[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 226 (Friday, November 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70024-70025]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27852]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Modernization and 
Repair of Piers 2 and 3, Military Ocean Terminal Concord, CA

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of the 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Modernization and 
Repair of Piers 2 and 3 at Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO). The 
DEIS evaluates the potential environmental and socioeconomic effects 
that could result from the partial demolition of existing Pier 2 and 
reconstruction of structural elements; replacement of pier-side 
infrastructure and supporting facilities at Pier 2; upgrades to shore-
side roads and electrical infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of 
Piers 2 and 3; removal and replacement/repair of piles and selected 
structural elements at Pier 3; and maintenance dredging to -32 feet 
mean lower low water plus 2 feet overdepth dredging at select areas 
around Pier 2 (up to 3,800 cubic yards). Environmental consequences 
were evaluated for noise; air quality; geology, topography, and soils; 
water resources; biological resources; land use and coastal zone 
management; transportation; infrastructure; visual resources; 
recreational resources; socioeconomics; environmental justice and 
protection of children; cultural resources; and hazardous materials, 
hazardous waste, toxic substances, and contaminated sites. Based on the 
analysis described in the DEIS, all impacts are anticipated to be less 
than significant.
    The DEIS evaluates the potential environmental and socioeconomic 
effects of three action alternatives and the No Action Alternative. 
Alternative 1 fully implements repairs to Piers 2 and 3 with Pier 2 re-
oriented to align the west end with the existing shipping channel to 
create a more modernized configuration. Alternative 2 would use the 
same structural system as Alternative 1 and fully implement repairs to 
Piers 2 and 3; however, the Pier 2 footprint would remain in its 
present location. Alternative 3 would fully implement repairs to Piers 
2 and 3, reorienting Pier 2 to create a more modernized configuration 
but with a larger deck surface and heavier load-carrying capacity than 
that proposed under Alternative 1. Under the No Action Alternative, the 
modernization and repair of Pier 2 and the repair of Pier 3 at MOTCO 
would not occur, and Pier 3 would continue to be used with loading 
restrictions for the remainder of its service life (estimated to be 
2019).

DATES: The public comment period will end 45 days after publication of 
the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: Please submit written comments to Mr. Malcolm Charles, 
Director of Public Works, Attention: SDAT-CCA-MI (Charles), 410 Norman 
Avenue, Concord, CA 94520; email comments to 
[email protected]; or fax comments to (925) 246-
4171 (Attention: SDAT-CCA-MI [Charles]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mitch Chandran, Public Affairs 
Office, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command; telephone: (618) 
220-5704 or (618) 220-6284; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the proposed action is to 
modernize and repair Pier 2 and repair Pier 3 so the Army can maintain 
its ability to meet documented Department of Defense (DoD) mission 
requirements in support of wartime and contingency operations. Piers 2 
and 3 were built in the mid-1940s. Both piers are past their structural 
and design life and lack modern operational efficiencies. Pier 2, the 
optimum operational pier for mission capability, cannot be used due to 
its currently degraded and nonoperational condition. Pier 3, currently 
the primary operational pier at MOTCO, requires repair to maintain 
limited operational capability through 2019. The proposed action is 
therefore needed to modernize and repair pier infrastructure at MOTCO 
to ensure this vital West Coast port can continue to meet its 
designated mission. Without these actions, the DoD's ability to perform 
its current and future contingency operations in the Pacific theater 
would be impacted.
    The DEIS was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) (42 United States Code 4321 et seq.); the Council on 
Environmental Quality regulations implementing NEPA (40 Code of Federal 
Regulations [CFR] Parts 1500-1508), and the Army's regulations 
implementing NEPA (32 CFR Part 651 as published in Federal Register, 
Volume 67, Pages 15290-15332). The purpose of the DEIS is to inform the 
decision maker; federally recognized Native American tribes, federal, 
state, and local agencies and officials; and interested groups and 
individuals of possible environmental and socioeconomic consequences 
associated with the proposed action.
    Based on a thorough review of the alternatives, the Army at this 
point has determined Alternative 1 to be its Preferred Alternative. 
Alternative 1 accomplishes all of the basic requirements for 
modernizing Pier 2 and re-orients the pier to provide more efficient 
access for the types of vessels that use the pier.
    The Army has entered into consultation concerning the proposed 
action as required by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act and its implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800) regarding the 
Army's determination that the proposed action would have no adverse 
effect on

[[Page 70025]]

cultural resources or historic properties. The Army has also entered 
into consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as required by Section 7 of 
the Endangered Species Act regarding the Army's determination that the 
proposed action may affect threatened and endangered species. The 
proposed action will include implementation of avoidance and 
minimization measures for potential impacts to federally listed species 
and critical habitat; these measures will be further refined during 
consultations with NMFS and USFWS.
    The Army invites federally recognized Native American tribes; 
federal, state, and local agencies and officials; and interested groups 
and individuals to submit written comments and to participate in a 
public meeting where oral and written comments and suggestions will be 
received concerning the alternatives and analysis addressed in the DEIS 
and to fulfill public involvement requirements under Section 106 of the 
National Historic Preservation Act. The Army will conduct a public 
meeting on the DEIS in Bay Point, California, with the date and 
location being announced in the local news media. All comments 
submitted during the public review period will become part of the 
public record on the DEIS and will be responded to in the Final EIS.
    Copies of the DEIS are available for public review at the following 
two Contra Costa County libraries: Concord Library, 2900 Salvio Street, 
Concord, CA 94519 and Bay Point Library, 205 Pacifica Avenue, Bay 
Point, CA 94565. The DEIS may also be reviewed electronically at http://www.sddc.army.mil/MOTCO/default.aspx.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-27852 Filed 11-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-P