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THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this order on December 8, 1998, by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Uilkema, Gerber, DeSaulnier, Canciamilla, and Rogers
NOES: Nene
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
on this date, the Board of Supervisors heard the presentation by Captain Harlan
Henderson, the Commanding Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, of the Marine Safety
Office, San Francisco Bay, on the proposed closure of the Marine Safety
Detachment in Concord.
Captain Henderson related what he understood to be the County's four primary
areas of concern: The Marine Safety Office's ability to continue maintaining a fast
response and methods of evaluating responsiveness; the Marine Safety Office's
ability to continue to respond quickly to the scene with pollution clean-up
equipment, and to dispatch the necessary resources (i.e. federal fiends) if required;
the Marine Safety Office's continued commitment to partnerships; and their ability
to continue joint investigations followed by pollution enforcement actions. The
Captain also informed the Board that an immediate response to oil and hazardous
material spills were top priorities, and prevention his first priority.
The Board discussed the matter.
Supervisor DeSaulnier moved that the County Administrator coordinate the
Hazardous Materials Division of the Health Services Department, the Office of
Emergency Services, and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District with the
Marine Safety Office for on-going communications, and receive an annual report
on this matter. The motion died for the lack of a second.
Supervisor Uilkema inquired if Captain Henderson had received a copy of the
December 7, 1998, memorandum from, Elinor Blake, Executive Assistant of the
Hazardous Materials Commission (as attached). The Captain acknowledged that
he had received a copy. Supervisor Uilkema requested that Captain'Henderson
offer his response to the six elements listed in the memorandum relative to safety
concerns about the proposed closure.
Following further discussion by the Board, Supervisor Uilkema moved that the
Board accept the report by Captain Henderson; that the Federal Government be
reapproached to keep the Coast Guard/Marine Safety Detachment funded in Contra
Costa County, and following a decision by the Government, bring the matter back
to the Board for further review. Supervisor DeSaulnier seconded the motion.
Supervisors Gerber and Uilkema then requested that Elinor Blake respond to their
questions about the memorandum.
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After the Board further considered the matter, Supervisor Uilkema restated the
motion and included the language from Supervisor DeSaulnier's failed motion.
Ms. Uilkema further recommended that Items 1 through 4, and Item No. 6 of the
memorandum be included in communicating the County's concerns to the Federal
Government. Supervisor DeSaulnier accepted the amendments.
Following further discussion by the Board, the vote was as follows':
IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the report on the Marine
Safety Detachment in Concord, presented by Captain Harlan Henderson,
Commanding Officer, United States Coast Guard be ACCEPTED; the Chair
is AUTHORIZED to send a letter expressing the Board's concerns regarding
the proposed closure of the Detachment to the County's Congressional
delegation, REQUESTING that the delegation urge the Federal Government
to keep the County Detachment open and funded, the County Administrator
is DIRECTED to coordinate with the Hazardous Materials Division of the
Health Services Department, the Office of Emergency Services, and the
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District to review annually
preparedness relative to safety elements.
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an
action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of
Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: pecenber k1998
PHIL BATCHELOR,Clerk of the Board
of Supervisors and
dministrator
By99 C
arbara S.GY,ant,19ep; lerk
C.C. CAU
Haz Mat
Health Services
Office of Emergency Services
CCC Eire Protection Dist
2
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Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Meeting 8 december 1998
Remarks by Capt Harlan Henderson,Commanding Officer,Marine Safety Office San
Francisco Bay, On the Proposed Closure of Marine Safety Detachment Concord, CA
Good'Morning, Chairman Rogers and members of the Board. I am Captain Harlan Henderson,
Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Marine Safety Office San Francisco Bay. Thank you for
giving me the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the proposed closure of the
Marine safety Detachment(MSD)in Concord. The MSD is a 12 person sub-emit of mine
located at the Concord NWS. As the Captain of the fort and the Federal On-Scene Coordinator
for oil and hazardous materials spills, I am responsible for the safe,efficient and environmentally
sound maritime operations in San Francisco Bay,the Delta and along Northern California's
coastline. That responsibility includes ensuring that everything possible is done to protect our
natural resources. In carrying out these duties, I have access to a tremendous amount of
resources which I will address later.
Let me emphasize up front that response and preparedness to oil and hazardous material spills
are top priorities with my number one priority being prevention. I am committed to providing
outstanding services to the San Francisco Bay and the Delta Region. I firmly believe that even
with the proposed closure,the Coast Guard can effectively conduct its missions with the
resources available. One of the basis for that belief is that while the proposal includes closing
the Marine Safety Detachment,we have requested to maintain an unmanned field off ce in the
area and will reprogram some of the response personnel to my office in Alameda.
The Coast Guard's work force is the smallest it has been in 30 years. it has been trimmed to
36,000 from a high of 40,000. To continue to meet public needs and regulatory requirements in
an austere budget environment,the Coast Guard must continue to streamline and apply its
limited resources in the most constructive and productive manner without compromising any
critical services. As such,the Coast Guard examined the declining need for Explosive Handling
Supervision(EHS)as an opportunity to reduce and to leverage limited resources to higher
priority needs. Marine safety Detachment Concord was initially established specifically to
perform the explosive handling mission which has changed over time to include additional
missions such as spill prevention and response. These additional missions are already handled
by the Marine Safety Office in Alameda and the MSO with the reprogrammed'personnel, can
handle MSD's workload. Congress reviewed the closure proposal as part of the Department of
Transportation Fiscal Year 99 Appropriations Bill and directed that before any funds are
expended to close the Marine Safety Detachment, the Coast Guard was to 1) meet with Contra
Costa County officials to discuss the impact of the closure; 2) prepare a report of those
discussions that explains how the Coast Guard will assume the timely and efficient response to
oil and chemical incidents and oversight functions concerning oil and chemical traffic; and 3)
submit the report to Congress, after which Congress has 30 days to review the report and make a
final decision on the proposal.
Let me be very clear, this issue is very important to me. Even with the Marine Safety
Detachment closure, the Coast Guard will still be conducting business in the Delta region and I
want to listen to your concerns and explain how the Coast Guard intends to meet those concerns.
In Compliance with Congressional requirements, my staff met informally with Contra Costa
County Health personnel to identify county concerns and I am here to formally address those
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concerns. This morning,I have with me CDR Kristy Plourde, Chief of the Port Operations
Department,at the Marine Safety Office and Lieutenant Lane Johnson, Acting;Supervisor Marine
Safety Detachment Concord,who are also available to assist in answering your questions.
To help you understand how the Marine Safety Office operates and to understand its missions,I
have provided each of you a briefing package. It outlines our unit organization,how The Marine
Safety Detachment fits within that organization and statistics on our many varied activities. The
Marine Safety Detachment is and has always been a subordinate unit to the Marine Safety
Office.
• All Marine Safety Detachment operations are directed from the Marine Safety Office. I have
a staff of 100 Active Duty and 95 reserves at the Marine Safety Office to manage the Marine
Safety mission including response activities. Additionally, prevention efforts such as 'vessel
and Waterfront Facility inspection activities are coordinated and conducted from the Marine
Safety Office.
• The Marine Safety Office maintains a 24 hr watch whereas the Marine Safety Detachment
does not. After hours response calls have been handled from the Marine Safety Office in
Alameda.
From our meeting with Contra Costa County response agencies and in reviewing correspondence
from the Board of Supervisors and Congressional Representatives, the concerns, as I understand
them, center on four issues:
1. The Marine Safety Office's ability to continue maintaining a fast response time and methods
of evaluating responsiveness.
2. *The Marine Safety Office's ability to continue to respond with pollution clean up equipment,
to locate and dispatch additional resources to the scene and to use as needed,the federal
funds (Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund or CERCLA).
3. The Marine Safety Office's ability to continue its commitment to partnerships.
4. The Marine Safety Office's ability to continue joint investigations and follow up with
pollution}enforcement actions.
Let me address these concerns individually.
1. Regarding Response Time:
• As the Coast Guard official in charge of oil and hazardous material spill response for the
Northern California coastal/maritime region, I have been and will continue to aggressively
respond to all oil and HA?MAT spills. I am the only person authorized by the Coast
Guard in this region to access the federal spill dollars to fund"coastal zone"responses. I
do not need to have personnel on-scene to do this and have and will continue to ensure that
clean ups will proceed without delay to achieve the"best response" possible.
• All after hours responses have been and will continue to be directed from the Marine Safety
Office. If responders have to come from Alameda overland, there will be increased travel
time and a potential for delays. Response time from Alameda to points in the Carquinez
Straits will require approximately one hour which is not unusual throughout the country.
However, for each response,we have a risk management based decision process in place
and if there is a higher risk,I will employ other assets such as a Coast Guard Helo or a boat
from a nearby CG station to respond.
• Companies who transport oil are responsible for the clean up of that oil should there be a
spill. The MSO routinely inspects and exercises with these companies to ensure a high
level of spill preparedness. Generally,the only instance where one might expect a
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difference in spill containment or clean up time is in the case of oil spills with no identified
responsible parry or an unresponsive responsible party. But I have resources available
which enable me to take quick action in these cases.
• I have been working with Coast Guard Headquarters to reprogram response related billets
back to Marine Safety Office from the Marine Safety Detachment and have assurances
from the Navy to retain an office that would not be permanently occupied but could be
used by Marine Safety Office personnel when needed.
• My staff is evaluating response time data along with other factors that help us provide a
"best response"to oil and HAZMAT spills and we will ensure data continues to be
collected for responses in the Delta.
2. The Marine Safety Office has been and will continue to use its pre-staged response
equipment throughout the bay and delta including the response trailer in Concord. We will
continue to coordinate and participate in response preparedness drills,and we will continue
to work with marinas to improve awareness of environmental issues. As part of your
package, you have a handout that shows the spills in the SFB region are on the decline and
are at the lowest level in 5 years. I believe that this is a direct result of our prevention and
outreach efforts.
• This region is fortunate to have a large number of commercial response resources available.
The MSO has an excellent working relationship with these organizations and we have often
used them in spill responses.
• The Marine Safety Detachment reserve component will NOT be impacted by the Proposed
Marine Safety Detachment closure. They are a pool of 27 trained personnel that are
currently being used and will continue to be used for Marine Safety missions like spill
response.
3. The Marine Safety Office has an excellent partnership with other Coast Guard units
including Group San Francisco, Coast Guard Station Carquinez and Station Rio Vista,the
Coast Guard Pacific Strike Team; State agencies like State Lands Commission and
Department of Fish and Game's Office of Spill Prevention and Response; and local law
enforcement agencies all of which we can and have called on to assist us in responses. They
are force multipliers. The Marine Safety Office will also continue all its partnership and
outreach efforts including Sea Partners, Delta Partners and the Hazmat Interagency Taskforce
(HIT). Marine Safety Office personnel will continue to attend these meetings and be a
vibrant player and will continue to use its multi-agency capabilities to respond to incidents.
4. The Marine Safety Office will continue to aggressively investigate all reports of pollution
and work jointly with other agencies to complete our investigation. Currently, all pollution
investigations are completed and reviewed by the Marine Safety Office.
The closure proposal is part of the Coast Guard plan to best utilize its limited resources and
respond to budget cutbacks. Efficiencies in our organization can be realized and the proposal for
closing the MSD has been carefully evaluated by the Coast Guard.
Your concerns are my concerns. Prevention, response and preparedness have been and will
continue to be my top priorities. We will continue to work to ensure adequate'response
personnel are available to meet your concerns in the Delta. I will continue to provide you and
Contra Costa County constituents the best service that I can with the funding provided. We are a
member of this community and we take our public service responsibilities very seriously. Thank
you for the opportunity to appear before you this morning. I'll be happy to answer any questions
you may have.
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ell
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U.S.,Department Commanding Officer Coast Guard Island,Bldg. 14
of Transportation USCG Marine Safety Office Alameda,CA 94501
San Francisco Bay Phone: (510)437-3135
United States FAX: (510)437-3072
Coast Guard
11000
NOV , 9 1998
Administrator, Contra Costa County
Attn: Mr. Claude VanMarter
651 Pine St.
Martinez, CA 94553
Dear Mr. Van Marter:
There was a proposal contained in the Fiscal Year 1999 Department of Transportation
Appropriations Bill to permanently close the Marine Safety Detachment in Concord, California.
The Bill was amended by Congress requiring that prior to closure action, the Coast Guard was to
enter into discussions with Contra Costa County officials concerning the impact of the proposed
closure. In addition, the Coast Guard is to prepare a report to the House and Senate
Appropriations Committees explaining how the Coast Guard will assure the timely and efficient
response to oil and chemical accidents. I would like the opportunity to formally address the
County Board of Supervisors at their meeting on December 08, 1998 to outline the Coast
Guard's plan.
Prior to addressing the Board, I understand that you are aware that my staff will be meeting with
Contra Costa County Health Service representatives to discuss the proposed closure and identify
the county's response concerns.
I know this is a very important issue for the residents of Contra Costa County and I can assure
you that it is equally important to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard has enjoyed an excellent
working relationship with Contra Costa County officials and I am confident that effective
partnership will continue. I look forward to addressing you and the Board. If you have any
questions,please feel free to contact me at(510)437-3135.
Sincerely,
H. HENDERSONN
Captain,U.S. Coast Guard
Commanding Officer
USCG Marine Safety Office
San Francisco Bay
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Copy: PacArea(Pm) RECEIVED
NW I Q 199$
OFFICE OF
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Marine Safety Office
San Francisco Bay
California
STAMS
COAST GUARD
MAMNE SAFETY OFFICE
ArIM
e
December 1998
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INTRODUCTION
Marine Safety Office San Francisco Bay is a tenant command on Coast Guard Island,The main office is
located at building 14 with a detachment at Naval Weapons Station Concord and a detached duty inspector
in Eureka,California.
1. History: Marine Safety Office(MSO)San Francisco Bay was formed in 1973 when the former
Marine Inspection Office(MIO)San Francisca and Captain of the Port (COTP)San Francisco were
combined to form the Marine Safety Office. The geographic boundaries of the unit are descnbed in
the Area Of Responsibility section which follows.
2. Functional Description.
a. Mission Statement
MISSION STATEMENT OF MSO SAN FRANCISCO BAY
Assure the safe and pollution free use of San Francisco.Bay,the Delta and navigable waters of the
United States for the benefit of the people of California and the Nation.
Achieve waterborne safety and pollution prevention through the qualification and control of ..
persons entrusted to pilot,operate or maintain vessels and facilities adjacent to these waters,and
by minimizing management practices and operational risks that conflict with environmental and
operational safety.
Detect and respond immediately and substantially to potential or actual oil or hazardous material
discharges that may occur in spite of prevention efforts.
Minimize damage to the marine environment by coordinating pre-planning and aggressive
dispatching of response resources.
Expand MSO capabilities through pro-active augmentation by Coast Guard Reservists and
Auxiliarists,and through promotion and better understanding of MSO missions by other Coast
Guard units.
Achieve these prevention and response goals through active commitment and participation of all
personnel assigned to MSO San Francisco Bay in a continuous process of measurable
performance improvement.
b. Organizational diagram
cammaodng OfAcar
FOscto"UCOTP�
EatealNa Otf}ear �� Vis
Madre Soft Detachment
caned
------------
Pad Op"Heas Regional ezarn insp ons AdmIAl 6agoa: saaw in tong
Dapaamaffi Center Oepadrnent Oapaftent OtAear
Assistant Cniaf VessN tbvdY�g Admhisin&t&"Maar
APOPs
Port setKy And SsardyJ m d.ed*".ratat Respoaea
c. Departmental Responsibilities
Administration-This department maintains personnel records,issues travel orders and facilitates all other
personnel support related.functions.
Inspection-Implements all Commercial Vessel Safety(CVS)related initiatives. This includes all inspections
and boaniings of foreign and domestic commercial vessels. 'These programs include examinations of un-
inspected vessels(fishing,towing,and recreational);examination and certification of foreign freight,tank and
passenger vessels;and inspection of the domestic U.S.flagged fleet. Inspections is charged with carrying out
the U.S.Port State Control initiative and all aspects of international treaties dealing with.ships(MARPOL,
Load Line,etc...).
Investigations- Investigates;casualties including vessel ailisions,collisions,groundings,fires,and personnel
injuries/death;violations of law dealing with a equipment,vessel certificate issue or a personnel(license/MMD)
related infraction. Determine probable rause for casualties and issues presumption of death verification for
personnel lost at sea
Port Operations-This department has two divisions which have the following responsibilities:
Marine Environmental Response-deals with the Preparedness for and oversight of actual discharge or
release(or threat of)into the marine environment. This includes processing of pollution cases.
Port Safety-This division has a diversified role which includes inspection of shipping containers and
marine transportation related facilities,waterways management,and implementation of all shore-side
MARPOL treaty regulations(COA's etc..).
Regional Exam Center-Issues initial and upgraded Merchant Mariner Documents(MMD)and operators
licenses(Master,Mate,Engineer,etc..)this includes giving written and practical test to applicants,and
evaluating service time.
Marine Safety Detachment Concord-The detachment handles inspection,port safety and environmental
response for the San Francisco Delta region from Point Pinole up to the Ports of Sacramento and Stockton.
Vessel Traffic Service-VTS San Francisco Coordinates movements throughout the San Francisco Bay and
Delta region. The VTS is located at Yerba Buena Island(YBI)and is under the administrative control of the
Commanding Officer of MSO San Francisco Bay.
d. Personnel- MSO San.Francisco Bay has the following personnel allowances:
Active Officers - 32,Reserve Officers - 22
Active Warrant Officers - 7,Reserve Warrant Officers - i
Active Enlisted - 39,Reserve Enlisted - 54
Civilians - a
Marine Safety Detachment Concord
Active Officers - 2,Reserve Officers - I
Active Warrant Officers -2,Reserve Warrant Officers - I
Active wed - 8,Reserve Enlisted - 25
Detached Duty Eureka
Active Warrant - 1
Marine Safety Office
San Francisco Bad
Cr+el"at City
Burda • .,..
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Ftrrt Bre s f j
San Francisco
s
d .:....:.-.:. ..:
Monterey a
Area of
Responsibility
1. Geographical Description-AOR boundaries ace as follows,southern Oregon border to the southern
border of Monterey County,including San Francisco Bay and Delta region,Sacramento,Stockton,
Nevada,Utah and Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area,Wyoming. There are 17 Counties within
the CC)TP zone,these include several rand counties which have navigable waterways within their
boundaries.
There are approximately 585 miles of coastline from Point Sur to the Oregon border. The San Francisco
Bay and Delta waterway and shoreline totals have been est at 1500 plus miles with an additional
1100 miles of levees. The AOR also includes 72 miles of Lake Tahoe shoreline.
2. Commercial port descriptions
a. Monterey-Monterey Harbor is a compact resort harbor with some commercial activity and
fishing, The harbor can accommodate over 800 vessels, Depths of more than 20 feet are
available in the outer harbor and entrance,and 10 to 6 feet in the small boat basin. There are
many sport-fishing landings,and the small-craft basin provides good shelter for over 500 boats.
The harbor is owned by the city of Monterey and is under the control of the harbor master.
On the east shore of Monterey Bay is near the town of Moss Landing is a good harbor of refuge.
The harbor is used by a fishing fleet of about 300 vessel and pleasure craft.
Port Specifications;
Wharves Operator Max Draft Max LOA
1 City of Monterey 24 ft 1,600 ft
2 * City of Monterey N/A N/A
* also known as"Fishermans Wharf',contains mostly tourist related shops.
b. San Francisco Bay-The water-body inland of the Golden Gate is the largest estuary on the west
coast and conveys water from two of California's largest rivers;Sacramento and San Joaquin,
through San Francisco's Bay and Delta into the Pacific Ocean. The Petaluma and Napa Rivers
which are navigable waterways,flow into the north bay(San Pablo Bay)area. The estuary covers
435 square miles. The estuary drains the watershed covering 401/10 of the State. 170 million cubic
yards of sediment are circulated each year. The following is a brief synopsis of the ports located
within the San Francisco Bay and Delta.
Anchorages;
There are 30 designated anchorages in the bay,delta and river area. 16 are located within
San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay. The rest are located inland of the Carquinez Strait.
Anchorages 12, 13 and 14 are considered"explosive"anchorages and have special exclusions
that apply. Specific information on the anchorages can be found in 33 CFR 110.
1. San Francisco-The Port of San Francisco oversees a broad range of commercial,maritime
and public activities and is involved in an incredibly diverse range of businesses from cargo
shipping,ship repair,passenger vessels,fishing vessels and seafood industrial support/processing.
The Part's terminal facilities can handle just about any type of cargo including containers,bulk,
break bulk and liquid bulk.
Port Specifications;
Terminal Operator Max Draft Max:LOA
Pier 27 Marine'Terminals Corp. 35 ft 1,358 ft
Pier 29 Marine Terminals Corp. 35 ft 800 ft
Pier 30/32 Port of San Francisco 45 ft(face)28 ft(south) No restriction
Pier 35 Met Stevedore Company 38 ft 1,050 ft(s)
38 ft 700 ft(n)
Pier 45 Port of San Francisco 35 ft 700 ft
Pier 48 Port of San Francisco 26 ft(north)28 ft(south) 600 ft
Pier 50 N Port of San Francisco 25 ft 1,480 ft
Pier 50 S Port of San Francisco 35 ft 1,000 ft(face)
(ship repair facility) 1,100 ft(south)
Pier 70 Port of San Francisco 40 ft 723 ft
Pier 70(inner)Pacific Cas&Electric 30 ft Contact terminal
Pier 70(P3) San Francisco Drydock 26-30 ft 750 ft (shipyard)
Pier 80 Port of San Francisco 40 ft 1,138 ft
(SF North Container Terminal) 2,657 ft
Pier 90 Port of San Francisco 40 ft 900 ft
Pier 92 Baker Commodities 38 ft 700 ft
Pier 94/96 Stevedoring services 40 ft 2,450 ft
II. Oakland-The port of Oakland is one of the four major"box"gateways on the west coast, the
others being the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach California,Seattle and Tacoma in
Puget Sound Washington. Upcoming modifications to the port to be completed by the year
2000,will re-use ex-Navy Supply Center property as a new Joint Inter-modal Terminal.
Port Specifications;
Terminal Operator Max Draft Max LOA
ARMY U.S.Army 40 ft 900 ft
Berth 8 Port of Oakland 35€t 1000 ft
Berth 9 Port of Oakland 35 ft 1200 ft
Berth 10 Port of Oakland 35 ft 839 ft
Berth 20/22 Sea Land Services 40 ft 1,355 ft
Berth 23 Yusen Terminal Inc. 40 ft 900 ft
Berth 24 Maersk Pacific LTD. 42 ft 1,046 ft
Berth 25/26 Transbay Container Term. 42 ft 1,353 ft
Berth 30 TraPac Cont.Serv.Inc. 42 ft 1,100 ft
Berth 32/33 Matson Terminals Inc. 35 ft 1,532 ft
Berth 34 Matson Terminals Inc. 35 ft 720 ft
Berth 35/37 Marine Terminals Corp. 42 ft 2,163 ft
Berth 38 Marine Terminals Corp. 40 ft 862 ft
Berth 40 Port of Oakland 35 ft 608 ft
Navy U.S.Navy/P.O.Oak 32 ft 700 ft
Berth 60-63 American President Lines 38 ft 2,743 R
Berth 65/66 Schnitzer Steel Terminal 34 ft 640 ft
Berth 67/68 Howard Terminal 40 ft 1,942 ft
Berth 82 Marine Terminals Corp. 35 ft 950 ft
Berth 83/84 Marine Terminals Corp. 35 ft 1,150 ft
III. Alameda-The Alameda Terminals,in the City of Alameda,are on an island across the inner
harbor channel from Oakland. The port facility is owned by a private company,Encinal
Terminals,and is the largest privately owned steamship terminal in the United States. General
cargo handling,warehouse and freight storage facilities are operated by Stevedoring Service of
America. Bulk operations are performed by California Stevedore&Ballast Company. The
terminal,with four berths,is reached through Oakland Inner Harbor Channel which is dredged to
35 feet.
Port Specifications;
T Operator Max Draft Max LOA
Encrnal Berths
Berth 1-3 Enc final Terminals 35ft 1,800ft
Berth 5 Encinal Terminals 35ft 700ft
Alameda Gateway Berths
Berth 2 Alameda Gateway 24ft 550ft
Berth 5 Alameda Gateway 33ft 750ft
Berth 6 Alameda Gateway 24ft 600ft
IV. Redw Fly-The Port of Redwood City is the only deep draft port in South San Francisco
Bay. The port consist of four deep water berths along the Redwood Creek Channel,and handles
Primarily dry bulk and neo-bulk cargoes.
Port Specifications,
T� Operator Max Draft Max LOA
Wharves 1&2- Port of Redwood City 34ft
Wharves 3&4 Port of Redwood City 34ft none
none
Wharf 5 Port of Redwood City 34ft
none
V. Richmond-The Port of Richmond has a very diversified marine transportation infrastructure
which includes;bulk,break-bulk,RORO,container and bulk oil handling facilities. The port is
also home to the Marine Spill Response Corporation's Staging area for major oil response
equipment in the bay area.
Port specifications;
T� Operator Max Draft
Max LOA
1 Port of Richmond 25ft 557ft-�
2 California Oils Corp. 32ft 720ft
3 S. S. A. 35ft 1,009ft
4 Paktank 35ft 1,065ft
5 Pier 1 MSRC 12/28ft{e-w} 550ft
5 Pier 2 Marin Tug 16/12ft te-W}, 550ft
6 Berth A Port of Richmond, 25ft, 400 ft
6 Berth B Port of Richmond 30ft 200ft
6nraving 1 Port of Richmond N/A 575ft
6 Graving 2 Port of Richmond N/A 748ft
6 Graving 3 Port of Richmond N/A 587fit
6 Graving 4 Port of Richmond N/A, 575ft
'fig 5 American Navigation N/A 575 ft
Pasha Services 35ft 575ft
7 Pasha Services 35ft 575ft
8(private) Time oil 37ft 700ft
9 A,B,C Levin Richmond 38ft A 650ft, BIC 1,100ft
30(private) I.M.T.T 32 ft 600ft
11 (private) Castrol Inc, 32ft 600ft
13(private) TOSCO 35ft 736ft
14(private) ARCO Product Co. 35ft 800ft
15 National Gypsum Co. 30ft 800ft
Longwharf I CHEVRON 40.5ft 950ft
Longwharf 2 CHEVRON 37.5ft 650ft
Longwharf 3 CHEVRON 38ft 750ft
Longwharf 4 CHEVRON 47ft 1,100ft.
c. River Ports-Fed by the waters of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers,a 350 mile expanse of
water forms the upper and inner bays of the region,including San Pablo and Suisun Bays and the
Carquinez Strait. This area is sprinkled with ports and is the center of one of the largest industrial
complexes in the United States. The majority of facilities in this region handle bulk liquid cargoes
and are facilities for petroleum refineries.
1. Benicia-The port of Benicia is privately owned and operated. The port has a three berth,
2400 foot deep-water pier which handles automobiles(RORO),bulk and liquid bulk cargo.
Port Specifications;
Terminal Operator Max Draft Max LOA
Benicia Benicia Port Terminal Co. 38ft 1,055ft
EXXON EXXON Co. 33ft 1,055ft
H. Crockett(Martinez/Antioch/Rodeo/Hercules-These ports on the south side of the Carquinez
strait have a variety of cargo Viabilities with the majority being bulk petroleum. There is a bulk
gypsum facility at Domtar Terminal in antioch;a bulk sugar facility at C&H Sugar in Crocket;a
bulk/break-bulk and container dock at Gaylord in Antioch;Military cargo at Concord Naval
Weapons Station;Petro-cokelcaustic soda at Diablo Services in Pittsburg,steel products at USS-
POSCO in Pittsburg with the rest of the facilities handling primarily petroleum products.
Port Specifications;
Terminal Operator Max Draft Max LOA
Ozol TENCO Services Inc. 39ft T-5 Tankships
Shell Shell Oil Company 35ft 1,000ft
Wickland Oil Wickland Oil Martinez 35ft 1,000ft
Amorco TOSCO Inc. 41ft 920ft
Avon Wharf TOSCO Inc. 38ft 810ft
DOMTAR Domtar 32ft None
USS-POSCO USS-POSCO industries 32ft 800ft
Dow Dow Chemical 35ft 675+ft
C&H C&H Sugar 38ft 750ft
Selby Wickland Oil Terminal 45ft 850ft
TOSCO TOSCO Inc.(RODEO), 40ft 1,000ft
Pacific Pacific Refining Company 38ft 1,000ft
I Sacramento-The Port of Sacramento is approximately 60 mites inlaxid of the Golden Gate,
vessels must navigate through San Pablo Bay,the Carquinez Straits,Suisun Bay and on through
the Sacramento Deep Water Channel to offloadionload a variety of cargo. Opened in 1963,the
Port of Sacramento has emphasized bulk ergo handling. Bulk facilities handle a variety of
commodities such as rice,grains,feeds,fertilizers,chemicals and other dry bulk material. Vertical
elevators,covered flat storage warehouses and open bulk bulk storage is available. Port terminal
facilities include five 600ft long berths,over three miles of conveyors and environmentally-
controlled covered bulk storage for more than 245,000 tons of material such as fertilizers,grains
and minerals. Large open bulk storage areas provide for over 270,000 tons of wood chips,grain or
other commodities. UNOCAL Agricultural Products operates a fertilizer plant in West
Sacramento,the facility transfers Anhydrous Ammonia and Sulfaric Acid at its facility.
Port Specifications;
Terminal. Operator Max Draft Max LOA
Berth I Port of Sacramento 35ft none
Berth 2 Port of Sacramento 35ft none
Berth.5 Port of Sacramento 35ft none
Berth 6 Port of Sacramento 35ft 600ft
Berth 7 Alameda Gateway 35ft 60011 .
UNOCAL UNOCAL Agricultural 31ft(freshwater) 65411
e. Stockton-The Port of Stockton is 75 miles due east of the Golden Gate Bridge,The entrance to
San Francisco Bay. The approach is by way of San Francisco Bay,San Pablo Bay,Carquinez
Strait,Suisun.Bay and the Stockton Ship Channel. The Port of Stockton handles a variety of
general cargoes,either in or out of containers:baled cotton;machinery;bagged agricultural goods;
fertilizers;steel products;scrap;some liquid bulk and anhydrous ammonia.
Port Specifications;
Terminal Operator Max Draft Max LOA
Continental Continental Grain Company 38ft 725ft
Berth 2 Port of Stockton 38ft 616ft
Berth 3 Port of Stockton 40ft none
Berth 4 Port of Stockton 40ft none
Berth 5-6 Port of Stockton 40ft none
Berth 7-8 Port of Stockton 40ft 994ft
Berth 9 Port of Stockton 40ft none
Berth 10-11 Port of Stockton 40ft none
Berth 12-13 Port of Stockton 42ft 850ft
f. Lake Tahoe- Lake Tahoe which.straddles California and Nevada,is a recreation area almost
surrounded by Taboa,Toiyabe,and Eldorado National Forest. There is small passenger and
recreational vessel traffic on the lake. There are services available at several locations throughout
the area.
g. North Coast-The COT?zones northern coast consist of miles of rough uninhabited coastline
with several recreational and small commercial harbors. At the very northern reaches of the Zone
are Eureka and Crescent City,these cities are strong in logging and fishing with large commercial
and industrial harbor facilities.
1. Noyo DiverlFt.Bragg-The lower section of the Noyo River is the principal commercial and
sport fishing center of this section of the coast. Many fishing boats are based here. Most of the
facilities extend along both banks of the river to about.5 miles above the entrance. Machine shops
and marine railways can handle vessels up to 45 feet in length. Fort Bragg is the largest coast town
between San Francisco and Eureka. The lumber loading wary has been removed;and most
products are now shipped by rail, there is a limited number of sheltered anchorages which are
seldom used due to the proximity of the Noyo River facilities.
U. Eureka-Humboldt Bay,21 miles north of Cape Mendinci ao Light,is the first important
harbor north of San Francisco and is used by vessels drawing up to 31 feet The bay consist of two
shallow basins,South Bay in the south and Arcata Bay in the north which are connected by a
narrow channel about five miles long. Eureka has facilities that handle wood pulp,dry bulk,fish
and fish products,bulk oil and lumber.
Port Specifications;
Terminal Operator Max Draft Pier length
CHEVRON CHEVRON USA 35ft 2625
E.F. Eureka Forest Products 33ft 400ft
UNOCAL Union Oil California 33ft 2505
Dock A City of Eureka 30ft 375ft
Dock B City of Eureka 23ft 2505
Redwood Louisiana Pacific Corp. 33ft 1,060ft
North Coast North Coast Export Co. 38ft 1,260ft
Crown Crown-Simpson Pulp Co. 35ft 700ft
Olson Olson Terminals Inc. 18-26ft 1,0005
Marine Svc. Humboldt Harbor Rec. 18-26ft 1,0005
III. Crescent City-Crescent City Harbor,protected by breakwaters,is midway between San
Francisco Bay and the entrance to the Columbia River. Commercial and sport fishing boats
operate out of the harbor. The long wharf in the west part of the harbor is used by fishing vessels
to offload fish. The remains of two other wharves,just east of the existing.one were wiped out by
a seismic sea wave which struck the harbor on.March 27, 1364. There are several other piers and
wharves which offload fish from the fleet. Oil,Gas and other serces are available at these sites.
The inner small craft harbor will accommodate about 500 boats. The max depth of the channel is
15 to 17 feet;so deep draft vessels do not call on the port+
3. Marine Sanctuaries:
a. Gulf of the Farrallons National Marine Sante-Established to protect and preserve the marine
birds and mammals,their habitats'and other natural resources in the waters surrounding the
Farrallon Islands and Point Reyes,and to ensure the continued availability of the area as a
research and recreational resource. The sanctuary encompasses the waters off Bodega Head and
Point Reyes,and the waders surrounding the Farallon Islands. The sanctuary includes Bodega
Bay but not Bodega Harbor.
b. Bodega State Marine Life Refuge-Just north of Bodega Head. Its sea perimeter begins at 38
degrees 18'40"north, 123 degrees 04'04"west and extends offshore around Mussel Point to 38
degrees 19' 23"north,'123 Degrees 04' 22"west. The refuge extends from the shoreline,at the
line of mean high water,a distance of 1,000 feet offshore. Within these perimeters all marine
plants and invertebrates are protected. Established by an act of the California Legeslature in
1965,the refuge is managed by the University of California at Davis.
C. Monterey Bay National Marine Sante-Established to protect and manage the conservation,
ecological,recreational,research,eductional,historical and esthetic resources and qualities of the
coastal and ocean waters and submerged lands in and surrounding Monterey Bay.
4. fort Statistics.
a. Vessel arrivals and movements- Annual 1997(VTS)
Tankers: 3,010
Bulk/Cargo: 2,250
Passenger Vessels: 44
Totals including all categories 5,304
b. Oil transfers-Estimates are based on information compiled from notice of arrivals and transfer
notices received by MSU San Francisco Bay during 1997. Deliveries include crude oils,diesel,
gasoline,and lubricating oils. There are two categories;bunkering which ship to ship transfers of
non-cargo products,and lightening which is a ship to ship tramsfer of a cargo.
Bunkering 1,639,640 metric tons=11,780,088 barrels
Lightering 5,255,255 metric tons=38,363,365 barrels
Total 6,894,855 metric tons=50,143,453 barrels.
Bulk Terminal Cargoes =240,428,404 barrels
Total petroleum products =290,571,453 barrels
c. Containers and other ergo-
Oakland: 1.6 Million TEU's(#6 in U.S.)
Safi Francisco: 0.4 Million TEU's(#7 on West Coast,#13 Nationally)
Sacramento: 2.1 mon Short Tons(bulk)
Stockton: 1.0 Million Short Tons(bulk)
Richmond: 1.3 Million Short Tons(bulk)
Benicia: 41,690 automobiles
60 automobile carrying vessels
9 PettCoke-190,064 Short Tons
Redwood City 270,000 Tons of Gypsum
d. Ferries(Per Year)-Including excursions to Angel Island and Alcatraz Island.
Total Passengers Ferries 1,920,620
Total Passengers Excursions 990,000
Total Passenger Miles 19,996,474
Total Trips (including Excursions) 62,400
e. Marine Events-Total is for CY 97,Misc. category Includes the following Opening Day,Fleet
Week,Power Boat Races,Fireworks and other events not classified as regattas or swims.
Swims 37
Regattas 583
Misc. 131
Total 751
5. Marine Safety Office year in review
a. Regional Exam Center Statistics-Calendar Year 1997
Issued a total of 917 merchant mariner licenses
issued 1,491 merchant marine documents(z cards)
assisted 4,897 customers(at counter)
administered 2,418 examinations
collected$192,897 in fees for evaluation,examination and issuance of licenses and documents
b. Inspection Fleet of gesponsibility:
193 Small passenger vessels
5 Tank vessels
13 Tank barges
25 Freight vessels
3 Freight barges
23 Oil Spill Response Vessels(OSRV)
11 Miscellaneous vessels
C. Regulated Facilities
26 Designated waterfront facilities (handle 1.1, 1.2, 1.5 explosives)
51 Bulk petroleum facilities
39 MAR'POL reception facilities
d. Oil Discharges and Hazardous Materials releases- Calendar Year 1997
OR Pollution Cases-234
HAZMAT cases - 6
Total cases =240
Federal Projects = 4
e. Vessel and Personnel Casualties-Calendar Year 1997
57 Fishing VSL
6 Freight Barge
37 Freight Ship
3 Industrial.VSL
29 Passenger
1 Public VSL
6 Tank barge
30 Tank ship
24 Tow Boat
f. 'Violations and Suspension and Revocation proceedings-There were a total of 21 civil penalty,75
Suspension and Revocation(S&R)actions,b reinstatements and 2 administrative clemency cases
initiated at MSO San Francisco During Calendar Year 1997.
g. Waterway Management:
I. Safety/Security zones- 10 promulgated
U. Vessel Escorts-4 conducted
111. Harbor Patrols- 113 conducted
h. Port State Control Program-Calendar Year 1997 statistics
2248 Foreign Vessel Arrivals
2 Priority I vessels
122 Priority II vessels
197 Priority III vessels
101 Priority IV vessels
422 Total Boardings
100%of priority I&II completed
21 Safety Of Life At Sea(SOLAS)interventions
5% detention rate
20 Bulk Freighters
1 RO/RO
Intervention by Priority
9 Priority II
I I Priority in
I Priority IV
i. Commercial Fishing Vessel exams and decals issued.
Calendar Year 1997- 150 exams and 70 decals
Program Total -845 exams and 514 decals.
.... ....
UEC-fl,'-1990 16:24 HEALTH SERVICES ADMIN. 510 370 5090 P.ol/01
. � WffH
CONTRACOSTA
HEALTH SERVICES
DATE: December 7, 1998
TO; Board of Supervisors. Com Costa.Cowyty
FROM: Elinor Slake,Executive Assistant
Hazardous Materials C.ornmission
SUBJECT, Proposed Closure of the U5 Coast Guard Marine Safbty Detachment(MSU),
Concord(Agenda Items P.2,December&, 1998)
As a result of the:Board's safety c*ncerns about the proposed closure of USCGfr4+1.SD Concord.
expressed in a.June 17, 1998 Board Order and letter to our Coronal dation, Congress has
rewired:the Coast Guard to mist with County officials and report to Congrees bdore,proceeding
with the closure plan. Captain Henderson will be making a presetetation to you tonaarww at 10-
a.m. The Board's letter is in your supplemental packet for tomorrow's meeting-
Low
eesti g.Lew Pascalli and I met with seal Coast Guard representatives, at their request, last week. We
discussed six elements of USCG operations hem that we fusel must continues:
I. The USCG currently responds to incidents,in particular those involving tail spills,
within 20 minutes(often sooner). That response time must be maintained,
2. The USCG arrive with containment equipment at spills on or threatening the water;
that capability must be maintained.
3. Their ability to obtain other resourc s,as necessary,moist be maintained. One;of
these resources is the USCG spiry to authorize use of the tail Spill Fund to amure
rapid and timely eleanup when the responsible party is not readily ukcrttifiatble.
4. Their capacity to investigates incidents here trust ranain at least at the current jewel.
5. The USCG will continue thein active:participation in the Hazardous Materials
Interagency'T'ask Forces and other local partnerships.
5. If any staffing reductions are made at MSD Concord,USCo said they would relay
them to Capt. Henderson, who would address them in his remarks to you.
cc: Clerk+of'the Board
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......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... .
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The Board of Supervisors Conte.
County Administrottian t3uiMftC&MW
851 Pine Street,Rr om 106 Costa (510)336.19M
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June 17, 1998
The Honorable George Miller
U.S. House of Representatives
Rayburn Building##2205
Washington,DC 20515
Dear Mr. Miller:
On behalf of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors,I am writing to ask that you support
continued funding for the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment at Concord. In the
federal budget now before you, funding for the Detachment has been eliminated. We believe that
closing this office will weaken the local emergency response to oil and other hazardous materials
spills along our bays and the Carquinez Strait and Delta area.
Members of the Marine Safety Detachment have for years served as emergency responders for
spills of oil and other hazardous materials into the Carquinez Strait and Delta waters, as well as
the bays of West County. In the last year alone,the Detachment has helped clean a number of
spills from overturned barges and other causes. They arrive on scene by boat,;assess the situation
and,in most incidents, put out booms and other materials to absorb the spill. 'Since they are
located at the Strait,the Detachment's response time is extremely quick.
In 1997, the Detachment responded to a crude oil pipeline leak into a delicate wetland near
Pacheco Creek,occupying important positions in the multi-agency response structure to ensure
that minimal damage resulted.
These few examples reflect the Detachment's unique ability to be on the spot in the event of
more major incidents,especially along the coastline in north,central,and east county where
numerous petrochemical facilities are located. Each of those facilities have very large volumes
of hazardous materials. In addition,nearly 390,000 long tons of hazardous material are shipped
annually through the Strait and Delta,and oil pipelines run under these waterways. An
immediate Coast Guard presence can be particularly important during a large spill when the
identity of the responsible party is in dispute, as occurred last year in a San Francisco spill. The
Coast Guard alone can verbally authorize use of the federal.Oil Spill Fund so that clean-up can
proceed without delay.
......................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................
T
The Hrinorable George Miller Page2
U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment at Concord
June 17, 1998
Without the detachement,future Coast Guard response would come from the Marine Safety
Office in Alameda--over land,with the same staff they have currently to serve a wide region.
About 8 people in the Concord Detachment work in safety, and some two dozen reserves; about
40 people work in safety in the Alameda office, so the total staff reduction would be significant,,
as well as the increased distance to our shoreline.
A rationale for the budget cut has been that the amount and nature of shipping of explosives
through the Naval Weapons Station has changed and no longer requires the presence of the
Detachment,even with the spent nuclear fuel rod transport. Yet the group's work has long gone
beyond overseeing this kind of activity.
Detachment staff are members of numerous interagency and industry working groups, including
the Hazardous Materials Interagency Task Force chaired by the County. They have also led
numerous oil spill exercises. Their participation has been consistently helpful: they bring a
perspective and knowledge that is not otherwise available. Even were the Alameda office to
designate new people for this task,they would not have the same familiarity with our complex
local situation.
These facts raise the serious question of whether in deciding to close this Coast Guard office,
adequate consideration has been given to the emergency response and planning needs of the
Carquinez-Delta area,with its large population,heavy commercial and recreation uses,
environmental sensitivity, and unusual concentration of hazardous materials.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
Sincerely,
ti
Jim Rogers
Board of Supervisors Chair
....................................................................................................................................................................................................
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The Board of Supervisors Contra 04*aftwow
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CountyAdrWn"on SuMng Cour*VAdrNnWV*w
651 Pine Sb"t,Room 106 Costa (510)335-1900
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December 10, 1998
The Honorable George Miller
Member of Congress
2205 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington,D.C. 20515-0507
The Honorable Ellen Tauscher
Member of Congress
1440 Longworth Building
Washington,D.C.20515
Re: Planned Closure of the US Coast Guard Marine
Safety Detachment,Concord
Dear Congressman Miller and Congresswoman Tauscher:
I am writing to update you on the Board of Supervisors' concerns regarding the planned closure of the
US Coast Guard(USCG)Marine Safety Detachment in Concord. As a result of your efforts,USCG
representatives met with County staff and on December 8,Captain Harlan Henderson made a
presentation to us about his plans for addressing our concerns if the closure occurs.
Though we are satisfied with some of the assurances Captain Henderson gave us,he was not able to
assure a USCG Marine Safety personnel response to incidents along our shores within the same response
timeframe that Marine Safety Detachment(MSD)staff now provide this county. MSD staff are at the
site of oil spill and hazardous materials incidents along our industrial Carquinez Straits within twenty
minutes,sometimes sooner. Staff from the Alameda Marine Safety Office could not arrive sooner than
an hour,according to Captain Henderson;in rush hour or inclement weather,it could be much longer.
MSD staff arrive on scene with spill containment and sorbent equipment,are trained in hazardous
materials emergencies,and can readily convey to the MSO the need to open the Oil Spill Fund to begin
immediate cleanup in the event the responsible party is not readily determined.
The MSD is a key component in protecting the health of our residents and the sensitive Delta
environment. The service declines that would result from its closure are not acceptable in such a highly
populated and environmentally sensitive area. Shifting personnel from Concord to Alameda could not
guarantee similar service. Ours is one of the most industrialized counties in the nation. The potential for
oil discharge in our surrounding waters is high,a result of extreme river currents in the Straits,thirteen
bulk oil and dangerous cargo marine terminals,and 1400 commercial vessel transits each year under six
major highway and railway bridges.
The Honorable George Miller Page 2
.The Honorable Ellen Tauscher
United States Coast Guard=Marine Safety Detachment
December 10, 1998
We greatly appreciate Captain Henderson's attention to our concerns and the time he and his staff have
given to try to meet thein. He has assured us that regardless of whether or not the MSD is closed,he will
continue to be active in the partnerships we have and that the level of investigative staff will remain the
same. It is because we have been well served by the MSD under his command that their continued
service is so important to us.
Can behalf of the Board,I ask that you continue your efforts to retain the USCG rapid incident response
capability that the MSD now affords to Contra Costa County.
Sincerely,
aim Rogers
Chair
cc: Senator Barbara Boxer
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Secretary Rodney Slater,U.S.Department of Transportation
Joseph J.Angelo,USCG
Capt.Harlan Henderson,USCG