Adopt a Memorandum of Agreement with the City of San Diego and Advertise and Award a Construction Contract for Saturn Boulevard Pipe Extension Project and
Summary
SCH Number
2026101047
Public Agency
San Diego County
Document Title
Adopt a Memorandum of Agreement with the City of San Diego and Advertise and Award a Construction Contract for Saturn Boulevard Pipe Extension Project and
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/27/2026
Document Description
Related CEQA Exemption (District: 1)
The Saturn Boulevard Pipe Extension project is a short-term emergency action to address the ongoing public health hazards caused by contaminated, turbulent flows at the Saturn Boulevard culvert crossing in the Tijuana River Valley. The current culverts at Saturn Boulevard convey water into the downstream river where turbulence causes significant foaming and release of malodourous gas (primarily hydrogen sulfide) into the air. The project will install two durable high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe extensions on existing culverts, discharging flows below the water surface downstream to reduce turbulence and aerosolization. Riprap will be placed for stability and best management practices to minimize environmental impacts. The County, serving as lead agency under a Memorandum of Agreement with the City of San Diego, has completed design, secured a Coastal Development Permit from the California Coastal Commission, and will obtain emergency permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regional Water Quality Control Board and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in accordance with emergency project protocols. Upon installation of a permanent infrastructure solution in the future, these two pipe extensions, riprap, and all associated components will be removed.
Contact Information
Name
Samir Nuhaily
Agency Name
County of San Diego
Job Title
Deputy Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Name
Emily Roberts
Agency Name
County of San Diego
Job Title
Environmental Planning Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Imperial Beach, San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
The project is located within the Tijuana River Valley, at the Saturn Boulevard culvert crossing which is located in the Nestor area near the City of Imperial Beach.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Emergency Project
Type, Section or Code
Sec.15269(b)(c)
Reasons for Exemption
Section 15269 (Emergency Projects) of the CEQA Guidelines exempts projects undertaken to address emergencies. The proposed project is an emergency project to make emergency modifications to public service facilities that are necessary to maintain service essential to public health, safety, or welfare. Emergency modifications include those that require a reasonable amount of planning to address an anticipated emergency. Specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency are also exempt under CEQA guidelines. The Saturn Boulevard Pipe Extension Project’s purpose is to reduce pollution and health hazards by reducing turbulence at the culvert outfall and minimizing the amount of hydrogen sulfide emitted into the air which contribute to the proclaimed local emergency. Therefore, the Project qualifies for a statutory exemption under Sections15269(b) and 15269(c) of the CEQA Guidelines. Upon approval of this exemption finding, a Notice of Exemption will be filed with the Clerk of the Board in accordance with CEQA and County procedures.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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