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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03212000 - C. 133 ;V17 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS .'tt` ' *, Contra ..' '''` �. Costa FROM: TRANSPORTATION, WATER & County INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE Supervisor John Gioia, Chair Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema DATE: MARCH 21, 2000 SUBJECT: REPORT ON SHIP CHANNEL DREDGING PROJECT APPROPRIATION REQUESTS SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS 1 . AUTHORIZE Chair to sign letters to appropriate parties requesting $500,000 in FY 2001 federal funds to be allocated to the Army Corps of Engineers to allow evaluation of a scaled-down vessel turning basin at Avon, as a component of the J.F. Baldwin ship channel deepening project. 2. AUTHORIZE Chair to sign letters to appropriate parties requesting $100,000 in FY 2001 federal funds to be allocated to the Army Corps of Engineers to allow evaluation of a downsized Southampton Shoal deepening project. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with the above actions, although minimal staff time may become necessary, particularly at the conclusion of these studies. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE: _ RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR _ RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): S RVISOR JOHN GIOIA SUP VISOR GAYLE B. UILKEMA ACTION OF BOARD ON march 21, 200o APPROVED AS RECOMMENDEDxx OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A UNANIMOUS (ABSENT - - - - - - .. TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact: Roberta Goulart, CDD (355-1226) ATTESTED March 21, 2000 Orig: Community Development Department PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF cc: County Administrator Office THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR B , DEPUTY Report on Ship Channel Dredging Project Appropriation Requests March 21, 2000 Page 2 BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS On March 13, 2000, the Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee was briefed on portions of two ship channel projects in which industry has indicated renewed interest. TURNING BASIN AT AVON, SUISUN BAY CHANNEL/BALDWIN SHIP CHANNEL PROJECT Tosco and the Bar Pilots have communicated their desire for Army Corps evaluation of a Turning Basin to be constructed at Avon, Suisun Bay Channel, to -35 feet. Construction of a Turning Basin at this location (but to -45 feet) was envisioned as part of the much-larger Baldwin Ship Channel Deepening Project, but due to significant environmental impact, there are no plans to construct this project at this time. As a result, concern regarding the need for a turning basin has been raised, and a request for evaluation of this segment as a component of the Baldwin Project has been made. The Army Corps of Engineers has indicated their interest in consideration of a Turning Basin, and provided the estimate of $500,000 to do the evaluation of this, redefined project. This would include review of Baldwin project documents, and generation of additional information as necessary, such as sampling, testing, redesign and estimation of volume to be dredged, disposal opportunities, environmental review, cost/benefit analysis, etc. The concern over lack of a turning basin in the area arises from the inability of the Bar Pilots to turn vessels east of the Martinez/Benicia Bridge within the existing federal channel. Vessels must turn partially outside of the channel, in shallower areas, increasing the chance that a vessel could run aground, which has happened in the past. The Turning Basin would serve two industries, Tosco and Shore Terminals. The evaluation of a Turning Basin will require no financial commitments by the County or industry at this time. SOUTHAMPTON SHOAL DEEPENING PROJECT The Southampton Shoal Deepening Project calls for deepening the Channel, located west of the Chevron Refinery and the Richmond Point Molate area, to --50 feet. Chevron Corporation has recently been evaluating the potential for deepening of the Southampton Shoal Channel and the maneuvering area adjacent to Chevron's Long Wharf as a sole beneficiary, subsequent to the withdrawal of the Richmond Marine Link Project (a pier, tank farm and pipeline designed to offload crude). Originally, several industries had interest in channel deepening in order to access the pipeline link project with fully laden vessels, to avoid lightering (offloading) of vessels while anchored in south San Francisco Bay. Chevron has indicated a serious interest in pursuing a scaled-down, slightly redesigned version of the Southampton Project. Some work on redesign, consideration of revised dredged volumes and disposal sites, cost/benefit and other aspects of the project need to be refined before a commitment to move to the Feasibility Phase of this project can be made (feasibility requires a definite cost/benefit ratio as well as commitment from the local sponsor for a 50/50 cost-share). The relatively minor redesign and evaluation of this project will incur no cost to the County or industry at this time. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT 651 Pine Street, N. Wing - 4th Floor Martinez, CA 94553 Telephone: 33S-1226 Fax: 335-1299 TO: TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE Supervisor John Gioia, Chair Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema FROM: Roberta Goulart, Water Agency Staff DATE: March 7, 2000 SUBJECT: BALDWIN AND SOUTHAMPTON SHIP CHANNEL DREDGING PROJECTS THE SAN FRANCISCO TO STOCKTON (JF BALDWIN) SHIP CHANNEL DEEPENING PROJECT; SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION In the past several weeks, staff has been contacted by industry and the bar pilots regarding the need for a turning basin at Avon, Suisun Bay Channel, as a result of the suspension of the Baldwin deepening project(which had included a turning basin in this area to—45 feet). The bar pilots are concerned that without plans for a turning basin, pilots will have to continue turning ships around outside of the federal channel in shallower areas. This creates a liability issue for the pilots, as well as the obvious safety concerns. Creation of a turning basin as part of an already-authorized project would alleviate both concerns in a more timely manner. Because this issue has arisen late in the Federal budgeting process, a request for funding to be added to the FY2001 budget is necessary. The Army Corps of Engineers recommends the folllowing action to enable them to evaluate potential of a turning basin project in the federal FY 2001. The TWI Committee should consider a recommendation for the Board of Supervisors to request a $500,000 dollar add to the federal budget in order to allow the Corps to evaluate the potential for a turning basin to —35 feet as part of the Baldwin Project. This would allow the Corps of Engineers to review pertinent information, and to do additional study as necessary in order to recommend appropriate action and funding requirements to (potentially) construct this turning basin. This action would be in the form of a letter from the Chair, and the inclusion of other, pertinent documentation. r V BACKGROUND RELATED TO THE BALDWIN DEEPENING PROJECT The County has been Local Sponsor for the Baldwin Ship Channel Deepening Project for a number of years. The Project, authorized in 1955, was the final phase of the San Francisco-to-Stockton Ship Channel deepening project. The Baldwin segment of this Project was located west of Richmond, through San Pablo Bay, and east along the Carquinez Strait to the Avon area, east of the Martinez-Benicia Bridge. This phase of the Project called for deepening from—35 to -45 feet, including a turning basin at Avon. A number of years of study by the Corps, using bath the physical model in Sausalito, and computer modelling at the Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, Mississippi, resulted in inconclusive results on water quality impacts to the delta, resulting from saltwater intrusion caused by channel deepening. The data showed an increase in salinity under all circumstances, but the degree of impact could not be determined with any accuracy at that time, and mitigation of these impacts was considered difficult and extremely expensive, if not impossible to determine. The ship channel users, (including Exxon, Wickland, Tosco, Shell and at the time, Unocal) were quite interested in a solution to the problem of safe transport of crude oil to the refineries along the Carquinez Strait (as the oil companies, particularly Exxon, were still sensitive to the Exxon Valdez disaster), and looked to reduce or eliminate lightering (the off- loading of crude onto smaller vessels) in south San Francisco Bay. Several years ago, Wickland Cil Company offered an alternative to the dilemma, proposing use of a PG&E fuel-oil pipeline (for sale at the time), to be used in conjunction with construction of a pier and tank farm in the Point Molate area. Heavily laden vessels could call at the Richmond Pipeline Link, off loading some or all of their cargo, which would then be transported by pipeline to the respective refineries. This alternative was added to the project and underwent extensive evaluation, including scrutiny as part of the federal NEPA, and state CEQA processes. Wickland applied for permits from the Corps, BCDC, the County and others. After years of negotiation with the other oil companies for contracts for long-term use of the proposed pipeline link with no results, Wickland recently withdrew the project, indicating they could not build the project without support (in the form of contracts to use the facility). Wickland was primarily looking for a contract commitment from Exxon as the largest channel user, to no avail_ On February 5, 1999, Wickland Pipelines LLC informed the County that Wickland was no longer pursuing the completion of permitting for the Baldwin Ship Channel/Marine Link Project having been unsuccessful in obtaining a commitment from the users for the project. Because the deepening and pipeline projects have merit, and a need may again arise, requiring reconsideration of these projects, the County requested suspension, rather than allowing deauthorization of the project. t' 4.5 THE SOUTHAMPTON DEEPENING PROJECT/SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION Recently, Chevron Corporation has been involved in a great deal of internal evaluation of the potential to move forward with the deepening of the Southampton Shoal Channel without the involvement of other industries which were once involved in this Project. Because of the absence of the other industries, the full Southampton Shoal and Extension Project is no longer necessary. As Chevron Corporation has a continued, high level of interest in constructing the Project, it would be advantageous to request $100,000 for FY 2001 to allow the Corps to redesign the project to it's smaller size, to evaluate cubic yardage to be dredged and resultant cost/benefit. A reevaluation of the redesigned project is necessary prior to committing to the Feasibility Phase of the Project, which would be the next step. The TWI Committee should consider recommending full Board endorsement of a request for$100,000 dollars to be added to the FY 2001 Federal Budget, to allow the Army Corps to reevaluate a revised Southampton Project. Evaluation is necessary prior to any industry commitment to the feasibility phase of the Project. The request would take the form of a letter signed by the Chair to relevant legislators, and the provision of other, pertinent documentation to that effect. BACKGROUND ON THE SHOUTHAMPTON SHOAL DEEPENING PROJECT The Southampton Shoal Channel is located west of the Richmond Point Malate area and the Chevron Long Wharf. The Project, recently labeled the Southampton Shoal and Extension, was envisioned to allow fully laden vessels to directly access the Chevron Long Wharf, and those vessels calling at the proposed Richmond Marine Link Project., described above. The Southampton Project called for deepening of the channel from —45 feet to —50 feet to accommodate the larger, fully laden vessels, virtually eliminating lightening (the off-loading of crude oil onto smaller vessels which then travel up the channel, and return until the vessel is "lightened" and can proceed up the channel directly). Due to the removal of the Richmond Pipeline Link Project from further consideration by the applicant, Wickland, a scaled-down version of the project is currently being researched by Chevron to allow direct offloading of vessels to its wharf, rather than to continue the practice of lightening. The additional work done by the Army Corps as a result of this budget request will allow for adequate data to be available from which a decision can be made by Chevron as to whether to proceed on the project. 3 C' l` SAN FRANCISCO TO STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA. SOUTHAMPTON SHOAL CHANNEL DEEPENING PROJECT The Southampton Shoal Channel with the San Francisco Bar Channel, form the entrance into the San Francisco Bay and Delta, providing foreign and domestic deep draft merchant, military, commercial fishing and other vessel access to ports within the region. Changing deep draft vessel operations and design requires deepening the -45 foot Southampton Shoal channel to —50 feet. Deepening the Southampton Shoal Channel will provide safer and more efficient navigation of oil tankers entering the bay by allowing vessels to be loaded more fully, which will require fewer vessel trips to deliver the same amount of cargo. In addition, deepening of the Southampton Shoal Channel to -50 feet will allow heavily laden vessels to proceed directly to offloading facilities, rather than lightering (off loading) onto smaller ships at open water anchorages in south San Francisco Bay, FUNDING REQUEST Contra Costa County requests that funding of$100,000 be added to the Federal Fiscal Year 2001 Budget to allow the Army Corps of:Engineers to revise early work on project studies to reflect changes in scope and design of the Southampton Project which in turn, accommodate recent changes in operations and other regulatory requirements of industry located within Contra Costa County, the Project's Local Sponsor. Therefore the County, as Local Sponsor, is requesting a FY 2001 Budget allocation of$100,000 to complete work prior to entering the Feasibility phase of the Project. PURPOSE OF FUNDING Funding will be utilized to allow revision(downsizing) of project scope and content, prior to moving ahead into the Feasibility phase of the project. Significant changes have occurred in industry operations, in turn affecting ship channel traffic, vessel size, and requiring some additional evaluation of Southampton Channel design. The Southampton Project will be redesigned to reflect these changes, and a revised cost/benefit prepared for the project by the Army Corps of Engineers. Redefining the Project is necessary prior to entering into the Feasibility Phase, which is expected to occur upon completion of the above-mentioned revisions to the Project. SAN FRANCISCO BAY TO STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA JOAN F. BALDWIN SHIP CHANNEL (JFB) DEEPENING PROJECT SUISUN BAY (AVON) TURNING BASIN As the primary navigation channel for much of the oil tanker traffic in San Francisco Bay, JFB contributes significantly to the overall economic infrastructure of the San Francisco Bay area. The channel extends from the West Richmond Channel through the San Pablo Bay and Carquinez Strait and into Suisun Bay. In 1965 Congress authorized deepening of this channel to—45 feet MLLW. To date, the significant environmental impact of saline intrusion into the Delta with channel deepening have precluded project completion. The current request for funding would allow research and analysis of the potential for constructing a component of this project, the turning basin at Avon, in Suisun Bay Channel, to —35 feet MLLW. Construction of the turning basin could reduce the potential for grounding during turning operations in the shallower areas outside of the deepened channel boundary. FUNDING REQUEST Contra Costa County requests $500,000 to be added to the Fiscal Year 2001 Federal Budget. In the absence of construction of the Baldwin Ship Channel deepening project, this budget item is requested to assess potential for construction of a turning basin to—35 feet MLLW at Avon, California. PURPOSE OF FUNDING Funds will be utilized by the Army Corps of Engineers to review documentation prepared for the JFB project as it relates to the turning basin, to generate additional information such as sampling, testing, some redesign, environmental review, and to assess cost/benefit. The Baldwin Project calls for a turning basin to—45 feet; however only dredging to—35 feet is contemplated at this time. As the Baldwin project will not be constructed in the forseeable future, concern regarding the need for a turning basin has been raised by industry and the Bar Pilots. Vessels carrying crude and other petroleum products call at industries located in Contra Costa County, geographically located between SF Bay and the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta. Tankers calling at these locations must cross under the Martinez/Benecia bridge, and turn around in a shallower area partially outside of the federal channel. Because of the importance of this area environmentally, and because construction of the Baldwin project is not anticipated at this time, the County has recognized the importance of consideration of the turning basin to—35 feet to consider increased safety associated with consideration of, and perhaps construction of this segment of the larger, Baldwin deepening project. The Board of Supervisors � � G1.1�� Phil Batchelor -d �- y Clerk of the Board County Adm � LJV inistration Building Costa � and County Administrator 851 Pine Street, Room 108 (925)335-1900 Martinez, California 94553-1293 ( o u n L / John Gioia, iv,District �JJ Gayle B. Uiikema,2"°District Donna Gerber, 3rtl District - < Mark DeBaulnier, 41" District Joe Canciamilla, 51" District March 21, 2000 4 The Honorable Ellen Tauscher I&Congressional District 1801 N. California Blvd., Suite 103 Walnut Creek„ CA 94596�fl� Dear Congresswoman "Tayseher: On March 21, 2000 the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors authorized letters to be sent supporting requests for federal Civil Works funding for two projects in the federal Fiscal Year 2001. We realize the request comes late in the budgeting process; nonetheless we hope you will consider supporting this request. Federal funds in the amount of $500,000 are requested for evaluation of a turning basin at Avon, Suisun Bay Channel, as a component of the 7F Baldwin Deepening Project, and for $100,000 to evaluate a downsized Southampton Shoal Project. Recently, local industry and the Bar Pilots have indicated concern that a turning basin is no longer being considered at Avon, Suisun Bay Channel, in the absence of construction of the 7F Baldwin Project, which has been suspended. The Baldwin Project included a turning basin in this area, just east of the Martinez/Benicia bridge, to -45 feet. Currently the channel depth is -35 feet, and the Bar Pilots must turn vessels partially outside of the channel, which is shallower, increasing the chance of vessel grounding. Funding would allow for Corps evaluation of a -35 foot turning basin to be constructed as part of the Baldwin Project. Changes in industry operations have resulted in the potential for down-sizing the Southampton Shoal deepening Project, requiring minor revaluation and some redesign of the cost/benefit and other aspects of this project prior to a commitment by the local sponsor and the Corps of Engineers to the Feasibility Phase of the project. We hope you will support our request. If you or your staff have questions, or desire additional information, please contact Roberta Goulart at(925) 335-1226. SincerelyL 4�� Donna Gerbe Chair The Board of Supervisors �ntr 0, « Phil Batchelor --� � Clerk of the Board Costa County and County Administration Building 1�.cJ, it � Administrator 651 Pine Street, Room 106 (925)335-1900 Martinez, California 94553-1293 Vote",{" John Gioia, 1"District Gayle B. Uilkema,21'District Donna Gerber, 31' District �.: Mark DeSaulnier, 411 District Joe Canciamilla, F1 District }I March 21, 2000 `` The Honorable Ron Packard, Chairman Subcommittee, Energy and Water Development 2362 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515-6020 Dear Congressman Packard: On March 21, 2000 the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors authorized letters to be sent supporting requests for federal Civil Works funding for two projects in the federal Fiscal Year 2001. We realize the request comes late in the budgeting process, nonetheless we hope you will consider supporting this request. Federal funds in the amount of $500,000 are requested for evaluation of a turning basin at Avon, Suisun Bay Channel, as a component of the JF Baldwin Deepening Project, and for$100,000 to evaluate a downsized Southampton Shoal Project. You have supported funds for these projects in the past. Recently, local industry and the Bar Pilots have indicated concern that a turning basin is no longer being considered at Avon, Suisun Bay Channel, in the absence of construction of the JF Baldwin Project, which has been suspended. The Baldwin Project included a turning basin in this area, just east of the Martinez/Benicia bridge to -45 feet. Currently the channel depth is -35 feet, and the Bar Pilots must tum vessels partially outside of the channel, which is shallower, increasing the chance of vessel grounding. Funding would allow for Corps evaluation of a -35 foot turning basin to be constructed as part of the Baldwin Project. Changes in industry operations have resulted in the potential for down-sizing the Southampton Shoal deepening Project, requiring minor revaluation and some redesign of the cost/benefit and other aspects of this project prior to a commitment by the local sponsor and the Corps of Engineers to the Feasibility Phase of the project. We hope you will support our request, If you or your staff have questions, or desire additional information, please contact Roberta Goulart at (925) 335-1226. Sin ly, Donna Garbe Chair The Board of Supervisors (�'1- �` Phil Batchelor Cont Contra �"�L-��� Clerk of the Board County Administration BuildingCosta county Administrator 651 Pine Street, Room 106 (925)335-1900 Martinez, California 94553-1293 Count/ John Gioia, I"District Gayle B.Ulikema,2"'District Donna Gerber, 311' District Mark DeSaulnler, 41fi District Joe Caneiamilla, 51" District 4�1 March 21, 2000 The Honorable Dianne Feinstein Member, Senate Appropriations Committee 525 Market Street, #3670 San Francisco, CA 94105 Dear Senator Feinstein: On March 21, 2000 the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors authorized letters to be sent supporting requests for federal Civil Works funding for two projects in the federal Fiscal Year 2001. We realize the request comes late in the budgeting process, nonetheless we hope you will consider supporting this request. Federal funds in the amount of $500,000 are requested for evaluation of a turning basin at Avon, Suisun Bay Channel, as a component of the JF Baldwin Deepening Project, and for $100,000 to evaluate a downsized Southampton Shoal Project. You have supported funds for these projects in the past. Recently, local industry and the Bar Pilots have indicated concern that a turning basin is no longer being considered at Avon, Suisun Bay Channel, in the absence of construction of the JF Baldwin Project, which has been suspended. The Baldwin Project included a turning basin in this area, just east of the Martinez/Benicia bridge, to -45 feet. Currently the channel depth is -35 feet, and the Bar Pilots must turn vessels partially outside of the channel, which is shallower, increasing the chance of vessel grounding. Funding would allow for Corps evaluation of a -35 foot turning basin to be constructed as part of the Baldwin Project. Changes in industry operations have resulted in the potential for down-sizing the Southampton Shoal deepening Project, requiring minor revaluation and some redesign of the cost/benefit and other aspects of this project prior to a commitment by the local sponsor and the Corps of Engineers to the Feasibility Phase of the project. We hope you will support our request. If you or your staff have questions, or desire additional information, please contact Roberta Goulart at(925) 335-1226. Sincerely, Donna Ger Chair The Board of Supervisors �OCI�I"� c' 103 Phil Batchelor ,_ /.,.cam Clerk o1 the Board and County Administration Building Caste /r County Administrator 651 Pine Street, Room 106 (925)335-1900 Martinez, California 54553-1293 (aunty John Giola, 1"District Gayle B. Uilkema, 2"'District Donna Garber, 3rd District Mark DeSaulnier, 41" District L Joe Canciamilla, S'" District V March 21, 2000 The Honorable George Miller 7'"Congressional District 1333 Willow Pass Road, Suite 203 Concord, CA 94520 Dear Congressman r: On March 21, 2000 the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors authorized letters to be sent supporting requests for federal Civil Works funding for two projects in the federal Fiscal Year 2001. We realize the request comes late in the budgeting process; nonetheless we hope you will consider supporting this request. Federal funds in the amount of $500,000 are requested for evaluation of a turning basin at Avon, Suisun Bay Channel, as a component of the JF Baldwin Deepening Project, and for $100,000 to evaluate a downsized Southampton Shoal Project. You have supported funds for these projects in the past. Recently, local industry and the Bar Pilots have indicated concern that a turning basin is no longer being considered at Avon, Suisun Bay Channel, in the absence of construction of the JF Baldwin Project, which has been suspended. The Baldwin Project included a turning basin in this area, just east of the MartinezlBenicia bridge, to -45 feet. Currently the channel depth is -35 feet, and the Bar Pilots must turn vessels partially outside of the channel, which is shallower, increasing the chance of vessel grounding. Funding would allow for Corps evaluation of a -35 foot turning basin to be constructed as part of the Baldwin Project. Changes in industry operations have resulted in the potential for down-sizing the Southampton Shoal deepening Project, requiring minor revaluation and some redesign of the cost/benefit and other aspects of this project prior to a commitment by the local sponsor and the Corps of Engineers to the Feasibility Phase of the project. We hope you will support our request. If you or your staff have questions, or desire additional information, please contact Roberta Goulart at(925) 335-1226. Sin rely, Donna Gerber Chair The Board of SupervisorsCorr , CPhillerkoBtat el r Cosh and County Administration Building county Adminrsirator 651 Pine Street, Room 106 (925)335-1900 Martinez, California 945531293 Count. / John Gioia, 1"District ly Gayle B. Uilkema,2"4 District Gonna Gerber, 3" District Mark De8aulnler, 401 District y r Joe Canciamilla, 51' District March 21, 2000 yA. The Honorable Pete Y. Domenici, Chairman Senate Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development SD-127 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510-6030 Dear Senator Domenici: On March 21, 2000 the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors authorized letters to be sent supporting requests for federal Civil Works funding for two projects in the federal Fiscal Year 2001. We realize the request comes late in the budgeting process; nonetheless we hope you will consider supporting this request. Federal funds in the amount of$500,000 are requested for evaluation of a turning basin at Avon, Suisun Bay Channel, as a component of the JF Baldwin Deepening Project, and for $100,000 to evaluate a downsized Southampton Shoal Project. You have supported funds for these projects in the Past. Recently, local industry and the Bar Pilots have indicated concern that a turning basin is no longer being considered at Avon, Suisun Bay Channel, in the absence of construction of the JF Baldwin Project, which has been suspended. The Baldwin Project included a turning basin in this area, just east of the Martinez/Benicia bridge, to -45 feet. Currently the channel depth is -35 feet, and the Bar Pilots must turn vessels partially outside of the channel, which is shallower, increasing the chance of vessel grounding. Funding would allow for Corps evaluation of a -35 foot turning basin to be constructed as part of the Baldwin Project, Changes in industry operations have resulted in the potential for down-sizing the Southampton Shoal deepening Project, requiring minor revaluation and some redesign of the cost/benefit and other aspects of this project prior to a commitment by the local sponsor and the Corps of Engineers to the Feasibility Phase of the project. We hope you will support our request. If you or your staff have questions, or desire additional information, please contact Roberta Cmulart at(925) 335-1226. Sin erely, Donna Gerber Chair 3 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT 651 Pine Street, N.Wing-4th door Martinez, CA 94553 Telephone: 335-1226 Tax: 335-1299 TO: TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE Supervisor John Gioia, Chair Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema FROM: Roberta Goulart, Water Agency Staff DATE: March 7, 2000 SUBJECT: BALDWIN AND SOUTHAMPTON SHIP CHANNEL DREDGING PROJECTS THE SAN FRANCISCO TO STOCKTON (JF BALDWIN) SHIP CHANNEL_ DEEPENING PROJECT; SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION In the past several weeks, staff has been contacted by industry and the bar pilots regarding the need for a turning basin at Avon, Suisun Bay Channel, as a result of the suspension of the Baldwin deepening project (which had included a turning basin in this area to-45 feet). The bar pilots are concerned that without pians for a turning basin, pilots will have to continue turning ships around outside of the federal channel in shallower areas. This creates a liability issue for the pilots, as well as the obvious safety concerns. Creation of a turning basin as part of an already-authorized project would alleviate both concerns in a more timely manner. Because this issue has arisen late in the Federal budgeting process, a request for funding to be added to the FY2001 budget is necessary. The Army Corps of Engineers recommends the folllowing action to enable them to evaluate potential of a turning basin project in the federal FY 2001. The TWI Committee should consider a recommendation for the Board of Supervisors to request a $500,000 dollar add to the federal budget in order to allow the Corps to evaluate the potential for a turning basin to--35 feet as part of the Baldwin Project. This would allow the Corps of Engineers to review pertinent information, and to do additional study as necessary in order to recommend appropriate action and funding requirements to (potentially) construct this turning basin. This action would be in the form of a letter from the Chair, and the inclusion of other, pertinent documentation. 4.�.f �` •l t BACKGROUND RELATED TO THE BALDWIN DEEPENING PROJECT The County has been Local Sponsor for the Baldwin Ship Channel Deepening Project for a number of years. The Project, authorized in 1965, was the final phase of the San F=rancisco-to-Stockton Ship Channel deepening project. The Baldwin segment of this Project was located west of Richmond, through San Pablo Bay, and east along the Carquinez Strait to the Avon area, east of the Martinez-Benicia Bridge. This phase of the Project called for deepening from-35 to-45 feet, including a turning basin at Avon. A number of years of study by the Corps, using both the physical model in Sausalito, and computer modelling at the Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, Mississippi, resulted in inconclusive results on water quality impacts to the delta, resulting from saltwater intrusion caused by channel deepening. The data showed an increase in salinity under all circumstances, but the degree of impact could not be determined with any accuracy at that time, and mitigation of these impacts was considered difficult and extremely expensive, if not impossible to determine. The ship channel users, (including Exxon, Wickland, Tosco, Shell and at the time, Unocal) were quite interested in a solution to the problem of safe transport of crude oil to the refineries along the Carquinez Strait (as the oil companies, particularly Ekon, were still sensitive to the Exxon Valdez disaster), and looked to reduce or eliminate lightering (the off- loading of crude onto smaller vessels) in south San Francisco Bay. Several years ago, Wickland Oil Company offered an alternative to the dilemma, proposing use of a PG&E fuel-oil pipeline (for sale at the time), to be used in conjunction with construction of a pier and tank farm in the Point Molate area. Heavily laden vessels could call at the richmond Pipeline Link, off loading some or all of their cargo, which would then be transported by pipeline to the respective refineries. This alternative was added to the project and underwent extensive evaluation, including scrutiny as part of the federal NEPA, and state CEQA processes. Wickland applied for permits from the Corps, BCDC, the County and others. After years of negotiation with the other oil companies for contracts for long-term use of the proposed pipeline link with no results, Wickland recently withdrew the project, indicating they could not build the project without support (in the form of contracts to use the facility). Wickland was primarily looking for a contract commitment from Exxon as the largest channel user, to no avail. Can February 5, 1999, Wickland Pipelines LLC informed the County that Wickland was no longer pursuing the completion of permitting for the Baldwin ship Channel/Marine Link Project having been unsuccessful in obtaining a commitment from the users for the project. Because the deepening and pipeline projects have merit, and a need may again arise, requiring reconsideration of these projects, the County requested suspension, rather than allowing deauthorization of the project. fes• THE SOUTHAMPTON DEEPENING PROJECT/SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION Recently, Chevron Corporation has been involved in a great deal of internal evaluation of the potential to move forward with the deepening of the Southampton Shoal Channel without the involvement of other industries which were once involved in this Project. Because of the absence of the other industries, the full Southampton Shoal and Extension Project is no longer necessary. As Chevron Corporation has a continued, high level of interest in constructing the Project, it would be advantageous to request $100,000 for FY 2001 to allow the Corps to redesign the project to it's smaller size, to evaluate cubic yardage to be dredged and resultant cost/benefit. A reevaluation of the redesigned project is necessary prior to committing to the Feasibility Phase of the Project, which would be the next step. The TVYI Committee should consider recommending full Board endorsement of a request for$100,000 dollars to be added to the FY 2001 Federal Budget, to allow the Army Corps to reevaluate a revised Southampton Project. Evaluation is necessary prior to any industry commitment to the feasibility phase of the Project. The request would take the form of a letter signed by the Chair to relevant legislators, and the provision of other, pertinent documentation to that effect. BACKGROUND ON THE SHOUTHAMPTON SHOAL DEEPENING PROJECT The Southampton Shoal Channel its located west of the Richmond Point Molate area and the Chevron Long Wharf. The Project, recently labeled the Southampton Shoal and Extension, was envisioned to allow fully laden vessels to directly access the Chevron Long Wharf, and those vessels calling at the proposed Richmond Marine Link Project., described above. The Southampton Project called for deepening of the channel from -45 feet to --50 feet to accommodate the larger, fully laden vessels, virtually eliminating lightering (the off-loading of crude oil onto smaller vessels which then travel up the channel, and return until the vessel is "lightened" and can proceed up the channel directly). Due to the removal of the Richmond Pipeline Link Project from further consideration by the applicant, Wickland, a scaled-down version of the project is currently being researched by Chevron to allow direct offloading of vessels to its wharf, rather than to continue the practice of lightering. The additional work done by the Army Corps as a result of this budget request will allow for adequate data to be available from which a decision can be made by Chevron as to whether to proceed on the project. 3 SAN FRANCISCO TO STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA SOUTHAMPTON SHOAL CHANNEL DEEPENING PROJECT The Southampton Shoal Channel with the San Francisco Bar Channel, form the entrance into the San Francisco Bay and Delta, providing foreign and domestic deep draft merchant, military, commercial fishing and other vessel access to ports within the region. Changing deep draft vessel operations and design requires deepening the -45 foot Southampton Shoal channel to --50 feet. Deepening the Southampton Shoal Channel will provide safer and more efficient navigation of oil tankers entering the bay by allowing vessels to be loaded more fully, which will require fewer vessel trips to deliver the same amount of cargo. In addition, deepening of the Southampton Shoal Channel to-50 feet will allow heavily laden vessels to proceed directly to off-loading facilities, rather than lightering (off loading) onto smaller ships at open water anchorages in south San Francisco Bay. FUNDING REQUEST Contra Costa County requests that funding of$100,000 be added to the Federal Fiscal Year 2001 Budget to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to revise early work on project studies to reflect changes in scope and design of the Southampton Project which in turn, accommodate recent changes in operations and other regulatory requirements of industry located within Contra Costa County, the Project's Local Sponsor. Therefore the County, as Local Sponsor, is requesting a FY 2001 Budget allocation of$100,000 to complete work prior to entering the Feasibility phase of the Project. PURPOSE OF FUNDING Funding will be utilized to allow revision(downsizing) of project scope and content, prior to moving ahead into the Feasibility phase of the project. Significant changes have occurred in industry operations, in turn affecting ship channel traffic,vessel size, and requiring some additional evaluation of Southampton Channel design. The Southampton Project will be redesigned to reflect these changes, and a revised cost/benefit prepared for the project by the Army Corps of Engineers. Redefining the Project is necessary prior to entering into the Feasibility Phase,which is expected to occur upon completion of the above-mentioned revisions to the Project. r ? SAN FRANCISCO BAY TO STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA JOHN F. BALDWIN SHIP CHANNEL(JFB) DEEPENING PROJECT SUISUN BAY (AVON) TURNING BASIN As the primary navigation channel for much of the oil tanker traffic in San Francisco Bay, JFB contributes significantly to the overall economic infrastructure of the San Francisco Bay area. The channel extends from the West Richmond Channel through the San Pablo Bay and Carquinez Strait and into Suisun Bay. In 1965 Congress authorized deepening of this channel to--45 feet MLLW. To date, the significant environmental impact of saline intrusion into the Delta with channel deepening have precluded project completion. The current request for funding would allow research and analysis of the potential for constructing a component of this project, the turning basin at Avon, in Suisun Bay Channel, to —35 feet MLLW. Construction of the turning basin could reduce the potential for grounding during turning operations in the shallower areas outside of the deepened channel boundary. FUNDING REQUEST Centra Costa County requests $500,000 to be added to the Fiscal Year 2001 Federal Budget. In the absence of construction of the Baldwin Ship Channel deepening project, this budget item is requested to assess potential for construction of a turning basin to—35 feet MLLW at Avon, California. PURPOSE OF FUNDING Funds will be utilized by the Army Corps of Engineers to review documentation prepared for the JFB project as it relates to the turning basin, to generate additional information such as sampling, testing, some redesign, environmental review, and to assess cost/benefit. The Baldwin Project calls for a turning basin to-45 feet; however only dredging to—35 feet is contemplated at this time. As the Baldwin project will not be constructed in the forseeable future, concern regarding the need for a turning basin has been raised by industry and the Bar Pilots. Vessels carrying crude and other petroleum products call at industries located in Contra Costa County, geographically located between SF Bay and the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta. Tankers calling at these locations must cross under the Martinez/Benecia bridge, and turn around in a shallower area partially outside of the federal channel. Because of the importance of this area environmentally, and because construction of the Baldwin project is not anticipated at this time, the County has recognized the importance of consideration of the turning basin to—35 feet to consider increased safety associated with consideration of, and perhaps construction of this segment of the larger, Baldwin deepening project.