PACIFIC PIPELINE PROJECT MITIGATION MONITORING,
COMPLIANCE, AND REPORTING PROGRAM
MAY 1998 - MONTHLY REPORT

 

The following constitutes the May 1998 Monthly Report for the Pacific Pipeline Mitigation Monitoring, Compliance, and Reporting Program (MMCRP) contract. It should be noted that since the start of construction daily and weekly reports summarizing monitoring activities have been issued and are available on the project web page for review.

CONSTRUCTION MONITORING

Segment 1 Construction: Segment 1 runs from the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley at Emidio, through the Tejon Pass, to the northern boundary of the ANF in Los Angeles County. Construction of Segment 1 commenced on November 5, 1997. Primary activities during the month of May are presented in Table 1. No non-compliance events occurred on Segment 1 during May.

During May, construction was inspected by both Kern County and Los Angeles County construction inspectors. Contaminated soils were encountered between EMP 22.98 to 22.99 and EMP 22.46 to 22.50. At both locations, contaminated water was pumped into vacuum trucks for proper disposal. Boring was completed at Stream Crossing #21 and initiated at Stream Crossing #20 during May. Breeding bird surveys determined that a nesting population of yellow warblers (a California species of special concern) exists between EMP 21.45 and 21.77. All construction activities were terminated in the area and will not resume until the young birds fledge. The Gorman Slide directional drill was successfully hydrotested. During May, one-way traffic along Lebec Road was controlled by several flaggers and a pilot car. Rain limited construction activities on May 12 and 13.

Table 1. Construction Activities for Segment 11

Activity

Milepost (approximate)

Pot-hole

20.65 to 21.45

Trench

22.30 to 23.04

Lower-In

22.46 to 23.09

Coating

22.46 to 23.09

Conduit

22.52 to 23.19

Backfill

22.52 to 23.19

Directional Drill (Gorman Slide) - Completed

25.94

Bore (Stream Crossing #20)

27.43

Bore (Stream Crossing #21) - Completed

27.81

Bore (Gorman Creek) - Completed

32.40

Bore (Copco Road) - Completed

32.71

Valve Site (Copco Road) - Completed

32.81

1. Construction progress from May 4 through May 31.

Segment 2A/C (ANF) Construction: Construction within the ANF (Segment 2A) began on June 27, 1997 and was completed to Templin Highway on November 9, with the exception of some revegetation, valve, and conduit requirements. During May, ANF reviewed PPSI proposed plans for the completion of Segment 2A. Implementation of ANF approved, erosion repair activities on Segment 2A were not conducted by PPSI during May due to access constraints resulting from excessive rainfall. Review and modification of the Whitaker Station Tank Report continued during May; this report analyzes the feasibility of eliminating the pressure relief tank at the Whitaker Station. Construction of Segment 2C, Templin Highway to southern ANF boundary, is scheduled to commence in June.

Segment 2B Construction: Segment 2B runs from the southern boundary of the ANF to Sylmar, paralleling I-5. Construction of Segment 2B commenced on November 6, 1997. Primary activities during the month of May are presented in Table 2. No non-compliance events occurred on Segment 2B during May.

During May, traffic control was monitored by a Los Angeles County inspector. The Church Street bore was completed and an underground valve was installed at Pico Canyon Road. The fuel tank containment area in the Castaic Yard was renovated during the third week of May. Construction continued on Newhall Land & Farming property between Valencia Boulevard and McBean Parkway in accordance with approved Variance Request #60. Rain limited construction activities on May 5 and 13.

 

Table 2. Construction Activities for Segment 2B1

Activity

Milepost (approximate)

Pot-hole

66.26 to 67.18

Trench

65.74 to 67.18

Lower-In

65.24 to 65.36

Conduit

64.77 to 65.21

Coating

65.24 to 65.36

Backfill

64.77 to 65.21

Paving

64.51 to 65.21

Bore (Church Street)

58.24

Directional Drill (Castaic Creek)

Completed

61.12

Valve (Santa Clara River) - Completed

63.15

Directional Drill (Santa Clara River) Completed

64.02

Valve (Pico Canyon Road)

67.33

1. Construction progress from May 4 through May 31.

Segment 3 Construction: Segment 3 runs from Sylmar to Dodger Stadium, primarily within MTA right-of-way. Construction within the City of San Fernando, between Wolfskill and Jessie Streets (approximately 190 feet), began on September 30, 1997, and was completed on October 7, 1997. Construction of the remaining portions of Segment 3 commenced on October 28. 1997. On February 5, 1998, a mini-crew began work on Segment 3 in the vicinity of Los Feliz (referred to as "Los Feliz" crew). This crew worked primarily at the StorItAll facility and the Glendale Boulevard bore which were completed during April 1998. In April 1998, Segment 3 construction was divided into two spreads (Segment 3A which runs from San Fernando to south of Taylor Yard, and Segment 3B which runs from Taylor Yard to Alameda Street). Primary activities during the month of May are presented in Table 3. Table 4 presents the non-compliance events that occurred on Segment 3 during May.

Segment 3A - During May, construction occurred along San Fernando Road in Burbank and in Taylor Yard. Numerous underground utilities slowed progress in Taylor Yard. The Burbank Crossing directional drill was completed. Boring of the railroad tracks at Goodwin Avenue in Glendale commenced. Memos and non-compliance reports were issued reminding crews to stay within the approved right-of-way and a memo was issued on the need to refuel more than 0.25 miles from the Los Angeles River.

Segment 3B - During May, numerous underground utilities continued to slow progress. Construction occurred in Midway Yard, but was slow because of pipeline alignment ambiguities and landowner requests. A MCI cable was uncovered and relocated (with owner approval) east of the PPSI trench line. A below-ground valve vault was placed at EMP 98.48 and preparations were made for the bore under the railroad tracks near the 110 Freeway (EMP 97.46).

Rain limited construction activities on Segment 3 on May 5, 11, 12, and 13. On both Segments 3A and 3B, crews needed to repair storm damage before resuming construction activities.

Table 3. Construction Activities for Segment 31

Segment

Activity

Milepost (approximate)

Wolfskill to Jessie Streets Cased bore - Completed

78.52

  Pipeline/conduit installation - Completed

78.37 to 78.57

Segment 3A

Pothole

92.53 to 92.95

  Trench

86.96 to 88.69, 92.93 to 92.95

  Lowering-In

83.96 to 87.49, 92.82 to 92.95,

94.69 to 95.21

  Coating

86.96 to 87.45, 92.59 to 92.95,

94.69 to 94.86

  Conduit

86.96 to 87.53, 92.29 to 92.95

  Backfill

86.96 to 87.53, 92.29 to 92.95

  Bore (Paxton Street) - Completed

79.11

  Bore (Pierce Avenue) - Completed

79.93

  Bore (Osborne Street) - Completed

80.74

  Bore (Branford Street) - Completed

81.29

  Valve - Completed

81.48

  Bore (Sheldon Street) - Completed

82.11

  Bore (Penrose Street) - Completed

83.48

  Bore (Sunland Avenue) - Completed

84.09

  Bore (Arvilla Avenue) - Completed

85.02

  Bore (Buena Vista Avenue) - Completed

86.43

  Directional Drill (Burbank Crossing) - Completed

86.91

  Bore (Bekins Way)

90.87

  Bore (West Broadway Avenue)

91.70

Segment 3B

Pot-hole

98.50 (no progress)

  Trench

97.95 to 98.50

  Lower-In

97.45 to 98.12, 98.39 to 98.43

  Coating

97.45 to 98.12, 98.39 to 98.40

  Conduit

97.57 to 98.12, 98.39 to 98.40

  Backfill

97.57 to 98.12, 98.36 to 98.39

  Bore (railroad tracks near 110 Freeway)

97.46

  Valve

98.48

Los Feliz

Pipeline Installation - Completed

93.14 to 93.78

  Valves (StorItAll) - Completed

93.48

  Bore (Glendale Blvd.) - Completed

93.78

1. Construction progress from May 4 through May 31.

 

Table 4. Non-Compliance Events for Segment 31

Segment

Mitigation Measure/PC

Description/

Non-Compliance Level

First

Observed

Corrected

Status

3A

A.2.1 - All construction activities stay within the right-of-way at all times. Construction activities occurred outside approved 50-foot right-of-way - Level 3

5/25/98

Yes

Acceptable

3A

A.2.1 - All construction activities stay within the right-of-way at all times. Construction activities occurred outside approved 50-foot right-of-way - Level 3

5/29/98

Under review by CPUC

Under review by CPUC

1. Non-compliance reports issued from May 4 through May 31.

Segment 4 Construction: Segment 4 is being constructed by two separate crews. Construction of Segment 4A, from downtown Los Angeles to Watts Junction, began on October 20, 1997, and is being conducted from 8:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., Monday night through Friday night, to minimize traffic impacts. Segment 4B construction (day time), from Watts Junction to the Chevron El Segundo Refinery, commenced on October 23, 1997. Primary activities during the month of May are presented in Table 5. Table 6 presents the non-compliance events that occurred on Segment 4 during May.

Segment 4A - During May, numerous underground utilities and unstable soils (trench collapses) continued to slow progress. PPSI inspectors worked with contractor personnel to ensure that the Traffic Control Plan is correctly implemented. On May 21, a dump truck attempting to make a U-turn in the middle of Alameda Street was caught inside a set of railroad crossing arms as a train approached. The train was stopped while the truck was moved. Union Pacific Railroad filed a complaint with PPSI and is requiring a flagman to be on-site during work adjacent to live rail lines. A memo was issued reminding the contractor to store materials in their construction yard and not on city streets in accordance with the requirements of the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan and Mitigation Measure T-8; contractor continued to store project materials on 20th Street during May.

Segment 4B - During May, work was conducted at the directional drills at Aviation Boulevard, El Segundo Boulevard, and the 110/105 interchange. Work was also conducted at the following roadway bores: Grevillea Avenue, Crenshaw Boulevard, Van Ness Avenue, Budlong Avenue, Vermont Avenue, Main Street, Avalon Street, and Belhaven Street. Mainline construction was conducted at 108th Street, Santa Ana Boulevard, Inglewood Boulevard to Crenshaw Boulevard, and west of Douglas. A community liaison addressed community concerns in the 108th Street area. While crew was trenching at ESMP 0.36, the ditch caved-in, breaking two exposed sewer lines. All notifications were made and the pipes were repaired.

Rain limited Segment 4 construction activities on May 4, 5, 6, and 12.

 

 

Table 5. Construction Activities for Segment 41

Segment

Activity

Milepost (approximate)

4A

Pot-hole

101.65 to 102.31

  Trench

101.56 to 102.08

  Lower-In

101.37 to 102.02

  Coating

101.37 to 101.89

  Conduit

101.35 to 101.85

  Backfill

101.32 to 101.85

4B

Pot-hole

0.23 to 1.03, 10.07

  Trench

0.23 to 1.03,

8.36 to 8.79, 10.07

  Lower-In

0.23 to 1.03,

8.34 to 8.50, 10.07

  Coating

0.23 to 1.03,

8.34 to 8.50, 10.07

  Conduit

0.23 to 1.03,

8.43 to 8.48, 10.07

  Backfill

0.23 to 1.03,

8.34 to 8.50, 10.07

  Bore (Belhaven Street)

1.93

  Bore (Avalon Street)

2.53

  Bore (Main Street) - completed

3.05

  Bore (Vermont Avenue) - completed

4.10

  Bore (Budlong Avenue) - completed

4.34

  Bore (Van Ness Avenue) - completed

5.92

  Bore (Crenshaw Blvd.) - completed

6.46

  Bore (Prairie Avenue)

7.45

  Bore (York Avenue) - completed

7.52

  Bore (Oxford Avenue) -

7.58

  Bore ( Menlo Avenue) - completed

7.64

  Bore (Freeman Ave.) - completed

7.70

  Bore (Cedar Avenue) - completed

7.76

  Bore (Birch Avenue)

7.82

  Bore (Hawthorne Blvd.) - completed

7.97

  Bore (Grevillea Avenue) - completed

8.09

  Bore (Inglewood Avenue) - completed

8.46

  Bore (Eucalyptus Avenue) - completed

8.84

  Bore (Aviation Blvd.) - unsuccessful

9.61

  Bore ( Douglas Blvd) - completed

9.84

  Directional Drill (Aviation Boulevard)

9.61

  Directional Drill (Douglas & Sepulveda) - Completed

10.60

1. Construction progress from May 4 through May 31.

 

Table 6. Non-Compliance Events for Segment 41

Segment

Mitigation Measure/PC

Description/

Non-Compliance Level

First

Observed

Corrected

Status

4B

T.1.1 - Follow approved Traffic Control Plan. Street was completely closed to traffic - Level 1

5/8/98

5/8/98

Acceptable

4A

SS.2 - Hand tools shall be used within 24 inches of underground structures. A marked underground utility was hit during trenching - Level 3

5/29/98

Under review by CPUC

Under review by CPUC

1. Non-compliance reports issued from May 4 through May 31.

Segment 5 Construction: This segment involved 3 phases of operation, construction of Segment 5A (Dominguez Channel to Sepulveda Blvd. - MP 116.21 to 116.75) was completed on July 18, 1997, with the exception of a section of suspended pipe at Dominguez Channel (approximately 300 feet) and where skips between segments remain. Construction of Segment 5B (along Alameda Street south of Sepulveda Blvd. and south along Henry Ford to Anaheim Street - MP 116.75 to 118.83) was completed during September 1997. Construction of Segment 5C (remainder of Segment 5 - MP 107.95 to 116.21) commenced on August 29, 1997. Primary activities during the month of May are presented in Table 7. No non-compliance events occurred on Segment 5 during May.

During May, trenching of the pond south of Sepulveda Boulevard was conducted and the bore south of the pond was completed. The bore under Sepulveda Boulevard also commenced. During the third week of May the tie-in of the 20-inch pipe with the 16-inch carrier line was completed. Rain limited construction activities on May 5.

Table 7. Construction Activities for Segment 51

Segment

Activity

Milepost (approximate)

5A

Completed except where skips between segments remain

115.62 to 115.87

  Dominguez Channel crossing - completed

116.21

5B

Completed except where skips between segments remain

116.75 to 117.30

5C

Pot-hole

117.36 (completed)

  Trench

116.84 to 116.91,

117.32 to 117.36

  Lower-In

117.32 to 117.36

  Coating

117.32 to 117.36

  Conduit

117.32 to 117.36

  Backfill

117.32 to 117.36

  Bore (Del Amo Blvd.) - Completed

113.98

  Bore (Dominguez St.) - Completed

114.50

  Valve - Completed

116.67

  Bore (Sepulveda Blvd.) - Completed

116.80

  Bore (south of pond)

116.90

1. Construction progress from May 4 through May 31.

 

 

VARIANCES

During May, the following variances were approved/denied:

Table 8. Variance Approvals/Denials

Variance #

Description

Segment(s) Variance Applies

Agency Decision

62

Refueling within 0.25 miles of the California Aqueduct and Verdugo Wash

3

Approved

64

Refueling with 0.25 miles of streams along Segment 1 (except Tejon Bench locations)

1

Approved

66

Refuel withing 0.25 miles of Cuddy Canyon Creek and Cuddy Canyon Tributary

1

Approved

67

Open cut trenching of Goodwin Avenue to install HDPE geomembrane protection

3

Approved

68

Open cut trenching of Van Nuys Blvd, City of Los Angeles

3

Denied

69

Open cut trenching of West Chevy Chase Avenue, City of Glendale

3

Denied

70

Open cut trenching of Roxford Street, City of Los Angeles

3

Denied

71

Open cut trenching of Bledsoe Street, City of Los Angeles

3

Denied

72

Open cut trenching of Polk Street, City of Los Angeles

3

Denied

76

24-hour construction and Sunday construction at the I-105/110 directional drilling during pullback operations (amended version)

4B

Approved

78

Refueling with 0.25 miles of streams along Segment 1 (except Tejon Bench locations)

1

Approved

79

Refuel withing 0.25 miles of Cuddy Canyon Creek and Cuddy Canyon Tributary

1

Approved

81

Realign pipeline route from Alameda Corridor ROW to West Alameda Street between Zoe Ave and Southern Ave

4B

Approved

85

Open cut trenching of Goodwin Avenue to install HDPE geomembrane protection

3

Approved

8, Amended

Refueling within 0.25 miles of the California Aqueduct and Verdugo Wash

3

Approved

 

CONSTRUCTION YARDS/STAGING AREAS

During May, the following construction yards/staging areas were approved/denied:

 

 

Table 9. Construction Yard/Staging Area Approvals/Denials

Request #

Construction Yard/Staging Area

Applicable Segment(s)

Agency Decision

34

Two extra work spaces for spoils and equipment storage

1

Approved

35

Two extra work spaces for spoils and equipment storage

5

Approved

36

Extra work space for spoils and equipment storage at Central Avenue and 16th Street

4

Approved

38

Extra work space and access road through the Midway Railroad Yard, City of Los Angeles

3B

Approved

40

Access Road through Cornfield Railroad Yard, City of Los Angeles

4B

Approved

41

Extra work space for materials and equipment storage, Vernon Ave. & Hawthorne Ave, City of Los Angeles

4

Approved

12, Amended

Extra work space for equipment storage.

1

Approved

 

Compliance Documentation: PPSI’s general plans and reports have been submitted and approved by the CPUC and ANF. Outstanding plan issues relate only to proposed revisions to approved plans (submitted by PPSI as variance requests, documented above) or updated plans. The remaining compliance issues that must be documented prior to or during construction on each segment relate to: (1) obtaining permits or landowner agreements from local jurisdictions and landowners, (2) completion of Traffic Control Plans and their approval by local jurisdictions, and (3) completion of the landowner, resident, and business notification processes.

During May, compliance review of the mitigation measures requiring implementation prior to the commencement of station construction was conducted. On May 28, the CPUC conditionally approved construction of the following stations: Emidio Pump Station, Grapevine Pump Station, Lynwood Station, El Segundo Station, Wilmington Station, and Ultramar Station. In addition, the review and modification of the Whitaker Station Tank Report continued during May to determine if the elimination of the pressure relief tank is feasible (as concluded by the report); construction of the Whitaker Station will not proceed until a final determination is made regarding tank elimination.

CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE

Table 10 presents the current construction schedule for Pacific Pipeline.

 

 

Table 10. Construction Segment Schedule

Segment

Original Construction Schedule

Revised Construction Start Date

Estimated Construction Completion Date2

Segment 1

July 1, 1997

Under construction since November 5, 1997

August 18, 1998

Segment 2A

June 2, 1997

June 27, 1997

Construction completed to Templin Highway November 9, 1997

Segment 2B

Mid-August, 1997

Under construction since November 6, 1997

August 11, 1998

Segment 2C1

Originally scheduled for completion as part of Segment 2A

Contingent upon approval of Whitaker Tank Report

August 4, 1998

Segment 3

July 1, 1997

Under construction since September 30, 1997

June 17, 1998

Segment 4A1

July 1, 1997

Under construction since October 20, 1997

August 14, 1998

Segment 4A2

Originally scheduled for completion as part of Segment 4A1

April 1, 19982,3

July 17, 1998

Segment 4B

August 25, 1997

Under construction since October 23, 1997

June 15, 1998

Segment 5

July 1, 1997

Under construction since July 14, 1997

May 28, 19984

Emidio Pump Station

October 1997

June 1998

July 29, 1998

Grapevine Pump Station  

June 1998

July 29, 1998

Whitaker Pressure Relief Station  

Contingent upon approval of Whitaker Tank Report

August 10, 1998

Lynwood Station  

June 1998

June 9, 1998

El Segundo  

June 1998

July 27, 1998

Wilmington  

June 1998

August 10, 1998

Ultramar  

June 1998

August 14, 1998

1. Templin Highway to ANF southern boundary.

2. Estimated construction start date per PPSI, March 9, 1998.

3. Construction has not commenced as planned.

4. Construction has not been completed as planned.

PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAM

• Due to the lack of public interest in visiting the MMCRP Walk-In Sites (that was in operation from July 1997 through February 1998), our Student Interns no longer staff the Valley Family Center site in San Fernando, and the Parents of Watts site in Watts on a scheduled basis. However, project documents and PPSI computers remain at the sites for public use, and MMCRP Student Interns available on an as-needed basis (i.e., by appointment). The project information hotline and project newsletter, provide information on how to make an appointment for the Walk-In Sites

• During May, no members of the public made appointments to visit the MMCRP Walk-In sites in San Fernando and Watts.

• The hotline message and project web site continue to be updated as the project progresses. During May, three messages were left on the hotline, and the web site received 56 hits.

Environmental Justice: As of May, PPSI is in compliance with all construction-related aspects of the mitigation measures applicable to minority populations and low-income populations. These measures include: ML-1 (Community Outreach and Communications Program), ML-2 (Community Partnership Program), ML-3 (Local Community and MBE Hiring Program), and ML-6 (implementation of the BIMP).

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