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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment of the Navy DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY JAN 8 2016 fil NAVAL BASE KITSAP 120 SOUTH DEWEY ST CITY OF PORT ANGELES •�� BREMERTON, WA 98314-5020 5090 PRB4/ 02684 5 Jan 2016 The Honorable Dan Di Guilio Mayor, City of Port Angeles P.O. Box 1150 321 East 5th Street Port Angeles, WA 98362 Dear Mayor Di Guilio: SUBJECT: TRIBAL TREATY MITIGATION FOR PIER AND SUPPORT FACILITIES FOR THE TRANSIT PROTECTION SYSTEM AT U.S. COAST GUARD AIR STATION/SECTOR FIELD OFFICE, PORT ANGELES, WASHINGTON I am writing to request your support for a shoreline restoration project on Ediz Hook at Port Angeles Harbor. The Navy has proposed construction of a Pier and Support Facilities for Transit Protection System (TPS) at U.S. Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office (USCG AIRSTA/SFO) Port Angeles, Washington. The purpose of the proposed action is to provide a staging location for TPS vessels and crews that escort Navy submarines to and from their dive/surface points in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Naval Base Kitsap Bangor so that USCG requirements for underway hour limits are not violated. On November 30,2015 the Navy released the draft Environmental Assessment(EA) for a 60- day public comment period, which will continue through January 28, 2016, allowing sufficient time for the public to review and comment on the Navy's proposal. We will also hold a public meeting on January 12, 2016 from 6:00 p.m.to 8:00 p.m. at the Naval Elks Lodge in Port Angeles. During development of the draft EA,the Navy had several discussions Mr.Nathan West and other City staff. The draft EA includes a proposal for mitigation that involves City- leased lands on Ediz Hook at Port Angeles, Washington. The project area is within the usual and accustomed fishing grounds and stations for the Lower Elwha Klallam,Jamestown S'Klallam and Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribes. Accordingly,the Navy is proposing to conduct mitigation for potential impacts from the project on treaty reserved rights and resources. The proposed Treaty mitigation, indicated in green on the enclosed figure,would involve restoration in a location that is presently used by Icicle Seafoods, Inc. as a laydown area. This restoration would remove existing rock armoring, imported fill and debris, concrete/asphalt pads, and storage structures. The site would be graded to create a low-slope beach. Clean suitable-sized gravel/sand beach nourishment and large woody debris would be added and appropriate native vegetation planted in the back beach areas. A nearby derelict building(the former City of Port Angeles Thunderbird concession stand)would also be removed. The need for a wave attenuation structure (floating or fixed)to protect the western edge of the City's boat ramp from erosion would be evaluated and, if necessary, it would be included in the mitigation SUBJECT: TRIBAL TREATY MITIGATION FOR PIER AND SUPPORT FACILITIES FOR THE TRANSIT PROTECTION SYSTEM AT U.S. COAST GUARD AIR STATION/SECTOR FIELD OFFICE, PORT ANGELES, WASHINGTON project. The project would restore intertidal,beach and nearshore habitat. The proposed treaty mitigation project also includes a small section of upland property west of the Icicle Seafoods laydown area. To be consistent with information provided by City staff, it is proposed that a fifteen foot wide back beach area(15' from the Ordinary High Watermark)be redeveloped with native vegetation. The intent is to connect the restored Icicle Seafoods laydown area with the existing beach area west of the Icicle Seafoods area as shown on the enclosed figure. Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe has completed and is in the process of completing significant shoreline restoration along the southern shoreline of Ediz Hook. The proposed treaty mitigation project is intended to be consistent with and compliment the Tribe's ongoing restoration efforts. The upland portion of the laydown area north of the proposed treaty mitigation site and the adjacent upland area to the west would remain available for use by Icicle Seafoods. Some of the proposed mitigation site is on upland property the City of Port Angeles leases from the Bureau of Land Management and the Navy requests written confirmation that the City supports the proposed mitigation project. The Navy would like confirmation of the City's support by 28 January 2015. The Navy will be requesting similar support from the Washington Department of Natural Resources for the intertidal portion of the mitigation project. The Navy envisions entering into a Cooperative Agreement with DNR to fund DNR to complete the restoration work. We look forward to working with your staff to ensure the Treaty mitigation project is developed in a way that meets the City's long-term goals and provides the required benefit to treaty resources. My staff will be glad to meet with you to provide a project overview and to discuss the proposed mitigation. To arrange a meeting or to discuss any aspect of the project, please contact Dr. Robert Senner. He can be reached at(360)396-0029 or at robin.senner @navy.mil. Sincere T. A. ZWOLFE Captain, U. S.N v Commanding O icer Enclosure: Draft EA Fig. 2-8 showing proposed treaty mitigation site Copy to: Mr. Dan K. McKeen, City Manager, City of Port Angeles Lo 0 e s M- > ti i ; '. •' O v Z -- °o 2 e' N o o LO zwl cc 0 � t4 � L LL 1 L 2 , � i CL. Q Eo d o, C,6 N - L J r LL a t�s d o E += N i Vl � •� Q � � m m o F- Q C N , a tu 7 a O C z J L IC C A) w n.