California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2020-047-04 for the Southern California Gas Company eTS 38117 Cross Valley Station Project

2020110023

California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4 (CDFW)

NOE - Notice of Exemption

11/2/2020

11/2/2020

Craig Bailey

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Region 4

Lead/Public Agency

1234 East Shaw Avenue
Fresno, CA 93710

(559) 243-4014 ext. 227

craig.bailey@wildlife.ca.gov

298-190-05

31S

24E

33

MDB&M

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.

Statutory Exemption

California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 15269(b); Public Resources Code, section 21080, subdivision (b)(2)

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.