Piers 421, South Ellwood Oil Field Site Assessment & Remedial Action Planning

True Environmental assisted the California State Lands Commission (CSLC) with preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the PRC 421 Decommissioning Project, which involves removing two remaining derelict oil drilling piers and caissons located within Haskell’s Beach adjacent to Sandpiper Golf Course in Goleta, Santa Barbara County, California. With the plugging of the last two wells in the oilfield, the piers and caissons have no further use. Their removal will restore full public access to the beach and eliminate an existing threat to public safety and the environment.

Because the project is located near environmentally sensitive habitat areas (ESHA), including wetlands, creeks, the Pacific Ocean, and the nearshore beach environment, the EIR focused on evaluating potential impacts to these sensitive resources. Supporting studies performed and coordinated by our team included air quality and greenhouse gas emissions analysis, focused biological surveys and wetland delineation, a coastal processes study, archaeological survey, bluff retreat study, and site assessment for constituents of concern such as hydrocarbon-containing materials, asbestos, and lead-based paint. The EIR was certified in April 2022.

During final implementation of the caisson removals, True provided environmental compliance field monitoring services on behalf of CSLC to ensure adherence to environmental requirements.