California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2020-047-04 for the Southern California Gas Company eTS 38117 Cross Valley Station Project
2 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2020110023
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4
(CDFW)
Document Title
California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2020-047-04 for the Southern California Gas Company eTS 38117 Cross Valley Station Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/2/2020
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has issued a California Endangered Species Act (CESA; Fish & G. Code, § 2050 et seq.) Incidental Take Permit (ITP) No. 2081-2020-047-04, to authorize Southern California Gas Company to incidentally take San Joaquin antelope squirrel which is listed as threatened species under CESA (Fish & G. Code § 2050 et seq.; see Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 670.5, subd. (b)(6)(B)).
The ITP authorizes take of San Joaquin antelope squirrel for activities associated with the Project which is necessary to make the Cross Valley Station safe and operational and provide gas supply to customers in Taft and Valencia, Kern County, California. Project activities consist of the replacement of a malfunctioning pressure limiting station and communications shelter with electronics within the Cross Valley Station where natural gas pressure is measured and regulated at the connection of Line 7053 to Line 85. The Project will include: 1) removal of a portion of existing chain-link fencing; 2) excavations to install valves and regulators to be used for bypass purposes during the shutdown of Line 7053 and to remove and replace the pressure limiting station equipment; 3) demolition and removal of existing equipment shelters and foundations; 4) installation of new concrete foundation and replacement communication shelter at the same location as the existing footprint; 5) return soil surface to original grade, compaction, and installation of gravel/base rock and reinstallation of chain link fence; and 6) staging of equipment and materials directly west of the valve location within the dirt access road right-of-way.
Contact Information
Name
Craig Bailey
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Region 4
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Kern
Parcel #
298-190-05
Township
31S
Range
24E
Section
33
Base
MDB&M
Other Location Info
The Project is located approximately one mile southeast of the community of Valley Acres and State Route 119, United States Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5 Minute Quad Map Taft; Latitude 35.194864°N, Longitude -119.398549°W.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 15269(b); Public Resources Code, section 21080, subdivision (b)(2)
Reasons for Exemption
Approval of this Project is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA, Pub. Resources Code, § 21000 et seq.) because the Project is subject to California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 15269, subdivision (b), “Emergency repairs to publicly or privately owned service facilities necessary to maintain service essential to the public health, safety, or welfare” and Public Resources Code, section 21080, subdivision (b)(2), “Emergency repairs to public service facilities necessary to maintain service”. “Emergency” is defined as “a sudden, unexpected occurrence, involving a clear and imminent danger, demanding immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss of, or damage to, life, health, property, or essential public services” (Pub. Resources Code, § 21060.3).
The Project includes the replacement of a malfunctioning pressure limiting station and communications shelter with electronics within the Cross Valley Station (Station) where natural gas pressure is measured and regulated at the connection of Line 7053 to Line 85. The replacement is needed in order to make the Station safe and operational and to provide natural gas supply to customers in the cities of Taft and Valencia in Kern County, California. The natural gas supply will be critical to meet the winter heating demand for these communities.
The proposed Project includes 1) removal of a portion of the existing chain-link fencing around the 4800-square foot Station to allow equipment access; 2) three excavations to install valves and regulators to be used for bypass purposes during the shutdown of Line 7053 and to remove and replace the pressure limiting station equipment within the Station; 3) demolition and removal of existing communication shelter and foundation and analyzer shelter foundation; 4) installation of new concrete foundation and replacement communication shelter at the same location as the existing footprint; 5) soil surface returned to original grade, compacted, and approximately two to three-inch layer of 3/4-inch gravel/base rock installed within the Station and reinstallation of chain link fence around the Station; and 6) staging of equipment and materials within an area of 4500 square feet directly west of the valve location within the dirt access road right of way.
Project activities include: clearing; excavating; demolishing existing above-ground facilities and foundations; pouring a new concrete foundation; replacing new above-ground facilities; cutting and removing existing pipeline segments; installing replacement pipeline segments; installing new pressure limiting station equipment; welding; compacting soil, grading, and installing gravel; materials laydown and storage; heavy equipment storage; transporting construction materials and other Project-related traffic; installing and removing temporary exclusion fencing; and other activities. Impacts will be minimized and fully mitigated through the implementation of measures required by Incidental Take Permit No. 2081 2020 047 04. Measures include: 1) Weekly Compliance Reports; 2) establishment of avoidance zones; 3) worker education; 4) species relocation; and 5) permanent habitat protection.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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