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Port Commission hears update on PG&E Beach Street offshore sediment remediation
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Summary
Port staff told commissioners the offshore cleanup of PAH‑contaminated sediment near Pier 43½ proceeded through June–November 2025 with dredging, debris removal, capping and monitoring; work will move into Area C (Pier 41½/Blue & Gold terminal) in mid‑2026 and the Regional Water Board remains the lead regulator.
Catherine Purcell, project manager in the Port’s Environmental and Planning Division, told the Port Commission on Jan. 13 that PG&E’s Beach Street offshore sediment remediation advanced as planned in 2025 and will continue eastward in 2026.
Purcell said the site — which runs from Pier 43½ east toward the East Marina — was identified during pre‑dredge investigations in 2011 and 2013 as containing elevated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) tied to an upland manufactured‑gas plant. The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board issued an order in February 2022 compelling PG&E, as the primary responsible party, and the Port, as property owner, to carry out remediation under an approved work plan.
"We initiated remediation in Area A and B in 2025," Purcell said. "Work included relocating vessels as needed, debris removal, clamshell dredging within turbidity curtains, installation of slope‑stability piles, and placement of a clean sand cap with armor material on top. All work was performed within permit windows and under extensive compliance monitoring."
Purcell described on‑water controls used during the season: turbidity curtains, water‑quality monitoring, marine‑mammal observers, noise and dust controls, and regular stakeholder briefings. She said removed sediment was transported to an upland material‑handling facility near Montezuma for dewatering and disposal.
Ellen Jonk, co‑chair of the Maritime Commerce Advisory Committee and a consultant to the project, commended port staff and PG&E for outreach and tenant coordination during the 2025 season and suggested a joint presentation to the Bay Conservation and Development Commission to share lessons learned.
Commissioners pressed staff on near‑term impacts. Catherine Purcell said PG&E and port staff held more than 42 progress meetings with tenants, used temporary relocation and cost‑reimbursement agreements where needed, and will continue weekly stakeholder updates during active seasons. On potential impacts to sea lions at Pier 39, she said the project design adheres to NOAA and National Marine Fisheries Service setbacks and includes monitoring with shutdown triggers if marine mammals are at risk.
The port staff said remediation work will move to Area C (around Pier 41½) with field mobilization expected in June 2026 and work running through November, consistent with in‑water permit windows. The presentation was informational; no formal action on the remediation project was taken at the meeting.
What’s next: staff said they will continue coordination with the Regional Water Board, tenants, marine mammal agencies and community stakeholders as work progresses to the next remedial area.
