Four environmental projects approved at Port of San Diego

Observation decks, special seating and educational signs will be installed as part of the project that would highlight environmentally significant areas. Harbor Island was selected as the first spot on the tidelands since it is undergoing redevelopment. Signs may highlight species of plants, fish and birds that are native to the area. The Board approved $200,000 from the Port’s environmental fund to pay for the project. Another project awarded funding will upgrade 17 grass areas along the tidelands. Landscaping will be replaced with native plants that require less water. An educational component includes a brochure geared for tenants to advise them on landscaping techniques. The estimated cost is $100,000. Scripps Institution of Oceanography will be completing a geotechnical study on San Diego Bay as part of a third project that was awarded money. This study would expand on one that was conducted in 2005 in the central portion of the Bay. The study’s results will include data valuable to the Port’s future development projects. The cost is $150,000. The fourth project calls for the use of porous pavement or pavers in various Port tidelands parking lots that need repaving. Trees will be planted in the lots. The estimated cost is $100,000. Six other projects requiring matching funds were also discussed. The Board of Port Commissioners directed Port staff to determine where the matching funds would come from and to return in six months to request approval. This was the fifth round of environmental projects presented to the Board for funding through the Port’s environmental fund, which was established in December 2006. 0.5 percent of the Port’s total revenue goes into the fund to help pay for environmental projects. To date, 29 projects have received money.