[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]
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