PORT OF LOS ANGELES AND U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS RELEASE DRAFT EIS/EIR FOR YUSEN CONTAINER TERMINAL

Public Meeting to be held May 20; Comment and Review Period Ends June 16

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — May 5, 2014 — The Port of Los Angeles and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report (EIS/EIR) for the Yusen Terminals Inc. [YTI] Container Terminal Improvements Project, located at Berths 212-224 at the Port of Los Angeles, on the north side of Terminal Island along the Cerritos Channel, near the East Basin.

The proposed project entails improving Berths 214-216 wharves, increasing berth depth from -45 to -53 feet, and improving Berths 217-220 wharves to make way for 100-foot gauge gantry cranes, as well as deepening to a -47 feet berth depth. The project will also construct additional on-dock rail yard capacity for YTI.

The proposed project follows in the footsteps of the Port of Los Angeles’ $370 million Main Channel Deepening Project, done in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As a result of these improvements, the Port’s main channel and turning basins now provide -53 depths.

YTI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha.  YTI operates marine cargo terminals in Los Angeles and Oakland, providing stevedore and terminal service to container shipping lines. YTI has a long-term lease with the Port for operation of the terminal through 2016, and plans to exercise its option to extend its lease through 2026.

The Draft EIS/EIR includes a discussion of the proposed project’s environmental impacts and identifies mitigation measures to reduce these impacts as required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The public comment and review period is from May 2, to June 16, 2014. During this time, the Port will accept written comments and will host a public meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 6 p.m., at Port of Los Angeles Administration Building, located at 425 S. Palos Verdes Street in San Pedro, to present its findings and provide opportunity for public comment.

A copy of the document is available for public review at the following locations:

• L.A. Public Library, San Pedro Branch, 931 South Gaffey Street, San Pedro
• L.A. Public Library, Wilmington Branch, 1300 North Avalon, Wilmington
• L.A. Public Library, Central Branch, 630 West 5th Street, Los Angeles

Comments on the Draft EIS/EIR must be submitted in writing by the end of the 45-day public review period and must be postmarked by June 16, 2014. Please submit written comments to: 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Los Angeles District, Regulatory Division
Ventura Field Office
ATTN: Theresa Stevens, Ph.D.
2151 Alessandro Drive, Suite 110
Ventura CA 93001

Port of Los Angeles
Christopher Cannon
Director of Environmental Management
P.O. Box 151
San Pedro, CA 90733-0151

Written comments may also be sent via email to ceqacomments@portla.org and Theresa.Stevens@usace.army.mil.   Comments sent via email must include the project title in the subject line, attached to the email in letter format, and include a valid mailing address in the email.  Questions regarding this notice or the project should be directed to the Port of Los Angeles Environmental Management Division at (310) 732-7693. For more information, visit www.portoflosangeles.org.

The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port supports more than 830,000 regional jobs and $35 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. The Port of Los Angeles – A cleaner port.  A brighter future.