INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this newsletter is to inform
communities affected by the Pacific Pipeline construction about
the status of the implementation of adopted mitigation measures
and the progress of the project. While not yet built, the Pacific
Pipeline Project consists of the construction and operation of a
132-mile crude oil pipeline from southern Kern County to Los
Angeles area refineries in El Segundo, Carson, and Wilmington.
After the completion of a comprehensive environmental document
(FEIS/SEIR), the project was approved by the California Public
Utilities Commission (CPUC) as the State Lead Agency on April 10,
1996. The project was also approved by the U.S. Forest Service,
Angeles National Forest (ANF) as the Federal Lead Agency in a
Record of Decision dated March 7, 1996. After a series of court
challenges and negotiations with affected cities, pipeline
construction is planned to start in June of 1997.
Commonly Used Acronyms/Abbreviations
WHAT IS THE MITIGATION MONITORING PROGRAM?
Through a competitive process, the Lead
Agencies (CPUC and ANF) selected Aspen Environmental Group
(Aspen) to implement a Mitigation Monitoring, Compliance, and
Reporting Program (MMCRP) for Pacific Pipeline construction. The
purpose of this Monitoring Program is to ensure that Pacific
Pipeline System, Inc. (PPSI), the pipeline owner, complies with
the mitigation measures that were adopted by the CPUC and ANF as
part of project approval. These measures were adopted to reduce
the potential impacts of the project.
Most of the mitigation measures that will be implemented by PPSI
and monitored through the Monitoring Program were developed in
the Pacific Pipeline Project environmental documents, the 1993
FEIR and the 1996 FEIS/SEIR. In addition, measures which were
proposed by PPSI and assumed to be part of the project will also
be monitored. The mitigation measures were adopted by the CPUC
and ANF in conjunction with their project approvals. Aspen has
developed a plan to conduct this Monitoring Program. This plan,
referred to as the Implementation Plan, includes all of the
mitigation measures, applicant-proposed measures, and detailed
monitoring criteria to be used by Aspen's field monitors. The
Implementation Plan also includes a list of permits issued by
local jurisdictions. PPSI has already received some of the
permits required for pipeline construction from various affected
government agencies, and other agencies are in the process of
reviewing PPSI's permit applications. The Implementation Plan can
be reviewed at the project information centers or on our MMCRP
Web Site (see following).
MONITORING PROGRAM STATUS
In order for Pacific Pipeline construction to start, PPSI must comply with all of the project's pre-construction requirements. This includes plans for hydrology, geotechnical, erosion control, and fire protection, and implementation of a Community Outreach and Communications Program to inform the public about project construction.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Pacific Pipeline construction will take place
in five different segments. These are from (north to south):
Emidio (southern Kern County) to the northern boundary of Angeles National Forest
Northern boundary of Angeles National Forest to Sylmar
Sylmar to downtown Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles to Watts Junction, including the El Segundo Branch which extends to the Chevron Refinery in El Segundo
Watts Junction to
Wilmington.
There will be some overlapping construction
occurring at all five segments. Construction of the pipeline in
the Angeles National Forest is scheduled to start on June 2,
1997. Construction of the remaining four segments would commence
in early July. The location of construction segments are shown on
the map insert in this newsletter.
PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAM
The CPUC and ANF have developed a Public Access
Program for the Monitoring Program to provide easy public access
to project and construction progress information, and to the
status of monitoring activities. The Public Access Program
features a number of public outreach methods, including The
Monitor quarterly newsletter, a Hotline, an Internet Web
Site, and Walk-In Sites where you can obtain information about
CPUC and ANF monitoring activities.
TELEPHONE INFORMATION
HOTLINE
A 24-hour multi-lingual Monitoring Program
telephone hotline provides information on construction progress
and ways to obtain project information. You can call 1-888-776-8444
toll free from the Kern and Los Angeles County areas.
INTERNET WEB SITE
A n Internet Web Site for the Monitoring
Program provides project information. You can access the Web Site
at http://www.AspenEG.com/PP-MMCRP/ on a 24-hour
basis. The following information can be found on the Web Site:
A description of the Pacific Pipeline Project and the Monitoring Program
Construction status and progress including daily, weekly, and previous reports from field monitors
The roles of the CPUC, ANF (the State and Federal Lead Agencies), and PPSI (the Pipeline Owner)
Project documents such as back issues and current issue of summarized versions of the FEIR and FEIS/SEIR The Monitor, the Implementation Plan, and
Links to the CPUC Web Site and PPSI's Web Site.
Hotline: (888) 776-8444 (toll free)
WALK-IN SITES
Walk-in sites have been set up by the CPUC and
ANF at two easily accessible locations along the pipeline route
where you can view project information, access the Web Site,
and/or ask questions regarding the project or construction
activities. Monitoring Program staff will be available to answer
questions about construction monitoring beginning on June 2.
These sites are located at:
|
|
|
|
Each Walk-In Site has:
A telephone for access to the Information Hotline
A computer for access to the user-friendly Web Site and other Web Sites
Project documents.
PROJECT DOCUMENTS
Libraries located near construction locations have been
established as information centers where you can review
project-related documents such as the 1993 and 1996 environmental
documents (FEIR and FEIS/SEIR), the CPUC's certification decision
and decision on re-hearing, the ANF's Record of Decision, a copy
of the Implementation Plan, and The Monitor. These
libraries also have access to the Internet, where the public can
use computers to access the Web Site. Project documents will
become available for review on June 2, 1997. The locations and
hours of libraries along the pipeline route are listed below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|