Inside the Port of San Diego

If you’ve spent time along the tidelands of San Diego Bay, did you know you were enjoying the state lands entrusted to the Port of San Diego?The Port of San Diego was created by the state Legislature to manage San Diego Bay and surrounding waterfront land on December 18, 1962.The Port has operated without tax dollars since 1970 and has been responsible for $1.5 billion in public improvements in its five member cities: Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City, San Diego The Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, a cruise ship terminal, 17 public parks, various wildlife reserves and environmental initiatives, a Harbor Police department and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub-tenant businesses around San Diego Bay. The Port is governed by a seven-member Board of Port Commissioners; one commissioner each is appointed by the city councils of Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach and National City, and three commissioners are appointed by the San Diego City Council.“The Port of San Diego could not exist without its partners,” said Robert “Dukie” Valderrama, Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners. “Because of them, the Port is able to fulfill its mission and its roles as an economic engine, community service provider, environmental steward and provider of public safety.”