Removal and Replacement of Trees at Embarcadero Marina Park North by San Diego Unified Port District
Summary
SCH Number
2025080997
Public Agency
San Diego Unified Port District
Document Title
Removal and Replacement of Trees at Embarcadero Marina Park North by San Diego Unified Port District
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/22/2025
Document Description
The proposed project would involve the removal and replacement of three (3) Melaleuca trees by the San Diego Unified Port District (District) in the city of San Diego, California. The three (3) trees are located south of the public restroom at Embarcadero Marina Park North (EMPN) along the waterfront.
The three (3) existing trees are proposed to be removed to improve line of site connectivity between Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and Tuna Harbor to increase District safety and security in the area. Work would also involve replacing the Melaleuca trees with three (3) replacement trees to be planted at more suitable locations within EMPN.
The District and/or the District’s landscape service providers would remove the three (3) trees in approximately Fall of 2025 using a truck, chipper, stump grinder, hand tools, and associated tree removal equipment. The tree removal operations would begin and conclude on the same day. Within 60 days following tree removals, the stumps would be grinded down, which takes approximately half a day of work. Tree replacement would be completed by the Winter of 2025 with ongoing maintenance as needed. Work hours for the proposed project would be Monday-Friday from approximately 7am-3:30pm. There are no anticipated impacts to parking stalls nor anticipated street closures for the proposed project. However, there are partial closures anticipated for the waterfront promenade during tree removal activities, so the work crew would direct pedestrians safely around the work site. There would be no full closures of the promenade at any point of the proposed project.
The replacement tree species would be drought-tolerant and/or water wise, non-invasive tree species, and would reflect the palette of trees and shrubs which already exist elsewhere on Tidelands.
The District would conduct all tree removals outside of the migratory bird breeding and nesting season, and no removal work would occur between February 15 and September 1. Due to its nature and limited scope, construction of the proposed project would generate a minor amount of vehicle trips and would require limited use of equipment. Therefore, impacts related to air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation and traffic are not anticipated to occur. Furthermore, the District would be responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding construction demolition debris, hazards and hazardous materials, and stormwater.
Contact Information
Name
Kurt Brickley
Agency Name
San Diego Unified Port District
Job Title
Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
1 Embarcadero Marina North, San Diego, CA 92101
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Class 1) and 15304 (Class 4)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) and Sections 3.a.(12) and 3.d.(5) of the District’s Guidelines for Compliance with CEQA because it would consist of the removal and replacement of three (3) trees and the associated tree maintenance that would involve no expansion of use beyond that previously existing, would not involve the removal of mature, scenic trees, and would result in no permanent effects on the environment. Sections 3.a.(12) and 3.d.(5) 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:
(12 Maintenance of existing landscaping, native growth, and water supply reservoirs.
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:
(5) New gardening or landscaping.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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