Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal - Advanced Design and Public Engagement Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025100640
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal - Advanced Design and Public Engagement Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/15/2025
Document Description
The grant agreement funds planning activities in support of the offshore wind energy infrastructure improvements at the Heavy Lift Marine Terminal project site at Humboldt Bay that advance the capabilities of California waterfront facilities to support the development and operation of floating offshore wind projects. Planning activities include community, stakeholder and tribal engagement, studies and planning, and design and mitigation planning.
Contact Information
Name
REID BOGGIANO
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Electric Generation System Program Specialist I
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Rob Holmlund
Agency Name
Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District
Job Title
Development Director
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Arcata, Eureka
Counties
Humboldt
Regions
Citywide, Northern California
Cross Streets
Startare Drive and Waterfront Drive
Zip
95501
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs, tit. 14, §§ 15306, 15262
Reasons for Exemption
14 CCR § 15306 provides that activities of basic data collection, research, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource are categorically exempt from CEQA. The proposed project will primarily involve planning activities such as information gathering, analysis, writing feasibility studies, and site assessments including a limited number geotech marine borings. Other grant activities include capacity building and engagement with local communities, tribal communities and other stakeholders. The grant will also fund advanced engineering and design studies and mitigation planning at Woodley Island Fisherman’s Work dock and other off-site locations. The studies are leading to an action that has not yet been approved, adopted or funded. Because the project consists of information gathering, evaluation and planning, it falls within §15306, and is categorically exempt from CEQA.
14 CCR § 15262 provides that a project involving feasibility or planning studies for possible future actions which the agency, board, or commission has not approved, adopted, or funded does not require the preparation of an EIR or
Negative Declaration but does require consideration of environmental factors. Here, the proposed project involves feasibility and planning studies to support the future design and development of the Terminal Project at the Humboldt Harbor District. The agreement will also fund stakeholder engagement and planning, advanced engineering and design studies and environmental studies for mitigation planning. Thus, the project is exempt from CEQA under 14 CCR § 15262.
The project will not impact an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern where designated, precisely mapped, and officially adopted pursuant to law by federal, state, or local agencies; does not involve any cumulative impacts of successive projects of the same type in the same place that might be considered significant; does not involve unusual circumstances that might have a significant effect on the environment; will not result in damage to scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway; the project site is not included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5; and the project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. Therefore, none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions listed in Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to this project, and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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