Final EA and FONSI_FONPA VAFB Honda Culverts_10June.pdf

FINAL

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

FOR HONDA CREEK CULVERTS REPAIR AND CORROSION

PREVENTION

AT

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA

30th Space Wing, Installation Management Flight

1028 Iceland Avenue, Building 11146 Vandenberg Air Force Base, California 93437

June 2021

PRIVACY ADVISORY

This Environmental Assessment (EA) was provided for public comment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the President’s Council on Environmental Quality NEPA Regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Parts 1500-1508) and 32 CFR Part 989, Environmental Impact Analysis Process

(EIAP).

The EIAP provides an opportunity for public input on Air Force decision making, allows the public to offer inputs on alternative ways for the Air Force to accomplish what it is proposing, and solicits comments on the Air Force’s analysis of environmental effects.

FORMAT PAGE

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT/

FINDING OF NO PRACTICABLE ALTERNATIVE

HONDA CREEK CULVERTS REPAIR AND CORROSION PREVENTION AT

This Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) / Finding of No Practicable Alternative (FONPA) hereby incorporates by reference and attaches hereto the Final Environmental Assessment (EA), Honda Creek Culverts Repair and Corrosion Prevention, Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), California. This EA considered all potential environmental impacts of the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative, in addition to cumulative impacts, and identified measures to avoid and/or minimize environmental impacts.

PROPOSED ACTION

The Proposed Action consists of implementing Honda Creek culvert repair and corrosion prevention at VAFB. The culverts have bituminous-coated corrugated metal pipes that are corroded and degraded, and the Air Force is concerned about pipe and road collapse. The Air Force would install lining inside these metal pipes to prevent further corrosion and collapse.

Smooth-walled, 11-foot-diameter (3.3 meter [m]) high-density polyurethane liners would be grouted in place inside the existing culverts. The Proposed Action would eliminate Coast Road collapse risk. To install the lining, the Air Force would use existing roads and laydown areas and construct a temporary access route and temporary laydown areas.

The Air Force has developed water diversion and dewatering plans as part of the Proposed Action. Any existing water found in the culverts would be pumped out. Each culvert would be dewatered and repaired separately. The predesign plan for water diversion would be to place exclusionary netting upstream and downstream of the Action Area, in coordination with biological monitor recommendations, to allow for temporary diversion dam structures to be installed that would divert water flow into one of the two culverts, thus allowing work to occur in the dry culvert without impacts to sensitive species and water quality. The dams would be watertight and would direct flow through a temporary bypass pipe that would convey stream flow through one of the two culverts where work would not be occurring, and downstream past the project area. The inlet bypass pipe would be sealed to the dam in a manner to create a watertight seal to prevent leakage of water into the project site. In prior similar projects, this has been accomplished with a concrete-collared pipe seated into the center of the dam. The upstream diversion dam would be installed up to approximately 100 ft (30.5 m) upstream and would temporarily impact approximately 2,600 square feet (SF) (241.5 square meters [m2]) of Honda Creek and the associated riparian area.

Any remaining water contained within the new diversion zone would be pumped to a water truck or to an infiltration pit as needed to maintain safe working conditions. After dewatering and repair are completed in one culvert, the process would be reversed for the remaining culvert. After repair of both culverts is completed, the temporary diversion dams would be removed, as coordinated with the biological monitor.

Inlet and outlet structures (temporary or permanent fill) also would be needed to assist water flow transition at the culverts. The predesign plan includes the temporary placement of sandbags or soil or sand berms with some rock at the inlet and outlet of each culvert. Fill would consist of a clean fill rock/sand mixture that would be sourced from VAFB borrow pits or imported if clean fill is not available via borrow pits. Depending on site conditions, it is possible that permanent concrete repairs may be needed to replace scoured areas immediately around the inlet and outlet of each culvert.

The Air Force would use a temporary access route from the outlet side, which consists of an existing road approximately 2,900 linear feet (LF) (883.9 m) in length that comes off the west side of Coast Road and proceeds north. The north end of the existing road is eroded and would require replacement of clean, compacted fill soil at its junction with the proposed new temporary access road. At the end of the existing access road, a new temporary access road, approximately 24 ft (7.3 m) wide and 910 LF (277 m) in length, would be constructed. The new temporary access road would require placement of clean, compacted fill soil to create a "ramp" to transition from the existing road elevation to the beach-level elevation. The new temporary access road would follow a drop in elevation to get to the beach level and would proceed under the existing railroad bridge and then proceed up to the outlet of the culverts. The new temporary access road may also require the placement of fill material along its route, to make it suitably level for the construction mats proposed for use. In addition, shale cover, or a similar cover as long as it provides the same or superior environmental protection as the shale and is approved by 30 CES/CEIE and the 30 CONS CO, would be placed on the new temporary access road once constructed. The Air Force proposes clearing and grubbing vegetation at the west end of the new temporary access route along the beach to the culverts. If any materials used for the temporary access road are to be placed below the high tide line (HTL), the materials would be removed at the end of each workday or if there is a forecasted high tide or high wave event that could threaten the materials being washed away. The total area disturbed for construction of the new temporary access road would be approximately 21,840 SF (2,029 m2).

The Proposed Action includes use of an approximately 32,200 SF (2,991.5 m2) previously disturbed area (parking lot) as a vehicle staging area and construction of two temporary staging areas/turnaround areas, totaling approximately 6,840 SF (635.5 m2). In particular, the Air Force proposes construction of an approximately 4,340 SF (403.2 m2) temporary staging/turnaround area near the culvert outlet in the foredune zone, and an approximately 2,500 SF (232.3 m2) turnaround area along the existing unpaved access road. In addition, on the north side, immediately in front of the culverts, the Air Force proposes use of an approximately 7,200 SF (668.9 m2) area as a temporary staging area. The Air Force also proposes use of an approximately 1,600 SF (148.6 m2) area on the south side immediately in front of the culverts as a temporary staging area. These temporary staging areas may require the use of swamp or timber matting in order to minimize further damage to the riparian areas. An approximately 150 LF (45.7 m) portion of Coast Road would also be used to temporarily stage vehicles, particularly a concrete pump truck and concrete truck during the grout/slurry operations.

The Air Force anticipates that the Proposed Action would primarily occur outside of the rainy season (approximately 1 October to 15 April), would take approximately 8 months, be limited to daytime hours, and commence upon completion of the NEPA process.

NO ACTION

No action means that an action would not take place, and the resulting environmental effects from taking no action would be compared with the effects of allowing the proposed activity to go forward. Under the No Action Alternative, repairs and corrosion prevention would not be conducted on the Honda Creek culverts. Implementing the No Action Alternative has the potential to result in a detrimental impact on the VAFB mission if Coast Road collapses or becomes undermined in the future. In addition, road collapse, damage, or emergency repairs would have the potential for significant impacts on special-status species and water resources, including jurisdictional wetlands. VAFB would continue maintenance and emergency repairs to the culverts, as necessary. The No Action Alternative would not meet the Proposed Action’s purpose and need.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

Potentially affected environmental resources were identified through communications with federal, state, and local agencies, field surveys, and review of past environmental documentation.

Specific environmental resources with the potential for environmental consequences include air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, earth resources, hazardous materials and waste management, human health and safety, noise, Coastal Zone management, solid waste management, transportation, and water resources. Some aspects of the Proposed Action were noted as potentially beneficial to biological resources and water resources. If the existing culverts cause failure of Coast Road, adverse impacts from the No Action Alternative could be greater than the Proposed Action. Otherwise, the No Action Alternative would result in impacts less than the Proposed Action. Environmental protection measures that are incorporated into the Proposed Action (identified as required in the EA) would be implemented to avoid and/or minimize the potential adverse impacts. Discretionary environmental protection measures may further reduce potential impacts of the Proposed Action.

NOTICE OF WETLAND INVOLVEMENT

Pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 11990, Protection of Wetlands, EO 11988, Floodplain Management, and Air Force Manual (AFMAN) 32-7003, Environmental Conservation, the Air Force hereby provides notice of the potential impacts to wetland or floodplain as a result of the Proposed Action. Jurisdictional wetlands were found in the Project Area. Potential impacts on wetlands may occur as a result of the proposed activities.

Four alternatives in addition to the No Action Alternative were reviewed during the EA development process under the requirements of NEPA, but they were eliminated from further detailed analysis in the EA because they did not meet the stated purpose and need for the action, were not practicable, or would have led to greater overall environmental impacts. The only practicable alternative is the Proposed Action. For the reasons stated in the EA, the dismissed alternatives are not practicable alternatives to avoid potential wetland impacts.

Similarly, there is no practicable alternative to implementing the Proposed Action outside of the Honda Creek floodplain because the culverts are located in Honda Creek under Coast Road.

Coast Road provides transportation to mission critical access points on VAFB. The Air Force has a no net loss policy on wetlands and impacts on wetlands will comply with the terms of the US Army Corps of Engineers Clean Water Act Section 404 permit. The Air Force is committed to mitigating the loss of wetlands through restoration, enhancement, and creation of wetlands at the location of the culverts and within the designated Riparian Mitigation Area.

PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT

The Final Draft EA and Final Draft FONSI/FONPA were made available for public review and comment for 30 days (28 March 2021 through 27 April 2021) following the publication of the Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Lompoc Record and Santa Maria Times. The Final Draft EA and Final Draft FONSI/FONPA were also distributed per the current VAFB NEPA Distribution List, including the State Clearinghouse. Appendix I contains a copy of the NOA and VAFB’s NEPA distribution list. Public comments received on the Draft EA and the Air Force’s responses are included Appendix I of the Final EA.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT / FINDING OF NO PRACTICABLE ALTERNATIVE

Based on my review of the facts and analyses contained in the attached EA conducted in accordance with the NEPA, 42 U.S. Code 4321 et seq., implementing CEQ Regulations, 40 CFR 1500-1508, and 32 CFR Part 989, Environmental Impact Analysis Process, I conclude that implementing the Proposed Action (chosen alternative) will not have a significant effect on the human environment. Pursuant to EO 11990, Protection of Wetlands, EO 11988, Floodplain Management, AFMAN 32-7003, Environmental Conservation, and the authority delegated by Secretary of the Air Force Order 791.1, and taking the above information into account, I find that there is no practicable alternative to this action and that the Proposed Action includes all practicable measures to minimize harm to the wetland and floodplain environments. Therefore, further analysis in the form of an Environmental Impact Statement is not required and a FONSI/FONPA is appropriate. This decision has been made after considering all submitted information, including a review of public and agency comments submitted during the 30-day public comment period, and considering a full range of practical alternatives that meet project requirements and are within the legal authority of the Air Force.

CLIFFORD THEONY Date Colonel

Attachment: FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (2021)

HONDA CREEK CULVERTS REPAIR AND CORROSION PREVENTION AT

Final Environmental Assessment for Honda Creek Culverts Repair and Corrosion Prevention

Table of Contents Page i June 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION ........................................ 1-1

1.1 Project Location ........................................................................................................ 1-1

1.2 Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Action ......................................................... 1-2

1.3 Scope of the Programmatic Environmental Assessment ......................................... 1-2

1.4 Interagency Coordination and Consultation ............................................................. 1-2

2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES ........................ 2-1

2.1 Proposed Action ....................................................................................................... 2-1

Culverts Repair and Corrosion Prevention ............................................................ 2-1

Vehicle Staging Areas ........................................................................................... 2-2

Site Restoration ..................................................................................................... 2-4

Mitigation ............................................................................................................... 2-5

Project Equipment Needs ...................................................................................... 2-7

Environmental Protection Measures ..................................................................... 2-8

2.2 No Action Alternative .............................................................................................. 2-20

2.3 Alternatives to the Proposed Action Considered and Eliminated from Further Analysis .................................................................................................................. 2-20

Complete Removal of Existing Culverts .............................................................. 2-20

Construction of a New Permanent Access Road from Outlet Side ..................... 2-20

Access from the East Side .................................................................................. 2-21

Access from the West Side through Honda Creek and the Lagoon .................... 2-21

3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................... 3-1

3.1 Air Quality ................................................................................................................. 3-2

Definition of Resource ........................................................................................... 3-2

Regional Setting .................................................................................................... 3-5

Region of Influence ............................................................................................... 3-6

Federal Requirements ........................................................................................... 3-6

3.2 Biological Resources ................................................................................................ 3-8

Region of Influence ............................................................................................... 3-8

Methodology .......................................................................................................... 3-8

Vegetation ............................................................................................................. 3-9

Table of Contents Page ii June 2021

General Wildlife Resources ................................................................................. 3-13

Special-Status Species ....................................................................................... 3-13

Marine Mammals ................................................................................................. 3-24

3.3 Cultural Resources ................................................................................................. 3-24

Cultural Setting .................................................................................................... 3-26

Area of Potential Effect ........................................................................................ 3-27

Cultural Resources Studies ................................................................................. 3-27

Previously Recorded Sites .................................................................................. 3-30

3.4 Earth Resources ..................................................................................................... 3-31

Geology and Soils ............................................................................................... 3-31

Seismology .......................................................................................................... 3-32

Geological Hazards ............................................................................................. 3-34

3.5 Hazardous Materials and Waste Management ...................................................... 3-34

Hazardous Materials Management ..................................................................... 3-34

Hazardous Waste Management .......................................................................... 3-35

Installation Restoration Program ......................................................................... 3-35

Hazardous Materials and Waste Transport ......................................................... 3-35

3.6 Human Health and Safety ...................................................................................... 3-36

3.7 Solid Waste Management ...................................................................................... 3-37

3.8 Noise ...................................................................................................................... 3-38

3.9 Coastal Zone Management .................................................................................... 3-40

3.10 Transportation ........................................................................................................ 3-40

Region of Influence ............................................................................................. 3-41

Project Traffic and Haul Routes .......................................................................... 3-43

3.11 Water Resources .................................................................................................... 3-43

Region of Influence ............................................................................................. 3-44

Surface Water and Floodplains ........................................................................... 3-44

Groundwater ........................................................................................................ 3-45

Waters of the United States and Wetlands ......................................................... 3-47

Waters of the State and Wetlands ....................................................................... 3-51

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES .......................................................................... 4-1

4.1 Air Quality ................................................................................................................. 4-1

Table of Contents Page iii June 2021

Proposed Action .................................................................................................... 4-2

No Action Alternative ............................................................................................. 4-4

4.2 Biological Resources ................................................................................................ 4-4

Proposed Action .................................................................................................... 4-5

No Action Alternative ........................................................................................... 4-13

4.3 Cultural Resources ................................................................................................. 4-13

Proposed Action .................................................................................................. 4-14

No Action Alternative ........................................................................................... 4-15

4.4 Earth Resources ..................................................................................................... 4-15

Proposed Action .................................................................................................. 4-16

No Action Alternative ........................................................................................... 4-16

4.5 Hazardous Materials and Waste Management ...................................................... 4-16

Proposed Action .................................................................................................. 4-17

No Action Alternative ........................................................................................... 4-17

4.6 Solid Waste Management ...................................................................................... 4-17

Proposed Action .................................................................................................. 4-18

No Action Alternative ........................................................................................... 4-18

4.7 Human Health and Safety ...................................................................................... 4-18

Proposed Action .................................................................................................. 4-19

No Action Alternative ........................................................................................... 4-19

4.8 Noise ...................................................................................................................... 4-19

Proposed Action .................................................................................................. 4-20

No Action Alternative ........................................................................................... 4-20

4.9 Transportation ........................................................................................................ 4-20

Proposed Action .................................................................................................. 4-21

No Action Alternative ........................................................................................... 4-22

4.10 Water Resources .................................................................................................... 4-22

Proposed Action .................................................................................................. 4-22

No Action Alternative ........................................................................................... 4-28

4.11 Cumulative Impacts ................................................................................................ 4-28

Past, Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions in the Region of Influence .............................................................................................................. 4-29

Table of Contents Page iv June 2021

Proposed Action .................................................................................................. 4-29

No Action Alternative ........................................................................................... 4-33

5.0 LIST OF PREPARERS .................................................................................................... 5-1

6.0 LIST OF AGENCIES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND PERSONS CONTACTED ................... 6-1

7.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 7-1

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1-1. Regional Location of Vandenberg Air Force Base .................................................. 1-3

Figure 1-2. Proposed Action Area and Vicinity .......................................................................... 1-4

Figure 1-3. Inlet End of the Honda Creek Culverts Showing Trapped Debris and Sediment .... 1-5

Figure 2-1. Proposed Action Area .............................................................................................. 2-3

Figure 2-2. Overview of the Mouth of Honda Creek and Honda Beach, Including the Railroad Bridge, Where a New Temporary Access Road Would Be Constructed ................. 2-4

Figure 2-3. Proposed Mitigation Areas ...................................................................................... 2-6

Figure 3-1. Vegetation Types within the Proposed Action Area at Vandenberg Air Force Base ............................................................................................................ 3-11

Figure 3-2. Tidewater Goby Distribution on Vandenberg Air Force Base ................................ 3-17

Figure 3-3. California Red-Legged Frog Localities within and near the Proposed Action Area ............................................................................................................ 3-20

Figure 3-4. California Condor Habitat, Release Sites, Critical Habitat within and near the Proposed Action Area ........................................................................................... 3-23

Figure 3-5. Western Snowy Plover Nest Sites near the Proposed Action Area ....................... 3-25

Figure 3-6. Soils Mapped in and near the Proposed Action Area ............................................ 3-33

Figure 3-7. Main Access and Transportation Routes Associated with the Proposed Action ... 3-42

Figure 3-8. Honda Creek 100-Year Floodplain on Vandenberg Air Force Base ...................... 3-46

Figure 3-9. Potential Nonwetland Waters of the United States Mapped in Honda Canyon ..... 3-49

Figure 3-10. Potential Wetland Waters of the United States Mapped in Honda Canyon ......... 3-50

Figure 3-11. Potential Wetland Waters of the State Mapped in Honda Canyon ...................... 3-53

Figure 4-1. Impacts on Waters of the United States from the Proposed Action....................... 4-26

Figure 4-2. Impacts on Waters of the State from the Proposed Action .................................... 4-27

Table of Contents Page v June 2021

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2-1. Construction Equipment Assumptions Associated with Proposed Action................. 2-7

Table 3-1. Ambient Air Quality Standards .................................................................................. 3-4

Table 3-2. Vegetation Types within the Survey Area and the Proposed Action Area ................ 3-9

Table 3-3. Federal and State Special-Status Terrestrial Species with the Potential to Occur within the Proposed Action Area ............................................................................. 3-14

Table 3-4. California Red-Legged Frog Numbers within the Proposed Action Area ................ 3-21

Table 3-5. Previous Cultural Resource Investigations within the Project Area ........................ 3-27

Table 3-6. Archaeological Sites with the Area of Direct Impact ............................................... 3-30

Table 3-7. Comparative A-Weighted Sound Levels ................................................................. 3-39

Table 3-8. Level of Service Scale ............................................................................................ 3-41

Table 3-9. Results of Surveys for Potential Waters of the United States ................................. 3-47

Table 3-10. Results of Surveys for Potential Waters of the State ............................................ 3-51

Table 4-1. Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions Associated with the Proposed Action ..................... 4-3

Table 4-2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated with the Proposed Action .......................... 4-4

Table 4-3. Status and Extent of Vegetation Types Expected to Be Impacted by the Proposed Action ........................................................................................................ 4-5

Table 4-4. Potential Impacts on Special-Status Wildlife Observed within Proposed Action Area ............................................................................................................... 4-7

Table 4-5. Noise Levels of Heavy Construction Equipment ..................................................... 4-20

Table 4-6. LOS Significance Thresholds ................................................................................. 4-21

Table 4-7. Potential Waters of the United States Temporarily Affected by the Proposed Action ...................................................................................................................... 4-28

Table 4-8. Potential Waters of the State Temporarily Affected by the Proposed Action .......... 4-28

Table 4-9. Federal and Private Projects .................................................................................. 4-29

Table of Contents Page vi June 2021

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A. Interagency and Intergovernmental Coordination for Environmental Planning ............................................................................................................ A-1

APPENDIX B. State Historic Preservation Office Consultation ................................................ B-1

APPENDIX C. Native American Tribal Consultation ................................................................. C-1

APPENDIX D. United States Fish and Wildlife Service Consultation ....................................... D-1

APPENDIX E. Species Observed during Field Surveys ........................................................... E-1

APPENDIX F. Assessment of Potential Jurisdictional Waters for Honda Creek Culvert Repair at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California .............................................. F-1

APPENDIX G. California Coastal Commission Consultation .................................................... G-1

APPENDIX H. Conceptual Mitigation Plan for Honda Culvert Repair at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California ................................................................................................. H-1

APPENDIX I. Notice of Availability for Public Review, Proof of Publication, Comments Received on Final Draft, and Air Force Responses to Comments ....................................... I-1

Abbreviations and Acronyms Page vii June 2021

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

30 SW 30th Space Wing

°F degrees Fahrenheit

AADT Annual Average Daily Traffic ac acre

ADI Area of Direct Impact

ADT Average Daily Traffic

AFMAN Air Force Manual

AFOSH Air Force Occupational Safety and Health

Air Force United States Air Force

AOC Area of Concern

AOI Area of Interest

APE Area of Potential Effects

APZ Accident Potential Zone

Basin Plan Water Quality Control Plan

BCC federal bird of conservation concern

BGEPA Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act

BMP best management practice

C&D construction and demolition

CAA Clean Air Act

CAAA Clean Air Act Amendments

CAAQS California Ambient Air Quality Standards

CalEEMod California Emissions Estimator Model

CARB California Air Resources Board

CCA California Coastal Act

CCC California Coastal Commission

Abbreviations and Acronyms Page viii June 2021

CCR Code of Regulations

CCRWQCB Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board

CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife

CEQ Council on Environmental Quality

CES/CEI 30th Space Wing, Installation Management Flight

CES/CEIEA Installation Management Flight, Environmental Conservation

CES/CEIEC Installation Management Flight, Environmental Compliance

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CH4 methane

CO carbon monoxide

CO2 carbon dioxide

CO2e carbon dioxide equivalent

CRLF California red-legged frog

CWA Clean Water Act

CZMA Coastal Zone Management Act dB decibel dBA A-weighted

DoD Department of Defense

DOT Department of Transportation

EA Environmental Assessment

EMS Environmental Management System

EO Executive Order

EPM environmental protection measure

ESA Endangered Species Act

FE federal endangered species

FR Federal Register

Abbreviations and Acronyms Page ix June 2021

FT federal threatened species ft foot/feet

GHG greenhouse gas

GIS geographic information system

GSA groundwater sustainability agency

GSP Groundwater Sustainability Plan

GWP global warming potential ha hectare

HazMart Hazardous Materials Pharmacy

HDPE high-density polyurethane

HFC hydrofluorocarbon

HS hydrogen sulfide

HTL high tide line

HWMP Hazardous Waste Management Plan

IICEP Interagency and Intergovernmental Coordination for Environmental Planning

INRMP Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan

IRP Installation Restoration Program km kilometer

LCZ Lateral Clear Zone

Leq1H one-hour average sound level

LF linear foot/feet

LOS Level of Service µg/m3 micrograms per cubic meter m meter m2 square meter mi mile

Abbreviations and Acronyms Page x June 2021

N/A not applicable

NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards

NCA Noise Control Act

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act

NHPA National Historic Preservation Act

N2O nitrous oxide

NO2 nitrogen dioxide

NOx oxides of nitrogen

NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

NRHP National Register of Historic Places

NWPR Navigable Waters Protection Rule

O3 ozone

Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters of California

OHWM ordinary high-water mark

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

UXO unexploded ordnance

P2 pollution prevention

Pb lead

PBO Programmatic Biological Opinion

PM2.5 particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers

PM10 particulate matter less than 10 micrometers

POL petroleum, oil, and lubricant ppb parts per billion ppm parts per million ppmv parts per million by volume ppt parts per thousand

Abbreviations and Acronyms Page xi June 2021

RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

ROG reactive organic gases

ROI region of influence

RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board

SBCAPCD Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District

SBCPD Santa Barbara County Planning and Development Department

SCCAB South Central Coast Air Basin

SCE state candidate endangered

SE state endangered species

SF square foot/feet

SGMA Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014

SHPO State Historic Preservation Officer

SIP State Implementation Plan

SO2 sulfur dioxide

SO4 sulfates

SR State Route

SSC state candidate species

SSPP Strategic Sustainability and Performance Plan

SW Space Wing

SWMP Solid Waste Management Plan

SWP Space Wing Plan

SWPPP Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan

SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board

TWG tidewater goby

US United States

US 101 US Highway 101

Abbreviations and Acronyms Page xii June 2021

USACE US Army Corps of Engineers

U.S.C. United States Code

USEPA US Environmental Protection Agency

USFWS US Fish and Wildlife Service

UXO unexploded ordnance

VAFB Vandenberg Air Force Base

V/C volume to capacity

VOC volatile organic compound

WOTS waters of the State

WOTUS waters of the United States

Purpose of and Need for Action Page 1-1 June 2021

1.0 PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION

The 30th Space Wing, Installation Management Flight (30 CES/CEI), has prepared this Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the potential environmental effects of implementing the Proposed Action and identified alternatives per the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 1500–1508), and the United States (US) Air Force’s (Air Force) Environmental Impact Analysis Process regulations (32 CFR 989). This EA was prepared using the 1978/1986 version of the CEQ regulations implementing NEPA because the proposal was drafted prior to the 14 September 2020 effective date of the 2020 CEQ NEPA regulations. The Proposed Action consists of implementing Honda Creek culvert repair and corrosion prevention at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB). The culverts have bituminous-coated corrugated metal pipes that are corroded and degraded, and the Air Force is concerned about pipe and road collapse. The Air Force would install lining inside these metal pipes to prevent further corrosion and collapse. Smooth-walled, 11-foot-diameter (3.3 meter [m]) high-density polyurethane (HDPE) liners would be grouted in place inside the existing culverts. The Proposed Action would eliminate Coast Road collapse risk. To install the lining, the Air Force would use existing roads and laydown areas and construct a temporary access route and temporary laydown areas. The Air Force proposes clearing and grubbing vegetation for a temporary access route to the culverts.

1.1 Project Location

VAFB is headquarters for the 30th Space Wing (30 SW). The 30 SW at VAFB is the Air Force Space Command organization responsible for Department of Defense (DoD) space and missile launch activities on the West Coast of the United States. Satellites destined for polar or near-polar orbit are launched from VAFB, and ballistic missiles are tested. The 30 SW supports West Coast launch activities for the Air Force, DoD, Missile Defense Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, foreign nations, and various private industry contractors. To accommodate space and missile launches, roadways are required to access all portions of

VAFB.

VAFB is located on the south-central coast of California, approximately halfway between San Diego and San Francisco (Figure 1-1). The Base covers 99,099 acres (ac) (40,104 hectares [ha]) in western Santa Barbara County and occurs in a transitional ecological region that includes the northern and southern distributional limits for many plant and animal species.

The Proposed Action Area is located along Coast Road, a major, paved artery connecting sites along the western edge of VAFB on South Base (Figure 1-2). Where it crosses Honda Creek, two culverts convey water under the road and into the small estuary at the mouth of Honda Creek (aka Cañada Honda Creek). Honda Creek is an 8.4-mile (mi) (13.52 kilometer [km]) perennial east- to west-running stream entirely on South VAFB that may occasionally run dry during extended drought periods (Air Force 2015). The mouth of Honda Creek terminates in a small estuary with a pocket beach and ultimately connects to the Pacific Ocean. Inland from the coast, Honda Creek lies at the bottom of a steep-sided canyon that drains a large portion of

Purpose of and Need for Action Page 1-2 June 2021

South VAFB. The creek is crossed near the estuary by two major transportation corridors: Coast Road and the Union Pacific Railroad. The railroad crosses over the deep canyon via a trestle, but Coast Road was built on fill over two 13-foot (ft)-diameter (4.0 m diameter), 330 ft long (101 m long) culverts that are subject to siltation and accumulation of debris (Figure 1-3). Currently, during normal stream flow, only the northern culvert conveys water as the southern passage has accumulated a large amount of silt (Figure 1-3).

1.2 Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Action

Reliable transportation corridors are critical to the missions of the 30 SW. A transportation network of paved and unpaved roads and trails connects operations across the base, and this network requires ongoing maintenance. Roads that cross waterways via culverts may require repair or cleaning to maintain flow and prevent erosion of the roadbed. Coast Road is a major, paved artery connecting sites along the western edge of VAFB on South Base. Where Coast Road crosses Honda Creek, two culverts convey water under the road and into the small estuary at the mouth of Honda Creek. These culverts have collected silt and flood debris and require clearing and repairs to the culvert lining to prevent further degradation.

The purpose of the Proposed Action is to repair existing culverts and add corrosion prevention to the culverts where Coast Road crosses Honda Creek. The Air Force would install lining inside these metal pipes to prevent further corrosion and collapse. The need for the Proposed Action is to eliminate Coast Road collapse risk. Further degradation of the culverts could result in the failure of Coast Road, which is a critical roadway for launch missions. If the culverts are not repaired and future corrosion not prevented, space launch missions would continue to operate under the risk of potential road collapse, which would result in significant reduction of physical access on South Base, impacts to space launch missions, and constraints on VAFB to provide safety and security support due to lack of access.

1.3 Scope of the Programmatic Environmental Assessment

This EA identifies, describes, and evaluates the potential environmental impacts that could result from the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative, as well as possible cumulative impacts from other past, present, and planned actions on VAFB. In, addition, the EA identifies environmental permits relevant to the Proposed Action. As appropriate, the EA describes, in terms of a regional overview or a site-specific description, the affected environment and environmental consequences of the action. Finally, the EA identifies management measures to avoid, prevent, or minimize environmental impacts.

1.4 Interagency Coordination and Consultation

Air Force Manual 32-7003, Environmental Conservation (April 2020), requires the Air Force to implement a process known as Interagency and Intergovernmental Coordination for Environmental Planning (IICEP), which is used for the purpose of agency coordination and implements scoping requirements. Through the IICEP process, VAFB notified relevant federal, Purpose of and Need for Action Page 1-3 June 2021

Figure 1-1. Regional Location of Vandenberg Air Force Base

Purpose of and Need for Action Page 1-4 June 2021

Figure 1-2. Proposed Action Area and Vicinity

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Figure 1-3. Inlet End of the Honda Creek Culverts Showing Trapped Debris and Sediment state, and local agencies and the surrounding communities of the Proposed Action and provided them with sufficient time to make known their environmental concerns specific to the action (Appendix A).

The Proposed Action is a federal undertaking subject to compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). VAFB has initiated consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) under 36 CFR 800 (Appendix B). Consultation on the Proposed Action with the Santa Ynez Band of the Chumash Indians is complete; the Tribe concurred with the Air Force that the Proposed Action would have no adverse effects to historic properties on 7 December 2020 (Appendix C).

VAFB determined that the Proposed Action may affect threatened or endangered species and submitted a prenotification (813-17-0075) to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the Programmatic Biological Opinion (PBO) 8-8-13-F-49R (Appendix D). The prenotification was approved by the USFWS on 18 March 2021 (Appendix D).

Under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (CWA), a federal agency must obtain a Section 401 water quality certification to perform any activity that may result in a discharge to

Purpose of and Need for Action Page 1-6 June 2021 waters of the state (WOTS). The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and, locally, the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) administer the CWA and state water regulations. VAFB is currently coordinating with the RWQCB for a 401 water quality certification (Appendix F).

Under Section 404 of the CWA, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), any proposed activities including the discharge of dredged or fill materials into waters of the United States (WOTUS) must be reviewed by the USACE and issued a Section 404 permit before the activity may occur. VAFB is currently coordinating with the USACE to obtain a Section 404 permit (Appendix F) once the EA FONPA is completed.

EO 11988, Floodplain Management, requires federal agencies to avoid to the extent possible the long- and short-term adverse impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of floodplains and to avoid direct and indirect support of floodplain development wherever there is a practicable alternative. The Proposed Action is subject to the requirements and objectives of EO 11988 because its intended location is in the floodplain. VAFB published an early public notice in the Lompoc Record and Santa Maria Times on 19 July 2020 to solicit public comment on the Proposed Action and any practicable alternatives for a period of 30 days from 19 July 2020 through 18 August 2020 (Appendix A). No comments were received during this advance public comment period.

Under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972 (16 US Code [U.S.C]. §§ 2452– 24645), a federal action that may affect the coastal zone must be carried out in a manner that is consistent with state coastal zone management programs. On 18 March 2021, the California Coastal Commission (CCC) concurred with a negative determination for the Proposed Action at VAFB, wherein the Executive Director determined that the proposed project would not adversely affect coastal resources (Appendix G).

The Final Draft EA and Final Draft FONSI/FONPA were made available for public review and comment for 30 days (28 March 2021 through 27 April 2021) following the publication of the Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Lompoc Record and Santa Maria Times. The Final Draft EA and Final Draft FONSI/FONPA were also distributed per the current VAFB NEPA Distribution List, including the State Clearinghouse. Appendix I contains a copy of the NOA and VAFB’s NEPA distribution list. Public comments received on the Draft EA and the Air Force’s responses are included Appendix I.

Description of Proposed Action and Alternatives

Page 2-1 June 2021

2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES

This chapter provides detailed descriptions of the Proposed Action, including equipment needs, construction requirements, and operational parameters, as well as the No Action Alternative.

2.1 Proposed Action

Culverts Repair and Corrosion Prevention

The Proposed Action involves culvert repair and corrosion prevention at Honda Creek (Figure 2- 1). The culverts have bituminous-coated corrugated metal pipes that are corroded and degraded, and collapse is a concern. The Air Force would install lining inside these metal pipes to prevent further corrosion and collapse. Smooth-walled, 11 ft (3.3 m) diameter high-density polyurethane liners would be grouted in place inside the existing culverts. The Proposed Action would eliminate Coast Road collapse risk. To install the lining, the Air Force would use existing roads and laydown areas and construct a temporary access route and temporary laydown areas (Figure 2-1).

The Air Force has developed water diversion and dewatering plans as part of the Proposed Action. Any existing water found in the culverts would be pumped out. Each culvert would be dewatered and repaired separately. The predesign plan for water diversion would be to place exclusionary netting upstream and downstream of the Action Area, in coordination with biological monitor recommendations, to allow for temporary diversion dam structures to be installed that would divert water flow into one of the two culverts, thus allowing work to occur in the dry culvert without impacts to sensitive species and water quality. The dams would be watertight and would direct flow through a temporary bypass pipe that would convey stream flow through one of the two culverts where work would not be occurring, and downstream past the project area. The inlet bypass pipe would be sealed to the dam in a manner to create a watertight seal to prevent leakage of water into the project site. In prior similar projects, this has been accomplished with a concrete-collared pipe seated into the center of the dam. The upstream diversion dam would be installed up to approximately 100 ft (30.5 m) upstream and would temporarily impact approximately 2,600 square feet (SF) (241.5 square meters [m2]) of Honda Creek and the associated riparian area. Any remaining water contained within the new diversion zone would be pumped to a water truck or to an infiltration pit as needed to maintain safe working conditions. After dewatering and repair are completed in one culvert, the process would be reversed for the remaining culvert. After repair of both culverts is completed, the temporary diversion dams would be removed, as coordinated with the biological monitor.

Inlet and outlet structures (temporary or permanent fill) also would be needed to assist water flow transition at the culverts.