Watershed, Stormwater, & Integrated Water Management
- Honey Lake / Sierra Army Depot Base Realignment and Closure
the challengeThe US Army needed to rapidly characterize environmental issues known to include endangered species, historic and cultural sites, unexploded ordnance (UXO), water rights, and recreational interests in order to transfer the Honey Lake parcel to new ownership in less than 150 days, in keeping with Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program goals. Honey Lake, a 62,000-acre site located adjacent to the Sierra Army Depot, is a shallow alkaline lake that was used from WWII through Desert Storm for demolition of excess munitions, resulting in 5000 acres of known UXO. The challenge included identifying remedies compatible with conservation of endangered species habitat and public access on adjacent lands, both in terms of technical parameters and public perception.
the interdisciplinary approachBioengineering Group led a team under contract to them, including the Center for Urban Watershed Renewal (CUWR), the Trust for Public Lands (TPL) and Michael Baker Jr. Corporation (Baker) to complete a comprehensive scope of work on a lightning fast schedule. Extensive interagency coordination allowed development of strategies for complying with a full scope of NEPA and CEQA requirements outstanding before the property could be transferred to its final recipient, the California State Lands Commission. Water and sediment samples were collected and analyzed to assess the lead, TNT, DNT, RDX, and other contaminant levels on site. Negotiations with multiple federal, state, and local regulatory agencies were conducted and a scope of future necessary work was established. The Bioengineering Group developed a concept for an ecologically integrated cap to prevent buried UXO from becoming exposed as a result of wave and wind erosion. This cap also provided useful habitat for the endangered Carson Wandering Skipper butterfly.
the resultsThe transfer of land from the Army to the State of California used an innovative approach of employing a non-profit conservancy as an intermediary land steward, to undertake the management and regulatory compliance actions for the property in a manner acceptable to a diverse group of stakeholders. Additionally, privatization of the Army’s NEPA compliance obligations was executed within an unprecedented four-month schedule. Actions completed include: site characterization, coordination of UXO remediation, resolution of boundary and encroachment issues, protection and improvement of Carson Wandering Skipper habitat, as well as preservation of the numerous archeological and cultural treasures at Honey Lake. This project represents both the largest and the fastest BRAC related property transfer to date.