FY 2025 Port Security Grant Program
Summary
SCH Number
2026010731
Public Agency
San Diego Unified Port District
Document Title
FY 2025 Port Security Grant Program
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/22/2026
Document Description
The proposed project involves the San Diego Unified Port District (District) accepting funds for four (4) security-related project components for the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Port Security Grant Program. In September 2025, the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded the District $1,050,000 and Harbor Police Department (HPD) $1,149,999.75 for a total of $2,199,999.75 in funding for various District and HPD project components through the Port Security Grant Program. As part of these actions, the District would enter into an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to authorize design and/or implementation of the proposed project components. All Port Security Grant Program project components for FY25, listed and described 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 Chula Vista Marina parking area.
2. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Detection and Tracking: Installation of one (1) RF Sensor & Flat Panel Radar System on existing structures within Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, and one (1) portable RF Sensor & Flat Panel Radar System, which would not be fixed to a permanent location to allow for its use where needed.
3. Fireboat Replacement: Replacement of one (1) HPD Maritime Fire Fighting vessel.
4. Vessel Maintenance: Procurement of parts and/or supplies for maintenance of HPD patrol and/or firefighting vessels.
There would be no trenching or ground disturbance required for any of the four (4) project components described above. Construction is anticipated to occur in approximately late 2025 for project components 1, 2, and 4; project component 3, however, may be completed at a later date as staff have determined the cost of the fireboat replacement would be in excess of the total project cost, and expect to return at a later date with an additional request at the time of contract award to fully fund the replacement. Each project component has a three-year performance period and must be completed no later than August 31, 2028. 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 / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Name
Davin Cox
Agency Name
San Diego Unified Port District
Job Title
Planner I
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Chula Vista, San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
950 Marina Way, Chula Vista, CA 91910; 1800 Crosby Road, San Diego, CA 92101; 1401 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1); Section 15302 (Class 2); Section 15303 (Class 3); 15311 (Class 11)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project, including project components 1-4, 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 the 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 (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.
AND/OR
3.b. Replacement or Reconstruction (SG § 15302) (Class 2): 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.
(2) Replacement or reconstruction of marine terminal facilities, and marine-oriented commercial, industrial, and public and commercial recreational facilities, including buildings, piers, piles, wharves, marine ways; railroads; airport facilities, runways, taxiways, aprons, and ancillary structures to those facilities; electrical and mechanical systems and equipment; where the new structure will be on essentially the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced.
AND/OR
3.c. New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures (SG § 15303) (Class 3): 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:
(2) Accessory (appurtenant) structures and mechanical equipment including, but not limited to, garages, sheds, railway spur tracks, pilings, temporary trailers, industrial equipment enclosures, fences, parking on-site roadways, walkways and health and safety devices.
AND/OR
3.i. Accessory Structures (SG § 15311) (Class 11): Includes construction or placement of minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to) existing facilities, including:
(2) Construction or placement of minor structures or equipment accessory to (appurtenant to) existing airport or marine terminal facilities.
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.