Description
The China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) maintains land, facilities and other assets that support the Navy’s research, development, acquisition, testing and evaluation of cutting-edge weapons systems for the warfighter. It is part of Navy Region Southwest under Commander, Navy Installations Command. On 5 July 2019, an earthquake with a magnitude 7.1 occurred within the boundaries of the NAWS China Lake, resulting in damage throughout the station.
Bethel was contracted by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest (NAVFAC SW) to replace a water main at the Harvey Field, Facility 50117 on NAWS. Bethel prepared a work plan, Environmental Protection Plan, Construction Quality Control Plan, and Accident Prevention Plan prior to starting the project. Bethel completed the following tasks as part of the water main replacement:
installed 4,652 linear feet (LF) of 10-inch (″) polyvinyl chloride (PVC) C-900 water main;
installed 265 LF of 10” high density polyethylene (HDPE) water main in 18” steel casing;
installed five 2” air release valves;
installed four 4” Blowoff assemblies (BOs);
installed one precast pipe vault; and
installed two connections, including one to an existing 10” water line and a wye connection to an existing 16” water line.
Prior to breaking ground, Bethel surveyed the project site following the US Fish and Wildlife Service survey guidelines for desert tortoise. and action area. The following areas were flagged: designated areas to protect desert tortoise and their habitat; all tortoise burrows and pallets encountered within the construction zone; occupied burrows including a 100-foot avoidance buffer; active bird nests of species covered by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act including an appropriate avoidance buffer; and, other protected species and their critical habitat elements. During construction, Bethel provided a biological monitor to ensure sensitive species and their habitats were protected.
After the water main was replaced, Bethel conducted system testing. Temporary BOs were set for testing. The line was loaded using a temporary jumper and using the existing lines for feeding. The line was then chlorinated and tested in accordance with specifications. Once Bethel determined that the line had passed testing, the tie-ins were completed. Site restoration included reseeding the disturbed ground using a native mix appropriate to the California Mojave Desert region.
Client
Department of the Navy
Location
China Lake, California
Period of Performance
02/2020 - 11/2020
Contract Value
$104,487.15
Contract Number
N62473-19-D-1201, TO N6247320F4206