[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 179 (Tuesday, September 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48630-48631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24573]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
for the Proposed Avila Beach Remediation Plan in San Luis Obispo
County, CA
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) as implemented by the regulations of the
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), 40 CFR 1500-1508, Corps of
Engineers announces its intent to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) to evaluate the potential effects of the proposed
Avila Beach Remediation Plan on the environment. To eliminate
duplication of paperwork, the Corps of Engineers intends on combining
the DEIS with the existing Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR)
prepared by the County of San Luis Obispo and California Regional Water
Quality Control Board per 40 CFR 1560.2 and 1506.4.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Any questions regarding the proposed action and/or issuance of the DEIS
may be directed to: Ms. Tiffany Welch, (805) 641-2935, Regulatory
Branch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2151 Alessandro Drive, Suite 255,
Ventura, California 93001 (e mail: twelch@spl.usace.army.mil).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background
Union Oil of California (UNOCAL) has spilled petroleum products,
including gasoline, diesel and crude oil, to soil and ground water
beneath the beach and intertidal area of Avila Beach.
The beach plume runs from Avila Beach Drive to about even with San
Luis Street with an additional area off of San
[[Page 48631]]
Antonio Street. Contamination has been identified at depths ranging
from 0.5 feet at the west end of the beach to 25 feet near the pier.
The highest concentration level observed in a sample has been 61,000
parts per million (ppm) located near the pier at about the high tide
line at a depth of 11.5 feet. The average total recoverable hydrocarbon
(TPH) value is approximately 4,100 ppm at an average depth of 10 feet.
The highest benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) value
observed has been 760 ppm, located down from San Francisco Street at a
depth of 13.5 feet.
The intertidal plume extends seaward along the pier to at least a
distance of 400 feet south of Front Street with TPH concentrations as
high as 63,000 ppm. The seaward extent of this plume has not been
determined. This part of the plume is covered with water except for
periods with extremely low tides during full and new moons.
2. Proposed Action
UNOCAL has applied to the Corps of Engineers (Corps) for a
Department of the Army permit to conduct remediation activities
oceanward of the high tide line (7.2 feet Mean Lower Low Water) at
Avila Beach. Current activities that lie within the Corps' regulatory
jurisdiction include the installation of wave energy dissipator
cofferdams, solidification of hydrocarbon and hydrocarbon-affected
sediment underlying the East Beach area, and no action for
contamination in the intertidal zone.
3. Scope of Analysis
The scope of analysis of the DEIS includes the entire Avila Beach
area, intertidal zone, and San Luis Obispo Creek estuary located in the
community of Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo County, California.
4. Alternatives
The following alternative remedial technologies, and combinations
thereof, are being considered: (1) No action; (2) Excavation; (3) Steam
Stripping; and (4) Oxygen/Nutrient Delivery.
5. Scoping Process
a. Federal, State, and local agencies and other interested private
citizens and organizations are encouraged to send their written
comments to Ms. Tiffany Welch at the address provided above. This
scoping comment period will expire 30 days from this date of this
notice.
b. Significant issues to be analyzed in depth in the DEIS include
biological resources, surface and ground water quality, air quality,
recreation, erosion/sedimentation, noise, transportation, aesthetics
and socioeconomics.
c. Coordination will be undertaken with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California
Department of Fish and Game, California Regional Water Quality Control
Board, and the California Coastal Commission.
6. Scoping Meetings
A scoping meeting will be held on October 7, 1997 from 6-8 p.m. to
assess preliminary issues relative to UNOCAL's proposed remediation
plan. The scoping meeting will be held on the top floor of the
Community Center, 191 San Miguel Street, Avila Beach. Participation in
the scoping meeting by Federal, state, and local agencies, and other
interested private citizens and organizations is encouraged.
7. DEIS Schedule
The current schedule estimates that the DEIS will be available for
public review and comment in November 1997.
Robert L. Davis,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 97-24573 Filed 9-15-97; 8:45 am]
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