B Street Pier Fender Pile Cluster Repairs by San Diego Unified Port District
Summary
SCH Number
2025100682
Public Agency
San Diego Unified Port District
Document Title
B Street Pier Fender Pile Cluster Repairs by San Diego Unified Port District
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/15/2025
Document Description
The proposed project would involve the repair and replacement of existing fender pile clusters at the B Street Pier by San Diego Unified Port District (District) in the city of San Diego, California. There are approximately five (5) damaged fender pile clusters on the south side of the B Street Pier which need repairs and replacement as they no longer provide adequate berthing energy absorption.
Work to specifically complete the proposed project would involve replacement of upper and lower timber walers, timber chocks and associated hardware/equipment. If damage is found to the existing 15” diameter plastic fender piles throughout the five (5) fender pile clusters, they would be replaced in-kind, in the same location using a vibratory or impact hammer operating from a barge. The District is responsible for implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Environmental Standards during the proposed project to prevent debris from entering the bay.
No eelgrass is present at the project site and has not historically been observed within approximately 650 feet of the project site. Surveys were completed in Summer of 2023 with no eelgrass observed.
Construction would be performed from a barge equipped with miscellaneous construction equipment, including hand tools and a small crane. Additionally, replacement of any fender pile s found to be damaged would utilize a barge-mounted vibratory or impact hammer.
Construction of the proposed project is anticipated to occur in approximately late 2025 and would take approximately fifteen (15) days to complete, with ongoing maintenance as needed. Construction hours would be Monday-Friday from approximately 7:30am-3:30pm.
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
Devon Beach
Agency Name
San Diego Unified Port District
Job Title
Capital Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
1140 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92132
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Class 1), 15302 (Class 2) and 15304 (Class 4)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) and 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) because it would consist of repair and replacement of fender pile clusters and associated equipment that would involve no expansion of use beyond that previously existing, would not result in a significant cumulative impact due to the continuation of the existing use, would consist of the replacement of an existing structure, would be located on the same site as the structure replaced, would have substantially the same purpose and capacity, would result in no permanent effects on the environment, and would not involve the removal of mature, scenic trees. The District has determined none of the six exceptions to the use of a categorical exemption apply to this project (CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2). Sections 15301, 15302 and 15304 of the CEQA Guidelines are as follows:
Existing Facilities (SG § 15301) (Class 1): Consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use
AND/OR
Replacement or Reconstruction (SG § 15302) (Class 2): Consists of 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
AND/OR
Minor Alterations to Land (SG § 15304) (Class 4): Consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.