SFPUC approves CEQA findings for Irvington Tunnel, authorizes implementation steps and easement negotiations

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission voted to approve CEQA findings and to authorize implementation of the New Irvington Tunnel Project (CUW35901), a long‑planned water‑supply tunnel designed to improve seismic reliability and conveyance.

Staff reported the Planning Commission certified the project's EIR on Nov. 5 and that the document includes mitigation measures and a mitigation monitoring and reporting program. Project staff said they planned to advertise the construction contract on Nov. 17 and anticipated awarding a construction contract in February 2010. The resolution asks the commission to authorize the general manager to implement the project and to take necessary actions including negotiating and acquiring temporary construction easements and, where necessary, limited permanent easements.

City Attorney's Office counsel Noreen Ambrose advised the commission that the resolution contains a broader delegation of authority than prior pipeline delegations because the tunnel will require access to private properties, potential long‑term monitoring and negotiation flexibility during a short window between approval and notice to proceed. Ambrose proposed and staff accepted additional language clarifying that the general manager may not dispose of any real property interests (sale, exchange or transfer) without commission approval and Board of Supervisors action where required by the Charter.

Commissioner questions focused on the late letter from Alameda County (received about two hours before the meeting) that raised programmatic fisheries concerns; staff and counsel said the letter did not raise new project‑specific CEQA issues and that staff will continue working with Alameda County on a pending MOU. Public commenter Art Jensen praised the project’s long history of study and urged moving forward; the commission approved the item by voice vote.