Committee advances $500,000 for independent Hunters Point sea‑level and groundwater study

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ Budget and Appropriations Committee on March 20 advanced an ordinance to fund an independent study of sea‑level rise and groundwater impacts at Hunters Point Shipyard, agreeing the work is necessary but continuing the item to confirm funding sources.

Supervisor Shamone Walton, the ordinance sponsor, told the committee the study responds to recommendations in a June 14, 2022 Civil Grand Jury report and to Navy review findings that detected radiological objects during remediation. Walton said the independent study would model future shallow groundwater flows, sea‑level scenarios and potential interactions with hazardous materials, and that the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure (OCII) and SFPUC would coordinate procurement and data sharing with the Navy and EPA. "We need this independent study in order to prepare a path forward in ensuring safety around sea level rise and groundwater," Walton said.

Nick Menard of the Budget and Legislative Analyst summarized the ordinance as an appropriation of $500,000 from the general reserve to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) for the study and noted that any draw from the general reserve must be repaid in the next budget year. Deputy City Attorney Anne Pearson advised that Walton’s proposed amendment to change the fiscal year to 2023–24 is substantive and therefore would require the item to be continued one week for further consideration.

President Aaron Peskin and others questioned whether the appropriation should instead rely on PUC reserves or the federal government (the U.S. Navy) to pay for the work. Peskin said he believed the Navy ought to bear responsibility for the asset and its remediation, while also acknowledging the SFPUC has subsurface infrastructure that could be affected by a rising groundwater table. Walton and other supervisors said their primary objective was to secure the study regardless of the funding source and that Walton would consult with the SFPUC and OCII on alternatives.

With no public comment, Walton moved to adopt the fiscal‑year amendment she read into the record; Chair Connie Chan seconded. The roll call showed five ayes and the committee approved the amendment. Walton then moved to continue the amended ordinance to the committee’s March 27 meeting to allow further consultation on whether the funds should be drawn from the general reserve or an alternate source; the motion to continue passed on a 5–0 vote.

Next steps: the item was continued to the March 27 Budget & Appropriations meeting for additional discussion of the funding source and any substantive amendments.