By Mark Edward Nero
The Port of Los Angeles has released an Initial Study/Notice of Preparation (IS/NOP) as the first step in the Environmental Impact Report process for a marine oil terminal wharf improvement project in Los Angeles Harbor.
The document is available for review on the Port of Los Angeles website at https://www.portoflosangeles.org/environment/notices/valero/nop/nop-valero.asp.
The port will hold a public meeting to receive comments at 6 p.m. Wed., Aug. 3 at the Port of Los Angeles Administration Building, 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro.
The primary goal of the proposed project, which is located at the Valero Terminal on Mormon Island, is to comply with the Marine Oil Terminal Engineering and Maintenance Standards (MOTEMS) to protect public health, safety, and the environment, which involves demolition of the existing 19,000-square-foot timber wharf at Berth 164 and construction and operation of a new, MOTEMS-compliant wharf, with minor infrastructure improvements to connect the new loading platform to the existing landside pipelines and utilities.
The proposed project would also include a new, 30-year lease through 2047.
The IS/NOP was released in late July for public review to solicit feedback, which helps to identify any potential environmental impacts and suggest possible alternatives for the project that can be incorporated into the EIR.
Written comments on the IS/NOP may be submitted via email to ceqacomments@portla.org or to the following address through the public comment period from July 21 to Aug. 19:
Christopher Cannon, Director of Environmental Management
Los Angeles Harbor Department
425 South Palos Verdes St.
San Pedro, CA 90731
Comment letters sent via email should include the project title “Berth 164 [Valero] Marine Oil Terminal Wharf Improvements Project” in the email subject line and the commenter’s physical mailing address in the body of the email.
