Ballona Creek Trash Interceptor Project

Summary

SCH Number
2024100380
Public Agency
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (DPW)
Document Title
Ballona Creek Trash Interceptor Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/9/2024
Document Description
On November 5, 2019, the Board authorized the District to enter into an agreement with TOC to implement a pilot project to evaluate the performance of the InterceptorTM and feasibility of its use by the District to abate trash effectively within Ballona Creek (Pilot Project) covering two storm seasons. Prior to approving the Pilot Project, the District found the Pilot Project exempt from analysis under CEQA per Sections 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies) and 15306 (Information Collection) of the State CEQA Guidelines and Class 6 of the County’s Environmental Document Reporting Procedures and Guidelines, Appendix G. The District filed a Notice of Exemption on November 5, 2019, documenting these findings. On November 15, 2019, the District executed the agreement, and a set of Minimum Performance Criteria were established to measure the performance of the InterceptorTM during the pilot period and to assess: (1) the efficacy of the Interceptor; and (2) the District’s ability to effectively operate and maintain the device. On April 5, 2022, the Board approved changes to the Pilot Project and authorized the Director of Public Works or his designee to construct a mooring system for the InterceptorTM using a Board-approved Job Order Contract. The changes included revising the location of the InterceptorTM from upstream to downstream of the Pacific Avenue Bridge and delivery of the InterceptorTM by TOC fully assembled rather than in parts to be assembled by the District. Other refinements included the size of the InterceptorTM, mooring details, the monitoring system, and methods to evaluate InterceptorTM performance. The Board found these revisions and refinements within the scope of the activities approved in 2019, and that the Pilot Project remained statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies) of the State CEQA Guidelines and categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15306 (Information Collection) of the State CEQA Guidelines, as well as Section 15311 (Accessory Structures) of the State CEQA Guidelines and Class 6 and 11 of the County’s Environmental Document Reporting Procedures and Guidelines, Appendix G. The District filed a second Notice of Exemption on April 11, 2022, documenting these findings. Construction of the mooring system for the InterceptorTM began in June 2022 and was completed in October 2022. The InterceptorTM was deployed on October 6, 2022. Over the Pilot Project data collection period, which ended on April 15, 2024, and included two storm seasons, the InterceptorTM prevented over 248,000 pounds (124 tons) of trash and debris from reaching the Pacific Ocean and local beaches. On October 8, 2024, the Board approved the following actions: found that the Project, associated Agreement, and related actions are exempt from CEQA; found that the Minimum Performance Criteria for the InterceptorTM, as defined under the 2019 Pilot Project Agreement, were met; established and approved the Proposed Project for implementation by Public Works; and delegated authority to the Chief Engineer of the District or his designee to execute a bill of sale for the transfer of ownership from TOC to the District, and to negotiate, enter into, and amend an Agreement with TOC.

Contact Information

Name
Matthew J. Frary
Agency Name
Los Angeles County Public Works
Job Title
Assistant Deputy Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency

Location

Cities
Los Angeles
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Waterways
Ballona Creek
Other Location Info
The Proposed Project is located 500 feet downstream of Pacific Avenue Bridge on Ballona Creek

Notice of Exemption

Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines §15303; Class 3, Appx. G
Reasons for Exemption
Class 3 applies to the Proposed Project because the InterceptorTM is a new, small (74 feet long by 29 feet wide by 18 feet high), floating structure to further help capture trash and floating debris at Ballona Creek from reaching the Pacific Ocean and local beaches. The conveyor belt, shuttles, dumpster bins and barge, power supply, solar power system, and battery power are all within the catamaran hull. The booms extend 18 to 32 inches beneath the water surface and have a low draft that allows water to pass underneath without significant interference. The booms do not substantially obstruct or divert the natural flow of water within Ballona Creek. During trash removal, operators would slide the dumpster barge out from the InterceptorTM, take it to the Public Boat Launch in Marina del Rey, lift and empty the reusable trash nets, and return the dumpster barge back to the InterceptorTM. Maintenance would include routine InterceptorTM, trash booms, and mooring inspections; regular removal of algae and other debris from the InterceptorTM hull and trash booms; routine washing of the solar panels with water; and servicing of mechanical equipment, as needed. Monitoring and maintenance are expected to occur on a weekly basis during the storm season (October to April) and monthly the remainder of the time. Maintenance may also include replacement of the trash booms or other components of the InterceptorTM system, as needed. Routine maintenance is conducted in-channel and in compliance with applicable regulations. No new facilities or small structures are required for maintenance or trash removal process. Additionally, the cameras are mounted with brackets on the side of the Pacific Avenue Bridge (below the bridge deck on the downstream side), which is a small accessory installation that requires only minor modifications to the exterior of the bridge. The Project is not located in a sensitive environment and there are no significant cumulative impacts, unusual circumstances, damage to scenic highways, listing on hazardous waste sites pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5, or indications that the project may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource that would make the exemption inapplicable based on the record of the proposed activities.
County Clerk
Los Angeles

Attachments

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