Eagle Rock Aggregate Terminal Project

The Eagle Rock Aggregate Terminal Project involves the construction and operation of a sand, gravel and granite aggregate receiving, storage and distribution terminal on a privately held parcel within the Port of Long Beach. Aggregate is received from self-unloading Panamax-class vessels originating from British Columbia, Canada, and stockpiled at Berth D-44 for distribution to area customers by up to 110,000 annual truck trips. Implementation of the project requires the dredging of approximately 6,000 cubic yards of material from Channel 3 within the Port, disposal of the dredged material at the Port’s Middle Harbor Slip No. 1 Fill Site, as well as site preparation, land and in-water berth improvements, installation of a land-based conveyor and distribution system, and the placement of truck scales and a prefabricated office building. The project has a maximum throughput capacity of approximately 2.75 million tons of aggregate per year. Due to the need for dredging and wharf improvements, the project requires approval by both the Port and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Aspen prepared a joint Environmental Impact Study/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the Corps and Port.

Aspen first prepared an Initial Study, which concluded that the project may result in significant impacts to air quality and greenhouse gas emissions, marine water resources and transportation and traffic. Aspen then prepared the EIS/EIR, which included dispersion modeling of criteria pollutants, as well as analysis of vessel transportation and navigational safety, noise, socioeconomics and environmental justice. The EIS/EIR also includes a Health Risk Assessment and an Application Summary Report addressing project consistency with the Port’s Master Plan and the California Coastal Act. Aspen was additionally involved in the evaluation of the project’s maximum throughput capacity, as well as its potential viability for shore to ship powering (e.g., “cold ironing” while at berth). The EIS/EIR analyzes four project alternatives including the proposed project and the No Project/Action Alternative.