Port of LA moves ahead on marine research center project

May 24, 2012 — The Port of Los Angeles has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the City Dock No. 1 Marine Research Center Project, which plans to offer a unique and ideally located site for use as a multi-faceted marine research facility.

The proposed project site is located at Berths 56-60 and Berths 70-71, on the south end of the Port’s Main Channel, in a prime location of the San Pedro section of the L.A. Waterfront. Berths 57-60 were formerly used for warehouse operations, and Berths 70-71 is the previous site of the Westway liquid bulk tank farm.

Facilities envisioned include government and academic marine research laboratories, support activities for research vessels, a research and development park, business incubator for emerging marine environmental companies, and educational support facilities.

Southern California Marine Institute (SCMI), a research facility and nonprofit oceanographic institution currently headquartered on Terminal Island, would relocate and expand its campus to the City Dock location. SCMI is a consortium of 11 public and private colleges and universities in the Southern California and also has affiliations with the community college system and other institutions.

The draft EIR includes a discussion of the proposed project’s environmental impacts and identifies mitigation measures to reduce these impacts as required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The public comment and review period is from May 24, to July 9, 2012. During this time, the Port will accept written comments and will host a public meeting on June 12, 6 p.m., at Port of Los Angeles Administration Building, located at 425 S. Palos Verdes Street in San Pedro, to present its findings and provide opportunity for public comment.

A copy of the document is available HERE