34th America’s Cup Race

Detailed environmental documentation is not typically required for an event of this magnitude, with legislated exemptions more the rule; significant assessment of environmental impacts of previous America’s Cup events had never been done. However, because the event was taking place in California, and for the first time in the San Francisco Bay Area, CEQA review was mandated. The analyses of this event on the water, and the corresponding influx of marine traffic, required an innovative approach to determining impacts as varied as the disturbance of nesting birds on Alcatraz Island, to the impacts of the race on commercial tankers and the local community of avid board sailors.

Given the event’s time constraints, ESA designed a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process that both supported an array of permitting requirements. ESA completed the 1,500-page Draft EIR within five months of a notice to proceed and the public release of the Notice of Preparation.

Complicating the analyses was the need for compliance documents that satisfied the jurisdictional needs of multiple local, state, and federal agencies under a nonnegotiable event deadline. To assess the impacts that the spectators would exact along sensitive shoreline locations required innovative approaches for which there was little available prior empirical data.

Technical studies in support of permit applications included comprehensive biological assessments, coastal consistency determination, and a specially designed spectator vessel survey during Fleet Week that helped refine the air quality analysis. ESA also assisted in preparing a number of implementation plans for the project, including a zero waste management plan and a sustainability plan.

Construction of the America’s Cup Village facilities was coordinated with both the construction of the Port’s new International Cruise Terminal at Pier 27 and a major new Wharf Plaza. The project was significant in scope including waterfront construction, programmed spectator landslide venues, and water race management.