Chapters 1 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Refuge Resources
infrastructure includes 220 buildings, 49 miles of railroad track, 68 miles of paved road, and 127
ammunition magazines.
In addition to the developed areas at the station, more than 2,000 acres of open land on the Station
are leased for agriculture use through a leasing program managed by the Navy (U.S. Navy 2011).
Some fields are dry farmed, while others are irrigated using primarily water from Station wells.
Primary crops include barley, lima beans, garbanzo beans, nopales (cactus), cucumbers,
cauliflower, green beans, celery, lettuce, squash, peppers, watermelon, strawberries, and cabbage.
Approximately two acres of the land set aside for agriculture can be used for apiary (beekeeping)
purposes in conjunction with bean production.
A small weapons shooting range, used by military and other government agency personnel, as well
as private shooting clubs, is located immediately adjacent to the Refuge, near the corner of Bolsa
Avenue and Case Road. As a result of this activity, a portion of the Refuge located near NASA
Island is closed to use when the range is operating. This proximity of the range to the Refuge has
had an impact on the Refuge’s ability to fully implement the Eyes on the Colony Program, because
participants in the program are not permitted to use the portion of the access road closest to
NASA Island. This situation makes it difficult for participants to get close to the nesting colony
and reduces the effectiveness of the monitoring activities. The Refuge is continuing coordination
efforts with the Navy in an effort to resolve this issue.
Another use occurring within NWSSB, but outside the Refuge boundary, is oil production. When
the federal government condemned the land occupied by the NWS in the 1940s, the former owner,
Alamitos Land Company, retained the mineral rights. In 1954, the first oil well was drilled into
Anaheim Bay by Hancock Oil Company from the 6.5-acre “oil island” that the company built in the
wetlands (refer to Figure 4-1). Roads, which are now maintained by the current holder of the
mineral rights (BreitBurn Energy Corporation), were also constructed in the marsh to connect the
island to Pacific Coast Highway and Bolsa Avenue. In total, the current mineral rights apply to
approximately 112 acres, a portion of which are located below the wetlands included within the
Refuge. In accordance with the current agreement between the oil operator and the Navy
(Agreement NOY(R)-48519), when the resources within the oil field have been depleted, the oil
operator will restore the site, including Oil Island and the associated roadways, to coastal salt
marsh habitat (USFWS and U.S. Navy 1990). The operator has approached the Navy regarding
an amendment to the agreement that would allow the island to remain in the marsh where it could
be used to accommodate future visitor activities (CDFG and USFWS 1976).
Uses Beyond NWSSB. The properties immediately surrounding NWSSB consist of a mix of
industrial and commercial uses and low to medium-density residential development (Figure 4-16).
Oil extraction sites are scattered throughout the area. Immediately to the south of the Refuge and
to the northwest of the Bolsa Chica flood control channel are recreational uses, including Sunset
Marina Park and Sunset Marina Harbour. Although these uses are located within the city limits of
Seal Beach, most of the property is owned in fee title by the County of Orange. A portion of the
southeast corner of the site is held in the public trust as state tidelands, which are leased to the
County of Orange. The developed portion of this property, which is leased to a private operator by
the County, is situated on approximately 76 acres and supports primarily boating related activities.
Facilities include a marina with approximately 245 boat slips, a public boat launch ramp, and a
marine repair yard. The site also includes an Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol facility;
Sunset Marina Park, a small passive public park; approximately seven acres of parking to
accommodate 273 boat trailers and vehicle spaces; and a six-acre dry stand board storage facility
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Environmental Assessment 4-85