Port of Tacoma PUBLIC NOTICE DETERMINATION OF NONSIGNIFICANCE WAC 197-11-970

Port of Tacoma PUBLIC NOTICE DETERMINATION OF NONSIGNIFICANCE WAC 197-11-970 Project Name: Combined Breasting/ Mooring Dolphin Project Description of Proposal: The Project proposes to install three in-water dolphins (two to act as combined breasting and mooring dolphins, one strictly for mooring) southeast of Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE) existing loading pier. A mooring bit and capstan structure are proposed for installation onshore and above the Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) mark. In-water Project Elements The three proposed breasting/ mooring dolphins will be constructed of up to 6 steel pipe piles (of a maximum diameter of about 20 inches each) and 3 steel or concrete fender piles (of a maximum diameter of about 16 inches each). The pile cap (top of each dolphin) will be approximately 12 feet long by 12 feet wide poured-in-place concrete. Shoreline/ Upland Project Elements The proposed upland capstan and mooring bit will be constructed of a pile-supported concrete cap (of approximate maximum dimensions of 15 feet wide by 13 feet long and about 3.5 to 6 feet deep). All concrete piles (approximately 21, up to about 14 inches in diameter) will be installed landward of the MHHW mark to support the mooring bit. This project is proposed to support direct liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling of marine vessels that are being converted to LNG that already use and visit the TOTE facility. Specifically, the proposed structures will stabilize the fueling barge as it provides LNG to the vessel berthed at the existing pier. The location of the dolphins will allow fueling operations to move from their current location out board of the ship, which puts the barge 40 feet into the navigation channel, to a location aft of the ship nearer to the shore and away from vessels transiting the Blair Waterway. Each pile installed (only metal and concrete pile are proposed) will be mitigated with the removal of an equivalent area of creosote treated pile. Each square foot of new overwater coverage will be mitigated for by the removal of an equivalent square foot of existing creosote treated timber deck. The removal for mitigation will happen on either the Blair or Hylebos Waterways as part of Puget Sound Energy's proposed LNG plant. If that project does not go forward, TOTE has committed to removing the necessary pile and over-water coverage from Commencement Bay. Proponent: TOTE Location of proposal, including street address, if any: 500 East Alexander Avenue Tacoma, WA 98421 Section 27, Township 21 North, Range 03 East Lead agency: Port of Tacoma The lead agency for this proposal, has determined that the project does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 43.21C.030(2)(c). This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency. Additional project and/or State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) information is available upon request at the Port of Tacoma's Administrative building, located at One Sitcum Plaza, Tacoma, WA 98421 or at the Port's website at http:// www.portoftacoma.com/sepa. Comments and Request for Reconsideration: This Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) is issued under Chapter 197-11-340(2) Washington Administrative Code (WAC). Pursuant to Port policy, all interested parties shall have 14 calendar days to comment on the proposed SEPA threshold determination. Only those who commented within the 14-day comment period shall have standing to file a Request for Reconsideration. Any challenge to a SEPA threshold determination shall be initiated by filing a Request for Reconsideration with the Responsible Official or designee no later than 7 calendar days following the end of the 14-day comment period for the SEPA determination. The lead agency will not act on this proposal for 14 days from the start date of the comment period described below. Comments shall be submitted to the Port of Tacoma, Environmental Programs, C/ O Diana Meister at One Sitcum Plaza, Tacoma, WA 98421 or at the Port's website at http://www.portoftacoma.com/ sepa. Comment Start Date: April 15, 2015 Comment End Date: April 29, 2015 Request for Reconsideration End Date: May 6, 2015 April 14