Amendment to Sediment Sampling by the City of San Diego at the Laurel Hawthorn Embayment
Summary
SCH Number
2026050975
Public Agency
San Diego Unified Port District
Document Title
Amendment to Sediment Sampling by the City of San Diego at the Laurel Hawthorn Embayment
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/26/2026
Document Description
The proposed project involves an amendment to the previously approved sediment sampling project (previous project) by the City of San Diego at the Laurel Hawthorn Embayment in the city of San Diego, California. The previous project (Document No. 72368) involved sediment sampling in response to Investigative Order R9-2019-0040 (IO) issued by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) for the 84-inch stormwater conveyance system outfall in Laurel Hawthorn Embayment. Sediment samples were collected at twenty-three (23) specified locations to characterize sediment quality for benthic community protection. A marine sampling vessel was utilized to deploy the equipment to collect samples at each sampling location. Two collection techniques were utilized at each sediment sampling location including (1) grab samples and (2) core samples, consistent with the requirements of the IO.
Following completion of the previous project, the Regional Board has requested recollection and analysis of sediment samples within the Laurel Hawthorn Embayment to fill data gaps identified during the initial investigation. The proposed project is a supplemental investigation that would include recollection of sediment surface grab and core samples using the same equipment and methods at a subset of the same locations identified in the previous project. The proposed project would include collection of sediment samples from twelve (12) of the twenty-three (23) previously specified locations within the Laurel Hawthorn Embayment. No sampling locations outside of the previously identified locations are proposed as part of this recollection effort.
Bay sampling is anticipated to occur approximately between May and September 2026 and would take approximately four (4) days to complete.
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 Applicant 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
Kellyn Baker
Agency Name
City of San Diego
Job Title
Environmental Specialist
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Name
Kelly Cunningham
Agency Name
San Diego Unified Port District
Job Title
Planner I
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
San Diego Bay, West of West Hawthorne Street and North Harbor Drive, and South of West Laurel Street and North Harbor Drive
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Sections 15306, 15307, and 15308
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15306 (Information Collection), 15307 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources), and 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment) because sediment and bay sampling in accordance with an IO would not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource and would involve procedures for protection of the environment.
The proposed project is determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15306 (Information Collection), 15307 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources), and 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment) and Sections 3.f., 3 .g., and 3. h. of the District's Guidelines for Compliance with CEQA because sediment and bay sampling in accordance with an 10 would not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource and would involve procedures for protection of the environment. Sections 3.f., 3.g., and 3.h. of the District's CEQA Guidelines are as follows: 3.f. Information Collection (SG Sections 15306) (Class 6): Includes basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. These may be for information gathering purposes, or as part of a study leading to an action which has not yet been approved, adopted or funded. AND/OR 3.g. Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources SG Section 15307) (Class 7l: Actions taken by regulatory agencies to assure the maintenance, restoration or enhancement of a natural resource where the regulatory process involves procedures for the protection of the environment. Construction activities are not included in this exemption. AND/OR 3.h. Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment (SG Section 15308) (Class 8): Includes actions taken by regulatory agencies to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for the protection of the environment. Construction activities and relaxation of standards allowing environmental • degradation are not included in this exemption.
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.