[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 20, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48695-48696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-23279]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Record of Decision to Upgrade the Wastewater Treatment System in
the San Onofre Basin of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA
Pursuant to Section 102(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) of 1969, and the Council of Environmental Quality Regulations
(40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the Department of the Navy announces its
decision to upgrade the wastewater treatment system in the San Onofre
Basin of Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Pendleton, California. This
upgrade will construct twelve new percolation basins; about 30 acres in
total size and located down stream of existing potable water wells; a
new pumping station; and a 5.76 mile pipeline from sewage treatment
plants 10 and 11 to the new percolation ponds.
[[Page 48696]]
Sewage treatment plants 10 and 11 were constructed in the 1950's
and discharge secondary treated effluent to percolation basins adjacent
to San Onofre Creek, upstream of potable water wells that serve
developments within San Onofre Basin. This condition violates the San
Diego Water Quality Control Basin Plan, the State of California Porter
Cologne Water Quality Act of 1969, and the National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act of 1972. As a result of these violations, the San Diego Regional
Water Quality Control Board issued a Cease and Desist Order to MCB Camp
Pendleton in January 1989.
Alternatives considered for correcting the conditions cited in the
Cease and Desist order included no action, water disposal of effluent,
and land disposal of effluent. Water disposal alternatives included
construction of an ocean outfall or via live-stream discharge of either
secondary- or tertiary-treated effluent. Land disposal alternatives
included construction of new percolation basins, leach fields, deep
vertical injection wells, biological ponds, discharge to an off-base
publicly owned treatment facility, and amendment of the Basin Plan. The
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) identified discharge of
secondary-treated effluents to new percolation basins located
downstream from existing potable water wells as the preferred
alternative. This alternative was identified in the Final Environmental
Impact Statement (FEIS) as the environmentally preferred alternative.
A systematic and multi-disciplinary approach was utilized which
incorporated criteria based upon technical suitability, economic
feasibility, and compliance with applicable environmental regulations.
The analysis determined that the preferred alternative is the only
alternative that meets all criteria. This alternative is
environmentally preferable to the alternatives considered, and all
practicable means to avoid or minimize environmental harm have been
adopted as identified below and amplified in the Environmental Impact
Statement.
Percolation basin construction will involve grading and excavation.
A soil erosion control plan will be prepared for project construction.
It will include restricting grading and excavation during the rainy
season, restricting heavy equipment to existing rights-of-way,
installing sediment control measures, and post-construction
revegetation.
The California gnatcatcher, a federally listed threatened species,
is present near the percolation basin and pipeline sites. The U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service expressed in their biological opinion that the
project is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of this
species. Project impacts include a temporary loss of 0.3 acres coastal
sage scrub, the preferred habitat of this species, temporary loss of
1.5 acres of valley needlegrass habitat, and temporary loss of 3.0
acres of riparian habitat during construction of the pipeline. A
permanent loss of 3.5 acres of coastal sage scrub will occur due to
construction of the percolation basins. To mitigate these impacts, the
Marine Corps will regrade, replant, and restore the temporarily
impacted vegetative communities and will create 2.85 acres of new
coastal sage scrub habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurs
in this mitigation scheme.
In compliance with the biological opinion issued for the project,
the Marine Corps will conduct water quality monitoring of areas
potentially impacted by possible nutrient loading of coastal waters due
to operations of the percolation basins. Should changes in water
quality be detected the Marine Corps will consult with the San Diego
Regional Water Quality Control Board and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service to implement appropriate measures.
The proposed action will not affect archeological, cultural, or
historic resources listed, or determined eligible for listing on the
National Register of Historic Places. The California State Historic
Preservation Officer concurs with this determination.
Analysis of air emissions that would occur during construction and
operation of the percolation ponds determined that these emissions will
be below de minimis levels and that the project conforms with the State
Implementation Plan for air quality.
A Coastal Consistency Determination was prepared for this project
and it concluded that the proposed action is being carried out in a
manner consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with the
enforceable policies of the California Coastal Management Plan. The
California Coastal Commission concurs with this determination.
Preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement began with a
public scoping process to identify issues that should be addressed in
the document. Involvement in scoping was offered through a combination
of documented public announcements and meetings with State of
California agencies. Public announcements were handled through scoping
letters sent to Federal, State, and local governmental agencies,
citizen groups and associations, and the general public. Also, a Notice
of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement was published in
local newspapers and the Federal Register. A public scoping meeting was
held on October 17, 1991 in Oceanside, California.
The Notice of Availability of the DEIS appeared in the Federal
Register on January 13, 1995. The DEIS was distributed to officials of
Federal, State and local governmental agencies, citizens groups and
associations, public libraries, and to other interested parties. The
public review period for the DEIS was from January 13, 1995 through
March 6, 1995. Comments received on the DEIS focused on alternative
analysis and endangered species issues. The FEIS addressed these
comments and was distributed to officials of Federal, State and local
governmental agencies, citizens groups and associations, public
libraries, and to other interested parties on July 21, 1995. No
comments were received on the FEIS.
The Department of the Navy believes that there are no outstanding
issues to be resolved with respect to this project. Questions regarding
the Environmental Impact Statement prepared for this action may be
directed to Mr. Lupe Armas, Assistant Chief of Staff, Environmental
Security, MCB Camp Pendleton, CA 92055, telephone (619) 725-4512.
Dated: September 14, 1995.
Duncan Holaday,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Facilities).
[FR Doc. 95-23279 Filed 9-19-95; 8:45 am]
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