The California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, California Environmental Quality Act Responsible Agencies, and interested parties that the San Diego Air Pollution Control District will prepare an Environmental Impact Report addressing the potential impacts associated with the construction and operation of a floating dry dock at the Austal USA facility located in National City, located adjacent to Navy Base San Diego on San Diego Bay. The SDAPCD is solicitating input from agencies, organizations, and the public on the scope and content of the environmental information included in the EIR.
According to the CEQA Initial Study, Austal USA’s existing facility comprises 16.05 acres of tideland properties, which contains 9.56 acres of land and 6.49 acres of water and consist of areas leased by the Port of San Diego and from the Navy.
The study also states that current operations at Austral USA facility include minor metal fabrication to support vessels at Naval Base San Diego. The proposed project would provide governmental and commercial customers, including the Navy, with ship repair and maintenance capabilities. Within this existing facility, the proposed project would be operated by Austal USA and would be located within the NBSD property under a 66-year commercial lease agreement. Dredging to facilitate installation and operation of the proposed floating dry dock and installation of in-water piles to support a concrete wharf have been completed in accordance with U.S Army Corps of Engineers and San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board requirements at the Austal USA facility.
Austal USA has informed the SDPACD that the Navy has identified a projected shortfall of dry dock space at NBSD. The objective of the proposed project is to help the Navy address this shortfall. Austal USA is a Navy contractor. The proposed project would provide full docking availability for vessels up to 500 feet long.
Send written comments to: Eric Luther at 10124 Old Grove Road, San Diego, CA 92131, or email at Eric.Luther@sdapcd.org by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday Oct. 3.
