Geotechnical and Potholing Work for the City of San Diego Waterline Replacement Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024071247
Public Agency
San Diego Unified Port District
Document Title
Geotechnical and Potholing Work for the City of San Diego Waterline Replacement Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/31/2024
Document Description
The proposed project would involve utility potholing and geotechnical investigation borings in various locations in and around the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal (TAMT) area in the city of San Diego, California. The purpose of the proposed project would be for the evaluation of existing subsurface conditions and location of existing water main utilities to prepare for future waterline construction, replacement and/or abandonment within several alignments with the City of San Diego Water Groups 525C and 525E. A portion of the proposed project would occur outside of San Diego Unified Port District (District) Tidelands and may be subject to additional approval from other agencies. Work for the proposed project is anticipated to occur in Summer of 2024 and take approximately eight (8) weeks to complete.
Potholing Work
Approximately 44 potholes are proposed to be located on District property. Work to complete the potholing would consist of creating approximately 12 by 12 inch (in) potholes via either air or water (depending on soil conditions), then backfilling the potholes with either Aquaphalt or a hot mixed asphalt patch. Traffic control is not anticipated to be required for the potholing work.
Geotechnical Investigation
Approximately four (4) of the six (6) geotechnical borings would be on District Tidelands. Drilling locations may be relocated slightly as existing railway and underground utilities allow. Traffic control setup would include flaggers, cones, and various traffic control signage surrounding each boring site, with traffic flow to be maintained . Work to complete the geotechnical investigation would consist of drilling 8-in-wide by 20-feet-deep borings with a truck mounted drill rig. Following analysis, the soil cuttings generated from the drilling operations would be disposed of in accordance with State or Federal regulations. The boring holes would be backfilled with temporary patches immediately after drilling and permanently patched in accordance with City of San Diego SDG-123 approximately one to two weeks following the drilling completion.
The proposed project requires a Right of Entry License Agreement (ROELA) to the City of San Diego, its authorized agent(s) and contractor(s) for a term of approximately one (1) year. The area proposed for use under this ROELA is proposed to be used only and exclusively for the inspection, repair and replacement of public water line facilities including, drilling and backfilling of soil borings as part of the geotechnical investigation and locating and backfilling utility potholes as part of the potholing investigation and associated ingress and egress.
Contact Information
Name
Justin Huitema
Agency Name
San Diego Unified Port District
Job Title
Assistant Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Zip
92113
Other Location Info
Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal area.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Class 1), 15304 (Class 4) and 15306 (Class 6)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities), 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land), and 15306 (Information Collection) and Sections 3.a.(4)(7), 3.d. and 3.f. of the District’s Guidelines for Compliance with CEQA because it would consist of utility potholing, geotechnical investigation borings and a new short-term tenancy agreement that 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 not involve the removal of mature, scenic trees, and would not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. Sections 3.a.(4)(7), 3.d. and 3.f. 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, including but not limited to:
(4) New and renewed short-term tenancy agreements which do not result in change in the existing use. This exemption does not apply to any new development associated with the activities of the tenant. This exception is also inapplicable if the cumulative impact of continuing the existing use or conditions in the same place, over time, is significant.
(7) Existing facilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility service.
AND/OR
3.d. Minor Alterations to Land (SG § 15304) (Class 4): Includes minor alterations in the condition of land, water and/or vegetation not involving removal of mature, scenic trees.
AND/OR
3.f. Information Collection (SG § 15306) (Class 6): Includes basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. These may be for information gathering purposes, or as part of a study leading to an action which has not yet been approved, adopted or funded.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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