U.S. Navy Is Mulling Three Alternatives Which Include New Breakwater(s) In Seal Beach For New, Larger Ammunition Pier At Naval Weapons Station

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(June 20, 2016) -- The U.S. Navy plans to build a new, larger ammunition pier to handle more and larger ships at its Seal Bech Naval Weapons Station...and all three of what it calls its "viable alternatives" include building a new breakwater(s): two alternatives propose a breakwater within the harbor; two alternatives propose a breakwater offshore...and one alternative proposes new breakwaters within the harbor and offshore.

Background on the project is at a U.S. Navy "Fact Sheet" at this link It states in pertinent part:

[Scroll down for further.]

[U.S. Navy text]
The Navy proposes to construct:
A replacement ammunition pier (approximately 1,100-feet by 125-feet)
Associated waterfront facilities
A new small boat access channel for civilian boat traffic to and from Huntington Harbour

The project would include dredging for the pier, turning basin and small boat access channel.
The proposed pier would replace the existing wharf, which is more than 60 years old, built before the inception of modern earthquake codes, and past its design life.
The proposed project would have public benefits and would result in safer, more efficient naval operations:
The new pier would meet current earthquake standards.
The project would support the loading of more than one medium-sized ship at a time, allowing the Navy to quickly deploy ships overseas during times of crisis.
The project would enable larger ships to safely enter Anaheim Bay and load at the new pier.
The project would provide greater separation between Navy operations and civilian activity in Anaheim Bay and along Pacific Coast Highway, promoting increased safety and security for the Navy and the public.
A channel for civilian boat traffic to and from Huntington Harbour would significantly reduce disruptions to boaters during Navy ship transits, high-security conditions and exercises.

The Navy has identified what it calls three "viable alternatives." Alternatives 1 and 2 include a new breakwater within the harbor. Alternatives 2 and 3 includes a new offshore breakwater and entrance jetties. And Alternative 2 includes new breakwaters within the harbor AND offshore.

Alternative 1: Ammunition Pier at South Mole with Interior Small Boat Channel

Graphic source: US Navy fact sheet

Alternative 2: Ammunition Pier at South Mole with Exterior Small Boat Channel

Graphic source: US Navy fact sheet

Alternative 3: Ammunition Pier Parallel to South Mole with Exterior Small Boat Channel

Graphic source: US Navy fact sheet

Source: US Navy fact sheet

[For further, see p. 3 of pdf at this link.]

An early scoping process in April received public input on the "scope" of issues that the Navy should include in its Environmental Assessment (EA); the Navy has indicated that its EA, which it will release for public review and comments in the coming months, will discuss "land use; biological resources; coastal resources; air quality and climate change; public health and safety; transportation; water resources; visual quality; noise; socioeconomics; utilities; and topography, geology, and soils" and possibly additional topics.