99-12020. 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

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 91 (Wednesday, May 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25480-25481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12020]


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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

[[Page 25481]]

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 [phone]; 
fax [phone]; e-mail [e-mail]
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