Caulerpa prolifera can take over natural habitats, disrupting the ecosystem and displacing native plants and the animals that rely on them. Further, this species grows very quickly, at one centimeter-per-day and has the potential to swiftly overtake native species in the project area. Invasions have happened in several locations in southern California, as well as across the globe. The project applicants must rapidly remove this invasive species and it is critical that the response to begin immediately, in order to prevent additional spread, and to minimize the cost of the response effort while the infestation site is still within a small area of the Bay.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613. For more information, please visit OPR’s Accessibility Site.