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Council allocates SeaWorld settlement funds to park projects, conservation advocates press for wetland restoration
Summary
Parks staff presented allocations of $8.5 million in SeaWorld settlement proceeds split under charter rules; council approved staff-recommended project funding while environmental groups urged redirecting more dollars to Mission Bay wetland restoration and matching grants.
City staff asked the council on June 24 to allocate SeaWorld settlement proceeds across Mission Bay Park and regional park improvement projects, following oversight-committee recommendations and a modest reduction in Mission Bay allocations to avoid hampering ongoing projects given a lower FY25 revenue forecast.
Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Tom Tomlinson said the January settlement produced $8.5 million in past rent. Under charter Section 55.2 the split is 65% to the Mission Bay Park Improvement Fund and 35% to the Regional Park Improvement Fund; staff proposed adjustments that left $7.9 million available for allocation with $5.1 million to Mission Bay and $2.7 million to regional parks. Some funds were left unallocated pending further environmental review.
Public commenters from the Rewild Mission Bay Coalition and partner groups urged the council to prioritize wetland restoration projects such as De Anza Natural and Fiesta Island, and to follow charter priorities and project ranking rather than using the money for lower-priority parking and playground projects. Speakers cited water-quality monitoring and ecological benefits, including carbon sequestration and resilience to sea-level rise.
Councilmembers thanked the public for advocacy, asked staff about CEQA and EIR timelines, and supported the staff recommendations while acknowledging the coalition's priorities. Staff said two environmental review documents (a Mission Bay program EIR and the De Anza Natural special study) are in process and that completing those CEQA steps will make the projects more competitive for grant funding and allow balanced allocation in the future. The council approved the staff-recommended allocations and accepted oversight-committee actions; unallocated funds will remain in fund balance until further review.
The vote to adopt the allocation report passed unanimously. Staff said they will return with updates addressing oversight-committee concerns and environmental findings.
