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

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

On January 15, the Senior Construction Inspector for the County of Los Angeles issued an inspection notice instructing the project to clean-up and shorten the operation to applicable permit specifications. In addition, once the project was in compliance with permit specifications, a two-day shutdown of all construction activities occurred (January 21 and 22). Crews lowered-in and welded valve pipes at San Andreas block valve No. 8 (MP 30.4). Trenching began on the north end of Gorman Slide (MP 28.67). During January, Peace Valley Road was periodically restricted to one lane with appropriate traffic control measure in place. Rain limited construction activities on January 9, 15, and 16 . Construction did not occur during the New Years Holiday (January 1 and 2).

Table 1. Construction Activities for Segment 11

Activity

Milepost (approximate)

Pot-hole

Complete to Frazier Park

Trench

29.58 to 31.44

Bending

29.57 to 31.44

Lower-In

29.57 to 31.44

NDT (x-ray)

29.57 to 31.59

Coating

29.57 to 31.59

Conduit

29.67 to 31.69

Backfill

29.67 to 31.69

Paving

29.97 to 31.90

Bore (Copco Road) - Completed

32.71

Valve Site (Copco Road) -

Completed

32.81

1. Construction progress from December 29 through January 31.

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. Implementation of the erosion control plan as requested by the ANF in a letter to PPSI dated December 15, 1997 was not conducted by PPSI during January. 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 January are presented in Table 2. No non-compliance events occurred on Segment 2B during January.

During January, traffic control was monitored daily by a Los Angeles County inspector. Pilot cars were used along The Old Road to guide cars through the construction zone. The horizontal direction drill at Castaic Creek commenced during January. On January 23, a sideboom struck a guy wire for a utility pole. The pole snapped and fell into The Old Road north of the Hasley Canyon intersection, blocking the roadway. All parties were notified and repairs were made. Residents did not experience a power outage and no one was injured. Also on January 23, during internal cleaning (pigging) of welded pull-pipe, the catcher at the end of the pipe came off, allowing the cleaning apparatus to leave the right-of-way. No one was injured, but minor damage occurred to a light post. All parties were notified and repairs to the light post were made the following week. Rain limited construction activities on January 9. Construction did not occur during the New Years Holiday (January 1 and 2).

Table 2. Construction Activities for Segment 2B1

Activity

Milepost (approximate)

Pot-hole

61.51 to 62.00

Trenching

58.67 to 61.93

Lower-In

58.48 to 61.90

Conduit

58.26 to 61.96

Welding

58.26 to 58.48

Coating

58.26 to 61.93

Backfill

58.24 to 61.93

Paving

58.13 to 61.59

Directional Drill (Castaic Creek)

61.12

1. Construction progress from December 29 to January 31.

 

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 3B) commenced on October 28. Primary activities during the month of January are presented in Table 3. Table 4 presents the non-compliance events for Segment 3 during January.

During January, bores were conducted at the following roadways: Paxton Street, Pierce Avenue, Osborne Street, Branford Street, Sheldon Street, Penrose Street, Sunland Avenue, and Arvilla Avenue. The Segment 5 crew started an additional construction zone (northern) on Segment 3. The northern work crew was disbanded on January 20 until a Metropolitan Transit Authority flagperson is available full time. The California Fire Marshall performed a general inspection of Segment 3. Rain limited construction activities on January 9. Construction did not occur during the New Years Holiday (January 1 and 2).

Table 3. Construction Activities for Segment 31

Segment

Activity

Milepost (approximate)

Wolfskill to Jessie Streets Cased bore

78.52 (completed)

  Pipeline/conduit installation

78.37 to 78.57

(completed)

3B (south)

Pot-hole

83.91

  Trenching

80.93 to 83.37

  Conduit

80.52 to 83.16

  Lowering-In

80.71 to 83.35

  NDT (x-ray)

80.60 to 83.16

  Coating

80.60 to 83.16

  Backfill

80.61 to 83.05

  Bore (Paxton Street) - Completed

79.11

  Bore (Pierce Avenue) - Completed

79.93

  Bore (Osborne Street) - Completed

80.74

  Bore (Branford Street) - Completed

81.29

  Bore (Sheldon Street) - Completed

82.11

  Bore (Penrose Street) - Completed

83.48

  Bore (Sunland Avenue)

84.09

  Bore (Arvilla Avenue)

85.02

  Valve - Completed

81.48

3B (north)

Pot-hole

76.32

  Shrub Removal

75.43 to 76.32

1. Construction progress from December 29 to January 31.

Table 4. Non-Compliance Events for Segment 3

Segment

Mitigation Measure/PC

Non-Compliance Level

First

Observed

Corrected

Status

3B

(south)

A.8.2/P.2a.1/U.2.3 - Reclaimed water to be used in street sweepers/make arrangements to use reclaimed water/water truck drivers keep log. Reclaimed water not obtained - Level 2

1/5/98

Yes

Acceptable

  Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan - Do not store materials on the right-of-way for more than 3 days. Concrete-coated piped stored on the right-of-way for more than 3 days - Level 2

1/6/98

Yes

Acceptable

  A.7.2 - Trucks shall not leave engines idling for more than two minutes. Operator left his truck idling for more than 15 minutes - Level 2

1/27/98

Yes

Acceptable

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 January are presented in Table 5. Table 6 summarizes the non-compliance events for Segment 4.

During January, PPSI worked with the contractor to ensure that the traffic lanes were cleaned and road repairs were compacted properly before the end of the Segment 4A night shift. On Segment 4A, rail removal was slowed down because both the rails and ties south of Washington Street were embedded in concrete. On January 30, a third Level 3 non-compliance event occurred for Mitigation Measure SS-2, PC-2, which requires the use of hand tools within 24 inches of underground structures (see Table 6). Progress of bore sites along Segment 4B was slow during January because of equipment breakdowns and repair time. During January, equipment leaks on Segment 4B were excavated and removed from the right-of-way. Rain limited construction activities on January 9 and 16. Construction did not occur on either segment during the New Years Holiday (December 31/January 1 [nights/days] and 2).

Table 5. Construction Activities for Segment 41

Segment

Activity

Milepost (approximate)

4A

Track removal

101.53 to 101.90

  Pot-hole

100.06 to 102.00

  Trench

99.91 to 101.74

  Lower-In

99.65 to 100.17

  Saw-cutting

100.06 to 101.91

  Welding

99.61 to 100.16

  Coating

99.61 to 100.16

  Backfill

99.50 to 99.87

4B

Pot-hole

5.90 to 6.46

Cedar and Freeman Avenues

  Trench

10.40 to 10.66

  Bore ( Menlo Ave.)

7.64

  Bore (Freeman Ave.)

7.70

  Bore (Cedar Ave.)

7.76

  Bore (Hawthorne Blvd.)

7.97

  Bore (Grevillea Ave.)

8.09

  Bore (Inglewood Ave.)

8.46

  Bore (Eucalyptus Ave.)

8.84

  Bore (Aviation Blvd.)

9.61

  Bore ( Douglas Blvd) - completed

9.84

  Directional Drill (Douglas & Sepulveda) - Completed

10.60

1. Construction progress from December 29 to February 1.

 

Table 6. Non-Compliance Events for Segment 41

Segment

Mitigation Measure/PC

Non-Compliance Level

First

Observed

Corrected

Status

4A

SS.2.2 - Use hand tools within 24" of underground structures. 18 inch sewer line broken by backhoe - Level 3

12/29/97

Yes

Acceptable

  SS.2.2 - Use hand tools within 24" of underground structures. Pacific Bell telephone trunk lines (2) were cut by backhoe - Level 3

1/30/98

(also observed on 12/13/97, 12/39/97)

Under investigation by CPUC

Unacceptable - Under investigation by CPUC

4B

T.9.1 - Advance signing (at least 72 hours) when construction will cause loss of parking spaces. Construction equipment causing loss of parking spaces without signage - Level 2

1/9/98

01/12/98

Acceptable

  V.1.1 - Do not store spoils less than 50 yards from residences, schools, and businesses. Spoils stored less than 50 yards from residences, businesses, and a school - Level 1

1/9/98

01/12/98

Acceptable

  Hazardous Materials Management Plan, Section 9.1 (d) - Remove contaminated soils and dispose of properly. Motor fluid puddled under construction equipment - Level 2

1/9/98

01/12/98

Acceptable

1. Non-compliance reports issued from December 29 to February 1.

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 January are presented in Table 7. No non-compliance events occurred on Segment 5 during January.

During January, an underground vault was installed in Alameda Street, north of Auto Drive South (MP 111.72). Fiber optic cable was fed through conduit at Dominguez Channel Bridge (EMP 116.23). January 19, construction activities, except clean-up, were shut down for the remainder of the month while local permits were being secured. Removal of spoil piles remaining along East Alameda between Weber Avenue and Pine Street (EMP 108.86 to 109.42) and Alondra Boulevard and Auto Drive South (EMP 110.99 to 11.60) was conducted during the shut down. Work was suspended early on January 9 and 15 because of heavy rain. Construction activities did not occur during the New Years Holiday (January 1 and 2).

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-holing

110.90 (no progress)

  Trench

111.90 (no progress)

  Lower-In

110.90 to 111.38

  NDT (x-ray)

110.70 to 111.73

  Coating

110.70 to 111.73

  Conduit

110.70 to 111.73

  Backfill

110.70 to 111.90

  Paving

108.75 to 109.42 and

110.58 to 111.73

  Clean-up

108.86 to 109.42

110.99 to 111.60

  Road Bore (Dominguez Street)

114.50 (Completed)

  Road Bore (Del Amo Blvd)

113.98 (Completed)

1. Construction progress from December 29 to February 1.

 

VARIANCES

During January, the following variances were approved/denied:

Table 8. Variance Approvals/Denials

Variance #

Description

Segment(s) Variance Applies

Agency Decision

36

Modification of Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan; modify the amount of pipe that can be stored along the right-of-way.

All

Denied

40

Relocate block/check valve from station #3109+26 to 3123+00.

2B

Approved

 

CONSTRUCTION YARDS/STAGING AREAS

During January, 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

23

Directional drilling work space at Gorman Slide.

1

Approved

24

Directional drilling work space at Santa Clara River.

2B

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. 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

Segment 1

July 1, 1997

Under construction since November 5, 1997

Segment 2A

June 2, 1997

Construction completed to Templin Highway November 9, 1997

Segment 2B

Mid-August, 1997

Under construction since November 6, 1997

Segment 2C**

Originally Scheduled for completion as part of Segment 2A

Spring 1998

Segment 3

July 1, 1997

Under construction since September 30, 1997

Segment 4A

July 1, 1997

Under construction since October 20, 1997

Segment 4B

August 25, 1997

Under construction since October 23, 1997

Segment 5

July 1, 1997

Under construction since July 14, 1997

Pump and Pressure Relief Stations

October 1997

Spring 1998

** Templin Highway to ANF southern boundary

 

PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAM

• During January, our Student Interns continued to staff the Watts and San Fernando Walk-In Sites during the scheduled hours. No members of the public interested about the pipeline project visited either of the sites. Given the lack of public interest in the Walk-In Sites, the Student Interns will only continue to staff the sites through the end of February 1998. Starting in March 1998, project documents and PPSI computers will remain at the sites for public use, and MMCRP Student Interns will be available on an as-needed basis (i.e., by appointment). The project information hotline provides information on how to make an appointment for the Walk-In Sites. The upcoming MMCRP Newsletter No. 3, The Monitor, will also include information about the change in status of the Walk-In Sites.

• The hotline message and project web site continue to be updated as the project progresses. During January, one message was left on the hotline, and the web site received 73 hits.

Environmental Justice: In January, our Student Interns completed matrices of information from the PPSI Local and Minority Hiring Questionnaires and the Business Owner Notification logs. In mid-January PPSI submitted close to 300 additional Local and Minority Hiring Questionnaire forms for segments where construction recently commenced (i.e., October through January). As a result, the Student Interns will continue to update the matrices during the month of February. Based on evaluation of the Local and Minority Hiring Questionnaire forms submitted thus far, PPSI is in compliance with the MBE hiring requirements (target of at least 40%) of Mitigation Measure ML-3. The minority percentages of PPSI construction employees is as follows: Latino - 32.7%; African-American - 7.4%; Native American 4.5%; other - 3.0%.

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