HomeMy WebLinkAboutAera Energy, LLC - Waiver of Coastal Development Permit RequSTATE OF CALIFORNIA-NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, GOVERNOR
CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION
45 FREMONT, SUITE 2000
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105-2219
VOICE (415) 904- 5200
FAX ( 415) 904- 5400
TDD (415) 597-5885
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NOTICE OF COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT WAIVER — DE MINIMIS
DATE: December 9, 2010 PERMIT NO: E-10-018-W
TO: Coastal Commission and Interested Parties
SUBJECT: Waiver of Coastal Development Permit Requirements
Based on the plans and information submitted by the applicant for the development described
below, the Executive Director of the Coastal Commission hereby waives the requirements for a
coastal development permit (CDP), pursuant to Section 30624.7 of the California Coastal Act.
Applicant: Aera Energy LLC
Background: This waiver would allow Aera to stabilize with sand bags a section of Platform
Emmy's offshore oil production pipeline that is "spanning" above the seafloor. In 2008, while
inspecting its pipeline, Aera discovered two spans of 50 and 38 feet over rocky substrate at a
location approximately 200 feet offshore. By 2009, additional material had eroded under the
pipeline, creating one 148 foot span with a maximum height of one foot off the sea floor. After
reviewing several approaches, Aera is proposing to install sand bags in a pyramid formation at
three locations, approximately 37 feet apart, under the span, This approach would provide both
vertical and partial lateral pipe support.
Project Location: Bolsa Chica Outlet, City of Huntington Beach, Orange County and State
waters, approximately 200 feet offshore between Platform Emmy and the City of Huntington
Beach.
Project Description: Aera proposes to place approximately 90 sand bags in a pyramid formation
at three locations, approximately 37 feet apart, under the pipeline span, The proposed action will
provide enough support to the pipeline to ensure that it is not overstressed and in danger of
damage or rupture.
Sand to fill the sand bags will be collected from the Bolsa Chica Full Tidal Basin inlet sand spit.
To facilitate access to the sand pit, Aera will install a temporary wooden staircase. The staircase
will allow workers access to the site while maintaining the integrity of a rocky ledge that lines
the sand pit. A 23.5 ton boom truck, staged on the adjacent gravel road, will be used to lower the
portable staircase assembly in place, Plywood boards will be used for the stair base and access
ramp and an existing anchor eye and form stakes will be used to secure the stairway.
De Minimus Waiver 4E-10-018-W —Aera Energy LLC
December 9, 2010
Page 2 of 3
Aera will excavate up to 84 cubic feet of sand using hand tools and load the sand into bags made
of -anon -toxic, high strength woven geotextile.l Once the required amount of sand has been
removed, Aera will fully remove the staircase and any additional equipment, and return the site
to.its original condition. All sand removal work will be performed during low tide prior to
March 2011 and is estimated to take 1 day to complete.
A diver will place the sand bags under the spanning pipeline segment. This phase is expected to
last 1 day.
Other Agency Approvals: The California State Lands Commission and the Regional Water
Quality Control Board have approved the proposed repair work. The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers has reviewed the project and intends to issue approval when the Coastal Commission
approves the project.
Waiver Rationale: For the following reasons, the proposed project will not have a significant
adverse effect, either individually or cumulatively, on coastal resources, nor will it conflict with
the policies of Chapter Three of the Coastal Act:
® The Bolsa Chica Full Tidal Basin inlet sand.spit has been designated as an appropriate site
for sand removal. In fact, in order to maintain an open inlet into the Bolsa Chica Tidal
Basins (newly created with a large-scale dredging and restoration effort in 2005-2006),
biennial dredging is required at this location. Sediment testing done prior to a 2008 dredge
and disposal project indicated that the sediments at this location are nearly pure sand at a
99% sand fraction, and are thus appropriate for the proposed purpose. In addition, sand
removal activities will not negatively impact any coastal species of flora and fauna. The
temporary staircase installed to gain access into the sand pit will protect the rocky ledge
habitat from potential damage from workers.
® Although sand removal will occur at a location that has historically supported grunion runs,
this project will not impact the grunions or the eggs deposited on the beach during the run.
Aera will complete the sand removal portion of the project prior to March 2011, when the
regional grunion runs typically take place.
Proposed activities will not adversely impact the federally endangered California least tern
(Sterna antillarum brozvni). The sand removal site is approximately 0.5 miles from a least tern
nesting colony in the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
reviewed the proposed project and determined that because the work will take place
outside of the nesting season, and because dry sand will be removed above the tideline (and
thus turbidity of the water will be unaffected), terns are not expected to be adversely
affected by the proposed project.
1 This material has proven successful in similar applications such as Aera's 2003 Beta 16" Pipeline clamp
installation.
De Minimus Waiver 4E-10-018-W — Aera Energy LLC
December 9, 2010
Page 3 of 3
® Repair of the spanning pipeline is necessary to maintain the integrity of the oil pipeline and
prevent the release of oil into marine waters.
This project will not result in any significant impacts to visual resources. The proposed sand
removal site is located near the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and the Bolsa Chica State
Beach, both of which support significant views of the Bolsa Chica wetlands and the Pacific
Ocean. These views will not be obstructed by the project. Further, sand removal is expected
to take one day only and the site will be restored to its initial appearance.
The project will not limit or alter coastal access or recreational opportunities. The sand
removal activities are temporary and confined to a small area, and thus, will not affect coastal
access or public enjoyment of the Bolsa Chica Tidal Basin.
® This project will not adversely impact commercial fishing or recreational boating activities.
Two weeks prior to pipeline repair activities, Aera will issue a Notice to Mariners notifying
local fishermen and boaters of the date and location of the proposed pipeline repair activity.
Important: This waiver is not valid unless the project site has been posted and until the waiver
has been reported to the Coastal Commission. This waiver will be reported to the Commission at
the meeting of December 15-17, 2010 in San Francisco. If four or more Commissioners object
to this waiver, a coastal development permit will be required.
Sincerely,
Peter M. Douglas
Executive Director
By: -_ k�?�
ALISON DETTMER
Deputy Director
Energy, Ocean Resources and Federal Consistency Division