Modular Building Installation - Harbor Development Permit No. 25-010

2025041352

Port of Long Beach

NOE - Notice of Exemption

4/29/2025

4/29/2025

Jennifer Blanchard

Port of Long Beach

Environmental Specialist

Lead/Public Agency

415 W. Ocean Blvd.,
Long Beach, CA 90802

(562) 283-7100

Jennifer.Blanchard@polb.com

Don Beaumont

Catalina Classic Cruises, Inc.

President

Project Applicant

2420 Shelter Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92106

(619) 571-1504

dondbeaumont@gmail.com

1825 Pier D Street, Berth D41; Harbor Planning District 2 - Northeast Harbor

Categorical Exemption

Section 15302 Replacement and Reconstruction

The Class 2 Categorical Exemption consists of the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced. The project consists of the repair and replacement of existing fencing and dock planks having the same purpose and capacity of the structure replaced and painting of an existing onsite building.

Categorical Exemption

Section 15332 In-Fill Development Projects

The project meets the criteria set forth in CEQA Section 15332 which allows for the construction of infill development within an urbanized area: (a)The project is consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable general plan policies as well as with applicable zoning designation and regulations. The project is located in Long Beach Harbor Planning District 2- Northeast Harbor; the project is consistent with the1990 Port of Long Beach Certified Port Master Plan, as amended, which allows port-related industries uses and the City of Long Beach General Plan which has zoned the Port area as “Port Industrial” (IP). Project operations would involve port-related uses consisting of the berthing of chartered vessels, embarking and disembarking passengers (campers)exclusively to and from Santa Catalina Island, vessel charter, parking of vehicles, and placement of offices. (b)The proposed development occurs within city limits on a project site of no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses. The project is located on a site comprising less than five acres, consisting of approximately 1.979 acres of land on Pier D and approximately 0.471 acres of submerged land within Channel 3 within the limits of the Long Beach Northeast Harbor Planning District (District 2). The development is within an active port substantially surrounded by industrial/urban uses bounded by Long Beach Harbor Channel 3 and Pier C to the north, the Long Beach Container Terminal to the south, port-owned property to the west, and various business operations to the east. (c)The project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species. The site is located within an active port, surrounded by a heavily industrial area containing multiple commercial and private business and other operations facilities thus has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species. The site was historically operated as a vessel repair facility and is fully paved with a small patch of grasses and weeds between the existing oil operating area and the shoreline bordered by paved roads. (d)Approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality. Traffic. Improvements to the site involve temporary construction activities which would not result any significant impacts to traffic. Operations associated with the project would occur Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m. Vessel activities would occur3 days a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday where approximately 3-6 buses would transport day campers to the site. Day campers returning from Santa Catalina Island via the chartered vessels would then be transferred to buses to depart the site. Daily passenger vehicle to and from the site consists of five employees and day camper chaperones or other charter vessel passengers. The City of Long Beach Traffic Analysis Guidelines establishes that projects with fewer than 500 average daily trips would have a less than significant impact totraffic.1 Therefore, the project would not result in any significant effects to traffic. Noise. Activities associated with improvements and operation of the project would not result in any significant effects to noise. Improvements to the site involve placement and installation of an 8-foot by 10-foot modular building, fence repairs, repair and replacement of the dock plank, and painting of an existing onsite building. The project would operate for the berthing of vessels, embarking and disembarking day campers aboard chartered vessels exclusively to and from Santa Catalina Island, and parking of vehicles. There are no noise-sensitive receptors, such as residential areas or schools near the project site. Existing noise sources in the Project area include general Port operations, traffic along the I-710, Pier D Street, Pico Avenue. Air Quality. Improvements at the site involving repairs to existing fencing, dock planks, painting an existing building and replacement and the addition of installation of a modular building are negligible. Project operations would involve passenger vehicles and buses activity to and from the site. The project does not involve new vessel activity from that previously operated at Pier H. Two existing, Tier 3 engine vessels, the Catalina King (700 passenger capacity) and the Catalina Duchess (250 passenger capacity), previously operating Pier H would relocate to berth and operate out of the project site on Pier D. Therefore, the project would not result in any significant effects relating to air quality. Water Quality. The project would not result in any significant effects to water quality. The project site previously operated as a vessel repair facility. Minor improvements to the site would involve repairs and replacement of existing fencing and dock planks, painting of an existing building, and the placement/installation of a modular building for use as offices. Proposed operations involve berthing of vessels, embarking and disembarking day campers exclusively to and from Santa Catalina Island, vessel charter, and parking of vehicles. No vessel, equipment, or vehicle maintenance would occur on-site. Catalina Classic would be required to implement Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP), as required by the Los Angeles and Ventura Counties Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, to ensure that stormwater runoff meets the established water quality standards and that the project does not have any significant impacts on water quality in the Port. The MS4 permit identifies minimum control measures and BMPs required by commercial operations such as the Proposed Project. As noted above, the proposed activities at the site would not be expected to result in significant impacts on water quality. Port staff would inspect the property as required under the MS4 permit to ensure implementation of appropriate BMPs.. (e)The site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services. The project site is adequately and currently served by all required utilities and public services.