Port of San Diego Honored with Statewide Awards for Planning, Education, and Environmental Stewardship
SAN DIEGO — The Port of San Diego has received three prestigious awards from the California Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP), earning statewide recognition for its leadership in planning, public education, and environmental analysis. The honors were presented at AEP’s annual conference and awards ceremony on April 7, 2025.
The awards highlight the Port’s continued efforts to balance development with environmental sustainability, promote community engagement, and plan for the long-term stewardship of San Diego Bay and its waterfront.
The Port was recognized for its Port Master Plan Update (PMPU), a document that outlines a 30-year vision for Port-managed lands along San Diego Bay. The update, which fulfills requirements under both the San Diego Unified Port District Act and the California Coastal Act, aims to address the evolving needs of the region while safeguarding the bay’s ecological integrity. The PMPU was honored in the category of Outstanding Planning Document, acknowledging its comprehensive approach to managing coastal access, land use, and environmental resources.
In addition to its long-term planning efforts, the Port was recognized in the Outstanding Public Involvement and Education Program category. The award specifically highlights the community outreach conducted during the development of the PMPU and the Pepper Park Improvements Project on the National City Bayfront. Over the course of the PMPU’s development, the Port facilitated extensive public participation through 21 events, nearly 500 stakeholder meetings, and more than 40 public Board hearings. Similarly, the design of Pepper Park’s upcoming renovations was shaped through a series of community workshops, surveys, and pop-up events aimed at gathering input from local residents. Construction on the park’s enhancements began in 2024.
The Port also received the award for Outstanding Environmental Analysis Document for its Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR), which accompanies the PMPU. The report assesses the environmental implications of the plan and outlines strategies to mitigate potential impacts. Key components of the PEIR include protections for sensitive habitats, promotion of air and water quality, and a framework for addressing long-term climate change risks such as sea-level rise and extreme weather events.
These latest awards from the statewide AEP organization follow earlier regional recognition from the San Diego Chapter of AEP in 2024, reaffirming the Port’s commitment to high standards in environmental planning and transparency.
The Port’s success in these efforts has also been supported by several consulting and planning firms, including Ascent Environmental, Ridgeline Environmental, Nexus Planning & Research, Civitas, Summit Planning Group, Intersecting Metrics, and Chen Ryan Associates.
Port officials say the recognition reflects a broader commitment to inclusive, forward-thinking development that centers both the people of the region and the health of the bay. The Port continues to emphasize collaboration and community participation as it shapes the waterfront for future generations.
