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Project: Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal Expansion Project (SCH #2011032066)
Lead Agencies: Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA)
Project Description: The FTA and WETA have prepared a Draft EIS/EIR to address the environmental effects of the proposed Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal Expansion Project improvements. These agencies have prepared the Draft EIS/EIR in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970 as well as implementing regulations and agency guidelines. The FTA is the NEPA lead agency, and WETA is the CEQA lead agency.
WETA is proposing improvements to the existing Ferry Terminal in downtown San Francisco to support existing and planned future water transit services operated by WETA, as well as WETA’s emergency response operations. The Ferry Terminal is located at the foot of Market Street, at The Embarcadero in the general vicinity of the Ferry Building. Two alternatives are analyzed in the Draft EIS/EIR. The No Action Alternative maintains the existing Ferry Terminal gate configuration and circulation areas, including the function, uses, and design of public spaces within the project area. Increases in passenger and water transit vessel arrivals that could be accommodated with the existing facilities at the Ferry Terminal would occur as a part of the No Action Alternative. The Action Alternative, or proposed project, includes expansion and improvement of the Ferry Terminal at the Ferry Building to accommodate construction of three new gates and overwater berthing facilities, in addition to supportive landside improvements, such as additional passenger waiting and queuing area, and circulation improvements. The proposed construction is scheduled to commence as early as 2014 and be completed by 2020.
Environmental Analysis: The Draft EIS/EIR evaluates the potential impacts of implementing the No Action Alternative and Action Alternative on transportation and circulation; land use and land use planning; parklands and recreation; Section 4(f) resources; air quality and global climate change; noise and vibration; cultural and paleontological resources; biological resources; aesthetics and visual resources; hydrology and water quality, hazards and hazardous materials; geology, soils, and seismicity; energy consumption; utilities and public services; socioeconomics; environmental justice; and regional growth. The only adverse and significant and unavoidable impacts that would result from implementation of the Action Alternative, in the short or long term, would be transportation and circulation impacts. All other impacts identified for the Action Alternative would be negligible, less than significant and not adverse, or less than significant and not adverse with the implementation of mitigation measures.
Draft EIS/EIR Copies: Copies of the Draft EIS/EIR are available online at www.watertransit.org. Printed copies are also available for public inspection and review at the following locations during normal business hours:
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WETA Offices
Pier 9, Suite 111
The Embarcadero
San Francisco
(415) 291-3377
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San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco
(415) 557-4400
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Comments: Interested agencies, organizations, and individuals are encouraged to submit comments on the completeness and technical adequacy of the Draft EIS/EIR. A 60-day period has been established for comments on this document. Comments may be submitted in writing, or may be made orally at the public meeting. Written comments should be submitted to Mike Gougherty at the address below by July 30, 2013.
Public Meeting: A public meeting will be held on June 25, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. to receive comments on the Draft EIS/EIR. The meeting will be held at Pier 1, Bayside Conference Room, San Francisco, California. Additional information on the public meeting can be obtained from WETA.
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