[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 31, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16080-16082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7183]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Basewide Water Infrastructure and Stuart Mesa Bridge Replacement 
Projects at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, San Diego County, CA

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Section 102(2)(c) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332 (2) (c)), as 
implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR 
Parts 1500-1508), the Department of the Navy intends to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and conduct a public scoping 
meeting for the proposed replacement of the Stuart Mesa Bridge and 
installation and operation of water infrastructure improvements 
throughout Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (MCBCP) in San Diego 
County, California.

DATES: The Department of the Navy will review all comments received 
during the 30-day public scoping period, which starts with the 
publication of this Notice of Intent. A public scoping meeting, using 
an informal open house format, will be held in the San Clemente 
Community Center, 100 North Calle Seville, San Clemente, California 
92672, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 16, 2010. The meeting will be 
announced by notices published in the North County Times and San 
Clemente Sun Post News. The public is invited to attend the meeting at 
their convenience during the meeting hours and can view project-related 
displays and speak with Department of the Navy and MCBCP 
representatives and resource staff. A court reporter will be available 
at the meeting to accept oral comments.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the scope of the MCBCP Basewide Water 
Infrastructure and Stuart Mesa Bridge Replacement EIS should be 
directed to: Mr. Jesse Martinez, Naval Facilities Engineering Command 
(NAVFAC) Southwest, 1220 Pacific Highway, San Diego, California 92132. 
Written comments may also be submitted via fax at 619-532-4160, or e-
mailed to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jesse Martinez, NAVFAC Southwest 
at telephone 619-532-3844, fax 619-532-4160, or e-mail: 
[email protected].
    Purpose and Need: The proposed action is needed to modernize and 
expand the capacity and capability of MCBCP's aging (1940s/1950s era) 
potable water system and roadway infrastructure. Due to the existing 
potable water system infrastructure's lack of redundancy/backup and its 
continued deteriorating condition, portions of MCBCP have experienced 
more frequent interruptions to water delivery services. Wildfires have 
also damaged system components (e.g. power feeds, pump stations, pipes, 
etc.), with resulting service interruptions. As the potable water 
system continues to age, and as demand increases, the frequency of the 
interruptions will also increase, adversely affecting MCBCP's mission. 
Repairs to and maintenance actions for the system are becoming more 
frequent and more expensive.
    In the case of the roadway system, the Stuart Mesa Bridge, together 
with nearby roadway segments and the adjacent intersection of Stuart 
Mesa Road and Vandegrift Boulevard, represents a critical roadway 
connection on the main internal north-south connector in the southern 
and western portions of MCBCP. The roadway link has been severed in the 
past by flooding, underscoring the need for an all-weather solution.
    The purpose of the proposed action is to enhance the ability of 
MCBCP to efficiently meet its mission by developing new or upgraded, 
reliable, and compliant infrastructure systems necessary to sustain 
military training and operations and quality of life services on MCBCP. 
The purpose is to provide (1) secure and more effective use of water 
resources, improved potable water quality and capacity, treatment and 
delivery capabilities, and water system redundancy necessary to 
reliably and efficiently deliver potable water in the northern region 
of MCBCP; (2) improved delivery of Basewide water services during 
periods of scheduled, unscheduled, and emergency system interruption; 
and (3) roadway improvements necessary to maintain efficient all-
weather traffic accessibility to key areas in the southern portion of 
MCBCP that are now severed during periodic flooding in the vicinity of 
the Stuart Mesa Bridge.
    The water infrastructure projects were initially included in the 
November 12, 2008, Notice of Intent (NOI) for MCBCP's Basewide 
Utilities Infrastructure project (73 FR 66879). These two water 
infrastructure projects were removed from that EIS for potential re-
design and to develop additional alternatives for analysis. These two 
water infrastructure projects are independent of the Basewide Utilities 
Infrastructure projects and meet different needs.

Preliminary Alternatives

    The EIS will address the proposed alternative sites, alignments, 
and construction methods as described below.

Advanced Water Treatment (AWT) North and Associated Facilities (MILCON 
P-1044)

    Four alternatives involving a combination of two AWT sites and two 
pipeline routes are being evaluated. All alternatives include 
construction of a 54,000-square-foot AWT facility, 80,000 linear feet 
(LF) of new and replacement water lines, pump stations with emergency 
generators, connection to existing reservoirs and distribution system, 
a brine disposal system, and plant access improvements. The proposed 
AWT facility would process up to 7.5 million gallons per day (mgd) and 
would include micro-filtration, granulated activated carbon, and 
reverse osmosis. The facility would be designed in modular form for 
ease of expandability; however there are no current plans for 
expansion.
    Alternative 1. Under this alternative the AWT facility would be 
constructed at a location about 1500 feet south of Basilone Road (Site 
6). Raw water, treated water, and brine would be conveyed via new 
proposed lines. Raw water lines would extend from the existing wells to 
the AWT facility. Treated water lines would extend from the AWT 
facility to the west to serve the San Onofre Housing Areas and the 51 
Area (San Onofre); to the north to serve the 62 Area (San Mateo), 63 
Area (Cristianitos), and 64 Area (Talega); and to the east along 
Basilone Road to serve the 52 Area (School of Infantry) and 53 Area 
(Horno). Potable water loops eight inches in diameter would be 
installed within each cantonment and housing area. Bicycle lanes and/or 
pedestrian trails could also be included over proposed water lines 
where feasible. Either horizontal directional drilling (HDD) to extend 
lines beneath San Onofre Creek and San Mateo Creek or suspension of the 
pipelines over the

[[Page 16081]]

creeks would be incorporated to minimize impacts.
    Following water treatment at the AWT, brine would be disposed via 
ocean outfall and/or injection wells. The brine disposal line would 
extend from the AWT facility to the south to connect to the proposed 
injection wells east of Interstate 5 (I-5) and/or to the existing Unit 
1 ocean intake pipeline at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station 
(SONGS). The line to SONGS would extend beneath I-5 via HDD. Brine 
disposal would make up approximately 8 to 10 percent of the capacity of 
the proposed AWT or a maximum volume of approximately 0.6 to 0.75 mgd. 
The ocean outfall disposal would use the existing SONGS former Unit 1, 
12-foot-diameter, 3,200-foot-long cooling water intake structure 
located on the Pacific Ocean floor. Deep injection wells (approximately 
1,000 feet deep) would be located south and east of the existing San 
Onofre percolation ponds.
    Alternative 2. Under this alternative, raw water, treated water, 
and brine would be conveyed via three proposed new pipelines located 
primarily in El Camino Real instead of Basilone Road as proposed under 
Alternative 1.
    Alternative 3. Under this alternative, the AWT facility would be 
located immediately south of Basilone Road (Site 4). Water conveyance 
pipelines would be the same as Alternative 1.
    Alternative 4. Under this alternative, the AWT facility would be 
located immediately south of Basilone Road (Site 4). Water conveyance 
pipelines would be the same as Alternative 2.

Connection of North and South Water Systems (MILCON P-1045)

    Four alternatives involving different pipeline routes are being 
evaluated.
    Alternative 1. Under this alternative, approximately 90,000 LF of 
potable water lines sized up to 36 inches in diameter to connect the 
northern and southern water systems of MCBCP. The water line would 
start at the new AWT North facility (P-1044) and extend south on an 
alignment using El Camino Real to Stuart Mesa Road. Dividing at the 
junction of Stuart Mesa Road and Las Pulgas Road, one branch would run 
north along Las Pulgas Road to the 43 Area (Las Pulgas). This lateral 
pipeline would be approximately 10 to 14 inches in diameter and would 
connect to the Las Pulgas distribution system to link developments in 
the Las Pulgas, Las Flores, and Stuart Mesa areas to the connected 
northern and southern water systems. The other branch would continue 
along Stuart Mesa Road before splitting again into two more branches. 
One of these branches would extend northeast on the west side of the 
Santa Margarita River along North River Road, passing east of the 32 
Area (Marine Air Control Squadron-1) and 33 Area (Margarita) and west 
of the 23 Area (Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton) to Basilone 
Road and on to connect to the AWT South facility at Haybarn Canyon as 
well as several reservoirs along a ridge above the AWT South 
(Reservoirs 13151, 13154, 24140, 24174, and 240173). The second branch 
would continue south along Stuart Mesa Road, passing under or 
suspending over the Santa Margarita River, to Vandegrift Boulevard 
before turning north and terminating approximately one mile north at an 
existing Vandegrift Boulevard/Magazine Road pump station and several 
nearby reservoirs (Reservoirs 20813, 20814, 20815, 200814, and 200815).
    The pipelines would be HDD under or suspended over San Onofre 
Creek, Las Flores Creek, Aliso Canyon drainage, French Creek, and two 
locations on the Santa Margarita River to avoid impacts to these areas.
    The project would also include the construction and operation of 
three pump stations along the alignment. One pump station would be 
located within the footprint of the AWT North and a second pump station 
would be located within a developed parking lot at the AWT South. A 
third pump station would be located in an existing parking area on the 
southwest side of the intersection of El Camino Real and Las Pulgas 
Road. Bicycle lanes and/or pedestrian trails could also be included 
over proposed water lines where feasible.
    Alternative 2. The proposed north-south pipeline would start at the 
new AWT North facility (P-1044) and extend south in El Camino Real to 
Las Pulgas Road and run north in Las Pulgas Road to Basilone Road. The 
water line would then extend along Basilone Road to Vandegrift 
Boulevard and run east to connect to the AWT South at Haybarn Canyon as 
well as several reservoirs along a ridge above the AWT South 
(Reservoirs 13151, 13154, 24140, 24174, and 240173). This alternative 
would require two additional pump stations, for a total of five pump 
stations.
    Alternative 3. This alternative would be similar to Alternative 1 
except it would not include the segment on the west side of the Santa 
Margarita River along North River Road and could include a 1.0 mile 
line connecting to reservoir 32911 at 32 Area (Marine Air Control 
Squadron-1).
    Alternative 4. This alternative would be similar in alignment to 
Alternative 3, with an additional pipe segment from the Vandegrift 
Boulevard/Magazine Road pump station east of the 22 Area (Chappo) 
before connecting to the AWT South at Haybarn Canyon as well as several 
reservoirs along a ridge above the AWT South (Reservoirs 13151, 13154, 
24140, 24174, and 240173).

Stuart Mesa Bridge Replacement and Flood Control Improvements (P-0139)

    Four alternatives including a combination of two flood control 
methods and the use of a temporary bridge during construction are being 
evaluated. All alternatives include demolition of the existing Stuart 
Mesa Bridge and construction of a new four lane bridge and flood 
protection measures.
    Alternative 1. Construction would consist of a new cast-in-place 
prestressed concrete bridge (approximately 1,200 feet long by 56 feet 
wide) with pile foundations, new approach road and bridge abutments, 
earthwork and grading, rock protection and revetment, bridge deck, 
guard rails, night lighting, asphalt pavement, and pavement marking and 
signs.
    The project includes ``100-year storm'' flood protection control 
measures to protect Stuart Mesa Road and Vandegrift Boulevard. They 
consist of levees; toe scour protection along the levee; a storm water 
drain system consisting of culverts, inlets, outlets, headwalls, 
channels, and earth and concrete ditches. Supporting activities would 
include the construction and relocation of utilities (electrical, 
communications/information lines, water main) during the demolition and 
construction of the new bridge. Under this alternative, no temporary 
replacement bridge would be constructed over the Santa Margarita River 
and traffic would need to utilize alternate routes during this time.
    Alternative 2. Under this alternative, a temporary use bridge would 
be constructed to allow vehicular traffic along Stuart Mesa Road to 
continue to cross the Santa Margarita River. Bridge construction would 
be the same as Alternative 1.
    Alternative 3. Under this alternative, flood walls would be 
constructed rather than levees. No temporary replacement bridge would 
be constructed over the Santa Margarita River. Bridge construction 
would be the same as Alternative 1.
    Alternative 4. This alternative would be similar to Alternative 3, 
with the exception of a construction phase temporary use bridge, which 
would allow traffic along Stuart Mesa Road to continue to cross the 
Santa Margarita River during demolition of the existing

[[Page 16082]]

bridge and construction of the new bridge.

Environmental Issues and Resources To Be Examined

    The EIS will evaluate the potential environmental effects 
associated with each of the alternatives. Issues to be addressed 
include, but are not limited to; geology, topography and soils, 
hydrology and water quality, biological resources, cultural resources, 
land use, visual resources, socioeconomics and environmental justice, 
traffic, air quality, noise, public health and safety, services and 
utilities, and coastal zone management. Relevant and reasonable 
measures that could alleviate environmental effects will be considered.

Schedule

    Comments on the scope of this EIS must be received by April 30, 
2010. The Department of the Navy will publish a Notice of Availability 
(NOA) in the Federal Register and local media when the Draft EIS is 
issued for public review. A 45-day public comment period will start 
upon publication of the NOA in the Federal Register. The Department of 
the Navy will consider and respond to all comments received on the 
Draft EIS when preparing the Final EIS. The Department of the Navy 
expects to issue the Final EIS in July 2011, which will be available 
for a 30-day public comment period. The Department of the Navy will 
consider all comments received on the Final EIS in preparing for the 
Record of Decision.

Other Agency Involvement

    The Department of the Navy will undertake appropriate consultations 
with regulatory entities pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, Clean 
Water Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and any other applicable 
law or regulation. Consultation will include but is not limited to the 
following Federal, State, and local agencies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries; 
State Historic Preservation Officer; American Indian Tribes; U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; all local 
Historic Site Boards and Heritage organizations; California Regional 
Water Quality Control Board; California Coastal Commission; San Diego 
Air Pollution Control District; and the County of San Diego, Department 
of Environmental Health.

    Dated: March 25, 2010.
A.M. Vallandingham,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate Generals Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal 
Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-7183 Filed 3-30-10; 8:45 am]
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