Tidelands Use and Occupancy Permit to MarineLabs Data Systems Pilot Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025050537
Public Agency
San Diego Unified Port District
Document Title
Tidelands Use and Occupancy Permit to MarineLabs Data Systems Pilot Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/13/2025
Document Description
The proposed pilot project would involve a Tidelands Use and Occupancy Permit (TUOP) for the use of water area to install smart buoy technology on approximately 5 new buoys and 5 existing United States Coast Guard (USCG) buoys located in San Diego Bay (approximately 7 square feet of water area per buoy). The proposed pilot project would include the installation of CoastAware sensors, in which the Applicant (Marinelabs Data Systems dba Marinelabs) would develop, test, and validate a tailored coastal intelligence service and subscription platform for various District monitoring applications. It is anticipated that the project and corresponding TUOP would have a minimum term of two (2) years, with the opportunity to extend upon District review and approval. The TUOP may be terminated by the District or the Applic;ant as a matter of right and without cause at any time upon providing thirty-day notice in writing to the other party of such termination. A "Blue Economy Agreement" by and between the District and the Applicant is also proposed, and other similar agreements may also be required. The CoastAware sensors provide real-time coastal intelligence to inform maritime safety and operations. It features coastal domain awareness and climate resilience data from fleets of rugged, cell and satellite network connected marine wind/wave/camera sensor nodes. CoastAware can assist with vessel and vessel wake monitoring by leveraging high resolution buoy data, Automated Identification System (AIS) data, and machine learning algorithms to detect and attribute vessel wake events to individual vessels and vessel types. CoastalAware sensors use Artificial Intelligence (Al) forecasting and weather modelling to provide hyper-local and accurate 10-day weather, wind and wave forecasts. The subscription platform allows for successful customization and integration for District applications including real-time updates, customizable alerts and dashboards, and adjustment of sensor location to better suit data needs. As soon as the sensors are rn the water, tested and activated, the data is delivered to the District customized subscription platform. The District is specifically interested in utilizing CoastAware technology to identify and measure the time, height and power level of vessel wakes. Data collected on passing vessels can assist the District in identifying what kinds of vessels and users are contributing to erosion from vessel wakes on sensitive areas, such as the Chula Vista Wildlife Reserve, and measure overall vessel traffic in a given area. Prior to sensor and buoy deployment, the Applicant would conduct a site inspection to review proposed private buoy locations and confirm the bathymetry in the area. Site inspections are performed on a small vessel, and previous bathymetry surveys are used to assess the bottom conditions. Following deployment of new buoys and sensors, land-based cameras and supportive equipment may be installed to verify ·data collected. All sensor calibration would be completed during deployment, and any maintenance and updates can be completed remotely.
CoastAware sensors can be installed on private buoys or on existing USCG operated Aids to Navigation (AToNs) buoys. In coordination with the District and the USCG, a total of five (5) AToNs would be selected for sensor installation, with one buoy to be located in each of the four (4) ecoregions in San Diego Bay. The fifth AToN location would .be located offshore. There are seven (7) proposed private buoy locations that are being considered in San Diego Bay; ultimately five (5) of those locations would be selected for private buoy deployment. Thus, the number of private buoys to be deployed would not exceed five (5) total. No eelgrass resources are known to occur at any of the potential locations. The seven (7) locations for potential private buoy deployment are the following:
1) Near Campbell Cap (32.702457, -117.161065)
2) Coronado Cays South of East Island (32.621732, -117.129490)
3) Chula Vista (32.635195, -11.7.113405)
4) Embarcadero near Hornblower Pier (32.722889, -117.173630)
5) Harbor Island, Between eConcrete installations (32.724654, -117.207704)
6) Shelter Island (32.712435, -117.226732)
7) Imperial Beach Pier (32.578016, -117.138756)
New private buoys would be installed using a combination of weights, rope, chain and marine attachments to secure the unit to the Bay. It is anticipated that a 16.5 lb Bruce Anchor and 150 lb clumps mass anchor would be used to secure the unit to the seafloor. Private buoys generally have a movement radius of 100 m but can be kept to a smaller footprint in shallower water. The sensor packages would be mounted to the top of either the private buoys or the existing USCG AToNs using four bolts. The floats are made of marine grade polymers. The sensor packages are made of aluminum, silica based solar panels, and electrical components which are sealed inside the housing. The standard float package is 0.9m in diameter. Each deployment takes approximately 2-8 hours depending on the depth, proximity to the coastline, weather conditions and other local factors. The deployment team would use a small deployment vessel (under 40') and consist of five crew members. The Applicant would be responsible for compliance with all laws and regulations associated with the activities on or in connection with the above-described premises, and in all uses thereof, including those regulating stormwater and hazardous materials, as well as acquiring necessary permits from relevant resource agencies, such as the California Coastal Commission, Army Corps of Engineers, and Regional Water Quality Control Board, including the necessary real estate or access agreements, or coastal development permitting for the proposed project sites that are not within the District's permitting or coastal jurisdiction. The areas proposed for use under this TUOP are proposed to be used only and exclusively for the purpose of analyzing the feasibility of the proposed pilot project and for no other purpose whatsoever without the prior written consent of the Executive Director of District in each instance. The Applicant would be responsible for compliance with all laws and regulations associated with the activities on or in connection with the above~described premises, and in all uses thereof, including those regulating stormwater and hazardous materials. No new development, construction, or increase in the size of the property is proposed or authorized as part of the TUOP.
Contact Information
Name
Lillian Mattes
Agency Name
San Diego Unified Port District
Job Title
Associate Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Scott Beatty
Agency Name
MarineLabs Data Systems, Inc.
Job Title
CEO
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Waterways
San Diego Bay
Other Location Info
(32.702457, -117.161065); (32.621732, -117.129490); (32.635195, -117.113405); (32.722889, -117.173630); (32.724654, -117.207704); (32.712435, -117.226732); (32.578016, -117.138756)
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, 15303, 15304, 15306, 15311
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities), 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land), 15306 (Information Collection), and 15311 (Accessory Structures) and Sections 3.a.(1), 3.c., 3.d., 3.f., and 3.i. of the District's Guidelines for Compliance with CEQA because it involves a TUOP for the use of water area to install smart buoy technology on approximately 5 new buoys and 5 existing USCG buoys located in San Diego Bay which would involve no expansion of use beyond that previously existing, would consist of the installation of small new equipment and facilities on small structures, would result in no permanent effects on the environment, would not involve the removal of mature,· scenic trees, and is for the purpose of research which would not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. Sections 3.a.(1), 3.c., 3.d., 3.f., and 3.i.(1) 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. (1) Repair, maintenance or minor alteration of existing mooring facilities, floats, piers, piles, wharves, bulkhead, revetment, buoys, or similar structures; marine terminal facilities; airport facilities; and commercial industrial, or recreational facilities. AND/OR 3.c. New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures (SG § 15303) (Class 3): Includes construction of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and conversion of existing small structures from one use to another with minor modifications to the exterior of the structure. 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, including, but not limited to: (6) Minor temporary use of land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment. 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. AND/OR 3.i. Accessory Structures (SG § 15311) (Class 11 ): Includes construction, or placement of minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to) existing facilities, including: (1) Construction or placement of minor mooring facilities, floats, buoys or similar structures accessory to (appurtenant to) existing commercial, industrial or institutional facilities.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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