FY 2024 Port Security Grant Program Amendment
Summary
SCH Number
2025120531
Public Agency
San Diego Unified Port District
Document Title
FY 2024 Port Security Grant Program Amendment
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/11/2025
Document Description
The proposed project involves the San Diego Unified Port District (District) accepting funds for five (5) security-related project components for the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 24) Port Security Grant Program. In September 2024, the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded the District $637,500 and Harbor Police Department (HPD) $1,950,000, for a total of $2,637,000 in funding for various District and HPD project components through the Port Security Grant Program. As part of these actions, the District entered into an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to authorize design and/or implementation of the proposed project components. A Coastal Act Categorical Determination of Exclusion (CatDet) (Project No. 2024-111) was issued previously for the five (5) security-related projects on November 13, 2024. CatDet 2024-111 authorized design for the Marine Firefighting Training Barge project component, whereas the other four (4) project components were authorized for design and implementation. This amendment is necessary to provide construction details and authorize project implementation of the Marine Firefighting Training Barge component. The scope of the other four (4) security-related project components would remain unchanged. The Port Security Grant Program project components for FY 24, listed and amended below, were selected to focus on increased port-wide risk management, enhanced domain awareness, facilitated training, expanded recovery and resilience capabilities, and increased preparedness and recovery from non-conventional weapons attacks. The proposed project would authorize the design and implementation of the following project components:
1. San Diego Bay Radar Coverage: Procurement and installation of approximately one (1) sensor to be mounted on an existing pole adjacent to the Shelter Island Boat Ramp to extend radar coverage inside San Diego Bay.
2. Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification: Procurement of consulting services and software.
3. Fireboat Replacement: Replacement of one (1) patrol fireboat.
4. Vessel Maintenance: Procurement of parts/supplies for maintenance of eight (8) HPD patrol/firefighting vessels.
5. Marine Firefighting Training Barge: At the High Speed Ferry Dock within Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal (TAMT), there is an existing Maritime Fire Trainer Facility (Trainer Facility) which is located on top of a floating barge. The Trainer Facility is made of large metal shipping containers and various equipment to simulate maritime fires for HPD training purposes. While the barge remains in working order, the Trainer Facility on top has been deemed unsafe for use and is in need of replacement. Work to complete this project component would include towing the barge to a commercial boatyard to be put in a dry dock. Hoist cranes would be used to remove the old shipping containers and install new ones on top of the barge. Work associated with the new shipping containers would involve general metal working, welding, fabrication, and installing hatches, portals, stairwells and associated equipment in the containers. The new Trainer Facility would be approximately the same size and dimensions as the old Trainer Facility with an overall length of approximately 40 feet and height of approximately 18 feet. Equipment required for the proposed project component would include standard construction and metal fabrication equipment as well as a heavy crane hoist, lift equipment and associated equipment. Construction of this project component would begin in approximately late 2025 and take approximately four (4) months to complete. Once construction is complete, the barge would be towed back to the High-Speed Ferry Dock at TAMT.
Construction of the five (5) project components must be completed no later than August 31, 2027, with each project component having a three-year performance period. Due to their nature and limited scope, construction and operation of the proposed project components 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
Aimee Heim
Agency Name
San Diego Unified Port District
Job Title
Program Director, Government and Civic Relations
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Chula Vista, San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
2210 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106;
3165 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA, 92101;
1790 Water Street, San Diego, CA, 92101;
1401 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA, 92106;
997 G Street, Chula Vista, CA, 91910
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Class 1), 15302 (Class 2), 15303 (Class 3) and 15311 (Class 11)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities), 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction), 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) and 15311 (Accessory Structures) and Sections 3.a., 3.b., 3.c. and 3.i. of the District’s Guidelines for Compliance with CEQA because it would consist of security-related project components on Tidelands that would involve negligible expansion of use beyond that previously existing, would consist of the installation of new accessory equipment on existing facilities, and would involve the replacement and maintenance of existing equipment and facilities which would not result in a significant cumulative impact due to the existing use. Sections 3.a., 3.b., 3.c. and 3.i. of the District’s CEQA Guidelines are as follows:
3.a. Existing Facilities: 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.
AND/OR
3.b. Replacement or Reconstruction: Includes replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure being replaced. This exemption includes, but is not limited to:
AND/OR
3.c. New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures: 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. Examples of this exemption include:
AND/OR
3.i. Accessory Structures: Includes construction, or placement of minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to) existing facilities, including:
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).
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.