Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake - Executive Summary |
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With its headquarters at China Lake, The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) is the principal tenant aboard the Naval Air Weapons Station (NAVAIRWPNSTA) China Lake. The mission of NAWCWD, as part of the Naval Aviation System Team, is to be the Navys full-spectrum research, design, development test and evaluation, and in-service engineering center for weapon systems associated with air warfare (except anti-submarine warfare systems), missiles and missile subsystems, aircraft weapons integration and assigned airborne electronic warfare systems, and to maintain and operate the air, land and sea Naval Western Test Range Complex. Shore Stations Management comprises the personnel of NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake. The Comanding Officer is responsible for the physical infrastructure of the entire facilitybuildings, grounds, roads, utilities and physical securityand all elements related to its maintenance and improvements. The Supply Department performs the functions of receiv ing, issuing, shipping, delivery, storage, inventory management, stock control and personal property. It provides the support for organizations; and intermediate levels of aircraft maintenance. Receives, stores, issues, delivers aviation fuels, liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen for aircraft operations. The Department is responsible for planning and implementing all aspects of the Stations Hazardous Material Control and Management Program. The Safety and Physical Security Department provides fire, law enforcement, physical security and safety services. The Fire Division provides fire suppression, fire prevention, rescue, ambulance and Emergency Management services. The Police (Physical Security) Division provides law/traffic enforcement. vehicle mishap investigation, visitor control, pass and identification services and security alarm services. The Safety Office implements the Navy Occupational Safety and Health (NAVOSH) program and Explosive Safety program. GENERAL STATEMENT NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake is located approximately 150 miles north east of Los Angeles, California. The land varies in altitude from 2,100 to 8,900 feet with a land area of 1,754 square miles. Additionally, the controlled airspace is over 17,000 square miles. NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake is accessible by three state highways: 395, 14, and 178. The facility is bordered by the City of Ridgecrest on the south and west boundaries. To the east lies the town of Trona and the north and east boundaries of NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake are bordered by Wilderness Areas of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Except for the BLM lands, land use around NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake is residential, commercial, and Navy-related. NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake is located in three counties: Kern, San Bernardino, and Inyo. The Navy has stewardship of approximately 34,700 acres in Kern county; 537,000 acres in Inyo county; and 527,000 acres in San Bernardino county. The Kern county acreage represents about 3% of the NAVAI RWPNSTA controlled properties in the Indian Wells Valley, the Searles Valley and the Superior Valley. The Mainsite area is the closest designated area to the city of Ridgecrest, California. The Armitage Airfield is several miles Northwest of Mainsite. 142,000 acres of aircraft target ranges are located in the Northeastern corner of Kern county and continue into Inyo and San Bernardino Counties to the North and East, respectively. The SNORT Track area is located in the Southwestern corner of the NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake. This area is bordered on the West and South by rural residents of the City of Inyokern. The Inyo county property represents approximately 49% of the NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake controlled properties in the Indian Wells Valley area. Since naval occupancy in the mid nineteen fortys the property in Inyo county has been designated as military target ranges for fleet related weaponry. Other than security personnel, who are on duty 24 hours a day, there are no permanent n aval facilities or laboratories with a steady workforce in Inyo county. The San Bernardino property is approximately 48% of the NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake controlled properties in the Indian Wells, Searles and Superior Valleys. Since naval occupancy in the mid nineteen fortys the property in San Bernardino county has been designated for laboratory use, military weapons testing and military target ranges for fleet related weapons systems. There are approximately 1000 people residing in the NAVAIRWPNSTA Mainsite area. During the work week there are an additional 3900 employees coming on board to work in the Kern county portion of the NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake. An additional 1600 civilians come on board each day during the week to attend elementary school or receive daycare. The total number of employees that work in Inyo county each day range from a maximum of 180. The daily average during the work week is 110 employees. These numbers do not include employees that work at the Coso Geo thermal Plant. Cal Energy is responsible for all Coso Geothermal Plant Operations. During the work week approximately 775 employees work in the San Bernardino county portion of the NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake. There are numerous sites where unexploded ordnance may be encountered in all three counties. Range operations procedures dictate that personnel who work on the ranges will be accounted for daily. There are several research laboratories located in the Mainsite area. Their focus is on weapons development and weapons systems engineering support. NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake is not a mass producer of any product. There are many laboratories located in the Salt Wells area. The operations conducted in Salt Wells center around the development of propellants and explosives. There are no laboratories on site in Inyo County. There are no schools within 1000 feet of any of the Government Laboratories that use and store hazardous material. There are no school(s), hospital(s), or extended care facility(ies) within 1,000 feet (straight line distance) of any facility in either Inyo or San Bernardino Counties. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE POLICY NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake is committed to operating and maintaining all of its processes (especially those using hazardous substances) in a safe and responsible manner. NAVAIRWPNSTA use a combination of accidental release prevention programs and emergency response planning programs to help ensure the safety of our employees and the public as well as protection of the environment. This document provides a brief overview of the comprehensive risk management activities that we have designed and implemented, including: A description of our facility and use of substances regulated by EPA's RMP regulation A summary of results from our assessment of the potential offsite consequences from accidental chemical releases An overview of our accidental release prevention programs A five-year accident history f or accidental releases of chemicals regulated by EPA's RMP rule An overview of our emergency response program An overview of planned improvements at the facility to help prevent accidental chemical releases from occurring and adversely affecting our employees, the public, and the environment The certifications that EPA's RMP rule requires us to provide The detailed information (called data elements) about our risk management program STATIONARY SOURCE AND REGULATED SUBSTANCES With its headquarters at China Lake, The NAWCWD is the principal tenant aboard the NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake. The mission of NAWCWD, as part of the Naval Aviation System Team, is to be the Navys full-spectrum research, design, development test and evaluation, and in-service engineering center for weapon systems associated with air warfare (except anti-submarine warfare systems), missiles and missile subsystems, aircraft weapons integration and assigned airborne electronic warfare systems, and to maintain and operate the air, land and sea Naval Western Test Range Complex. Shore Stations Management comprises the personnel of NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake. The Commanding Officer is responsible for the physical infrastructure of the entire facilitybuildings, grounds, roads, utilities and physical securityand all elements related to its maintenance and improvements. The Supply Department performs the functions of receiving, issuing, shipping, delivery, storage, inventory management, stock control and personal property. It provides the support for organizations; and intermediate levels of aircraft maintenance. Receives, stores, issues, delivers aviation fuels, liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen for aircraft operations. The Department is responsible for planning and implementing all aspects of the Stations Hazardous Material Control and Management Program. The Safety and Physical Security Department provides fire, law enforcement, physical security and safety services. The Fire Division provides fire suppression, fire prevention, rescue, ambulance and Emergency Management services. The Police (Physical Security) Division provides law/traffic enforcement. vehicle mishap investigation, visitor control, pass and identification services and security alarm services. The Safety Office implements the Navy Occupational Safety and Health (NAVOSH) program and Explosive Safety program. There are seven (7) processes exceeding the threshold limits for propane used for heating and vehicle fuels: At capacity Site #1 contains 579,096 pounds; Site #2 contains 117,180 pounds; Site #3 contains 151,200 pounds; Site #4 contains 83,160 pounds; Site #5 contains 83,160 pounds; Siite #7 contains 37,800 pounds; and Site #8 contains 113,400 pounds. There is one (1) process exceeding the threshold for chlorine used for wastewater treatment. At capacity Treatment Site #1 contains 3,704 pounds. There is one (1) process exceeding the thresholds for chlorine and ammonia used for storage. A t present this process contains 5,250 pounds of chlorine and 1950 pounds of ammonia. KEY OFFSITE CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS SCENARIOS EPA's RMP rule requires that we provide information about the worst-case release scenario(s) and alternative release scenario(s) for our facility. The following are brief summaries of these scenarios, including information about the key administrative controls and mitigation measures to limit the exposure distances for each scenario: Worst-case Release Scenario(s) Regulated Toxic Chemicals Failure of a storage tank containing 2,000 pounds of chlorine, 10 minute release. Under stipulated weather conditions the substance could travel 4.5 miles before dispersing enough to no longer pose a significant hazard to the public. Nearest offsite exposure is 0.20 miles. Alternative Release Scenario(s) Regulated Toxic Chemicals Leaking cylinder containing 28.0 pounds of chlorine, 10 minute release. Under stipulated weather conditions the substance could trav el 0.40 miles before dispersing enough to no longer pose a significant hazard to the public. Nearest offsite exposure is 0.20 miles. Worst-case Release Scenario(s) Regulated Flammable Chemicals Storage tank rupture containing 119,000 pounds of propane. Storage capacity is limited to 90% of tank's capacity by the facilities procedures. Under stipulated weather conditions the substance could travel 0.4 miles before dispersing enough to no longer pose a significant hazard to the public.. Nearest offsite exposure is 0.2 miles. A restaurant, theater and several small businesses are located in the exposure area. Alternative Release Scenario(s) Regulated Flammable Chemicals Propane Tank inlet hose rupture Distance to endpoint: <0.06 miles (<317 ft) Flash fire endpoint (LFL): 36.0 mg/l (2.00 vol%) The release rate for this scenario (567 lb/min) is less than the lowest rate in the lookup table (5000 lb/min). Therefore, the distance for this scenario was estimated using a release ra te of 5000 lb/min. This will tend to provide a more conservative estimate of the distance. Dense plume lookup table used. (EPA OCA default for this scenario) Fraction of mass that flashes upon release: 0.760 Pool spread to the minimum depth of 1 cm Pool area: 1130 square ft The predicted pool evaporation rate of 381 lb/min exceeded the pool addition rate. Therefore, the evaporation rate was set to the pool addition rate. Release rate to atmosphere: 567 lb/min No offsite impact for this scenario. We are using this information to help us ensure that our emergency response plan and the community emergency response plan address all reasonable contingency cases. GENERAL ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION PROGRAM AND CHEMICAL SPECIFIC PREVENTION STEPS In the event of an emergency involving the release or threatened release of a hazardous material, the NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake Fire Division will be notified by telephone using 9-1-1. Some buildings have alarm pulls which sound alarms for pers onnel evacuation and Fire Division notification. The Fire Division conducts periodic drills on the evacuation process. Escape routes and meeting places for each building are prominently posted within each building. A NAWCWD/NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake emergency plan exists which provides direction on chain-of-command and action coordination for any significant emergency situation. The spill response crew is notified by the NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake Fire Division. They carry beepers and two-way radios for immediate notification. FIVE-YEAR ACCIDENT HISTORY Within the last five years, NAWCWD/NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake has had no accidental release that caused offsite impacts provided in the risk management program rule (40 CFR 68.10 (b) (1)). EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM NAWCWD/NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake represents a complete, functioning community with its own fire, police, medical, explosive ordnance disposal, analytical chemistry, and public works support divisions. Under any emergency cond ition all equipment and support personnel are immediately available. Prominent notices are posted at all buildings and work areas for emergency assistance. NAWCWD/NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake has its own Fire Division that operates from three different fire stations on station. All buildings on station have the appropriate number and type of fire extinguishers required by OSHA regulations. The Fire Division and Safety Office keep track of all extinguishers and other emergency related equipment. NAWCWD/NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake personnel are responsible for all spill and disaster management actions on station. If an emergency situation arises at NAWCWD/NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake the Fire Division and the Branch Medical Clinic will assist in providing emergency transportation for victims of the disaster to the Ridgecrest Regional Hospital or other medical facilities. A certified hazardous waste removal and transportation company is on contract for situations beyond the ability of our spill response team. NAWCWD/NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake works closely with the Indian Wells Valley Emergency Services Committee which is headed by the City Manager for the City of Ridgecrest. EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES AGENCY NOTIFICATION: A handler of hazardous materials is required to immediately report any release or threatened release of a hazardous material to: 1. Local Emergency Response Agency Spill Response Team 9-1-1 2. State of California, Office of Emergency Services (800) 852-7550 or (916) 427-4341 3. National Response Center (800) 424-8802 (Spills of certain substances may require federal notification depending on volume and concentration. Familiarization of the applicable federal statutes is recommended. If in doubt - REPORT) 4. Environmental Health Services (Inyo County) (619) 878-0238 (Kern County) (805) 861-2761 (San Bernardino County) (909) 387-4677 or (909) 387-3044 5. Emergency Response Team (immediate points of contac t): Larry Kaul 939-2146 MAC Kevin Morgan 939-6549 Stan Austin 939-0967 Emergency Information Required When Reporting a Release: * Name of person reporting and phone number * Name of business, business address, and EPA # * Location of the incident or threatened release * Type of incident (spill, gas release, threatened release, etc.) * Hazardous material involved (chemical name or ID of substance and physical state (solid, liquid or gas) * Environment to which the release occurred (soil, water, air, etc.) * Estimate of the quantity of the hazardous materials involved * Is the chemical an Extremely Hazardous Substance as listed in Sara Title III, Section 302 * Time and duration of the release * Precautions to take (if known) * Possible hazards to human health and/or the environment * Extent of injuries, if any * Methods taken to cleanup/recover hazardous materials * Estimated quantity and disposition of any recovered materials PLANNED CHANGES TO IMPROVE SAFETY PREVENTION: Every user is in charge of making sure that valves are closed, doors are locked, caps are replaced, and that regular maintenance is completed. The Safety and Industrial Hygiene offices perform routine inspections and problem areas are cited for immediate correction. MITIGATION: Efforts are under way to reduce the amount of Hazardous Materials being used. The storage of smaller amounts of material will lessen the chance of a significant incident. ABATEMENT: In an emergency situation the Fire Department is immediately notified. The incident is then evaluated for hazardous consequences. Either the spill cleanup crew or the Emergency Response Team is notified and the proper regulatory agencies are contacted. The incident is then dealt with in an approved manner which will curtail any negative impact on the biosphere and any surrounding areas of cultural or historical value. TRAINING: NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake training is done by many different areas. The Hazardous Materials Division and the Environmental Projects Office train Hazard Communications and as spill response procedures. The NAWCWD/NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake Fire Department briefs employees on disaster preparedness. They also hold classes on how to use equipment such as fire extinguishers. In addition, all work areas hold periodic safety meetings to discuss site specific hazards. Hazardous materials worker training records are kept in a database maintained on site for three years by the Hazardous Materials Division. SEISMIC EVALUATION OF BUILDINGS AT NAWS CHINA LAKE Seismic evaluation of the buildings at NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake is conducted for the ground motion specified by the Western Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command. The seismicity of the region and the development of a site response spectrum have been presented in the report "Earthquake Vulnerability Study of the Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, California, Phase I: P reliminary Study" (TM No. 51-80-27), by T. K. Lew, dated November 1980. The response spectra was established for a design earthquake with an 80% probability of not being exceeded in a 50 year period. All buildings are analyzed utilizing linear-elastic mathematical models of the structures. These mathematical models are developed based on data obtained from the drawings supplied by China Lake, site visits, field measurements, photographs and specifications. Seismic loads are determined by a linear-elastic dynamic analysis for the previously described earthquake ground motions. Anticipated damage to structures is evaluated by comparing the seismic induced loads with the performance criterion. The assumption of a linear-elastic model is consistent with the relatively low stress levels found in the majority of the structural elements. This approach is considered the acceptable standard for seismic evaluation studies. The response spectra are site specific for the China Lake area an d are utilized in the analysis of all the buildings. Twelve buildings, selected by the Western Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, were included in a special study in 1985 at China Lake. The study included a detailed seismic analysis, a visual inspection, and evaluation of the seismic performance, recommended strengthening procedures and an engineering estimate of rehabilitation costs for each of the study buildings. The analysis was carried out in sufficient detail to determine the structural adequacy of the buildings and its elements when considering either "mission essential" or "life safety" criteria. These criteria are as follows: Mission Essential Criteria: The building is to remain functional after the design earthquake. Life Safety Criteria: The building is to resist collapse after the design earthquake. The vulnerability of non-structural elements (equipment, architectural components and life-line utilities) are evaluated during visual inspections o f the buildings. Elements capable of disabling the operations of a building or of creating a falling hazard during an earthquake are identified. This applies only to those elements available to the visual inspection. Since Building 00005 consists of two separate structures, thirteen individual reports were made. The following is a list of these structures with their associated study criteria: BUILDING NO. CRITERIA 00001 Mission Essential 00005D Mission Essential 00005E Mission Essential 00037 Mission Essential 00500 Life Safety 00878 Mission Essential 02338 Life Safety 02601 Life Safety 10690 Mission Essential 20000 Mission Essential 20001 Mission Essential 20002 Mission Essential 20009 Mission Essential Ongoing seismic studies at NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake are performed on each new building constructed and as major modifications/renovations are undertaken on existing buildings by the Public Works Engineering Division. The Safety Office and Fire Division inspection team members also evaluate seismic safety standards during annual inspections of each building at NAVAIRWPNSTA China Lake. RMP CERTIFICATION STATEMENTS 1. CERTIFICATION STATEMENT FOR PROGRAM 1 PROCESSES: Based on the criteria of 40 CFR 68.10, the distance to the specified endpoint for the worst-case accidental release scenario for the following processes is less than the distance to the nearest public receptor for the following processes: a Propane Storage Site #2, a Propane Storage Site #3, a Propane Storage Site #4, a Propane Stora ge Site #5, a Propane Storage Site #7, and a Propane Storage Site #8. Within the last five years, the processes have had no accidental release that caused offsite impacts provided in the risk management program rule (40 CFR 68.10 (b) (1)). No additional measures are necessary to prevent offsite impacts from accidental releases. In the event of fire or explosion, or release of a regulated substance from the processes, entry within the distance to the specified endpoints may pose a danger to public emergency responders. Therefore, public emergency responders should not enter this area except as arranged with the emergency contact indicated in the RMP. The undersigned certifies that, to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, formed after reasonable inquiry, the information submitted is true, accurate, and complete. 2. CERTIFICATION STATEMENT FOR PROGRAM LEVEL 2 & 3 PROCESSES: To the best of the undersigned's knowledge, information, and belief formed after reasonab le inquiry, the information submitted is true, accurate, and complete. David B. Kelley Signature: Print Name: Head, Hazardous Material Control & Management Division Title: Date: |