PROJECT MEMORANDUM - PACIFIC PIPELINE MITIGATIONMONITORING, COMPLIANCE, AND REPORTING PROGRAM

 

WEEKLY REPORT (May 18 through May 24, 1998)

A. INTRODUCTION

Construction continued on Segment 1 (Milepost [MP] 0 TO 33), Segment 2B (MP 56 to 73); Segment 3 (MP 73 to 99), Segment 4A (MP 99 to 108), Segment 4B (El Segundo MP 0 to 11) and Segment 5 (MP 108 to 118).

B. SEGMENT 1 CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

This segment extends southward from the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley (Emidio), through the Tejon Pass, to the northern perimeter of the Angeles National Forest. Construction will occur through agricultural fields, along roads and across very steep slopes. Segment 1 Environmental Monitor (EM), Lynn Stafford has been on-site during construction. PPSI has five craft inspectors, one environmental inspector, one Native American monitor, and one contaminated soils monitor inspecting the work of approximately 65 contractor employees. Construction progress from May 18 through 23, 1998 included the following:

Segment 1 Activities:

Activity Milepost (approximate)

$ Pot-hole 21.45 (no progress)

$ Coating 22.92 to 22.64

$ Trench 22.86 to 22.64

$ Conduit 22.94 to 22.74

$ Lower-In 22.92 to 22.64

$ Backfill 22.94 to 22.74

Segment 1 Comments:

No non-compliances occurred. Construction is being inspected by both Kern County and Los Angeles County construction inspectors. Backfill was begun at Stream Crossing #21 (EMP 27.81). Boring began at Stream Crossing #20 (EMP 27.43); 24-hour dewatering of bore pits was necessary because of ground water. Definitions of turbidity were clarified with PPSI inspectors. Excavation began at Stream Crossing #16 (EMP 22.74). One-way traffic along Lebec Road was controlled by several flaggers and a pilot car. Paving repairs were completed on Quail Lake Road and Peace Valley Road south of Gorman.

During clearing of road-shoulder vegetation between EMP 22.36 and 21.36, mammals and reptiles (including skunks, rodents, lizards, and gopher and king snakes) were relocated to adjacent fields. Breeding bird survey determined that a nesting population of yellow warblers (a California species of special concern) exists between EMP 21.77 and 21.45. All construction activities ceased in this area and will not resume until the young birds fledge.

Segment 1 Schedule for Next Week:

Continue work at Stream Crossings. Memorial Day holiday will be observed on Monday, May 25. Clearing and grading to begin west of I-5 on Tejon Ranch.

C. SEGMENT 2A CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

This segment within the Angeles National Forest (ANF) involved very steep slopes and required significant time and additional equipment for trenching, stringing, and other pipe-laying activities. All construction activities to Templin Highway, except revegetation, were completed by November 9. PPSI preparing to repair washed-out roads on ANF prior to enacting restoration activities.

D. SEGMENT 2B CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

This segment is primarily in open lands and roadway right-of-ways from Castaic to Sylmar. Segment 2B EM, Chris Fazzari, has been on-site during construction. PPSI has six craft inspectors, one environmental inspector, and one Native American monitor inspecting the work of approximately 95 contractor employees. Construction progress May 18 through 23, 1998 included the following:

Segment 2B Activities:

Activity Milepost (approximate)

$ Pot-hole 66.46 (no progress)

$ Conduit 65.19 (no progress)

$ Trench 65.74 (no progress)

$ Backfill 65.19 (no progress)

$ Lower-In 65.24 (no progress)

$ Paving 64.60 to 65.19

$ Coating 65.24 (no progress)

Segment 2B Comments:

No non-compliance events occurred. Traffic control has been monitored by Los Angeles County inspector. Repairs were made to the paved road south of Parker Road. Trenching was completed between Valencia Blvd and McBean Parkway and progressed to The Old Road intersection. To avoid existing utilities in the intersection, trench was excavated 14 feet deep. Bore at EMP 65.48 was completed. Bore pit at Church Street (EMP 58.24) was backfilled and paved. Underground valve was installed at Pico Canyon Road. The fuel tank containment area in the Castaic Yard was renovated.

Segment 2B Schedule for Next Week:

Begin second bore in the undeveloped lands between Valencia Blvd and McBean Parkway. Memorial Day holiday will be observed on Monday, May 25.

E. SEGMENT 3 CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

This segment is mostly within MTA rail right-of-way from Sylmar to Alameda Street in Los Angeles. Segment 3 EM, Brooke Langle, has been on-site during construction. Segment 3 has two construction spreads, 3A which is San Fernando to Taylor Yard and 3B which is Taylor Yard to Alameda Street.

On Segment 3A, PPSI has five craft inspectors, one part-time environmental inspector, two Native American monitors, and one contaminated soils inspector inspecting the work of approximately 90 contractor employees. On Segment 3B, PPSI has one craft inspector, one part-time environmental inspector, one Native American monitor, and one contaminated soils inspector. Construction progress from May 18 through 23, 1998 included the following:

Segment 3A Activities:

Activity Milepost (approximate)

$ Pothole (no progress)

$ Coating 87.10 to 87.45

$ Trench 87.34 to 87.53

$ Conduit 87.06 to 87.40

$ Lower-In 87.27 to 87.49

$ Backfill 87.00 to 87.40

Segment 3A Comments:

No non-compliance events occurred. Construction occurred along San Fernando Road in Burbank and in Taylor Yard. Numerous underground utilities continue to slow progress in Taylor Yard. A memo was issued reminding construction crews to stay within the approved ROW.

Directional drill pipe at Burbank Crossing (EMP 86.91 and 88.05) was successfully hydrotested.

Segment 3B Activities:

Activity Milepost (approximate)

$ Pothole 98.50 (no progress)

$ Coating 97.95 to 97.45

$ Trench 98.39 to 98.43

$ Conduit 98.05 to 97.57

$ Lower-In 97.95 to 97.45

$ Backfill 98.05 to 97.57

Segment 3B Comments:

No non-compliance events occurred. Construction was also slow in Midway Yard because of pipeline alignment ambiguities and landowner requests. A MCI cable was uncovered and relocated (with owner approval) east of the PPSI trench line.

Segment 3 Schedule for Next Week:

Segment 3A crew to continue in Taylor Yard. Segment 3B to continue construction in Cornfield and Midway yards. Memorial Day holiday will be observed on Monday, May 25.

F. SEGMENT 4A CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

This segment involves nighttime construction (8:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.) in railroad and roadway right-of-ways through mostly industrial areas from downtown Los Angeles to Compton. Segment 4A EM, Christopher Meyer, has been on-site during construction. PPSI has five craft inspectors, one environmental inspector, one Native American monitor, and one contamination inspector inspecting the work of approximately 65 contractor employees during construction. Construction progress from May 18 through 23, 1998 included the following:

Segment 4A Activities:

Activity Milepost (approximate)

$ Pothole 102.08 to 102.24

$ Coating 101.59 to 101.69

$ Trench 101.81 to 102.08

$ Backfill 101.44 to 101.55

$ Lower-In 101.61 to 101.70

$ Conduit 101.46 to 101.55

Segment 4A Comments:

No non-compliance events occurred. Work slowly continues at the Arcadia Street/Hwy 101 overcrossing with excavation around underground utilities and discussion of pipe placement. Trench collapse continues to be a concern during pipelaying at Washington Blvd. The contractor was reminded to store all materials in their construction yard and not on city streets. 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 filed a complaint with PPSI and is requiring a flagman to be on-site during work adjacent to live rail lines.

Segment 4A Schedule for Next Week:

The crew working at the Hwy 101 overcrossing will begin hand excavation on the south side of the overcrossing. Memorial Day holiday will be observed on Monday, May 25.

G. SEGMENT 4B CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

This segment involves construction in railroad and roadway right-of-ways through mostly industrial areas from Watts Junction to El Segundo Refinery area. Segment 4B EM, Neda Fioozat, has been on-site during construction. PPSI has five craft inspectors, one environmental inspector, one part-time Native American monitor, and one contamination inspector inspecting the work of approximately 70 contractor employees. Construction progress from May 18 through 23, 1998 included the following:

Segment 4B Activities:

Activity El Segundo Milepost (approximate)

$ Bore pit 8.09 (Grevillea Ave)-complete

$ Bore pit 4.10 (Vermont Ave)-complete

$ Bore pit 6.46 (Crenshaw Bl)-complete

$ Bore pit 3.05 (Main St)-complete

$ Bore pit 5.92 (Van Ness Ave)-complete

$ Bore pit 2.53 (Avelon St)-continue

$ Bore pit 4.34 (Budlong Ave)-complete

$ Bore pit 1.93 (Belhaven St)-continue

Segment 4B Comments:

No non-compliance events occurred. Backfilling operations still occurring at Aviation Blvd (ESMP 9.59) directional drill. Activities at Santa Ana Blvd (ESMP 0.23) included lowering-in, welding, coating and backfilling. West of Douglas trench was dug and pipe was laid (ESMP 10.07). Directional drill at El Segundo Blvd (ESMP 8.92). All pipe between Inglewood and El Segundo Blvd is tied-in and backfilling has begun.

Segment 4B Schedule for Next Week:

Continue work at bore pits. Memorial Day holiday will be observed on Monday, May 25. Directional drilling crew will not return until Wednesday, May 27.

H. SEGMENT 5 CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

This segment involves construction in railroad and roadway right-of-ways through mostly industrial areas from Compton to the Long Beach Harbor. Segment 5C EM, Pete Messick, has been on-site during construction. PPSI has two craft inspectors, one environmental inspector, one Native American monitor, and one contamination inspector inspecting the work of approximately 15 contractor employees. Construction is complete on Segments 5A and 5B. Construction progress from May 18 through 23, 1998 included the following:

Segment 5C Comments:

No non-compliances occurred. Localized construction activities continue. Trenching of the pond south of Sepulveda Blvd (EMP 116.84) continues as does trenching to the north of the pond (EMP 116.90).

Segment 5C Schedule for Next Week:

Bore under Sepulveda Blvd (116.80) scheduled to begin May 27. Memorial Day holiday will be observed on Monday, May 25.

I. VARIANCES

No variances were approved/denied by CPUC or ANF May 18 through 22, 1998.

J. EXTRA WORK SPACE

No extra work space/equipment storage areas were approved by CPUC or ANF May 18 through 22, 1998.

K. GENERAL PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK

Construction on Segments 1, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B and 5C will continue. All Segments will observe Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 25.

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