BHP Billiton Cabrillo Offshore LNG Import Terminal

CSLC (state lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act [CEQA]), along with USCG and MARAD (federal lead agencies) retained E & E to prepare the multimillion-dollar EIS/EIR and site-specific, independent risk assessment for licensing, construction, and operation of the high-profile Cabrillo Port offshore, deepwater LNG import terminal.  Proposed by BHP Billiton LNG International, Inc., the project included a floating LNG storage, handling, and regasification unit (FSRU) to be moored permanently to the ocean floor, a 21-mile offshore/onshore pipeline, and about 50 miles of large-diameter pipelines and alternatives onshore.  No comparable LNG facility exists anywhere in the world.  To evaluate the environmental impacts of the design, the team analyzed 50 miles of large-diameter pipelines traversing local communities and agricultural land, with bridge crossings of sensitive water resources.

E & E completed, translated into Spanish, and distributed English and Spanish versions of the draft EIS/EIR within 10 months of contract award.  Our bilingual community relations specialists successfully conducted scoping meetings and public hearings that encouraged public participation.  Public safety was the most important issue; Environmental Justice and construction-related noise, dust, and traffic disruption also were key issues.  The project team developed detailed information regarding the number and types of construction vehicles, the related air emissions, and the direct effects of construction and secondary impacts of transporting materials and personnel to construction sites.