Port of San Diego | Port Completes Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report for Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan

Port Completes Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report for Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan

Friday, 23 May 2008
Contact: John Gilmore (619) 686-6222 or Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

The Port of San Diego has updated the Draft Environmental Impact Report that focuses on a master plan which will transform the Chula Vista bay front with a convention center, new hotels, condominiums, parks, and provide better access to the waterfront.

The 10,069-page report analyzes the possible environmental effects the 556-acre project will have on such areas as traffic, aesthetics, biological resources, water and air quality, noise, and other factors.

As part of the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan, the Port envisions development occurring during the next 24 years. Included would be Gaylord Entertainment's proposed $1 billion 2,000-room hotel and convention center, Pacifica Companies' proposed 1,500 condos and a 250-room hotel, plus offices, retail and entertainment venues and recreational features. The project also includes a new commercial harbor, a reconfigured marina basin and boat slips and realignment of the navigation channel.

The initial draft environmental report was released nearly two years ago. The Port received 58 comment letters totaling more than 700 pages from individuals, organizations, as well as federal, state, and local agencies. Based on those comments, the Port has made many revisions to the Draft Environmental Impact Report.

Some of the key revisions include: Pacifica Companies initially proposed 2,000 residential units, which now number 1,500. No longer are there plans to build a power plant in the southern portion of the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan area. Additional information on the design of the proposed Gaylord and Pacifica developments is analyzed in the revised Draft Environmental Report. Global Warming and its impacts are also analyzed in the updated report.

The revised report is available for review at the Port District clerk's office, 3165 Pacific Highway in San Diego. A CD of the report can be obtained by contacting Lesley Nishihira, Associate Redevelopment Planner, at (619) 686-6283.

In addition, the report can be viewed at:

San Diego Public Library, Downtown/Central Branch -
820 E St., San Diego, 92101

San Diego County Library, South County Branch-
500 Third Avenue, Chula Vista, 91910

Chula Vista City Library, Civic Center Branch-
365 F St., Chula Vista, 91910

Chula Vista City Library, South Chula Vista Branch-
389 Orange Ave., Chula Vista, 91911

Chula Vista City Library, Eastlake Branch-
1120 Eastlake Parkway, Chula Vista, 91915

The revised report will be available for public review and comment for 45 days, beginning on May 23 and ending on July 8. Sometime in June, the Port will hold an informational meeting on the latest report.

The Port of San Diego is a public benefit corporation and special government entity. Created in 1962 by an act of the California legislature, the Port manages San Diego harbor and the public land along San Diego Bay. The Port has operated without tax dollars since 1970 and has invested $1.5 billion in public improvements in its five member cities - Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego. With a $10.6 billion economic impact in the San Diego region, the Port oversees two marine terminals, a cruise ship terminal, 16 public parks, various wildlife reserves and environmental initiatives, a Harbor Police Department and the leases of more than 600 tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.