Environmental Consequences of

Protection Schemes

Environmental Consequences of

Protection SchemesCEE 129: Stanford University

Project on Engineering Responses to Sea Level Rise

Katie Jewett FALL 2010

CEE 129: Stanford University Project on Engineering Responses

to Sea Level RiseKatie Jewett FALL 2010

OverviewOverview

Ecosystem Services Impact Assessment Valuation Techniques Case Studies:

Port of LA/Long Beach*Port of Providence

Ecosystem Services Impact Assessment Valuation Techniques Case Studies:

Port of LA/Long Beach*Port of Providence

Ecosystem ServicesEcosystem Services

Provisioning Regulating Cultural Supporting

Provisioning Regulating Cultural Supporting

Impact AssessmentImpact Assessment

1. Measurement What are the quantitative metrics by

which this project will impact the surrounding environment?

2. Assessment What are the ramifications of the

proposed construction activities? 3. Valuation

Market and non-market techniques

1. Measurement What are the quantitative metrics by

which this project will impact the surrounding environment?

2. Assessment What are the ramifications of the

proposed construction activities? 3. Valuation

Market and non-market techniques

Non-market Valuation Techniques

Non-market: A method used to value goods not commonly bought or sold

Non-market Valuation Techniques

Non-market: A method used to value goods not commonly bought or sold

Contingent Valuation Travel Cost Hedonic Pricing Benefit Transfer

Contingent Valuation Travel Cost Hedonic Pricing Benefit Transfer

Case Study: Port of LA/Long Beach

Case Study: Port of LA/Long Beach

About the PortAbout the Port

Located 20 miles south of downtown LA

7500 acres, 43 miles of waterfront

27 cargo terminals Dry and liquid bulk,

container, breakbulk, automobile facilities

In 2009, moved 8.5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units)

Located 20 miles south of downtown LA

7500 acres, 43 miles of waterfront

27 cargo terminals Dry and liquid bulk,

container, breakbulk, automobile facilities

In 2009, moved 8.5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units)

Plans for SLR?Plans for SLR? Dr. Bob Kanter (Managing Director of

Environmental Affairs for Port of Long Beach) Terminals 12-15 ft above mean lower low water

(mllw) Terminals and berthing areas undergo

reconstruction approximately every 20-30 yrs With current uncertainties in the exact predicted

figure for SLR, there are no current plans to guide future development, or re-development, of existing port facilities.

USACE No current plans to update federal breakwaters

protecting POLA/LB

Dr. Bob Kanter (Managing Director of Environmental Affairs for Port of Long Beach)

Terminals 12-15 ft above mean lower low water (mllw)

Terminals and berthing areas undergo reconstruction approximately every 20-30 yrs

With current uncertainties in the exact predicted figure for SLR, there are no current plans to guide future development, or re-development, of existing port facilities.

USACE No current plans to update federal breakwaters

protecting POLA/LB

EX: Improvement of Berths 136-147

EX: Improvement of Berths 136-147

EIS prepared by USACE and LA Harbor Dept

Project involves dredging, expanding, redeveloping, and constructing new container terminal facilities and associated rail facilities

EIS prepared by USACE and LA Harbor Dept

Project involves dredging, expanding, redeveloping, and constructing new container terminal facilities and associated rail facilities

California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (CEQA)--Thresholds Guide for all EIS

California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (CEQA)--Thresholds Guide for all EIS

Less Than Significant Impact: A less-than-significant impact would be identified when the proposed Project or alternatives would cause no substantial adverse change in the environment, i.e., the impact would not reach the threshold of significance.

Significant Impact: A significant (but mitigable, or avoidable) impact would create a substantial or potentially substantial adverse change in any of the physical conditions within the area affected by the proposed Project or alternatives.

Significant Unavoidable Impact: Used when a residual impact that would cause a substantial adverse effect on the environment--which may or may not be reduced somewhat--could not be reduced to a less-than-significant level through any feasible mitigation measures

Beneficial Effect: creates a positive change Residual Impact: level of impact after the implementation of

mitigation measures *REQUIREMENT TO EVALUATE ALTERNATIVES

Less Than Significant Impact: A less-than-significant impact would be identified when the proposed Project or alternatives would cause no substantial adverse change in the environment, i.e., the impact would not reach the threshold of significance.

Significant Impact: A significant (but mitigable, or avoidable) impact would create a substantial or potentially substantial adverse change in any of the physical conditions within the area affected by the proposed Project or alternatives.

Significant Unavoidable Impact: Used when a residual impact that would cause a substantial adverse effect on the environment--which may or may not be reduced somewhat--could not be reduced to a less-than-significant level through any feasible mitigation measures

Beneficial Effect: creates a positive change Residual Impact: level of impact after the implementation of

mitigation measures *REQUIREMENT TO EVALUATE ALTERNATIVES

Threshold of Significance for Water Quality

Threshold of Significance for Water Quality

The effects of a project on water quality, sediment, hydrology, and oceanography are considered “significant” if you have: Discharges that create pollution, contamination, or a

nuisance Flooding during the projected 50-year developed

storm event Permanent, adverse change to the movement of

surface water flow significant enough to produce a substantial change in the current or direction of water flow

Accelerate natural processes of wind and water erosion and sedimentation

The effects of a project on water quality, sediment, hydrology, and oceanography are considered “significant” if you have: Discharges that create pollution, contamination, or a

nuisance Flooding during the projected 50-year developed

storm event Permanent, adverse change to the movement of

surface water flow significant enough to produce a substantial change in the current or direction of water flow

Accelerate natural processes of wind and water erosion and sedimentation

Example of Construction Impacts on Water Quality for

Berths 136-147

Example of Construction Impacts on Water Quality for

Berths 136-147 The level of significance is determined by applying

the threshold of significance (significance criteria) presented for each resource evaluation area.

“Impact WQ-1b: Runoff from backland development/redevelopment could create pollution and contamination or cause regulatory standards to be violated in harbor waters.”

CEQA Impact Determination Mitigation Measures: No mitigation measures

would be required for impacts of onshore construction to water quality

Residual Impacts: Would be less than significant

The level of significance is determined by applying the threshold of significance (significance criteria) presented for each resource evaluation area.

“Impact WQ-1b: Runoff from backland development/redevelopment could create pollution and contamination or cause regulatory standards to be violated in harbor waters.”

CEQA Impact Determination Mitigation Measures: No mitigation measures

would be required for impacts of onshore construction to water quality

Residual Impacts: Would be less than significant

Threshold of Significance for Biological Resources

Threshold of Significance for Biological Resources

Is a natural water resource, such as a lake, river, vernal pool, ephemeral stream, marsh, or ocean present on or adjacent to the site? IF YES--> EIS necessary

An impact is “significant” if the project results in the loss of: an endangered, threatened, protected, rare species or

its habitat locally designated species or their habitat Interference with wildlife movement/migration

corridors Alteration of existing wetland habitat Species behavior is disturbed (ex light, noise) enough

to diminish their chances of long-term survival

Is a natural water resource, such as a lake, river, vernal pool, ephemeral stream, marsh, or ocean present on or adjacent to the site? IF YES--> EIS necessary

An impact is “significant” if the project results in the loss of: an endangered, threatened, protected, rare species or

its habitat locally designated species or their habitat Interference with wildlife movement/migration

corridors Alteration of existing wetland habitat Species behavior is disturbed (ex light, noise) enough

to diminish their chances of long-term survival

Methodology to Determine Significance

Methodology to Determine Significance

Physical description of the project site and environmental setting

If a marine environment, describe the presence or absence of tidal wetlands, bottom topography and depth, access to open ocean systems, information on existing biota, existence of movement or migration corridors for marine mammals

Statement of potential for existing sensitive resources

Physical description of the project site and environmental setting

If a marine environment, describe the presence or absence of tidal wetlands, bottom topography and depth, access to open ocean systems, information on existing biota, existence of movement or migration corridors for marine mammals

Statement of potential for existing sensitive resources

Year 2000 Biological Baseline Study

Year 2000 Biological Baseline Study

Study objectives: Chemical/physical

characterization by measuring water quality and sediment size

Map eelgrass, kelp distributions

Updated quantitative baseline of:

Benthic invertebrate community, fish populations, riprap habitat, bird use patterns

Compare 2000 baseline to historical baseline studies

Study objectives: Chemical/physical

characterization by measuring water quality and sediment size

Map eelgrass, kelp distributions

Updated quantitative baseline of:

Benthic invertebrate community, fish populations, riprap habitat, bird use patterns

Compare 2000 baseline to historical baseline studies

Relevant Permitting Agencies

Relevant Permitting Agencies

EPA USACE City of Los Angeles Harbor Dept (under

CEQA) reviews potential development projects within POLA/LB

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service NOAA Fisheries CA Dept of Fish and Game

EPA USACE City of Los Angeles Harbor Dept (under

CEQA) reviews potential development projects within POLA/LB

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service NOAA Fisheries CA Dept of Fish and Game

Port of ProvidencePort of Providence

About the Port 6 berths Processes over

2000 ships/year Moves 9 million

tons of cargo/year

Petroleum Salt Cement Asphalt

About the Port 6 berths Processes over

2000 ships/year Moves 9 million

tons of cargo/year

Petroleum Salt Cement Asphalt

Plans for SLR?Plans for SLR?

Jim Boyd, Coastal Policy Analyst with the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council) “Private property owners associated with the port

facilities as well as the City of Providence have yet to seriously consider the implications of expected sea level rise, never mind any proposal to adapt to that scenario.”

Likely response? Elevation of port facilities such as piers, bulkheads,

fuel offloading stations, etc. and retrofitting the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier to accommodate higher mean water levels

Jim Boyd, Coastal Policy Analyst with the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council) “Private property owners associated with the port

facilities as well as the City of Providence have yet to seriously consider the implications of expected sea level rise, never mind any proposal to adapt to that scenario.”

Likely response? Elevation of port facilities such as piers, bulkheads,

fuel offloading stations, etc. and retrofitting the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier to accommodate higher mean water levels

Agency JurisdictionAgency Jurisdiction

Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC)--> state

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM)--> state

USACE--> federal

Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC)--> state

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM)--> state

USACE--> federal

ConclusionsConclusions

Need for valuation methods and assessments to accurately capture/reflect marine ecosystem services

EIS “significance threshold” criteria still rather subjective No significant plans for SLR in either Providence or POLA/LB Agency jurisdiction overlaps at local, state, and federal levels

Need for valuation methods and assessments to accurately capture/reflect marine ecosystem services

EIS “significance threshold” criteria still rather subjective No significant plans for SLR in either Providence or POLA/LB Agency jurisdiction overlaps at local, state, and federal levels