[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 7, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76389-76392]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31344]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Public Meeting on the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement for Basewide Water Infrastructure and Stuart Mesa Bridge
Replacement at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA
AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section (102)(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] Sections
4321-4370h); the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for
implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (Title 40 Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 1500-1508); Department of the Navy
Procedures for Implementing NEPA (32 CFR part 775); and Marine Corps
NEPA directives (Marine Corps Order P5090.2A), the Marine Corps (USMC)
has prepared and filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) a Draft Environmental Impact Statement
[[Page 76390]]
(EIS) that evaluates the potential environmental consequences that may
result from implementing the Basewide Water Infrastructure and Stuart
Mesa Bridge Replacement projects at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
(MCBCP). The proposed action would involve the construction, operation,
and maintenance of infrastructure upgrades, expansions, and
improvements to the Basewide water system and replacement of a critical
link in the Base roadway system. The projects would include a northern
Advanced Water Treatment (AWT) plant and associated facilities,
connection of the Base's northern and southern water systems, and
replacement of the bridge on Stuart Mesa Road over the Santa Margarita
River (Stuart Mesa Bridge). A Notice of Intent to prepare this EIS was
published in the Federal Register on March 31, 2010 (Vol. 75, No. 61,
p. 16080).
With the filing of the Draft EIS, the Department of the Navy (DoN)
is initiating a 45-day public comment period and has scheduled a public
open house meeting to receive oral and written comments on the Draft
EIS. Federal, State, and local agencies and interested individuals are
invited to be present or represented at the public meeting. This notice
announces the date and location of the public meeting, and
supplementary information about the environmental planning effort.
DATES: The Draft (EIS) public review period will begin December 2,
2011, and end on January 17, 2012. The USMC is holding an informational
open house style public meeting to inform the public about the proposed
action and the alternatives under consideration, and to provide an
opportunity for the public to comment on the Draft EIS. USMC and DoN
representatives will be on hand to discuss the proposed action, the
NEPA process and the findings presented in the Draft EIS. The meeting
will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Ole Hanson Fireside
Room at the San Clemente Community Center, 100 North Calle Seville, San
Clemente, California 92672 on January 5, 2012. The Draft EIS was
distributed to Federal, State, and local agencies, elected officials,
and other interested parties and individuals on December 2, 2011. The
document can be viewed online and downloaded from www.marines.mil/unit/basecamppendleton/Pages/BaseStaffandAgencies/Environmental/EAEIS/Home.aspx.
Copies of the Draft EIS are available for public review at the
following public libraries: Oceanside Civic Center Library, 330 North
Coast Highway, Oceanside, California 92054; San Clemente Library, 242
Avenida del Mar, San Clemente, California 92672; and Fallbrook Branch,
San Diego County Public Library, 124 S. Mission Road, Fallbrook,
California 92028.
A copy of the Draft EIS will be made available upon written request
to Mr. Jesse Martinez, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC)
Southwest, 1220 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92132-5190, (619) 532-
3844.
Comments
Attendees will be able to submit written comments at the public
meeting; a stenographer will also be present to transcribe oral
comments. Equal weight will be given to oral and written statements.
Comments may be mailed to Mr. Jesse Martinez, NAVFAC Southwest, 1220
Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92132-5190. Comments may be submitted
during the 45-day public review period. All comments must be postmarked
or electronically dated on or before January 17, 2012, to be sure they
become part of the public record. All statements, oral transcription
and written, submitted during the public review period will become part
of the public record on the Draft EIS and will be responded to in the
Final EIS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jesse Martinez, NAVFAC Southwest,
(619) 532-3844. Please submit requests for special assistance, sign
language interpretation for the hearing impaired, or other auxiliary
aids at the public meeting to Mr. Martinez.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed action evaluated in the Draft
EIS is the construction and operation, including maintenance, of three
infrastructure projects entirely within MCBCP and funded by Military
Construction (MILCON) program appropriation. These projects include an
advanced water treatment plant and associated facilities in the
northern part of the Base (MILCON Project Number P-1044); connection of
the Base's northern and southern water systems (P-1045); and
replacement of the Stuart Mesa Bridge over the Santa Margarita River
and associated roadway/flood control improvements (P-1039). Each
project is a separate, distinct, and independently complete and usable
action. Full environmental analyses for four action alternatives, and a
No Action Alternative are presented in the Draft EIS.
Purpose and Need
The proposed action is needed to modernize and expand the capacity
and capability of MCBCP's aging (1960s era) potable water system and
roadway infrastructure.
The current potable water piping and treatment system is outdated
and undersized. Higher quality drinking water through advanced water
treatment is needed in the northern portion of the Base because the
current water treatment processes do not meet the secondary drinking
water standards for total dissolved solids and may not meet the pending
Federal Safe Drinking Water Act Stage 2 Disinfectant Byproducts Rule.
In addition, the two Base water systems, the northern system and the
southern system, are not connected. The independent systems have
resulted in service interruptions to portions of the Base during
maintenance and natural disasters.
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) Improved water treatment capabilities,
capacity, and drinking water system redundancy to deliver higher
quality water in the north; (2) water security and a connected, more
comprehensive system for the delivery of Basewide water services during
periods of scheduled, unscheduled, and emergency system interruption;
and (3) improved traffic flow and efficient all-weather traffic
accessibility to key training and non-training areas in the southern
portion of MCBCP that are now severed during periodic flooding in the
vicinity of the Stuart Mesa Bridge.
Alternatives
The EIS evaluates three MILCON projects (P-1044, P-1045, and P-
1039) and four alternatives for each MILCON for a total of 12 action
alternatives. As the environmental and engineering assessment developed
for the proposed action, a combination of alternatives were identified
as the preferred alternative based on operational, environmental,
economic, and military sustainability reasons. The preferred
alternatives are P-1044 Alternative 1;
[[Page 76391]]
P-1045 Alternative 3; and P-1039 Alternative 4. Each is identified and
discussed below.
Advanced Water Treatment (AWT) North and Associated Facilities
(MILCON P-1044). Four alternatives involving a combination of two AWT
plant sites and two pipeline routes were evaluated. All alternatives
include construction of an 8.6 million gallon per day AWT facility, 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. 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), 62 Area (San
Mateo), 63 Area (Cristianitos), 64 Area (Talega), 52 Area (School of
Infantry), and 53 Area (Horno). Trenchless construction to extend lines
beneath San Onofre Creek and San Mateo Creek or suspension of the
pipelines over the creeks would be incorporated to minimize impacts.
Following water treatment at the AWT, brine would be disposed via ocean
outfall and injection wells. The ocean outfall disposal would use the
existing decommissioned San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS)
12-foot-diameter, 3,200-foot-long cooling water intake structure
located on the Pacific Ocean floor. Two deep injection well fields
(approximately 750 feet deep) would also be used. One would be located
at the existing San Onofre percolation ponds and the other would be
located northwest of the San Onofre Surf Beach area of San Onofre State
Beach. The proposed AWT facility would include micro-filtration and
liquid granulated activated carbon/reverse osmosis.
Alternative 1 (Preferred Alternative). Under this alternative the
AWT facility would be constructed at a location south of San Onofre
Creek. A portion of the conveyance lines would be located within
Basilone Road. The brine disposal line would extend from the AWT
facility to the south to connect to the proposed injection wells and to
the existing SONGS ocean intake pipeline. The line to SONGS would
extend beneath Interstate-5 (I-5) via trenchless construction.
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 south of Basilone Road. Water conveyance pipelines would be the
same as Alternative 1.
Alternative 4. Under this alternative, the AWT facility would be
located south of Basilone Road. 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 were evaluated.
Alternative 1. Under this alternative, approximately 188,000 linear
feet (LF) of potable water lines sized up to 36 inches in diameter
would 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 an existing reservoir
in the 43 Area (Las Pulgas). This lateral pipeline would be
approximately 10 to 14 inches in diameter. 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.
The second branch would continue south along Stuart Mesa Road, crossing
under or suspending over the Santa Margarita River and then north along
Vandegrift Boulevard to an existing pump station and several existing
reservoirs in the Wire Mountain area. The construction and operation of
a new 4-million-gallon water reservoir in the Wire Mountain area is
proposed along with associated water line connections to serve the new
Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton (currently under construction) and the 21
Area (Del Mar). The pipelines would use trenchless construction 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.
Maintenance access/recreation corridors could also be included.
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 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. This alternative
would require an additional pump station and would be approximately
165,000 LF.
Alternative 3 (Preferred Alternative). 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. The new
4-million-gallon water reservoir and connections to the new Naval
Hospital Camp Pendleton and the 21 Area (Del Mar) would be included.
This alternative would be approximately 137,000 LF.
Alternative 4. This alternative would be similar in alignment to
Alternative 3, with an additional pipe segment extending further on
Vandegrift Boulevard 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. This alternative would be approximately
179,000 LF.
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 were
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. Flood
control facilities consist of levees, levee scour protection, and a
storm water drain system. Under this alternative, no temporary
replacement bridge would be constructed over the Santa Margarita River
and traffic would need to utilize alternate existing routes during
construction.
[[Page 76392]]
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. The flood walls, while having a smaller
construction footprint, would provide the same flood control
protection. No temporary replacement bridge would be constructed over
the Santa Margarita River. Bridge construction would be the same as
Alternative 1.
Alternative 4 (Preferred Alternative). 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 bridge and construction of the new bridge.
Environmental Issues
The Draft EIS evaluates the potential environmental effects
associated with each of the alternatives. Issues addressed include:
Geology 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 resources, and marine
resources. Relevant and reasonable measures that could alleviate
environmental effects have been considered.
Schedule
A 45-day public comment period will start upon publication of the
EPA Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. Comments on the
Draft EIS must be received by January 17, 2012. The DoN will consider
and respond to all comments received on the Draft EIS when preparing
the Final EIS. The DoN expects to issue the Final EIS in June 2012, at
which time a Notice of Availability (NOA) will be published in the
Federal Register and local print media. A Record of Decision is
expected in August 2012.
Dated: November 29, 2011
L.R. Almand,
Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Judge
Advocate General, U.S. Navy.
[FR Doc. 2011-31344 Filed 12-6-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P