America’s Cup publishes final environmental report
The final environmental impact report for the 2013 America’s Cup is out today.
Download a copy of the America's Cup EIR here. (Click on volume 5 and 6 for the latest version.)
Business groups, environmental organizations, neighborhood leaders and others will start poring over the document to see if it satisfies their concerns.
The report, required under the California Environmental Quality Act, is expected to go before the San Francisco Planning Commission Dec. 15. The commission will decide whether to certify that the report is a complete study of expected environmental impacts from the event.
Until the report is certified, building cannot start on several piers along San Francisco’s waterfront. That construction is necessary for America’s Cup teams to set up bases on Piers 30-32 and for race organizers to build an America’s Cup Village on Piers 27-29, which will be a hub of shopping, entertainment and race-day activities.
While America’s Cup planners hope certification happens in December, they are also wary of a possible lawsuit. Any shortcomings in the CEQA report could lead to lawsuits which could slow - or even stop - America’s Cup preparations.
Anyone can file a lawsuit by claiming the city’s CEQA review did not adequately study the environmental impacts.
A lawsuit does not automatically stop the project. It would be within the court’s discretion whether to issue an immediate injunction to stop America’s Cup preparations. A court also has discretion to require that the plaintiff post a bond if it orders a stop to preparations.
The 2013 America’s Cup is held up by city officials as much more than a prestigious sporting event taking place from Sept. 7-21. It is expected to be a job generator - creating work in construction, hospitality and many other industries - and an economy sparker, pumping upwards of $1 billion into the local economy by the time it concludes.
Related Stories
- SF Gate: S.F. America's Cup plan now much more vivid
- SF Examiner: America's Cup tries to clear air with anti-pollution rules
- NRDC Blog: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/dbailey/san_francisco_steps_up_to_addr.html
