Mexican Fan Palm Removal by SDG&E in National City

San Diego Gas & Electric is undertaking the removal of one invasive Mexican Fan Palm tree located at 1400 Bay Marina Drive in National City, California, due to its encroachment on utility power lines. The removal is scheduled for September 2025 and is expected to take approximately two days, utilizing hand tools, a chainsaw, a chipper truck, and a grinder. Concurrently, four 15-gallon Conifer trees, selected for their moderate drought tolerance and deciduous nature, will be replanted in Embarcadero Marina Park South to restore shading capacity. Replanting is planned for Fall 2025. All work will be conducted without disrupting public access, closing any paths or streets, or affecting parking spaces. The project is minor in scale and anticipated to generate negligible vehicle trips and equipment use, resulting in no significant impacts on air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, or traffic. The San Diego Unified Port District, as the lead agency, is responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations concerning demolition debris, hazardous materials, and stormwater management. The project qualifies for a categorical exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, as it involves the maintenance and minor alteration of an existing facility without expansion of use. No formal contract pricing, line items, or federal acquisition regulations were included in the documentation; however, administrative requirements include submission of a Notice of Exemption and supporting materials to the San Diego County Clerk’s office by August 6, 2025, with posting occurring on August 7, 2025. The project is executed as a private entity initiative with no solicitation, procurement evaluation, or socioeconomic set-asides identified. Primary contacts include Betsy Viramontes of the San Diego Unified Port District and Dan Bohnett of San Diego Gas & Electric.