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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupplemental Information Received at Meeting - Brochure "Environmental Assessment for the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Ammunition Pier and Turning BasinENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE NAVAL WEAPONS STATION SEAL BEACH AMMUNITIO PIER AND TURNING BASIN 4 t ntroduction +lit' ^•iOi r' � �l �i;, .; y. Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach is the primary munitions installation for the Navy's Pacific Fleet surface ships. Its primary role is to store and maintain Navy and Marine Corps munitions, such as missiles, torpedoes, and gun ammunition, and to load and unload Navy ships and larger Coast Guard vessels with the munitions they need to conduct their missions. Ships are loaded and unloaded in Anaheim Bay at the installation's ammunition wharf, which was originally constructed during World War II and largely rebuilt in 1953. The wharf's current condition, capacity, and configuration do not meet the Navy's needs. Specifically, the current wharf has the following limitations: • Built before the introduction of modem earthquake codes • Unable to support the loading of two medium -sized ships at the same time • Too small to dock larger ships such as helicopter carriers • Security and safety concerns from adjacent civilian small boat traffic traversing Anaheim Bay and vehicular traffic on Pacific Coast Highway The Navy is moving more of its ships from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, and the overall size of the Navy fleet is increasing. For these reasons, there will be an increase in the number of ships that Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach will be required to support. The next nearest major weapons station port is Indian Island, Washington, which is a 2,400 - nautical -mile round trip from the fleet bases in San Diego. The Navy proposes to construct: A replacement ammunition pier (approximately 1,100 -feet by 125 -feet) • Associated waterfront facilities, causeway, and truck turnaround A new public navigational channel inside the current breakwater for civilian boat traffic traveling to and from Huntington Harbour The project would include dredging for the proposed pier, turning basin, and new public navigational channel. The new pier would be built to current earthquake standards, would be able to support future fleet requirements, and would provide greater separation between Navy operations and civilian activity in Anaheim Bay and along Pacific Coast Highway. The existing wharf is more than 60 years old. was built before the inception of modern earthquake codes, and is past its design life. The project would have public benefits and would result in safer, more efficient naval operations. • The new pier would meet current earthquake standards. • The project would support the loading of more than one medium -sized ship at a time, allowing the Navy to quickly deploy ships overseas. • The project would enable larger ships to safely enter Anaheim Bay for loading or unloading at the new pier. • A new public navigational channel to and from Huntington Harbour may reduce disruptions to boaters during Navy ship transits, high - security conditions, and exercises. • The project would provide greater separation between Navy operations and civilian activity in Anaheim Bay and along Pacific Coast Highway, promoting increased safety and security. Construction activities would be planned so that civilian boaters could safely transit through Anaheim Bay to and from Huntington Harbour. The expected duration for construction would be approximately 2.5 to 3 years. Environmental Assessment During development of the Draft EA, the Navy evaluated the Proposed Action and several alternatives that would fulfill or potentially fulfill the purpose and need. Alternative 1 is the Navy's preferred alternative because it best meets the purpose of and need for the Proposed Action. Implementation of Alternative 1 provides the most cost effective construction alternative without resulting in significant impacts on the environment. During planning and construction, the Navy would work closely with regulatory agencies to minimize impacts on the public and environment. Construction activities would include pile driving, which could impact environmental resources. The Navy would implement the measures described in the Draft EA to minimize environmental impacts during construction. No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, the Proposed Action would not occur. As required by federal law, the No Action Alternative is carried forward for analysis in the EA, and provides a baseline for measuring the environmental impacts of the action alternatives. The No Action Alternative does not meet the Navy's purpose and need. Alternative 1 (Preferred Alternative) Alternative 2 Table 1: Summary of Alternatives Alternative 3 Proposed Construction Activities Alternative 1 (Preferred Alternative) Alt Alternative 2 Alternative 3 New ammunition pier (at end of south mole) X X X X X X X X New ammunition pier (parallel to south mole) Public navigational channel (within Anaheim Bay jetty) X Public navigational channel (outside Anaheim Bay jetty) New offshore breakwater and entrance jetties New breakwater (within the harbor) X Fixed floating barrier (within the harbor) X Moveable floating barrier (at harbor entrance) X LA All of the action alternatives propose waterfront facilities, a causeway, utilities, reduction and relocation of barge moorings, turning basin, truck turnaround, security fencing, and lighting. Summary of Draft EA Findings .2 �q fA The following is a summary of the potential impacts the Proposed Action and alternatives would have on environmental resource areas or issues studied in the Draft EA. Air Quality and Climate Change Construction equipment would comply with state and local air quality rules, regulations, and requirements. There would be air quality impacts from the use of construction equipment, such as vehicles, work boats, dredging equipment, and heavy construction equipment. Once construction is completed, operational emissions would increase due to additional ship calls and larger vessels accessing the port. The Navy is working closely with the South Coast Air Quality Management District to reduce potential impacts from construction and operations. The South Coast Air Quality Management District has confirmed that the potential emissions increase would be within the emissions budget of the approved Air Quality Management Plan. 3iological Resources The Navy has been working closely with the National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to address potential impacts on endangered species and habitat. There would be impacts from construction activities, including from pile driving and removing habitat. The Navy would reduce potential impacts by: • Using a "soft start" method to pile driving • Using qualified observers to look out for sea turtles and marine mammals • Delaying or stopping pile driving when a sea turtle or marine mammal is in the area • Conducting weekly surveys for nesting birds • Conducting a pre- construction and post - construction eelgrass survey • Creating new eelgrass beds to offset eelgrass losses from dredging tl- Cultural Resources No archaeological resources or traditional cultural properties are known to exist within the area associated with the Proposed Action and alternatives. Additionally, no facilities within the area of potential effects are listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Although Anaheim Landing California Historical Landmark #219 is near the project area, implementation of the Proposed Action would not alter either the historical context associated with Anaheim Bay or the current visual environment consistent with that ongoing usage. Threatened and Endangered Species The Navy has been working with the National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to address any potential adverse effects on threatened and endangered species in the area, including: Salt Marsh Bird's Beak: This endangered vegetation species has not been confirmed in recent years as occurring on the installation and was considered extirpated in 1997. • Three federally listed bird species are known to occur at the installation, all of which are associated with the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge or Anaheim Bay coastal and marsh habitats. Of these species, the light- footed Ridgway's rail and western snowy plover are potentially present at the installation year- round, and the California least tern is a migrant species present during the spring and summer for breeding. Individual birds would be expected to move away from the area during construction activities. A Navy - approved biologist would conduct weekly monitoring for nesting birds. • Green Sea Turtle: During construction, dredging, and pile driving, the anticipated increase in underwater noise would likely cause sea turtles to leave the area near active construction activities. This impact would temporarily keep the sea turtles from utilizing bay habitat and foraging in the bay. Measures would be implemented, such as a "soft start" to pile driving, use of qualified observers to identify the presence of green sea turtles, and delaying or stopping pile driving when a sea turtle enters or nears the construction area (505 meters). Geological Resources In implementing the Proposed Action, topography within Anaheim Bay would be altered to allow for the turning basin and new public navigational channel. In addition, suitable dredge material would be used to create the causeway and truck turnaround. The proposed pier, causeway, and truck turnaround would be constructed high enough in elevation to withstand a 100 -year storm event and predicted sea level rise. Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Through proper management, monitoring, and sampling, implementation of the project would not result in significant impacts from hazardous materials and wastes. The Navy adheres to applicable laws, rules, and regulations to ensure safety when handling these materials. Infrastructure The Proposed Action would require additional utilities that would be connected to the new ammunition pier and associated waterfront facilities. There would be electrical connections to new support structures, potable water, sewer, storm drainage, fire protection, and communications. Although utilities would tie into existing locations and would replace usage from the previous facilities, there would be an increase in usage. However, this increase would be relatively minor and would not surpass the installation's network capacity. Land Use, Recreation, and Coastal Zone Management The Proposed Action would be consistent with existing land use plans, and the Navy would ensure that any action taken would be consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the California Coastal Management Program. Noise Noise would be temporary. The Navy would manage noise to reduce impacts on the community. There would be noise from construction activities, including pile driving, truck traffic, and cargo movement. Noise from pile driving would be intermittent, and due to its distance from shore, the sound level heard on shore would be similar to existing road noise levels. Public Health and Safety The project would provide greater separation between Navy operations and the public, which would improve public safety. Although construction could result in temporary noise and dust, there would be no significant impact on public health or safety. Socioeconomics During construction, the community would benefit through the creation of construction jobs. However, any increase in the workforce would be negligible compared to the existing population of the surrounding communities. Businesses in retail sales and food services may see an increase in revenue associated with the daily influx of construction workers. After project completion, businesses could benefit from the potentially larger number of Sailors on liberty whenever ships are in port. Transportation Road Traffic: The project would result in a temporary increase in minor, short-term, and intermittent traffic on Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach from construction equipment accessing the project site, and personnel coming to and leaving the base on Seal Beach Boulevard and Westminster Avenue. Boat Traffic: The Navy would construct the public navigational channel before the causeway or the pier so that civilian boat traffic can continue to travel to and from Huntington Harbour while construction is occurring. Navigational markers would be in place to guide boaters during construction. There would be a maximum of two barges per week entering Anaheim Bay to deliver piles and other equipment. Visual Resources The new ammunition pier would change existing views for residences, beach goers, and motorists in the area. While views through the base to the coastline would be obstructed for some residences along Seal Way when certain types of ships are in port, the obstruction would be temporary, and overall views would continue to be consistent with the marine - industrial character of the area. A ship is in port up to 50 times per year, typically for two to five days at a time, depending on the class of ship. Water Resources Impacts on water quality would be temporary, and would include project - related construction and demolition debris, dust, storm water runoff, turbidity, and sediment. There is the potential for water contamination by accidental fuel spills during construction activities, but best management practices would be in place to avoid potential impacts on water quality. Absorbent booms, oil skimmers, and/or vacuum trucks would be used throughout the term of the project in case of an accidental spill. To reduce the potential impacts of increased turbidity from dredging and sediment disposal and reuse, the Navy would monitor the turbidity of waters surrounding the dredge footprint to determine the need for additional turbidity control measures. In addition, all in -water work would comply with federal and state requirements and permits. Ocean circulation • Current velocities would slightly increase around the new public navigational channel. • Flushing time would be similar to existing conditions, but would change within Huntington Harbour and Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge. • Flow from Huntington Harbour through the new public navigational channel may result in erosion near the mouth of the channel and deposition near the new causeway. A channel bank revetment would be created to avoid channel erosion and scouring. Waves Tidal wave height would not change. • Water surface elevation in Huntington Harbour would be slightly reduced by 1 foot to 0.5 foot. Beach erosion • Beach erosion would not increase. • Dredged material from construction activities could be provided for beach replenishment. Wetlands • Overall tidal flushing would likely increase within the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge. • Suspended sediment concentration would slightly decrease throughout most of the southern portion of the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, and slightly increase further inland. The NEPA Process and Community Involvement The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to consider the potential environmental impacts of their actions before making a decision. The Navy involved the public early in the environmental review process to ensure that community concerns are taken into account and addressed. The public has an opportunity to provide input at key phases of the NEPA process: • During the public scoping phase The public helped identity environmental issues and potential alternatives to be analyzed in the EA. The Navy received 54 comments during the scoping period and held an open house informational meeting where more than 110 people attended. • When the Draft EA is completed The public can provide comments on the analysis of the Proposed Action and alternatives. Public Review and Comment Period The Draft EA is available for public comment through May 30, 2017. During the public review and comment period, the Navy is holding a public meeting to inform the community about the Proposed Action and to provide an opportunity for the public to ask questions and submit comments on the environmental analysis presented in the Draft EA. To be most helpful, comments should address: • Any important issues or concerns that should be considered by the decision- makers and are not already included in the Draft EA • Any errors in the evaluation of potential environmental impacts that could change the conclusions made in the Draft EA • Any additional facts or data the Navy should consider before preparing the Final EA Any decision as to whether to move forward with the project would not be made until environmental studies are complete and the NEPA process has been completed. Public Meeting The Navy invites the public to an open house meeting on: Tuesday, May 16, 2017, 4 to 7 p.m. Marina Community Center 151 Marina Drive Seal Beach, CA 90740 National Environmental Poliry Act Process Boxes with' indicate opportunities for public involvement. ' u 151 Marina Drive Seal Beach CA 90740 ° lip i tin f G How to Submit Comments Submit written comments online: httpsJ /SealSeachEA.conV Mail written comments to: Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest Attn: Code JE20.TB 1220 Pacific Highway, Building 131 San Diego, CA 92132 https: / /Seal Beach EA.corrV Comments must be submitted by the close of the public comment period on-Tuesday, May 30, 2017. All timely and substantive comments will be considered in preparation of the Final EA. For More Information Visit https: //SealBeachEA.ConV Contact the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Public Affairs Office at 562- 626 -7215