Environmental Impact Report

The OPH and Park Project EIR focused on changes to the South Embarcadero Redevelopment Program SERP Program I (SERP) project due to the proposed project as well as changes to conditions surrounding the project since preparation of the SERP Program I EIR that resulted in new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects.

On September 29, 2004, the Port issued a Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the Old Police Headquarters and Park Project EIR, which was followed by a 30-day comment period. In addition to the State Clearinghouse, the NOP was circulated to responsible and trustee agencies, and other interested agencies and individuals. On October 27, 2004, the Port held a public scoping meeting to solicit input from the community regarding the issues to be addressed within the EIR.

Issues

Based on review of the proposed project, as well as comments received at the public scoping meeting and in response to the NOP, the following issues were determined to be of potential significance and are to be addressed by the EIR:

Urban Design/Visual Quality

Parking, Traffic and Circulation

Land/Water Use Compatibility

Cultural Resources

Hazardous Materials/Public Safety

Air/Water Quality

Noise

Seismic/Geology Hazards

Public Services and Public Utilities

Solar Access

Cumulative Impacts

Draft EIR

The analysis of these issues was presented in the Draft EIR for the project. The Draft EIR underwent a 45-day public review and comment period, which began on July 8, 2005 and ended on August 22, 2005. A public workshop to solicit comments on the document was held on August 2, 2005, during which the document was reviewed by various state, regional, and local agencies, as well as by interested organizations and individuals. In total, 14 comment letters were received from 6 public agencies, 3 organizations, and 5 individuals. In addition, 24 surveys completed by individuals were submitted as comments.

Revision to the Draft EIR

A revision to the Draft EIR was prepared in order to address issues raised by comments received during the initial review period. Two project alternatives have been included which address significant impacts to cultural resources. Pursuant to Section 15088.5 of the CEQA Guidelines, the "revised" document includes only those chapters and sections of the Draft EIR that have been revised or modified. The Revision to the Draft EIR includes the following: Executive Summary (Chapter 1); Project Description (Chapter 3); Cultural Resources (Section 4.5); Hazardous Materials/Public Safety (Section 4.6); Alternatives (Chapter 7); References (Chapter 8); Preparers of EIR (Chapter 10); and, Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Program (Chapter 11).

The document may be viewed at the Office of the District Clerk, the San Diego Central Library, or at the link below. A personal copy may be obtained by contacting Lesley Nishihira, Associate Planner, at (619) 686-6469.

Final EIR

Subsequent to the review of the Draft EIR, responses to all formally submitted comments that raise environmental issues regarding the project will be prepared and published in the Final EIR for the project. Issuance of the Final EIR is anticipated to occur in early 2006. The Final EIR (consisting of the Draft SEIR as well as public comments and responses) will then be considered by the Board of Port Commissioners in a public meeting, and certified if deemed compliant with CEQA requirements. After or concurrent with certification of the EIR, the Board of Port Commissioners may rely upon the EIR to support discretionary decisions approving the Old Police Headquarters and Park Project (i.e., Port Master Plan Amendment, Coastal Development Permit, etc.).

Findings and Mitigation Monitoring Program

When a public agency approves a project for which an EIR has been certified and which identifies one or more significant environmental effects, CEQA requires that the agency make one or more written findings for each of those significant effects accompanied by a brief explanation of the rationale for each finding. Because significant environmental effects will likely be identified in this EIR, findings for the Old Police Headquarters and Park Project will be required at the time of its approval.

CEQA also requires that when a public agency makes findings based on an EIR, the public agency must adopt a reporting or monitoring program for those measures that it has adopted or made a condition of project approval in order to mitigate or avoid significant effects on the environment. The mitigation monitoring program must be designed to ensure compliance during project implementation. A Mitigation Monitoring Program for the Old Police Headquarters and Park Project will be prepared for inclusion with the Draft EIR.