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Receive an informational update from staff on recent activities related to the Collinsville Special Study Area and potential shipbuilding opportunities and provide possible direction to staff on next steps
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors receive an informational update from staff on recent activities related to the Collinsville Special Study Area and potential shipbuilding opportunities and provide possible direction to staff on next steps.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Collinsville Special Study Area was identified in the 2008 General Plan (Attachment A) as a long-term opportunity site for water-dependent industrial development, due to its unique location along the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta with potential deepwater access. Earlier studies, including the 1989 Collinsville–Montezuma Hills Development Study, recognized it as the largest vacant West Coast site reserved for heavy or marine-related industry, with potential long-term competitiveness for major facilities such as marine terminals or large-scale manufacturing.
At its April 22, 2025 meeting, the Board received a background report on the Collinsville Water Dependent Industrial area, including its history, allowable uses under the General Plan, and applicable policies and zoning. The Board also encouraged project proponents, including California Forever, to directly engage with the County on the shipbuilding concept and provided direction to staff on next steps regarding jurisdictional coordination with the cities.
In recent months, interest has intensified in evaluating Collinsville’s suitability for advanced shipbuilding and related industries, consistent with federal and State efforts to strengthen maritime and defense supply chains. Flannery Associates LLC/California Forever, the predominant landowner in the area and project proponent, has expressed interest in advancing planning efforts for this purpose. Staff has begun coordinating with California Forever, State agencies including the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), and industry representatives to assess site feasibility, infrastructure requirements, and workforce opportunities. Importantly, the 2008 General Plan and its certified Environmental Impact Report provide a program-level CEQA foundation and does not address specific project impacts in the area, however it could form a basis for streamlined future environmental review for projects consistent with the area’s designation.
In addition, the County Administrator transmitted a letter of support on July 15, 2025 (Attachment B) to the national site selection committee in support of Solano County’s candidacy for a next-generation shipyard. On September 3, 2025, the County Administrator sent a follow-up letter (Attachment C) to Assembly Member Lori Wilson and Senator Christopher Cabaldon outlining principles for any potential legislation to ensure alignment with the County’s General Plan and voter-approved Measure T, and to safeguard local residents and taxpayers. Legislative discussions are ongoing to evaluate whether targeted actions could streamline entitlements and make the area more competitive for shipbuilding site selection. A recent timeline of communications and activities is included as Attachment D.
Next Steps
In tandem with the Board’s direction provided on April 22, 2025, staff will continue engagement with California Forever as well as with GO-Biz, federal agencies, and industry representatives to evaluate the Collinsville Special Study Area’s potential for shipbuilding and other water-dependent industrial uses. Consistent with the Board’s action, staff will encourage project proponents to work directly with the County on the details of any proposal and the steps needed to achieve General Plan compliance. This effort will also include updating information from earlier studies on infrastructure and environmental constraints, such as levee protection, transportation access, and utility availability. Board input at this stage will help guide the level of staff engagement with California Forever and other stakeholders and determine how the County positions Collinsville for future economic development opportunities consistent with the 2008 General Plan and certified EIR.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost for preparation of this staff report is nominal and included in the Department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget. Any costs associated with processing any entitlements should be paid by the project proponent.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to receive the report. Such action is not recommended as an update was requested by the Board and there is significant interest in the community on this issue.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This report is a collaborative effort of Resource Management, the CAO’s office and County Counsel.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION