PG&E Kicks Off Second Year of Environmental Cleanup Work Near Fisherman’s Wharf

This summer, PG&E kicked off the second year of environmental cleanup work near Pier 41½ in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. This comes on the heels of a successful first year of work near Pier 43 and Pier 43½. The project will improve Bay water quality and support future maritime operations. Some year-two activities include:

• Dredging and removing over 42,000 cubic yards of impacted Bay sediment
• Installing 500+ wooden pin piles to protect the slope of the dredged areas and shoreline from seismic activity
• Installing 50,000 tons of sand and rock materials to cap deeper impacts, protecting water quality during future Port of San Francisco dredging activities
• Installing a grout mattress under Pier 41 to protect deeper sediments against future boat activity
• Installing monitoring equipment to track the remediation progress

This second year involves removing over twice as much impacted sediment as in 2025. All work must be completed in the permitted work window (June through November). Working within this timeframe helps protect steelhead and salmon.

“Successfully completing dredging, barging and offloading activities in 2025 allowed us to create a blueprint for this year, but there are unique challenges at every project location we must prepare for,” Rob Saur, PG&E’s consulting remediation project manager.

PG&E is leading the cleanup, but progress involves close coordination and oversight by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. PG&E also worked with other project partners including the Port of San Francisco, maritime tenants, neighbors and businesses.

Part of the work required the Blue and Gold Fleet to make temporary operational changes. Changes are in effect from May 2026 through early 2027. Blue & Gold Fleet vessels temporarily relocated from Pier 41. Blue & Gold Fleet’s Bay Cruises, charter services and Rocket Boat are not impacted. These vessels will continue to operate out of Pier 39.

Blue & Gold Fleet will use this time to make upgrades to their fleet and docks. This includes repowering The Bay Monarch. In addition, new docks, gangways and piles will be installed at Pier 41. These improvements will enhance access and the Bay-side visitor experience.

“This is both an environmental necessity and a long-term investment in our fleet and waterfront infrastructure,” Pat Murphy, Blue & Gold Fleet’s president, added. “This project demonstrates how waterfront partners can work together to improve the health of the Bay while strengthening maritime operations for the future. The maritime community has a long history of collaboration, and that spirit continues as we navigate this important work together.”

PG&E is making sure the work prioritizes community health and safety. That includes the robust marine life in the San Francisco Bay. Last year there was a record number of whales in the Bay. PG&E will use National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-approved monitors to protect the whales and other marine mammal species. PG&E also continues to share plans with The Marine Mammal Center to ensure a detailed approach to marine mammal protections.

PG&E has a longstanding commitment to serve the planet. This project is one of the many ways they deliver on this purpose. Learn more about PG&E’s efforts to take responsibility and cleanup legacy contamination.

Contact us

If you have any questions about this project, call (415) 973-0270 or email remediation@pge.com. For more information about the project, visit sfport.com/beachstreet or pge.com/mgp.