Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a Deep Draft Power Intensive (DDPI) Ship Berthing, Logistics, and Maintenance Pier at Naval Station, San Diego, California

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of Navy

Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for

a Deep Draft Power Intensive (DDPI) Ship Berthing, Logistics, and

Maintenance Pier at Naval Station, San Diego, California

AGENCY: Department of Navy, DOD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental

Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as implemented by the Council on

Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), the

Department of the Navy announces its intent to prepare an Environmental

Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the effects of constructing and

operating a Deep Draft Power Intensive (DDPI) ship berthing, logistics

and maintenance pier at Naval Station (NAVSTA), San Diego, California.

The proposed action is to demolish two existing piers, Piers 10 and

11, at Naval Station San Diego and construct and operate a replacement

berthing, logistics and maintenance pier for DDPI ships. To accommodate

the DDPI ships, construction would include dredging to 37 feet below

Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) and removal of approximately 536,000 cubic

yards of sediment (of which approximately 268,000 cubic yards is

believed to be unsuitable for ocean disposal). The replacement pier

would be approximately 120 feet wide and 1500 feet long with power

intensive utilities (4000 amps or more). This pier would be similar to

Pier 13, an existing pier constructed at Naval Station San Diego in

1989 to support DDPI ships.

The purpose of the proposed action is to provide for berthing,

logistics, maintenance, and utility requirements of DDPI ships moored

at the San Diego Naval Complex. The need for the proposed action is to

address the current shortfall in pier infrastructure/capacity for DDPI

ships in the San Diego Naval Complex. The range of alternatives to be

considered include:

(1) The proposed action, demolition of Piers 10 and 11 at Naval

Station San Diego and construction of a new DDPI pier with associated

dredging; (2) demolition of Piers 11 and 12 at Naval Station San Diego

and construction of a new DDPI pier with associated dredging; (3)

demolition of Pier 14 at Naval Station San Diego and construction of a

new DDPI pier with associated dredging; and, (4) construction of a new

pier or utilization of other available piers with associated

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dredging within the San Diego Naval Complex. The EIS will also consider

the No-Action Alternative: no demolition, replacement or new pier

construction to accommodate the DDPI ships.

The EIS will evaluate the environmental effects associated with

each of the alternatives. Various options for dredged sediment disposal

will also be evaluated. Issues to be addressed in the EIS include, but

are not limited to: water resources; biological resources; topography/

geology; air quality; health and safety; land use; noise;

transportation (vessel and ground); aesthetics; cultural resources;

utilities; socioeconomics; and environmental justice. Impacts analysis

will include an evaluation of the direct, indirect, short-term, and

cumulative impacts. No decision to implement any of the alternatives

will be made until the NEPA process is complete.

A public scoping meeting to receive oral and written comments from

the public will be held on June 9, 1999 at the Holiday Inn, Terrace

Ballroom, 700 National City Boulevard (at 8th Street), National City.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. A Spanish-language interpreter will be

available at the meeting.

A brief presentation describing the proposed action, alternatives

and the NEPA process will precede the request for public comments. It

is important that federal, state, and local agencies, as well as

interested organizations and individuals, take this opportunity to

identify environmental concerns they feel should be addressed during

preparation of the EIS. Agencies and the public are invited and

encouraged to provide written comments in addition to, or in lieu of,

oral comments at the public meeting. To be most helpful, comments

should clearly describe specific issues or topics that the commentator

believes the EIS should address.

ADDRESSES: Questions regarding the scoping process AND written comments

may be sent to South Bay Area Focus Team, 2585 Callagan Highway, Bldg.

99, Naval Station, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92136-5198, postmarked no

later than June 16, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Patrick McCay (Code 5SPR.PM),

South Bay Area Focus Team, 2585 Callagan Highway, Bldg. 99, Naval

Station, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92136-5198; telephone (619) 556-8706;

fax (619) 556-8296; e-mail [email protected]

Saundra K. Melancon,

Paralegal Specialist, Office of the Judge Advocate General, Alternate

Federal Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 99-12020 Filed 5-11-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P