DATE: November 14, 2023
SUBJECT:
Title
DISTRICT'S BLUE ECONOMY INCUBATOR HYPERKELP PILOT PROJECT
A) ADOPT A RESOLUTION FINDING THE FOLLOWING BOARD ACTION EXEMPT UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA), INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CEQA GUIDELINES SECTIONS 15301, 15303, 15304, 15306, and 15311; AND
B) ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT UNDER THE DISTRICT'S BLUE ECONOMY INCUBATOR WITH HYPERKELP INC. FOR A 2-YEAR PILOT PROJECT TO DEVELOP, TEST, AND VALIDATE A SMART BUOY PLATFORM TAILORED FOR VARIOUS PORT MONITORING APPLICATIONS FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $250,000. FUNDING FOR THE PROPOSED PILOT PROJECT IS INCLUDED IN THE APPROVED FY 2024 ECONOMIC RECOVERY PROGRAM BUDGET
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The District's Blue Economy Incubator (BEI) assists in the creation, development and scaling of new Blue Economy business ventures in and around San Diego Bay. The program acts as a launch pad for sustainable aquaculture and Port-related blue tech ventures by removing barriers to early-stage companies and providing key assets and support services focused on pilot project facilitation. BEI pilot project proposals are reviewed following a four-step cross-departmental due diligence process, culminating in a staff recommendation to the Board of Port Commissioners. The review and selection process balances each proposal's potential social and environmental benefit, alignment with the District's core mission and Public Trust obligation, as well as potential financial return on investment.
To date, the District has approved the launch of nine (9) pilot projects, and a reinvestment in seaweed aquaculture, with projects ranging from shellfish nursery operations; copper remediation technology; a drive-in Boatwash; a smart marina application; a marine debris removal vessel; seaweed aquaculture; bio-enhancing shoreline armoring; a new approach to soil remediation in marine environments, and a real-time field-testing sensor device for stormwater monitoring. ...
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