Planning Commission certifies Waterfront Plan final EIR despite swimmers’ concerns about water recreation analysis

The Planning Commission on March 16 certified the final programmatic environmental impact report (EIR) for the proposed Waterfront Plan, voting unanimously 6–0 to adopt the motion that the EIR is “adequate, accurate and objective.”

Planning staff and Port representatives described the EIR as a programmatic document that assesses likely impacts from implementing the Waterfront Plan and noted that the EIR found significant and unavoidable transportation and air quality impacts even with mitigation. Staff summarized an errata published March 10 that clarifies recreation, hydrology and cultural resources text and addresses comments from the South End Rowing Club and others.

Richard Drury, representing the Dolphin Club and South End Rowing Club, urged the commission to continue the matter 30 days or decline to certify so that water‑based recreational impacts (including vessel conflicts and currents) could be analyzed more fully. “We urge the commission to continue this matter for 30 days, or to not certify the EIR until this important issue is analyzed,” he said.

Planning staff and the Port said they had engaged extensively with water‑based recreation groups and that project‑level CEQA review would capture site‑specific impacts not analyzed at a programmatic level. Lisa Gibson, the environmental review officer, told commissioners the team had strengthened plan language on water recreation protections; she said some water‑quality and swimming concerns had been analyzed, and any remaining project‑level impacts would be addressed in later environmental review.

Commissioner Braun moved to certify the EIR; the motion passed unanimously, 6–0. Commissioners acknowledged concerns raised by swimmers and rowing clubs and encouraged continued engagement by the Port and staff to address water‑based recreational experiences as project proposals proceed.