The Sierra Club has filed a second appeal this week against the environmental impact report for the America's Cup in San Francisco.
The environmental group's San Francisco chapter on Wednesday filed the appeal, primarily in response to concerns about the planned placement of a floating Jumbotron screen at Aquatic Park, said Rebecca Evans, the group's chairwoman.
The screen has the potential to create air and water pollution and disturb the mud at the bottom of the swimming area, Evans said. In addition, it will have a negative impact on the regular users of Aquatic Park.
"It's not the Sierra Club's intention to stop the event," Evans said. "We know it's important to the city and we just want it to be green and sustainable and in accordance with the laws."
A previous appeal was filed Dec. 16 by a coalition of the Telegraph Hill Dwellers, San Francisco Tomorrow, the Golden Gate Audubon Society and Waterfront Watch. The groups asked for expanded analysis of issues including the impacts on neighborhoods near the waterfront, a concern echoed in the Sierra Club's appeal.
Plans for the America's Cup include the construction of a new cruise ship terminal at Pier 27, as well as a new marina and venues for entertainment and spectator areas, team bases and media and hospitality services.
America's Cup World Series races are scheduled to start in August 2012, followed by the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America's Cup Challenger Series in July 2013 and the America's Cup Finals in September 2013.
The Board of Supervisors was expected to consider the first appeal on Tuesday. Evans said she now expects the two appeals to be consolidated and heard together on Jan. 24.
Calls to the mayor's office of communications and the America's Cup Event Authority were not returned.
Bay City News
