PACIFIC PIPELINE PROJECT MITIGATION MONITORING,

COMPLIANCE, AND REPORTING PROGRAM

FEBRUARY 1998 - MONTHLY REPORT

 

The following constitutes the February 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 February are presented in Table 1. Table 2 presents the non-compliance events for Segment 1 during February.

During February, the bore at Gorman Creek (MP 32.40) was conducted. During the last week of February, traffic control was monitored daily by a Los Angeles County inspector. Rain limited construction activities on February 2, 3, 5, 6, 23, and 24. Because of excessive rainfall during February, trench dewatering was required. Trench dewatering methods were modified to adequately contain and control the volume and turbidity of discharged waters into adjacent fields, stream crossing #29, and Gorman Creek. Snow slowed construction on February 17 and 20.

Table 1. Construction Activities for Segment 1¹

1. Construction progress from February 2 through February 28.

Table 2. Non-Compliance Events for Segment 1¹

1. Non-compliance reports issued from February 2 to February 28.

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 requirements. On February 7, 1998, the ANF approved the Scope of Work, with comments, for erosion repairs as requested by Mike Wickman (ANF District Ranger) in a letter to PPSI dated December 15, 1997. However, implementation of repair activities was not conducted by PPSI during February due to excessive rainfall. ANF requested that PPSI provide an explanation on the use of the unapproved fiber optic conduit that was installed on ANF lands. Remaining construction within the ANF, from the Templin Highway to the southern ANF boundary, will commence in Spring 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 February are presented in Table 3. No non-compliance events occurred on Segment 2B during February.

During February, traffic control was monitored daily by a Los Angeles County inspector. The directional drill of the Santa Clara River commenced and was completed during February. However, the directional drill fractured out ("frac-out" - inert drilling mud traveled up a natural ground fractures to the surface) numerous times during the month which slowed progress. At each frac-out, containment areas were installed and a suction truck removed the drilling muds. Also during February, an eight-hour hydrostatic test of the Castaic Creek directional drill was successfully completed. Rain limited construction activities on February 2, 3, 6, 17, 23, and 24.

Table 2. Construction Activities for Segment 2B¹

1. Construction progress from February 2 to February 28.

Segment 3 Construction: Segment 3 runs from Sylmar to Dodger Stadium. 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 (referred to as Segment 3B) commenced on October 28. On February 5, a mini-crew began work on Segment 3 in the vicinity of Los Feliz (referred to as Segment 3C). Primary activities during the month of February are presented in Table 4. Table 5 presents the non-compliance events for Segment 3 during February.

Segment 3B - During February, bores were completed at the following roadways along the Segment 3B right-of-way: Paxton Street, Pierce Avenue, Branford Street, Sheldon Street, Penrose Street, Sunland Avenue, and Arvilla Avenue. The bore of Buena Vista Avenue commenced. Emergency crew worked from approximately 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on February 6 to secure a Sprint communication line that was in danger of being exposed at Penrose Street. Crew work Sunday, February 8 to clean Tuxford Road intersection and County drains of foreign materials that were not project-related. Crews worked Saturdays and on President Day near Roscoe Elementary School (construction not allowed during school hours).

Segment 3C - Excavation of two valve sites were completed and valves put in place along Segment 3C right-of-way in the StorItAll storage facility driveway. Bore pit excavation at Casitas Street for the Glendale Boulevard bore commenced. Property owner of the StorItAll storage facility halted construction on February 25 due to contract negotiations.

Rain limited construction activities on both Segments 3B and 3C on February 2, 3, 6, 23, and 24.

Table 4. Construction Activities for Segment 3¹

1. Construction progress from February 2 to February 28.

Table 5. Non-Compliance Events for Segment 3¹

1. Non-compliance reports issued from February 2 to February 28.

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 pm to 5:30 am, 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 February are presented in Table 6. Table 7 summarizes the non-compliance events for Segment 4.

Segment 4A - Track removal along the Segment 4A right-of-way was completed in February. Emergency crews worked on Tuesday, February 3 and Sunday, February 8 from 1:00 p.m. until approximately 4:30 p.m. to repair loosened temporary paving and potholes on Alameda Street between Washington Boulevard and 20th Street. Trench walls sloughed at 3rd Street; crew backfilled trench with slurry to stop collapse. On February 12, a representative from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department presented a personal safety talk for all Segment 4A personnel. On February 18, hydraulic fluid from a backhoe being repaired by the Contractor on Traction Avenue leaked into roadway gutter. PPSI Environmental Inspector worked with contractor to stop flow before it entered the storm drain. Also on February 18, it was discovered that an unmarked, 6-inch sere line had been damaged during previous excavations at the site (early-February). A Los Angeles City utility worked inspected repairs. On February 27, the contractor damaged a marked underground utility. This is the fourth such incident and in under investigation by the CPUC.

Segment 4B - On February 12, a representative from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department presented a personal safety talk for all Segment 4B personnel. Boring of roadways along the Segment 4B right-of-way continued during February. Spoils were stored along the right-of-way in such a manner as to not cause a visual impact.

Rain limited construction activities on both Segments 4A and/or 4B on February 2, 3, 4, 6, 17, 23, and 24.

Table 6. Construction Activities for Segment 4¹

1. Construction progress from February 2 to February 28.

Table 7. Non-Compliance Events for Segment 4¹

1. Non-compliance reports issued from February 2 to February 28.

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 February are presented in Table 8. No non-compliance events occurred on Segment 5 during February.

During February, construction activities on Segment 5C were shut down for the majority of the month while local permits were being secured from Los Angeles County. Construction resumed on February 26. On February 28, a conduit for a mismarked fiber optic line was cracked, but service was not interrupted.

Table 8. Construction Activities for Segment 5¹

1. Construction progress from February 26 to 28.

VARIANCES

During February, the following variances were approved/denied:

Table 8. Variance Approvals/Denials

CONSTRUCTION YARDS/STAGING AREAS

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

Table 9. Construction Yard/Staging Area Approvals/Denials

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. 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

1. Templin Highway to ANF southern boundary.

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

PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAM

• Our Student Interns continued to staff the Watts and San Fernando Walk-In Sites through February 28. No members of the public interested about the pipeline project visited either of the sites. Starting in March 1998, MMCRP Student Interns will be available on an as-needed basis (i.e., by appointment).

• The hotline message and project web site continue to be updated as the project progresses. During February, no messages were left on the hotline, and the web site received 60 hits.

Environmental Justice: During the month of February, our Student Interns continued updating matrices of information from the PPSI Local and Minority Hiring Questionnaires. Currently, we are working on extrapolating the final minority percentages from the data.

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