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NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING FOR EELGRASS HABITAT EXPANSION IN SAN DIEGO BAY, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

05 July 2023

From Brian O'Rourke

SAN DIEGO – In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the U.S. Navy has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment to analyze the potential impacts of expanding eelgrass habitat in San Diego Bay, California. The Navy invites public comments on the Draft EA to ensure that community concerns are considered and appropriately addressed.
SAN DIEGO – In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the U.S. Navy has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment to analyze the potential impacts of expanding eelgrass habitat in San Diego Bay, California.  The Navy invites public comments on the Draft EA to ensure that community concerns are considered and appropriately addressed. 
 
            Public comments are requested by the close of the Draft Environmental Assessment comment period on Tuesday, August 14, 2023.  The Navy will host a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at 5:30 P.M. PDT. At the meeting the Navy will present information on the project and accept written comments.  All timely and substantive comments will be considered in preparation of the Final EA.
 
Background
            Eelgrass is an important and productive benthic habitat in San Diego Bay. Since its celebrated establishment in 2008, the Navy has used credits in the Navy Region Southwest San Diego Bay Eelgrass Mitigation Bank (the Bank) to offset unavoidable impacts from infrastructure projects and testing and training activities in San Diego Bay.  The Navy anticipates that future projects and activities in support of Navy mission requirements could have unavoidable negative impacts on eelgrass habitat in the bay.  The proposed expansion of eelgrass by the Navy would allow these mission-critical projects to be implemented using credits in the Bank to offset potential unavoidable negative impacts to eelgrass habitat.
 
            The purpose of the Proposed Action is to support Navy mission requirements while ensuring the continued commitment to conservation of the San Diego Bay ecosystem.  The Proposed Action is needed to facilitate implementation of future Navy projects and activities in San Diego Bay that may have the potential to impact eelgrass.
 
Proposed Action
            Under the Proposed Action, the Navy proposes to add to the existing Bank by expanding eelgrass habitat in San Diego Bay, California.  Expanding eelgrass habitat would provide substantial ecological benefits and meet future Navy eelgrass mitigation requirements in San Diego Bay.
           
            The Navy is considering three action alternatives that meet the purpose of and need for the Proposed Action, and a No Action Alternative.  The Navy would create additional eelgrass habitat in San Diego Bay at one or more of four sites grouped into three alternatives:
 
  • Alternative 1: Ballast Point
  • Alternative 2: Delta Beach to Homeport Island (2A) and Homeport Island Submerged Plateau (2B)
  • Alternative 3: South Silver Strand
 
Draft Environmental Assessment
            The Draft EA considered potential impacts to the following resource areas: Marine Water Resources and Bathymetry, Marine Biological Resources, Land Use, Air Quality, Geological Resources, Cultural Resources, Visual Resources, Airspace, Noise, Infrastructure, Transportation, Public Health and Safety, Hazardous Materials and Wastes, Socioeconomics, and Environmental Justice.  The Draft EA did not identify any significant impacts that would result from implementing the Proposed Action.
 
Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment
      The Draft EA and supporting materials are available for public review at https://www.cnic.navy.mil/navysouthwestprojects.  The Draft EA is also available for hardcopy review at the following public libraries: San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101; Point Loma Branch Library, 3701 Voltaire St., San Diego, CA 92107; Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave., Coronado, CA 92118; Imperial Beach San Diego County Library, 810 Imperial Beach Blvd., Imperial Beach, CA 91932; and the Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch, 365 F St., Chula Vista, CA 91910.
 
Draft Environmental Assessment Review Period
      The Draft EA review period runs through August 14, 2023.  Comments must be received or postmarked by August 14, 2023.  All comments submitted by the due date will be considered in preparation of the Final Environmental Assessment.
 
Virtual Public Meeting
      To receive additional information about the project and submit written comments, interested persons are invited to attend a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. PDT. Here is the meeting access information. Via computer or mobile device, click on this link: https://zoom.us/j/96780700762. Via phone, dial this number: (669) 900-6833, then enter the Meeting ID: 967 8070 0762; you do not need to enter a participant ID, just enter “#” to connect when prompted.
 
  
How to Provide Comments
            The Navy requests and welcomes your comments on the alternatives and analysis. Written comments may be submitted via email to navfac_sw_eelgrass_ea_public_outreach@us.navy.mil, or via mail to:
 
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southwest
Attention: Code EV26.SVR
750 Pacific Highway (12th Floor, Environmental)
San Diego, CA 92132-5190
 
      Written comments may also be provided at the virtual public meeting.
 
Additional Information
      Additional information including a fact sheet is available to review online at this website:
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/navysouthwestprojects.  For more information, please visit the website or contact the Navy Region Southwest Public Affairs Officer, Brian O’Rourke, 619-705-5244 or brian.k.orourke.civ@us.navy.mil.
 
            Please help the Navy inform the community about the public review opportunity of the Draft Environmental Assessment and virtual public meeting by sharing this information.
 
 

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