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Home , Simi Hills

i t L erna! Lettcr JI!L .

April 2, 1979

TO o , . 4 F'lOV : f! .# Those Listed R . Kaldor 731, 071-LB24

sunfect . Summary Information Draft for D&D Envionmental Study

Attached to this letter is the initial draft of the summary information to be included in the envionmental study for post D&D use of the facilities at Santa Susana . Additional informa- tioned will be included as it is acquired, particularly unde r the "Demography" heading . Many of the figures need to be refined but are used here in order to illustrate what will be included .

Comments and criticisms are welcome but are preferred within the next week .

R . Kal dor Product Support

Those Listed :

S . Berger J . W . Carroll R . S . Hart L . G . Kellogg W . D . Kittinge r J . D . Moore M . E . Remley E . San k R . J . Tuttle B . F . Ureda

BNA0271478 7 HDMSP001858069 II . DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING ENVIRONMEN T

A . LOCATIO N

The areas and facilities for which an unrestricted use classification is requested are located at the Energy Systems Group ' s Nuclear Development Field Laboratory (NDFL) . The Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) is located adjacent to the NDFL site . Both areas are controlled by Rockwell International Corporation .

The NDFL is located in the southeastern portion of Ventura County, adjacent to the County line . The site is approximatel y 29 miles northwest of . The location is shown in Figures IIA-1, IIA-2, and IIA-3 . Its distance from, and directional relationship to various surrounding populated communities is :

Santa Susana - 3 miles ( 4 .8 km) nort h Susana Knolls - 3 miles (4 .8 km) northeast Simi - 5 miles ( 8 .0 km) northwest Canoga Park - 6 miles ( 9 .6 km) east-southeast Chatsworth - 6 miles (9 .6 km) east-northeast Calabasas - 7 miles (11.3 km) south Woodland Hills - 7 miles (12 .9 km) southeas t Thousand Oaks - 8 .5 miles (13 .7 km) southwes t

The site is situated in a low-lying basin among the Simi Hills and is relatively isolated from the surrounding communities . Its isolation is further enhanced by its elevation which places it 800 to 1000 feet above the populated valley floors . This is depicted in the aerial photograph shown in Figure IIA-4 .

The main access road (Woolsey Canyon) to the site originates in the near the communities of Chatsworth and Canoga Park .

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00-10324A Figure- A ." Map of General Los Angeles Area (Copyright Automobile Club of Southern . Reproduced by Permission )

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RESERVOI R CAN OGA PAR K

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THOUSAND OAKS WOODLAND HILL S

LOS ANGELES COUNT Y

Figure II A-3 LOCATION OF THE (NF L

f 1 I 1 l l f 1 r 1 r : ni r---i r--, r--• r--t r-t r-i r-i r-1 c --i r-' The road has two lanes and is paved throughout its length . Relatively steep grades do occur on the road ; however , it is designed to permit negotiation by commercial trucks and loads . This road has served as the access road for all construction activities since the inception of the Field Laboratory in 1948 . Additional access is provided by the Black Canyon road leading up from the , but this road is adequate for passenger vehicles only .

The areas for which an unrestricted use classification is desired are shown in Figure IA-S . These areas are as follows :

1) Building 143 which housed the Sodium Reactor Experiment (SRE) . This includes Buildings 163, 153 , 695, and 753 . 2) Building 003 which served as a storage vault for excess equipment . 3) Buildings 021 and 022 , the Radioactive Materials Disposal Facilities (RMDF) . 4) Building 028 which housed the Shield Test Irradiation Reactor ( STIR) . 5) Building 010, the SNAP 8 Experimental Reactor (SER) Facility . 6) Building 059, the SNAP 8 Ground Prototype Test Facility . 7) Area upon which Building 073, the Kinetic Energy water Boiler , was located .

Other areas for which this classification is desired include the RMDF leach field located behind Buildings 021 and 022, the SRE retention pond (773), the drainage sump (614) located behind Building 028, and two waste storage vaults, Buildings 653 and 686 .

IIDI IDI liD ID 1101 DID III DID IID III 101 DI 1 II BNA02] t 4]92 HDMSP001858074 ,Z'A - 5 NDFL Site - _ wilding Arrangeme ::'. NUCLEAR DEVELOPMENT FIELD LABORATORIE S

SANTA SUSAN A

MARCH 1976

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MI.,M,I 1111 W .~ .,,'••hgnl 4at'II~~w V;'! III 5143,', .•, :u,: plnn .,. B . DEMOGRAPH Y

1 . Distributio n

The greatest population density in areas contiguous to the Nuclear Development Field Laboratory occurs in the West San Fernando Valley area . This includes the cities of Canoga Park, Chatsworth, and Woodland Hills . All of these particular communities are at distances greater than 6 miles from the site . The population of the Simi Valley, north of the NDFL but contiguous to the site , has increased rapidly in recent years and is becoming quite dense . Cities located iri the valley are Santa Susana and Susana Knolls, each about 3 miles away, and the city of Simi , approximately 5 miles from the site .

2 . Population Growth and Trends

Populations and projected populations for cities and areas relatively near the site are given in Table II8-1 .

POPULATION

Most Recen t CITY Estimate 1980 1985 1990 1995 200 0

Simi Valley* 79,007 (2-79) 81,300 90,700 103,000 112,000 122,000 Canoga Park 131,334 (1975) 136,900 143,800 - - - Chatsworth 61,900 (1977) - - - - - Woodland Hills 84,000 (1976) - - - - - Calabasas Area** 34,670 (1978) - - - - - Thousand Oaks*** 87,985 (2-79) - 104,632 121,671 136,171 150,65 5 *Includes cities of Simi Valley, Santa Susana, and Susana Knolls **Includes cities of Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Westlake Village, Topanga, and suburban homes ***Includes Newbury Park and unincorporated areas

BNA02714794 HDMSP001858076 3 . Population Encroachment

Due to the population density increase in the lower valleys, there has been greater development into canyon areas . There has been consider- able population encroachment from Bell Canyon to within 1-1/2 miles of the southern boundry of the NDFL . Development is also occurring in the Las Virgenes Canyon approximately 4 miles south of the site . Several development sites are located in Woolsey Canyon to the west . Many of these development areas are adjacent to the main access road for the facilities . Encroachment is also preceeding into the canyon areas north of the site from the Simi Valley . Among these are Meier Canyon and Black Canyon , approximately 1 and 2 miles , respectively , from the NDFL .

C . LAND US E

1. Land Use and Zoning

Located entirely within Ventura County, the NDFL operates under the public jurisdiction of the various regulatory bodies of that County . Although not within city limits, it is designated to be within the "sphere of influence " of the City of Simi Valley . The Ventura County Planning Commission administers zoning laws and ordinances which regulate the use of buildings , structures , and land .

In conformance with Ventura County's regional "open space" plan (Figure IIC-1), neighboring lands to the north and west have been generally designated as open lands . These areas carry a zoning of Rural-Agricultural Five Acres ( R-A-5Ac) or Agricultural Exclusive (A-E) if under 10-year contract between County and landowner . Lands immediately south of the Rockwell buffer zone , which is currently being leased for cattle grazing, have been designated as "urban" ( Bell Canyon area) and are zoned Rural Exclusive One Acre ( R-E-lAc ) . To the east in Los Angeles County, there are numerous zoning classifications , however land contiguous to th e

IIDIuiiuiiuuimuiiiuiiiimuiiiuiiu BNA0271479 5 HDMSP001858077 BNA02714796 HDMSPOO1858078 property boundary has been zoned Light Agricultural Two Acres (A1-2Ac) . Trailer parks have been built or are being constructed along the Woolsey Canyon Road, the closest of these being less than 3/4 of one mile from the entrance to the Rockwell facilities and approximately 3 miles from the decontaminated areas . Permits for the construction of the trailer parks were granted under a variance by the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission .

Figure IIC-2 shows the zoning in the area of the Rockwell property .

The percentage of land use within a 5- mile radius of the NDFL is depicted in Table IIC-1 . The percentages have undoubtedly changed since computed in 1976, but the vast majority of the land is still unused raw land.

TABLE IIC-1*

% of Total Land Use 78.5 Miles2

Agrigultural ( including livestock and crops) 0 . 1

Commercial 0 . 4

Industrial 0 . 1

Residential 26 . 9

Unused Raw Land 72 . 9 *From "Answers to Questions Relative to Environmental Reports of Atomics International' s Nuclear Fuel Facilities at Los Angeles, California ," December 1976

BNA0271479 7 HDMSPOO1858079 LEGEND (FOR VENTURA COUNTY) 1 ZONE CHANGE ...... CUP 24 8 A-E SLACK CANYON 010, VARIANCE CASE (L .A.COUNTY ) ,(ACCESS NOAO ) VENTURA COUNTY LOS ANGELES COUNT Y - dry.-' I r Q "P• R-A-SA C 10, WOOLSEY CANYON NO . CIONDITIONAL USE PEPMIT 248 (MAIN ACCESS )

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Figure liC -2SSFL and Vicinity Zonin g

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00 2 . Recreation

The Simi Hills area does not receive extensive recreational use . Some residents in the area own horses and use the hills for riding . Occasionally, the lower canyons are used by youth groups for hiking and observation purposes .

0 . TOPOGRAPHY

The Nuclear Development Field Laboratory is situated in rugged terrain typical of that usually found in mountain areas of recent geolo- gical age. Units composed predominantly of sandstone form characteristic, homoclinal strike-ridges with very steep, step-like anti-dip slopes and moderately inclined dip slopes ; the rugged, distinctive, cuesta topography is a strikingly attractive feature of this area .

The Burro Flats area on which most of the NDFL is located can be described as an irregular plateau with eroded ravines at the perimeters . Elevations over most of the site range between 1800 to 2100 feet above sea level, with extremes of 1650 feet and 2250 feet.

The topographic map in Figure IID-1 indicates the rugged nature of the terrain surrounding the NDFL location . To the north of the site toward the Simi Valley, the hills slope steeply as is indicated by the closeness of the contour lines . The Rocketdyne area is considerably higher and more rugged than the NDFL site . The major drainage for this area is the Bell Canyon, which drains to the south from the site and then to the east further down the canyon . The Las Virgenes Canyon also drains south but is separated from the site by a high ridge . Major drainage patterns to the north are through Meier Canyon and Runkle Canyon.

II BNA0271479 9 HDMSP001858081 00 The surface terrain is partly mantle consisting of shallow, pebbly, silty sand and clay . Barren areas that contain little or no soil covering are common .

E . GEOLOGY AND SEISMOLOGY

1 . Geology

a . General Geology

A major portion of the NDFL site is underlain by a bedrock unit informally called the Chico formation (Ku) . This formation is Upper Cretaceous in age and consists chiefly of brown to tan resistant , medium to massive bedded, fine-to- coarse-grained , arkosic sandstone that may be locally cross- bedded and locally calcareous . It contains interbeds of gray to black marine siltstone, claystone, and shale . Maximum thick- ness of the formation is approximately 5,500 feet .

The southwest corner of the property is underlain by the Santa Susana - Martinez ' formation (TSS) . This formation is predominantly green, gray and brown , fine- to' coarse grained, thin- to-thick bedded fossiliferous sandstone ; locally cross-bended and calcareous . Also found in this formation are some green-gray , thin bedded, concretionary sandstone and shale interbedded with hard limestone .

The strike of the beds across the property ranges from N60E to N85E , with a dip to the north varying from 20 to 30 degrees .

Surficial earth materials include the various accumulations of solid and weathered rock material that commonly mantle the ground surface . Burro Flats is composed of alluvial deposits of recent geologic origin (Quaternary) . The surface deposits may vary from between 10 to 35 feet. A map of the general geology is presented in Figure IIE-1 .

flu II BNA02714801 HDMSPOO1858083 t . r I . Ax: t : I ~ ~i~ . . E 1 I .,. / . .rms 1 1-•1 "' ~Jy ~~ r .1 . -,i1 Z-7-'- . .~" • . ~s'+ :-s .,!+e r-\~ , . ''-'-~ . . .' ._ _ _ 7r e3' ,~ f i e J ,^j ` Y- 7 1<< I " . . 1- . { d rx t3n• r ~J ~ •_ _1 ~~' J~-~ r ~\~ v~r . ~4 1 y / ~Q~~ n f`. . .!Irrr~ ~ ~1 : : f~ ~• ,~ .~ i .-1 rr1 ~'{~t ~ . 1 ~ ~ t l! ~ - ~ •l._ . I~ ~~ t -e '/1 r ~~ t _ ~,r,` ,j q ~~' 1 , .~_5/~ Q ._ _ _p - _ ♦a . a v ;. ~ . . . -.~ .+ ~~ . al I . Y r -? 4 `1 :~ ~I' ~) ('i . Qal F/GURF III -/ GCOL 0 G Y OF TH E

~~ ~,~~ ~~?- i~'~ ~~ 11 ~~u~j'~ ,~t~~~ 7 ,~fi5 . ~ _ ~~ ~ i•"~~~ti. ~ ~ ~~Il~Eii ~~ ~~i11n ~ad~ . ~Ir . 1 , t ;is ~ _,~~~, . ~ 'i ~, .I ' i ~~} is E . .- ~ „ S )I •-~ , . i/"~ ' ~' / ~ Tact `~-` ~(' ~° •}I j_' ~'. ~ 1~~w (' ~I,?~ ~,( ~'~• •~ ~- - .

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J l e i ~ ~ ; o ` to 1 3, sv 6\ 41 'K (\Y/ It located . T t marine) ; S - -- - Relatively well- identified and/or relativel y conglomerate. accurately located. Ts s Santa Susano Formation (marine) ; Contacts between rock unit s sandstone and conglomerate . } Positively identified and accurately located . Tss c (Tssc ; basal, Simi conglomerate) . Relatively well-identifie and/or relatively Unnamed, informally called "Chico Formation"' N located. d accurately 11 marine ; mostly sandstone . b . Faults

Numerous minor faults have been identified in the general area of the NDFL . One of these faults skirts the southern boundary of the property . The fault traces exhibit either a rhombic or a triangular, or in some instances, a wedgelike pattern, apparently due to the relief of stresses which accumulated over the entire area of Cretaceous out- crops during regional warping . The rhombic fault pattern is the most common . The rhombic patterns are bounded by sets of faults extending roughly from east to west and from northeast to southeast .

Since the fault pattern indicates that some diagonal movement may have taken place, there is probably a slight strike-slip component involved as well as a vertical component . Most faults within the area of sandstone outcrops appear to have moved distances measurable in tens, rather than in hundreds of feet . The faulting relieved local tensional stresses during the regional diastrophism and the faults are probably all normal instead of reverse .

The major fault zones located in Southern California are shown in Figure IIE-2 . Active faults and their proximity to the NDFL site are : San Andreas Fault, the dominant California fault, approximately 40 miles northeast ; Santa Ynez Fault, 35 miles north ; San Gabriel Fault, 30 miles north ; Inglewood Fault, about 30 miles southeast ; Red Mountain Fault , 35 miles northwest ; San Cayetano Fault, 20 miles north .

2 . Seismology

It is the general consensus in'the that the source of earthquake waves is a rupture of rock in a region where elastic strain has been slowly accumulating . The movements of the earth outer crust along fault zones due to relieving this strain is generally agreed to be the cause of California quakes . California, which is a part of th e

BNA0271480 3 HDMSPOO1858085 ! o ~ A~ ~~~ ~ +. / ~_' ~► Venom

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OWGRIS C Z. + pi p f 4. t f

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Figure UP-2- GENERALIZED FAULT MAP OF A PORTION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNI A Faults with apparent Quaternary displacement ( modified from C .W . Jennings, 1975 ) Pacific seismic belt, accounts for most of the seismicity of the contiguous United States .

The earthquake history of Ventura County, particularly the southern part is dominated by small - to-moderate shocks . Many of those shocks have been severe in their local epicentral areas, but regionally have caused only light damage . More serious than effect from local shocks , have been the effect from relatively numerous moderate to large earthquakes whose epicenters are located outside of this area. These shocks have caused considerable damage . The San Fernando earthquake of February 9, 1971, registered 6 .6 with its epicenter near the San Gabriel Fault i n the Newhall - Sylmar area about 20 miles east-northeast of the NDFL. Minor to severe damage along with landsliding and rockfalls are associated with this quake . Several other earthquakes of large magnitude have been recorded . In 1941, a 5 .9 earthquake caused minor damage in portions of Ventura County . An earthquake that destroyed the business section of Santa Barbara in 1925 , registered 6 .3 and was epicentered nearly 60 miles away. The San Andreas Fault was the location of a 6 . 0 earthquake that occurred in 1916 . An earthquake which occurred in the Teton Pass are a in 1857 and the more recent Tehachapi quake , on the White Wolf fault over 50 miles away , are believed to have been the strongest earthquakes with magnitudes of 7 .7 .

3 . Landsliding

The NDFL site is situated in an area that has a moderate to high landslide propensity ( Figure IIE-3) as established by Evans and Gray (1971) . Rockfalls , mudflows and creep also may occur in the area .

F . HYDROLOGY

1 . Surface Water

Surface water at the Nuclear Development Field Laboratory is essentially derived from three sources : ( 1) storm water , ( 2) industria l

BNA0271480 5 HDMSPOO1858087 Figure LLE - 3

Landslide propensity, southern Ventura County . i and domestic waste water, and (3) cooling water for rocket engine exhaust coolant . The terrain of the area directs 90% of the storm water runnoff to the south into Bell Canyon, and only 10% into Simi Valley (Figure IIF-1) . Industrial effluents generated at the site are 100% directed into the Bell Canyon drainage after sampling and treatment .

Facilities for the control of effluents consist of retention reser- voirs, spray systems, and storm water bypass culverts . The series of retention basins provides a means of impounding industrial effluents so that samples can be taken and analyzed and the necessary treatment performed before release to a secondary reservoir where further dilution takes place . The final reservoir before effluents leave the property is also the reclamation reservoir . Pumps deliver water to reclaimed water tanks which are used for flame deflector coolant on Rocketdyne test stands . The main reservoirs have storm water bypass culverts which divert storm runoff around the basins during periods of heavy runoff . The facilities serve both the NDFL and SSFL (Rocketdyne) sites . At a point west of Canoga Park , the Bell Canyon Creek joins the channel which in turn flows east into the Sepulveda Flood Control Basin .

It has been concluded through testing that there is no percolation of water from the retention or reclamation ponds and such water from the ponds does not contribute to the ground water system .

2 . Ground Wate r

The ground water supply underlying the NDFL site is completely contained by impervious barriers as a separate underground reservoir and is, therefore , not directly connected to the ground water in either the Simi Valley or the San Fernando Valley .

IIDI iiiuiiuuimuiiiuiinui ui ui II BNA02714807 HDMSP001858089 BNA02] 1a808 HDMS P00 1 858090 The geologic structure which holds the water at 700 to 800 ft elevation above the surrounding valley floors is unique and quite unusual . The Cretaceous massive sandstone is bounded on the northwest , west, and partially on the south by Eocene shales . A large fault trend- ing east-west apparently forms a seal toward the southern direction . On the east escarpment of the , the northwesterly dip of the formations with interbedded thin shale members apparently forms a barrier on each stratum to retain the water within the Chico sandstone . The barrier on the north is not definitely known , but it is most cer- tainly there .

The Chico formation is generally fairly well cemented throughout its entire thickness . The overall effective porosity is probably less than 1%. The ground water in the Chico formation of the Simi Hills area appears to be concentrated in four types of occurrence :

1) Along fault planes where movement has caused fracturing of the sandstone . 2) Along joints and fractures which are not directly associ- ated with faults but are related to the overall faulting of the area. 3) On bedding planes where there is a change of lithology of the formation . 4) In limited permeable zones in the sediments where original cementation of the grains has not been entirely effective .

The Chico formation as a whole is a very poor aquifier or water- producing formation . Most of the formation shows evidence of secondary cementation which has decreased the original porosity to a very low capacity . The majority of the porosity in which water occurs in the formation is very closely associated with the fault planes, fractures, and joints throughout the entire thickness of sediments .

IIDI iiiuiiuuimuiiiuiinui I DI II BNA0271480 9 HDMSP001858091 Between 1948 and 1963 a total of 18 wells (some dry) were drilled on Rockwell property, with the majority of these being in the Rocketdyne area. A study of the accumulated well data indicates that the ground water reserves are a limited asset and, unlike conventional aquifiers, receives little or no replenishment through storm runoff . No relation- ship appears to exist between periods of heavy precipitation and well productivity .

None of the wells are currently producing . All but four of the wells have been completely deactivated . These four are currently on a standby status for use in emergency situations .

3 . Sources of Potable Wate r

Fresh water to the NDFL is supplied by Ventura County Waterworks District No . 17 from Simi Valley . Other sources of fresh water near the site include the Chatsworth Reservoir -3 miles east of the NDFL . This reservoir is currently drained with no future plans determined at this time . The next nearest reservoirs are the Van Norman Reservoir and the Encino Reservoir both over 10 miles from the site .

G . CLIMATOLOGY AND METEOROLOGY

1 . Climatological Description a . General Climatology

The is a semiarid region , controlled principally by the semipermanent Pacific high- pressure cell which extends from Hawaii to the Southern California coast . Associated with this high- pressure cell is a subsidence inversion tilting downward in the same direction. The seasonal changes in the position of this cell greatly influence the weather conditions over the area . During the summe r

IIDIuiiuiiuuimuiiiuiinummiU BNA02714810 HDMSP001858092 season the high is displaced to the north . This results in mostly clear skies with little precipitation . During the winter, the cell moves sufficiently southward to allow some Pacific lows and their associated fronts to move into the area . This produces light to moderate precipi- tation with northerly and northwesterly winds .

The summer displacement of the Pacific high-pressure cell to the north results in Southern California being under the influence of a subsidence inversion practically every day during the summer . The injection of marine surface air under this inversion results in fog along the coastal sections, common for this season . Occasionally during this season, the minor perturbations in the placement of the Pacific high and the thermal low associated with the desert areas to the East cause an increase in both the flow and depth of marine surface air which extends the fog well into the inland valley . Since the NDFL site is several hundred feet above the average inversion base , it is usually within or above the inversion layer .

Spring and fall are periods of greatest fog frequency .

(1) Site Precipitatio n

Precipitation is extremely variable , with many years having less than half the normal amount . The annual mean rainfall is 18 .02 in . with over 93% of the total falling between the months of November and April . The occurrence of snowfall is a rarity but on occasion measurable amounts are received . The statistics for average and heaviest precipita- tion by months are given in Table IIG-1 .

(2) Site Temperatures

The elevation of the site, averaging about 1800 feet m .s .l . and about 1000 feet above the surrounding valleys, provides a moderating

IIDImuimiiimimimuniuuiuU BNA02714811 HDMSP001858093 TABLE IIG- 1

SITE TEMPERATURES AND PRECIPITATION (1959 - 1978)

Temperatur e Mean Extreme Precipitation Month Max . Min . Max . Min . Mean Extreme

January 60 .0 46 .5 82 28 3 .56 17 .20

February 62 .0 47 .1 86 28 3 .84 15 .85 March 62 .8 46 .4 92 32 2 .52 5 .97

April 66 .6 48 .3 96 34 1.22 6 .60

May 70 .7 51 .5 98 35 0 .25 3 .55

June 77 .6 56 .8 104 44 0 .05 0 .43

July 85 .9 62 .8 104 51 0 .01 0 .09

August 85 .6 63 .6 104 52 0 .19 2 .51

September 81 .9 61. 5 108 50 0 .39 2 .66

October 76 .4 58.0 100 38 0 .20 0 .85

November 67 .0 51 .7 92 36 3 .16 17 .07

December 60 .6 46 .9 85 28 2 .63 7 .58

IIDI iiiuiiuuimuiiiuiinumiiiiiiu eNnaznaei s HDMSPOOI 858094 influence on the temperature regime . In addition, the low altitude and ocean influence make for a relatively mild climate throughout the year . For approximately 31 days of the year, the temperature exceeds 90°F with an annual maximum of 105°F . It can usually be expected that for at least 1 day of the year the temperature will drop below 32°F . ; the annual minimum is about 29°F . Generally, the NDFL experiences a somewhat higher minimum and lower summer maximum temperature than that which is recorded at the nearest U .S . Weather Bureau station in Burbank, on the San Fernando Valley floor . Temperature statistics for the NDFL are also shown in Table HG-i.

Site information is from Rocketdyne Division meteorological stations and represents data collected over the period of 1959-1978 . b . Microclimatology

During the summer months, the microclimatology of the area is determined largely by the effects of the subsidence inversion and diurnal heating . Precipitation during this season is rare, and the win d patterns resulting are primarily those associated with diurnal heating . The up-valley, up-slope winds along the southern exposures of the hills surrounding the San Fernando Valley result in light southeasterly winds at both sites during the morning, with the flow from the San Fernando Valley over the hills into the surrounding valleys . In the afternoon, this flow reverses due to heating of the reverse slopes of the hills, resulting in westerly winds . Modified marine air is introduced into both the Simi and San Fernando Valleys during the afternoon wind regime as the Simi Valley, through interconnecting valleys, is afforded acces s to the onshore flow of marine air . This results in temperature differences of 6 to 10 degrees between the two valleys, the Simi Valley being the cooler . The winds during the afternoon are somewhat stronger from the west, the flow being aided by the air pressure gradients set up by more rapid heating of the San Fernando Valley than the Simi Valley . The ai r

BNA0271481 3 HDMSP001858095 flow over the Simi hills into the San Fernando Valley causes adiabatic cooling and then heating and mixing as it descends toward the other valley, the slightly cooler air from Simi Valley remaining aloft over the warmer air in the San Fernando Valley .

During the evening hours, diurnal cooling results in down-slope, down-valley winds . The adiabatic warming of the descending mixed air results in a fairly strong temperature discontinuity over the cooler marine air pool in the Simi Valley . The depth of the marine layer averages 150 feet . In the San Fernando Valley, the wind pattern becomes downslope after the westerly flow has stopped in the evening, and diurnal cooling occurs . However, the descending cooler air does not encounter a pool of marine air, and the lapse rate in the valley becomes neutral to a slight inversion condition . During periods of increased onshore flow of marine air, the entire zone under the subsidence inversion is occupied by marine air as previously described .

In the winter season, the Pacific high cell shifts to the south, and the subsidence inversion for the most part is missing . The surface air flow is dominated by frontal activity moving through the area or to the east. The surface air source is generally from the east, and the predominant feature is the Santa Ana wind conditions caused by high pressure systems moving into the Great Basin area . During these periods of high pressure in the Great Basin area, the northerly winds are moderate to strong over all of Southern California . Such a flow destroys the marine air flow and the entire area is under the influence of dry con- tinental air . The lapse rate is dry adiabatic, and turbulent mixing conditions are caused by the winds . Frontal activity moving into the area brings precipitation from late November through March . The surface wind patterns during the winter, instead of being influenced by diurnal effects and local terrain conditions, are now very strongly dominated by the movement of dynamic pressure systems .

BNA0271481 4 HDMSP001858096 2 . Meteorological Descriptio n a. Site Meteorology

Average surface wind conditions for the NDFL site are depicted in Table IIG-2 . During the morning , the wind, the surface wind , passes over Burro Flats into the Simi Valley . In the afternoon, the wind reverses and is generally directed toward the San Fernando Valley .

TABLE IIG-2

NDFL SURFACE WIND CONDITIONS

Summer Winte r

Prevailing morning direction ESE ESE

Prevailing afternoon direction WNW NW

Mean daytime speed 8 mph (13 km/h) 6 mph (10 km/h) Mean nightime speed 3 mph ( 5 km/h ) 3 mph ( 5 km/h )

Estimated upper wind patterns are given in Table IIG-3 . This information is based on wind data from the U . S. Weather Bureau station in Burbank . Since upper winds are controlled almost entirely by the large- or intermediate - scale pressure systems and do not vary much over a distance of a few miles, this information can be considered valid for the site also .

IIDIuiiuiiuuimuiiiuiinuiuiiiiiiu BNA02]t481 5 HDMSP001858097 TABLE IIG- 3 NOFL UPPER WIND CONDITION S

Prevailing Wind Direction Elevation Mean Speed in Prevailing Directio n

Summe r Winte r

3250 SS E N 5 mph (8 km/h) 5 mph (8 km/h)

9750 SW NW 12 mph (19 km/h ) 15 mph (24 km/h )

1650 SW NNW 15 mph (24 km/h) 20 mph (32 km/h )

Annual and seasonal (summer and winter) wind rose diagrams are shown in Figures IIG-1, IIG-2, and IIG-3, respectively . Although dated 1960-1961, these figures still reflect the current wind patterns over the site. b . Severe-Weather Meteorology

Of primary interest for severe weather in this area are straight- line winds and tornadoes . Hurricanes will not be considered since the occurrence of one is very unlikely to affect this part of the country .

(1) Straight- Line Winds

Straight-line winds occur more frequently than tornadoes , but their interpretation and evaluation are difficult. Values of fastest-mil e

BNA0271481 6 HDMSP001858098 10 %

1

~1 .

4 yx ., { vox } ie w

x ~~~ MMw 4~~. w I .?Mi5 1 2 %

zx ~r r \C4 u i~ I sry~.+~ I 2 9s% zoa 3611 .~i : l ~; ~

Al- l77a !w, 1 E x ssc

' C • O~' six m a !' a Sa ~M1 !x I SY.

\~x rw

1-! .-• 9-O s~3

Ki -WE ! M .MOTS

TOTAL 06SERVATIOY S 17,205

Figure IIG-1 Annual Surface Wind Rose (1960-1961), Rocketdyne Field Test Laboratory

ui II BNA02] t 48 1 ] HDMSPOO1858099 ox

.5% 4% 1%

1-3 •-2 f-m sl e

. .L w.YCS . ..w n TOTAL OBSERVATgN S e,e a

Figure II 2 Seasonal Surface Wind Rose ( Summer 1960-1961), Rocketdyne Field Test Laboratory

BNA02] t 48 1 8 HDMSP001858100 Figure IIG-•3 Seasonal Surface Wind Rose (Winter 1960-1961), Rocketdyne Field Test Laboratory

iimmuimiiimimimuniumm II BNA02]14819 HDMSPOO1858101 winds and peak gusts for the site are shown it Table IIG-4 . Tabulated are 20 kts or stronger winds and corresponding gusts . Wind data from March 1977 is available but, at present, has not been reduced .

It is readily apparent from Table IIG-4 that the occurrences of maximum windspeeds are centered during cold seasons when Santa Ana wind situations occur in Southern California .

(2) Tornadoe s

During the period 1950-1977, a total of 34 tornadoes occured within 140 miles of the NDFL. The frequencies were slightly higher than one tornado per year . Shown in Table IIG-5 are the frequencies of tornadoes by year.

As shown in Figure IIG-5, all but one of the tornadoes occurred within a fan shaped area with its vertex at Rockwell International's Nuclear Laboratories . The vertex angle being approximately 850 . This fanshaped area is the region where warm, moist air from the Pacific penetrates inland . Sea-surface temperature increases from Santa Monica toward San Diego resulting in landward advection of relatively warm moist air across the coastline .

During tornado activities convective instability often exists within a triangle boundry, Santa Monica-San Bernardino-San Diego . Apparently moisture moves further inland from the triangle through thre e major passes near Burbank, Cajon, and Banning . Three subregions of tornado activity correspond to these passes : San Fenando Valley, Upper Mohave River Valley, and the Joshua Tree area .

IIDImuimiiimimimunmuiinU BNA02]14820 HDMSP001858102 TABLE IIG-4

The fastest-mile wind of the day at Rockwell International measured at Simi Hills (based on 20-month data compliled by Mr . Joe Glantz of Rockwell International) .

Year Month Day Fastest-Mile Gust

1975 Oct . 23 NE 20 kts G 30 kts Nov . 12 NE 20 G 2 6 Nov . 12 NE 20 G 28 Dec . 15 NE 20 G 2 5 Dec . 27 NE 26 G 3 1 Dec . 31 NE 25 G 31 1976 Feb . 19 NE 20 G 2 7 Mar . 19 NE 20 G 24 Oct . 25 NE 25 G 34 Oct . 26 NE 26 G 40 Nov . 28 NE 23 G 29 Nov . 29 NE 24 G 29 Dec . 1 NE 20 G 36 Dec . 10 NE 24 G 34 Dec .. 11 NE 20 G 29

1977 Jan . 17 NE 25 G 30 Jan . 18 NE 22 G 31 Feb. 9 ' NE 21 G 26 Mar . 1 NE 23 G 29 Mar . 2 NE 21 G 27 Mar„ 9 NE 20 G 29 Mar . 10 NE 21 G 22 Mar . 11 NE 23 G 28 Mean NE 22 .1 G 29 .3 in kts NE 25 .4 G 33 .7 in mph

IIDImuimiiimimimunmunuiiu BNA02]1482 1 HDMSP001858103 Frequency 0 1 3 0 1 2 1 2 1 0

Frequency 0 1 3 0 2 2 5 1 0 0

Year 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 197 7

Frequency 0 0 0 0 3 0 4 2

IIDImuimiiimimimunmuimumi BNA02]14822 v1- A '-'-

. * o i - GF.2- ::ren NADOCs

28 Figure 5. Locations of tornadoes during the.b~l=year period, 19541977, within 140-mile range from Rockwell International . Concentric circles denote ranges 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 miles .

II0I iiiuiiuuimuiiiuiinuiiiIII DIIiu eNnaznaeza HDMSP001858105 H . ECOLOGY

1 . Terrestrial Biota

The potential natural vegetation of the Simi Hills is mapped as . This plant community forms a very dense vegetation of broad- leaved evergreen sclerophyll shrubs . It is dominated by either chamise (Adenostoma fascicuZatum ) or manzanita (ArctostaphyZos ssp .) and California lilac (Ceanothus ssp .) ; numerous other shrub species are subdominant .

The vegetation map drawn in 1931 concurs with this description and adds further details . Figure IIH-1 is an adaptation of this map showing the area immediately surrounding the ESG Headquarters and NDFL sites . It indicates that much of the Simi Hills crest was semibarren ( 50% vegetation cover), whereas the crest and the remaining upland areas were covered by chaparral which was dominated by (a) Adenostoma faseiculatum ( chamise chaparral ) or by (b) Salvia apiana, S . Zeueophylla, and S . melZifera (coastal sagebrush of Reference 9) . Open occurred primaril y on the lower southeast slopes, and oak woodland (Quercus agrifoUa) appeared only in the canyons near ephemeral ( Bell Canyon, Las Virgenes Canyon) .

Most of the Simi Hills area surrounding the NDFL is dominated by an oak woodland () with undergrowths of grass or sage (Salvia) species . Canyon vegetation is dominated by shrub willow (Salix spp .), California bay (Umbellularia caZifornica) and broom (Baccharis sppj . Apparently , much of the chamise chaparral , noted in early map- pings and descriptions has been replaced by oak woodland . The most likely explanation for this succession is that fire suppression activ- ities allowed the fire -tolerant chaparral vegetation to be replaced by the less fire -tolerant oaks and sages .

Faunal descriptions of the Simi Hills area are limited . However, the likelihood of several species of animals occurring in the area can be con- sidered based on the terrain , climatology, and vegetation of the area .

II0I iiiuiiuuimuiiiuiinuiiumiiiiu eNnaznaeza HDMSP001858106 ORNL - DWG 76-1976 9

BARREN SAGEBRUS H

m SEMIBARREN (Crosshatch over any type) CHAPARRAL SHRU B

GRASSLAN D M WOODLAND TREE S

CULTIVATED MILES 0 I 2 3 4

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 KILOMETER S

Fig . 0 .4 . Vegetation map (1931 ) of area surro unding the Al Headquarters and NDFL sites . Source : U.S . Department of Agriculture . U.S . Forestry Service . Vegetation r&pea of California, Calabasas quadrangle, Sheet 161D . Berkeley . Calif . . 1938 . Animals of rural cismontane coastal regions would be expected to be present at the Simi Hills site . In addition, animals characteristic of the coastal sage, chaparral, and oak woodlands should be common to the area . A list of probable faunal species of the NDFL-Simi Hills site is presented in Table II1-1-1 .

TABLE IIH- 1

ANIMAL SPECIES LIKELY TO BE FOUND IN NDFL AREA*

BIRDS

California Quai l Black - headed Grosbeak Top hortyx californicu s Pheucticus me lanocepha lu

Poor-will Rufus-sided Towhee Phalaenoptius nuttalli i Pz.pilo erythrophthaZmus

Orange -crowned Warbler California Thrasher Vermivora celata Toxostoma redivivu m

Costa's Hummingbird Red-tailed Hawk Calypte costa e Rue to jrnnaiconeti s

Acorn Woodpecker Horned Owl Melanerpeo formicivorus Bubo virginianua

Scrub Jay Golden Eagle Aphelocoma coeruleecene Quila chysaeto s

Wrentit Common Crow Chamaea fasciata Corvus brachyahynchoe

II0I iiiuiiuuimuiiiuiinuiimiiu II eNnaznaezs HDMSP001858108 TABLE IIH-1 (Cont'd )

Common Bushtit Common Raven Psaltriparus minimu s Corvus corax

Bewicko Wren Robin Thryomanes beuricki i Turdus migrator-Lu s

Lazuli Bunting Turkey Vulture Passerina amonea Cathartes aura

Red-winged Blackbird Western Kingbird AgeZaius phoeniceus Tyrannus verticalia

Coopers Hawk Mountain Quail Accupiter cooperi i Oreortyx pictus

Cactus Wren Rufus -crowned Sparrow Cwnpyloxynchus brunnercapiZlwn Aimophila ruficeps

REPTILE S

Western Rattlesnake Western Skink Crotalus viridis Errueces skiZtonianus

Southern Alligator Lizard California King Snake Gerrhonotus muZticarinatus I.mnpropeltis getul u

California Striped Whipsnake Coast Horned Lizard Masticophis laterali s Phrynosoma coronatwn

Gopher Snake Western Fence Lizard P~tuophis melanoleucus Seeploporus Occidental-is

Side-Blotched Lizard Red Rattlesnake Uta etansburiana Crotalus ruber

II0Iuiiuiiuuimuiiiuiinuiimui U BNA02]t482] HDMSP001858109 TABLE II4-1 (Cont'd )

MAMMAL S

Coyote California Ground Squirrel Canis Zatrans CiteZlus beechey i

Agile Kangaroo Rat Bobcat Dipodomys agiZis Lynx rufus

Desert Wood Rat California Pocket Mouse Neotoma Zepida Perognathus californicus .

Black-Tailed Jack Rabbit Dusky-Footed Wood Rat Lepus catiforniea Neotoma fuscipe s

Mule deer Grey Fo x Odocov leus henri onus Urocyon cinereoargentsue

Western Grey Squirrel Brush Rabbit Sciurus griseus SZyviZagus bachmani

Deer Mouse Striped Skunk Peromyscuo maniculatus Mephitis Mephiti s

Brush Mouse California Mouse Peromyscus boyZei Peromyscus caZifornicue

*This listing does not represent all species of animal life that may inhabit the area but rather those considered to be most common .

II0I iiiuiiuuimuiiiuiinuiiinu II eNnaznaeza HDMSP001858110 2 . Aquatic Biot a

No natural surface water occurs at the NOEL site, For this reason, no permanent populations of aquatic life are sustained near the area . Although Bell Canyon may contain water during periods of heavy rainfall, it remains a dry natural channel during most of the year . Some forms of aquatic life may be present in Bell Canyon during periods of heavy rainfall, but no information is available describing them .

The nearest source of water which may contain an appreciable amount of aquatic life would be a small pond, next to the drained Chatsworth Reservoir, referred to as the "Ecology Pond ." This freshwater pond encom- passes approximately thirty (30) acres of water surface . Many species of birds use the pond year round, primarily ducks and geese .

3 . Endangered Specie s

As of 1975, there were 236 plant species in California classified as endangered . Nine (9) of these species could possibly be found in Ventura County or adjacent Los Angeles County, based on geographic distributions . These species are listed in Table IIH-2 . Of these nine (9) plants, five (5) are unlikely to occur in the Simi Hills because either their preferences or geographic distributions do not coincide (Hemizonia minthornii, Pentachaeta lyonii, Dudleya multicanlis, Astraglus tens?', (Throizanthe leptocerus) . The four (4) remaining species are likely to be found in the Simi Hills (Dudleya cymosa, Dicenta ochroleuca, Eriogonum crocatum , Berberis nevinii) .

II0I I0I liD ID 1101 DID III DID III IDI DII II ID II BNA02] 1 4829 HDMSP001858111 TABLE IIH- 2 ENDANGERED PLANT SPECIES OF VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES, CALIFORNIA (1975 )

Plant Habitat and Geography

Astereae Chaparral zone ; Santa Susana mountains Hemizonia minthorni i

Astereae Valley ; coastal Los Angeles County Pentachaeta lyonii

Berberidaceae Coastal sage scrub and chaparral ; San Fernando Berberis nevini i Valley

Crassulaceae Chaparral ; ; southern Dudleya cymosa Ventura Count y

Crassulaceae Chaparral ; Los Angeles County Dudleya multicauli s

Fabaceae Coastal strand ; coastal Los Angeles County Astragalus tenen

Fumaraceae Dry disturbed places below 3000 feet in Dicentra ochroleuc a chaparral ; Los Angeles and Ventura County

Polygonaceae Coastal sage scrub and San Fernando Valle y Chorizanthe leptobeuii s

Polygonaceae Rocky slopes at about 500 feet , costal sage Eriogomwm crocatwn scrub ; northern base of Santa Monica moun- tains ; Ventura County

II0Imuimiiimimimunimiiiiiiu BNA02]14830 HDMSP001858112 Table IIH-3 lists endangered wildlife of California . Three of the listed species are potential habitants of the area surrounding the NDFL . These are the Southern Bald Eagle, California Condor, and the American Peregrine Falcon .

731-C .278

IIDIuiiuiiuuimuiiiuiinumiiiiiiu BNA02]t483 1 HDMSP001858113 TABLE '.IH~3 WILDLIFE SPECIES IN CALIFORNIA DESIGNATED ENDANGERED BY THE CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME COMMISSIO N

Species Statu s General Location in Californi a

Mammals : Morro Bay kangaroo rat Endangered Morro Bay Salt marsh harvest Endangered San Francisco Bay salt mouse marshe s Birds : California condor Endangered South coastal, Tehachapi and South Sierra range s American peregrine Endangered When seen : coast and Sierra falco n Southern bald eagle Endangered Along coast, mountain lakes California brown Endangered California coastal waters pelican and Channel Island s California least tern Endangere d S .F . Bay to San Diego County around coastal estuaries and bays California clapper Endangered S .F . Bay, Elkhorn Sloug h rai l Yuma clapper rail Endangered Southern Colorado River Light-footed clapper Endangered Coastal marshes from Santa rai l Barbara County to Mexican border Beldings savannah Endangered Coastal marshes from Santa sparrow Barbara County to Mexican border Amphibians : Santa Cruz long-toed Endangered Three spots along Monterey Ba y salamander

Desert slender Endangered One spring in Santa Rosa salamander mountains Reptiles : Blunt-nosed leopard Endangered Southern San Joaquin Valley lizard and Carrizo Plai n San Francisco garter Endangered West half San Francisco snake Peninsula in San Mateo County

731-278/bes

eNnazn aeas HDMSP001858114 REFERENCE S

1. R . S . Ashley , North American Aviation , Atomics International Division, "Evaluation of the Atomics International Nuclear Development Field Laboratory as a Location for Reactor Facilities ," Canoga Park, California , May 1962

2. Rockwell International , Atomics International Division , Health, Safety, and Radiation Services Department , " Environmental Impact Assessment of Operations at Atomics International Under Special Nuclear Materials License SNM- 21," Canoga Park , California , April 1976

3 . F . H . Weber , Jr . et . al ., "Geology and Mineral Resources Study of Southern Ventura County , California ," California Division of Mines and Geology Preliminary Report 14, 197 3

4. C . Martin Duke and Morris Feigen , editors , "Proceedings of the Symposium on Earthquake and Blast Effects on Structures," Los Angeles, California , June 1952

5. Frank M . Anderson and G . Dallas Hanna , " Cretaceous Geology of Lower California ," December 193 5

6 . G. T. Richter , " Elementary Seismology ," W . H. Freemen and Company, San Francisco , California, 195 8

7 . C . W . Tennings , "Fault Map of California," California Division of Mines and Geology, 1975

8 . T . Theodore Fujita , " Review of Severe Weather Meterology at Rockwell International , Chatsworth , California ," June 1977

IIDI iiiuiiuuimuiiiuiininiiuiiiiu eNnaznaeaa HDMSP001858115 9. A . W . Kuchler, "Potential Natural Vegetation of the Conterminous United States ," American Geographic Society Special Publication 36, New York, New York, 196 4

10 . State of California Department of Fish and Game , "Fish and Wildlife Species in California Designated as Endangered or Rare by the California Fish and Game Commission ," Sacramento , Californi a

11 . Rockwell International , Atomics International Division, "Site Development and Facility Utilization Planning 1978-1982," Canoga Park, California, September 197 7

731-C .278

IIDI iiiuiiuuimuiiiuiininiimu II eNnaznaeaa HDMSP001858116