[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 20, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48695-48696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-23279]



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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Record of Decision to Upgrade the Wastewater Treatment System in 
the San Onofre Basin of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA

    Pursuant to Section 102(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, and the Council of Environmental Quality Regulations 
(40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the Department of the Navy announces its 
decision to upgrade the wastewater treatment system in the San Onofre 
Basin of Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Pendleton, California. This 
upgrade will construct twelve new percolation basins; about 30 acres in 
total size and located down stream of existing potable water wells; a 
new pumping station; and a 5.76 mile pipeline from sewage treatment 
plants 10 and 11 to the new percolation ponds. 

[[Page 48696]]

    Sewage treatment plants 10 and 11 were constructed in the 1950's 
and discharge secondary treated effluent to percolation basins adjacent 
to San Onofre Creek, upstream of potable water wells that serve 
developments within San Onofre Basin. This condition violates the San 
Diego Water Quality Control Basin Plan, the State of California Porter 
Cologne Water Quality Act of 1969, and the National Pollution Discharge 
Elimination System requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control 
Act of 1972. As a result of these violations, the San Diego Regional 
Water Quality Control Board issued a Cease and Desist Order to MCB Camp 
Pendleton in January 1989.
    Alternatives considered for correcting the conditions cited in the 
Cease and Desist order included no action, water disposal of effluent, 
and land disposal of effluent. Water disposal alternatives included 
construction of an ocean outfall or via live-stream discharge of either 
secondary- or tertiary-treated effluent. Land disposal alternatives 
included construction of new percolation basins, leach fields, deep 
vertical injection wells, biological ponds, discharge to an off-base 
publicly owned treatment facility, and amendment of the Basin Plan. The 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) identified discharge of 
secondary-treated effluents to new percolation basins located 
downstream from existing potable water wells as the preferred 
alternative. This alternative was identified in the Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (FEIS) as the environmentally preferred alternative.
    A systematic and multi-disciplinary approach was utilized which 
incorporated criteria based upon technical suitability, economic 
feasibility, and compliance with applicable environmental regulations. 
The analysis determined that the preferred alternative is the only 
alternative that meets all criteria. This alternative is 
environmentally preferable to the alternatives considered, and all 
practicable means to avoid or minimize environmental harm have been 
adopted as identified below and amplified in the Environmental Impact 
Statement.
    Percolation basin construction will involve grading and excavation. 
A soil erosion control plan will be prepared for project construction. 
It will include restricting grading and excavation during the rainy 
season, restricting heavy equipment to existing rights-of-way, 
installing sediment control measures, and post-construction 
revegetation.
    The California gnatcatcher, a federally listed threatened species, 
is present near the percolation basin and pipeline sites. The U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service expressed in their biological opinion that the 
project is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of this 
species. Project impacts include a temporary loss of 0.3 acres coastal 
sage scrub, the preferred habitat of this species, temporary loss of 
1.5 acres of valley needlegrass habitat, and temporary loss of 3.0 
acres of riparian habitat during construction of the pipeline. A 
permanent loss of 3.5 acres of coastal sage scrub will occur due to 
construction of the percolation basins. To mitigate these impacts, the 
Marine Corps will regrade, replant, and restore the temporarily 
impacted vegetative communities and will create 2.85 acres of new 
coastal sage scrub habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurs 
in this mitigation scheme.
    In compliance with the biological opinion issued for the project, 
the Marine Corps will conduct water quality monitoring of areas 
potentially impacted by possible nutrient loading of coastal waters due 
to operations of the percolation basins. Should changes in water 
quality be detected the Marine Corps will consult with the San Diego 
Regional Water Quality Control Board and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service to implement appropriate measures.
    The proposed action will not affect archeological, cultural, or 
historic resources listed, or determined eligible for listing on the 
National Register of Historic Places. The California State Historic 
Preservation Officer concurs with this determination.
    Analysis of air emissions that would occur during construction and 
operation of the percolation ponds determined that these emissions will 
be below de minimis levels and that the project conforms with the State 
Implementation Plan for air quality.
    A Coastal Consistency Determination was prepared for this project 
and it concluded that the proposed action is being carried out in a 
manner consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with the 
enforceable policies of the California Coastal Management Plan. The 
California Coastal Commission concurs with this determination.
    Preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement began with a 
public scoping process to identify issues that should be addressed in 
the document. Involvement in scoping was offered through a combination 
of documented public announcements and meetings with State of 
California agencies. Public announcements were handled through scoping 
letters sent to Federal, State, and local governmental agencies, 
citizen groups and associations, and the general public. Also, a Notice 
of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement was published in 
local newspapers and the Federal Register. A public scoping meeting was 
held on October 17, 1991 in Oceanside, California.
    The Notice of Availability of the DEIS appeared in the Federal 
Register on January 13, 1995. The DEIS was distributed to officials of 
Federal, State and local governmental agencies, citizens groups and 
associations, public libraries, and to other interested parties. The 
public review period for the DEIS was from January 13, 1995 through 
March 6, 1995. Comments received on the DEIS focused on alternative 
analysis and endangered species issues. The FEIS addressed these 
comments and was distributed to officials of Federal, State and local 
governmental agencies, citizens groups and associations, public 
libraries, and to other interested parties on July 21, 1995. No 
comments were received on the FEIS.
    The Department of the Navy believes that there are no outstanding 
issues to be resolved with respect to this project. Questions regarding 
the Environmental Impact Statement prepared for this action may be 
directed to Mr. Lupe Armas, Assistant Chief of Staff, Environmental 
Security, MCB Camp Pendleton, CA 92055, telephone (619) 725-4512.

    Dated: September 14, 1995.
Duncan Holaday,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Facilities).
[FR Doc. 95-23279 Filed 9-19-95; 8:45 am]
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