[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 8, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41578-41579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-19889]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Record of Decision for the Replacement Pier and Dredging at Naval 
Station San Diego

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of record of decision.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy proposes replacement of two 
existing World War II era piers at Naval Station, San Diego, 
California, in order to more efficiently meet berthing, logistic and 
maintenance requirements for ships homeported in San Diego. After 
carefully weighing the operation needs, environmental impacts, and cost 
implications of the proposed action, the Department of the Navy 
announces its decision to demolish existing piers 10 and 11 and 
construct a single-deck, pile-supported replacement pier.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Grace S. Penafuerte, Naval 
Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest Division, 2585 Callagan 
Highway, Building 99, San Diego, CA 92136-5198; telephone 619-556-7773; 
fax 619-556-8929; or e-mail.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The text of the entire Record of Decision 
(ROD) is provided as follows:
    The Department of the Navy (DON), pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4331 et seq.) 
and the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) that 
implement NEPA procedures (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), prepared an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the environmental 
impacts of its proposal to demolish existing piers and construct a new 
pier at Naval Station San Diego, California. The DON considered four 
alternatives: (1) replacement of existing piers 10/11 or 11/12 with a 
pile-supported pier, disposal of approximately 715,600 cubic yards of 
dredged material at a designated open-ocean disposal site, and disposal 
of approximately 48,000 cubic yards of dredged material at nearby 
licensed upland sites after dewatering at a confined disposal facility; 
(2) replacement of existing piers 10/11 or 11/12 with a pile-supported 
pier, disposal of approximately 715,600 cubic yards of dredged material 
at a designated open-ocean disposal site, and disposal of approximately 
48,000 cubic yards of dredged material at distant licensed upland sites 
after dewatering on barges; (3) replacement of existing piers 10/11 or 
11/12 with a mole pier, disposal of approximately 715,600 cubic yards 
of dredged material at a designated open-ocean disposal site, and 
disposal of approximately 48,000 cubic yards of dredged material in a 
confined nearshore disposal site; and (4) no action. Alternative 1 is 
both the DON and the environmentally-preferred alternative.
    After carefully weighing operational requirements, environmental 
impacts, and costs, I have selected Alternative 1 as the best way to 
achieve the DON's proposed action. In evaluating the alternatives for 
pier replacement and dredging at Naval Station San Diego, I considered 
the following: berthing,

[[Page 41579]]

logistics, and maintenance requirements of ships currently homeported 
in the San Diego region; environmental impacts from pier demolition and 
construction, dredging, and dredged material disposal; associated 
project costs; and comments received during the EIS process from 
federal and state regulatory agencies, non-governmental organizations, 
and individuals.
    Implementation of Alternative 1 will include the following: (1) 
demolition of existing piers 10 and 11; (2) construction of a single-
deck, pile-supported replacement pier, 120 feet wide and 1,500 feet 
long; (3) dredging of the area under and surrounding the replacement 
pier to a depth of 37 feet below mean lower low water, with an 
estimated total dredge volume of 763,600 cubic yards; (4) disposal of 
approximately 715,600 cubic yards of dredged material suitable for 
ocean disposal at the LA-5 Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site; and 
(5) disposal of approximately 48,000 cubic yards of unsuitable dredged 
material at one or more licensed upland disposal sites after the 
dredged material is dewatered at a Confined Disposal Facility at Naval 
Station San Diego.

Environmental Impacts

    Direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of the proposed action and 
alternatives on water resources, biological resources, topography/
geology, air quality, health and safety, land use, noise, 
transportation, aesthetics, cultural resources, utilities, and the 
local economy were analyzed in the EIS. Environmental justice 
implications were analyzed as well. The DON determined that all 
potential environmental impacts from the proposed project would be less 
than significant, and that there would be no disproportionate adverse 
effects to minority or low income populations. The following paragraphs 
summarize impacts on environmental resources.

Water Resources

    Minor, localized impacts on water quality will result from 
resuspension of bottom sediments during demolition and construction 
activities. In addition, minor, localized reduction in water 
circulation will result from installation of pier pilings. A storm 
water pollution prevention plan will minimize impacts associated with 
soil erosion or spillage of hazardous substances during the 24-month 
construction period. Implementation of Best Management Practices 
specific to pier activities and incorporation of measures such as 
filtration devices will minimize potential for adding pollutants to 
stormwater runoff. California Coastal Commission has concurred that the 
proposed project is consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with 
enforceable policies of the California Coastal Program. The DON will 
obtain a dredging and disposal permit from the Corps of Engineers, and 
a Water Quality Certificate from the regional water quality board.

Biological Resources

    During construction, there will be a loss of less than two acres of 
foraging and resting habitat for marine birds. Disturbance and 
permanent loss of some marine plants and animals and their habitat will 
result from dredging and pier construction over the same localized 
area. Habitat characteristics, as well as limited context and intensity 
of potential effects result in less than significant impacts. While the 
analysis in the EIS concluded that there would be no significant 
impacts, the DON has agreed to implement two enhancement measures as 
part of the proposed action: (1) a study of California least tern 
foraging success around manmade, in-water structures in San Diego Bay 
and (2) creation of two fish habitat structures at the Naval Amphibious 
Base Enhancement Area using concrete from existing piers. 
Implementation of these enhancement measures is expected to advance 
ongoing efforts to protect the marine environment in San Diego Bay.

Air Quality

    Dredge equipment is expected to produce the largest impact on 
ambient air quality, emitting 33.5 tons of nitrogen oxides, but will 
not trigger dispersion modeling analysis for major sources. Alternative 
1 will not contribute to an exceedance of an ambient air quality 
standard, e.g. de minimis thresholds for nitrogen oxides, volatile 
organic compounds, and carbon monoxide.

Ground Transportation

    Vehicular volume from Alternative 1 will be less than 6 percent of 
the traffic volume on 8th Street (to and from Naval Station San Diego's 
Gate 9) and less than 2 percent of the volume on Interstate 5. 
Implementation of the DON's Traffic Control Plan will preclude truck 
movements on 8th Street near Gate 9 during peak commuting hours, 
prohibit the use of oversized construction vehicles on public roads, 
and designate specific truck traffic routes.

Utilities

    Ongoing operational utility demands will be similar to those at 
existing piers and will not use a substantial portion of remaining 
capacity. The replacement pier will incorporate and connect to an 
existing oily wastewater treatment system used at adjacent piers. 
Stormwater runoff will be accommodated by the existing basewide system, 
will be covered by the existing basewide storm water pollution 
prevention plan, and will incorporate best management practices. Pier 
construction will include a stormwater filtration system.

Response to Comments on the FEIS

    The DON received no comments on the FEIS.

Conclusions

    After carefully weighing all of the information and analysis 
presented during the EIS process, I have determined that Alternative 1 
best minimizes environmental impacts while meeting operational 
requirements of modern ships homeported in the San Diego region in a 
cost-effective manner.

    Dated: July 26, 2001.
Duncan Holaday,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Facilities).
[FR Doc. 01-19889 Filed 8-7-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P