NOAA Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration

Amount Requested: $8,124,230
Eligible Recipient: Port of San Francisco
Project: Removal of Creosote-Treated Pile and Pier Decking

The principle objective of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Project Grants is to provide Federal financial and technical assistance to “ready-to-go” (shovel ready) projects that meet NOAA’s mission to restore marine and coastal habitats and that will result in near-immediate stimulation of local U.S. economies through the creation or retention of restoration-related jobs. This grant is administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and NOAA’s Office of Habitat Conservation.

Why did San Francisco apply for this grant?
San Francisco would use this grant to remove creosote-treated piles and pier decking from the San Francisco Bay. The scope of work for this project consists of the demolition and removal of creosote-treated piles and wharves at various locations along the San Francisco Waterfront. Approximately 11 acres of San Francisco Bay sub tidal habitat will be enhanced or restored as a result of this project, including the removal of approximately 2,000 tons of potentially harmful creosote-treated piles and over 4,700 tons of other artificial substrate.

How would this project benefit San Francisco?

Jobs Created: 163 direct and indirect construction jobs locally and nationally.
This project will also enhance the viability of the San Francisco fishing industry and preserve over 345 related jobs locally.

Environmental Benefits:Consistent with the objectives of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission’s Special Area Plan for the San Francisco Waterfront (2000), approximately 11 acres of Bay fill will be removed by this project. Removal of creosote-treated piles and associated polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) will benefit local fisheries, including herring and salmon, and protect threatened species such as steelhead trout. This project will leverage $14.85 million from San Francisco Proposition A Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond projects by enhancing the waterfront open space adjacent to the Pier 43.5 Promenade, Bayfront Park and the Blue Greenway in the Port’s Southern Waterfront.

When will San Francisco know if it has been awarded this grant?
A proposal was submitted on April 6, 2009. Check back soon for more information.

Additional Information:
Grant Website
Application Summary