Ocean Connectors: San Diego Bay Habitat Restoration and Education Program
Summary
SCH Number
2026020937
Public Agency
California State Coastal Conservancy
(SCC)
Document Title
Ocean Connectors: San Diego Bay Habitat Restoration and Education Program
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/25/2026
Document Description
The Ocean Connectors: San Diego Bay Habitat Restoration and Education Program will conduct (1) hands-on restoration and enhancement of 7.5 acres of upland, wetland, and river corridor habitat within the Sweetwater River Watershed and Lower Otay River Watershed; and (2) a combination of educational school programs and community outreach events.
Contact Information
Name
Kellan Warner
Agency Name
California State Coastal Conservancy
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Zip
91950
Total Acres
7.5
Other Location Info
Project sites are Sweetwater Channel, Bayside and Bayfront Park, Sweetwater Marsh (National City); and San Diego Bay Wildlife Refuge (Imperial Beach), Chula Vista National Wildlife Refuge (Chula Vista)
Other Information
Coordinates represent Pepper Park in Sweetwater Channel, one of the project sites.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Title 14 CCR, Section 15333
Reasons for Exemption
This project is categorically exempt from CEQA under Title 14 CCR, Section 15333, which exempts habitat restoration projects that do not exceed five acres to maintain, restore, enhance, or protect the habitat for fish, plants, or wildlife provided that there will be no significant adverse impact on endangered, rare or threatened species or their habitat pursuant to Section 15065; there are no hazardous materials at or around the project site that may be disturbed or removed; and the project will not result in impacts that are significant when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects. The project sites are all less than 5 acres in size and there would be no significant adverse impact on listed species or their habitat. This project would not disturb or remove hazardous material and no significant cumulative impacts from the restoration.
The exemption under Section 15304 also applies to the restoration site components of the project because the project’s minor alterations of land will not involve removal of existing healthy, mature, scenic trees. Particularly, the restoration sites proposed, Sweetwater Marsh Units 1 & 2, South San Diego Bay Unit, and Chula Vista National Wildlife Refuge, are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to Section 15304(d), which exempts minor alteration in land, water, and vegetation within an officially designated wildlife management area.