West of Devers Upgrade Project (Claifornia Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2017-057-06 (ITP))

SCH Number: 2014051041
Lead Agency: Public Utilities Commission (California Public Utilities Commission)
Document Title: West of Devers Upgrade Project (Claifornia Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2017-057-06 (ITP))
Document Type: NOD - Notice of Determination
Received: 2/6/2018
Posted: 2/6/2018
Present Land Use: numerous

Document Description: This proposed project involves upgrading existing transmission, distribution, substation, and telecommunication structures and facilities to increase the power transfer capability of the West of Devers system. The project upgrades will require establishment of, or improvement to, various project work areas including: tower disturbance areas, subtransmission/distribution/telecommunications work areas, wire set-up (installation) sites, splice removal areas, staging areas, spur and access roads (construction, widening, and associated work limits), drainage and erosion control features, shoo-fly work areas, and guard structure areas. Project will result in the loss of 84.72 acres of habitat for Least Bell's Vireo (Vireo Bellii pusillus), Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), Agassiz's desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), and Stephen's kangaroo rat (Dipodomys stephensi), including the permanent loss of 12.04 acres and temporary loss of 72.68 acres. The project is expected to result in incidental take of Agassiz's desert tortoise and Stephen's kangaroo rat, which are designated as threatened species under CESA, and Willow Flycatcher and Least Bell's Vireo, which are designated as an endangered species under CESA. The ITP referenced above as issued by CDFW authorizes incidental take of species listed under CESA that may occur as a result of Project implementation.

Contact Information: Kimberly Freeburn-Marquez
CDFW
3602 Inland Empire Blvd., Suite C-220
Ontario, CA 91764
Phone : (909) 945-3484

Final Environmental Document Available at: 3602 Inland Empire Blvd., Suite C-220, Ontario, CA 91764

(1) The project will have a significant impact on the environment: No
(2a) An Environmental Impact Report was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA: Yes
(2b) A Negative Declaration was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA: No
(2c) An other document type was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA: No
(3) Mitigated measures were made a condition of the approval of the project: Yes
(4) A mitigation reporting or monitoring plan was adopted for this project: N/A
(5) A Statement of Overriding Considerations was adopted for this project: No
(6) Findings were made pursuant to the provisions of CEQA: Yes