SCH Number 2016104001

Project Info

Title

Notice of Use of an Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Action Statement in the place of an Environmental Impact Report for the ORERP

Description

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was prepared and approved for the Otay River Estuary Restoration Project (ORERP) by the USFWS. The ORERP includes restoration of coastal wetlands and upland habitat west of the Otay River floodplain, just to the south of San Diego Bay; and restoration of an active solar salt pond (Pond 15) to tidally influenced subtidal and intertidal habitats. Pond 15 would be hydraulically connected to San Diego Bay through an inlet/outlet opening created on the northern side of the salt pond levee. Approximately 1.3 acres of the total 1.74 acre inlet/outlet excavation area is within the District’s jurisdiction. Since the ORERP was approved, construction modifications were identified. Specifically, as it relates to District approval, the ORERP’s proposed haul truck route was revised, requiring that trucks transporting materials between the Otay River Floodplain Site and the Pond 15 Site travel an additional 0.37 mile north (northern route) on Bay Boulevard and then turn left onto District property. Additionally, a new temporary construction staging area was identified on District property near Pond 15. These modifications were documented in an Environmental Action Statement (EAS) prepared by USFWS. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15221, the District has determined that the ORERP must comply with both CEQA and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and meets the conditions for the District to use the EIS and EAS in place of an EIR. Per State CEQA Guidelines section 15225(a), the District is not circulating the EIS and EAS for public review because the EIS was circulated by the USFWS for public review and comment and notice was given in a manner meeting the standards in CEQA Guidelines section 15087(a).

4 documents in project