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

 

The following constitutes the April 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 April are presented in Table 1. No non-compliance events occurred on Segment 1 during April.

During April, construction was inspected by both Kern County and Los Angeles County inspectors. On April 1, the open trench near Block Valve #9 (EMP 30.45) was backfilled after it collapsed into a traffic lane along Peace Valley Road. On April 5, the hole (26-inch ream) for the Gorman Slide (EMP 25.94) directional drill collapsed. By then end of April, the directional drill was successfully completed. Rain and snow limited construction activities on April 14. On April 15, Segment 1 was shut down by the California Highway Patrol to allow traffic that had been rerouted from Interstate 5 (because of snow) to use the frontage road for passage. A telephone cable in a shallow trench was damaged on April 16 when some of the ground under stored spoil was scraped off by a piece of equipment that was loading spoil for placement back into the trench. All contacts were made and service was restored within 24 hours. On April 22, PPSI halted excavation at EMP 23.15 when contaminated soils were discovered. A contaminated soils specialist collected samples for analysis. The contamination was determined to be crude oil from an unknown source. Excavation resumed on April 24 and contaminated soils and water were handled and disposed of by a contaminated materials subcontractor.

Table 1. Construction Activities for Segment 11

Activity

Milepost (approximate)

Pot-hole

21.45 (no progress)

Trench

23.04 to 24.89

Lower-In

23.09 to 24.94

Coating

23.09 to 24.98

Conduit

23.19 to 25.00

Backfill

23.19 to 25.00

Directional Drill (Gorman Slide) - Completed

25.94

Bore (Gorman Creek) - Completed

32.40

Bore (Copco Road) - Completed

32.71

Valve Site (Copco Road) - Completed

32.81

1. Construction progress from March 30 through May 3.

Segment 2A (ANF) Construction: Construction within the ANF began on June 27, 1997 and was completed to Templin Highway on November 9, with the exception of some revegetation, valve, and conduit requirements. Implementation of ANF approved, erosion repair activities was not conducted by PPSI during April due to access constraints resulting from excessive rainfall. On April 29, a helicopter fly-over inspection of Segment 2A was conducted to view the areas requiring further work during spring/summer 1998. During April, review of the Whitaker Station Tank Report was conducted by Aspen Environmental Group; this report analyzes the feasibility of eliminating the pressure relief tank at the Whitaker Station. Remaining construction within the ANF, from the Templin Highway to the southern ANF boundary, including the Whitaker Station, is scheduled to commence on May 11, 1998.

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 April are presented in Table 2. Table 3 presents the non-compliance events that occurred on Segment 2B during April.

During April, traffic control was monitored daily by a Los Angeles County inspector. In early-April, as trenching went through the intersection of The Old Road and Magic Mountain Parkway, traffic to Magic Mountain Amusement Park backed-up on both the north- and south-bound lanes of Interstate 5. Both the California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works determined that construction through this area should be conducted at night (10:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. - see Variance Request #63). Nighttime work in this area was completed during the fourth week of April. On April 13, an unmarked 0.5 inch gas line was cut during excavations. All notifications were made and repairs were completed within four hours. Service was not interrupted to any customers. On April 14, an unmarked water line was broken during trenching. Notifications were made and the owner repaired his pipe. Exclusion fencing was installed around oak tress on or near the right-of-way south of Valencia Boulevard to McBean Parking before clearing and grading operations began, in accordance with approved Variance Request #60. On April 30, a marked 18-inch water line (EMP 65.93) was hit by the trenching machine. Repair crews were on-site within five minutes of the break and repairs were completed without interruption of service to customers.

Table 2. Construction Activities for Segment 2B1

Activity

Milepost (approximate)

Pot-hole

63.10 to 66.26

Trench

63.10 to 65.74

Lower-In

62.66 to 65.24

Conduit

62.35 to 64.77

Coating

62.55 to 65.24

Backfill

62.35 to 64.77

Paving

62.28 to 64.51

Directional Drill (Castaic Creek)

Completed

61.12

Valve (Santa Clara River) - Completed

63.15

Directional Drill (Santa Clara River) Completed

64.02

1. Construction progress from March 30 through May 3.

Table 3. Non-Compliance Events for Segment 2B1

Mitigation Measure/PC

Description/

Non-Compliance Level

First

Observed

Corrected

Status

SS.2 - Use hand tools to excavate within 24 inches of underground structures and in utility intensive areas. Marked, 18-inch water line cut by trenching machine during excavation - Level 3

4/30/98

5/1/98

Acceptable

1. Non-compliance reports issued from March 30 through May 3.

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 and was completed on October 7. Construction of the remaining portions of Segment 3 commenced on October 28. In April, Segment 3 construction was conducted as 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). On February 5, a mini-crew began work on Segment 3 in the vicinity of Los Feliz (referred to as "Los Feliz" crew). This crew is working primarily at the StorItAll facility and the Glendale Boulevard bore. Primary activities during the month of April are presented in Table 4. Table 5 presents the non-compliance events that occurred on Segment 3 during April.

Segment 3A (previously referred to as "North") - During April, the northward directional drill at the Burbank Crossing (EMP 86.91) was completed and the southward directional drill commenced. Frac-outs (leakage of directional drilling lubricating mud) at the southward drill continued throughout the month. The first week of April was primarily spent repairing the ditch and cleaning the pipe along San Fernando Road (EMP 86.43 to 86.59); damage was caused by heavy rains the previous week. On April 9, two unmarked, underground telephone lines were cut during trenching operations. All appropriate procedures and contacts were made. Work commenced at the West Broadway Avenue (EMP 91.70) bore, but was stopped on April 22, when a worker was fatally injured in the bore pit. Construction was halted for the day during the OSHA investigation and boring activities were suspended for the remainder of the month.

Segment 3B - On April 22, construction began on Segment 3B. On April 27, during clearing and grading, materials were pushed outside of the existing right-of-way (see Table 5 below). Branches of a Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) were damaged by equipment. An arborist was notified and trimmed the branches as necessary.

Segment 3 (Los Feliz) - During April, construction activities were completed at the StorItAll facility (EMP 93.14 to 93.75). The Glendale Boulevard bore site at Casitas Street (EMP 93.78) was cleaned of debris and mud the first week of April, due to flooding the previous week.

Table 4. 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 (Previously referred to as "North")

Pothole

90.54 to 92.53

  Trench

90.54 to 92.53

  Lowering-In

90.54 to 92.82

  Coating

90.54 to 92.59

  Conduit

90.54 to 92.29

  Backfill

90.54 to 92.29

  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)

86.91

  Bore (Bekins Way)

90.87

  Bore (West Broadway Avenue)

91.70

Segment 3B

Pot-hole

97.46 to 98.50

  Clear

97.46 to 98.50

  Trench

98.06 to 98.39

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 March 30 through May 3.

Table 5. Non-Compliance Events for Segment 31

Segment

Mitigation Measure/PC

Description/

Non-Compliance Level

First

Observed

Corrected

Status

3B

A.2.1 - All construction activities stay within the approved right-of-way. Debris and soil were pushed outside of the existing right-of-way - Level 3

4/27/98

4/28/98

Acceptable

1. Non-compliance reports issued from March 30 through May 3.

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 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. Primary activities during the month of April are presented in Table 6. No non-compliance events occurred on Segment 4 during April.

Segment 4A - During April, traffic controls were monitored and modified by the City of Los Angeles inspector to reduce impacts to local traffic. Collapsing of trench walls due to soil conditions occurred throughout April, slowing construction progress; the trench walls were shored and voids behind shoring were backfilled. No work occurred on April 3 due to rain. On April 14, an unmarked sewer line and a marked water line were broken during trenching operations. All appropriate agencies were contacted and the sewer line was repaired before the end of the shift. City of Los Angeles workers directed that the water line not be repaired and would be abandoned at the main. On April 21, an unmarked steel conduit was cut, interrupting traffic signal lights at the Hollywood Freeway exit onto Alameda Street. City crews were notified and repairs were made. On April 22, an abandoned Southern California gas line was cut, releasing fumes. The contamination specialist monitored the emissions until it was safe to resume work in the area. On April 29, crews cut through an unmarked 1.5-inch water line. City crews were notified and repairs were made the next day.

Segment 4B - During April, work was conducted at the directional drill at Aviation Boulevard and at the following roadway bores: Grevillea Avenue, Birch Avenue, Freeman Avenue, Menlo Avenue, York Avenue, Oxford Avenue, Prairie Avenue, Crenshaw Boulevard, Van Ness Avenue, Budlong Avenue, Vermont Avenue, and Belhaven Street. On April 23, a crane was trapped on the rail when railroad arms lowered as a train approached. The arms were manually lifted and the crane was driven of the tracks of the way of the train. A memorandum was issued recommending better coordination with railroad representatives. On April 27, a memorandum was issued to PPSI notifying them that contaminated soils specialist should be on site to monitor all excavation activities.

Table 6. Construction Activities for Segment 41

Segment

Activity

Milepost (approximate)

4A

Pot-hole

101.07 to 101.65

  Trench

101.03 to 101.56

  Lower-In

100.92 to 101.37

  Coating

100.79 to 101.37

  Conduit

100.58 to 101.35

  Backfill

100.64 to 101.32

4B

Pot-hole

1.03 to 1.10

  Trench

8.22 to 8.36

  Lower-In

8.34 to 8.48

  Coating

8.34 to 8.48

  Conduit

101.35 (no progress)

  Backfill

8.34 to 8.48

  Bore (Belhaven Street)

1.93

  Bore (Vermont Avenue)

4.10

  Bore (Budlong Avenue)

4.34

  Bore (Van Ness Avenue)

5.92

  Bore (Crenshaw Blvd.)

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)

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 March 30 through May 3.

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 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. Construction of Segment 5C (remainder of Segment 5 - MP 107.95 to 116.21) commenced on August 29. Primary activities during the month of April are presented in Table 7. No non-compliance events occurred on Segment 5 during April.

During April, work at the Sepulveda Boulevard (EMP 116.73) bore were initiated and completed. Work was also initiated at a bore at EMP 116.90. Dewatering of the pond south of Sepulveda Boulevard began on April 9, but was halted for the third week of April because weekend rains refilled the pond. Dewatering of the pond resumed on April 17 and was completed by the end of the month. Potentially contaminated soils (diesel fuel) were excavated and tested by the contamination inspector. All required procedures were followed and contaminated soil was disposed of properly. On April 28, a railroad switch was hit by a sideboom. The railroad flagman was notified and repairs were made immediately. A project memorandum was issued to PPSI regarding using care around above-ground utilities.

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

116.74 to 117.38

  Trench

116.74 to 117.32

  Lower-In

116.74 to 117.32

  Coating

116.74 to 117.32

  Conduit

116.74 to 117.32

  Backfill

116.74 to 117.32

  Bore (Del Amo Blvd.) - Completed

113.98

  Bore (Dominguez St.) - Completed

114.50

  Valve - Completed

116.67

  Bore (Sepulveda Blvd.) - Completed

116.73

  Bore

116.90

1. Construction progress from March 30 through May 3.

VARIANCES

During April, the following variances were approved/denied:

Table 8. Variance Approvals/Denials

Variance #

Description

Segment(s) Variance Applies

Agency Decision

50

Open cutting of Tuxford Street (instead of boring), City of Los Angeles.

3

Approved

52

Refueling within 0.25 miles of streams along Peace Valley Road - two additional locations along Cuddy Canyon Tributary (see Variance Requests #32 & #43).

1

Approved

59

Request for nighttime construction (5:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.) and Sunday construction within MTA Taylor Yard.

3

Approved

60

Request for route change across Newhall Land & Farming between Valencia Boulevard and McBean Parkway.

2B

Approved

61

Request to eliminate two-minute idling restriction as stipulated by Mitigation Measure A-7.

3, 5

10-minute idling restriction approved

63

Request for nighttime (7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) construction at The Old Road and Magic Mountain Parkway.

2B

Approved

 

CONSTRUCTION YARDS/STAGING AREAS

During April, 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

33

Extra work space for equipment and spoils storage at Alameda Street and Seventh Street, City of Los Angeles.

4

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. In addition, the Whitaker Station Tank Report is currently being reviewed 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. Because the pre-construction notification process has been completed by PPSI for all segments, future compliance activity will be limited to the three activities noted, and will be managed in the field by the Environmental Monitors.

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

May 11, 19983

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, 19982,4

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, 1998

Emidio Pump Station

October 1997

May 11, 19983

July 29, 1998

Grapevine Pump Station  

March 26, 19982,4

July 29, 1998

Whitaker Pressure Relief Station  

May 11, 19982

August 10, 1998

Lynwood Station  

April 10, 19982,4

June 9, 1998

El Segundo  

April 27, 19982,4

July 27, 1998

Wilmington  

May 25, 19982

August 10, 1998

Ultramar  

June 9, 19982

August 14, 1998

1. Templin Highway to ANF southern boundary.

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

3. Estimated construction start date per PPSI, April 28, 1998.

4. Construction has not commenced 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 April, 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 April, two messages were left on the hotline, and the web site received 62 hits.

Environmental Justice: As of April, 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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