HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1 lee:� .1=,.— I; ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY TEM NUMBER
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.ticA o_RN,P,%' STAFF REPORT
TO: Environmental Quality Control Board
FROM: Interim Director of Community Development
MEETING DATE: May 25, 2017
SUBJECT: SCHEDULED ITEM - DISCUSSION
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR
AMMUNITION PIER AND TURNING BASIN
NAVAL WEAPONS STATION SEAL BEACH
LOCATION: Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Environmental
Quality Control Board review the Environmental
Assessment, provide comments and/or
recommendations, and authorize the chair to
sign a letter incorporating these comments in
response to the Environmental Assessment
prepared for the Ammunition Pier and Turning
Basin.
EA for Ammunition Pier 8 Tuming Basin NWSSB
May 25, 2017
DISCUSSION:
The U.S. Navy is proposing to construct a replacement ammunition pier, associated
waterfront facilities, .causeway, truck turnaround, and public navigational channel within
the Anaheim Bay at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach (NWSSB). The Navy has
prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze the potential impacts of its
proposal. The project would include dredging for the proposed pier and turning basin, as
well as for the new public navigational channel that would separate Navy ships from
civilian boats traveling to and from Huntington Harbor.
The purpose of the Proposed Action is to sustain and enhance mission capability by
eliminating deficiencies associated with the condition, configuration, and capacity of the
existing wharf and turning basin at NWSSB. The Navy has identified that the existing
wharf is past its design life and limits NWSSB's ability to fully meet its assigned mission.
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 wharfs current condition, capacity, and configuration do not
meet the Navy's needs.
The proposed action for Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach (NWSSB) identifies that the
United States Department of the Navy proposes to construct an approximately 1,100 ft.
by 125 ft. replacement ammunition pier and associated waterfront facilities at NWSSB.
The action would include dredging to accommodate the proposed pier, turning basin, and
public navigational channel to Huntington Harbor. The Navy identified three potential pier
reconfiguration alternatives for accomplishing its goal of enhancing mission capability.
These alternatives were assessed through the preparation of a Draft Environmental
Assessment in compliance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA).
The NEPA process is meant to ensure that the environmental impacts of proposed major
federal actions are considered in the decision-making process. The Navy has prepared
an Environmental Assessment (EA) as the lead agency, with the U.S. Coast Guard as a
cooperating agency; in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The Environmental Assessment presents an analysis of the potential environmental
impacts of reconfiguring the existing Ammunition Pier and dredging the Anaheim Bay.
At the May 25, 2017 Environmental Quality Control Board (EQCB) meeting Gregg
Smith, the Public.Affairs Officer for Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, will provide the
Board with a description of the project, including the Navy's preference for Alternative 1,
and be available to answer any questions. The Board will be asked to provide any
concerns, comrrients, or recommendations that they would like to have included in a
letter of response to the Environmental Assessment.
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EA for Ammunition Pier& Turning Basin NWSSB
May 25, 2017
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Environmental Quality Control Board listen to the presentation,
discuss and provide comments, concerns, and recommendations then authorize the chair
to sign a letter in response to the Draft Environmental Assessment prepared by the U.S.
Department of the Navy, for Ammunition Pier and Turning Basin at Naval Weapons
Station Seal Beach.
si
Cr+stal Lan:a_.'C
interim Direc or of Community Development
Attachments: (1)
ATTACHMENT 1: Environmental Assessment for Ammunition Pier and Turning
Basin — Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach
(Previously delivered on May 11, 2017)
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EA for Ammunition Pier& Turning Basin NWSSB
May 25, 2017
ATTACHMENT 1
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR
AMMUNITION PIER AND TURNING BASIN
NAVAL WEAPONS STATION SEAL BEACH
(Previously delivered on May 11, 2017)
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