California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2021-064-04 for the eTS 47418 L7049 MP 0.38 Recoat Anode Install Project

Summary

SCH Number
2022080011
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4 (CDFW)
Document Title
California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2021-064-04 for the eTS 47418 L7049 MP 0.38 Recoat Anode Install Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/1/2022
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. 2081-2021-064-04, to authorize Southern California Gas Company to incidentally Tipton kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratiodes nitratoides) which is designated as an endangered species under CESA and San Joaquin antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus nelsoni) which is listed as a threatened species under CESA, respectively (Fish & G. Code § 2050 et seq.; see Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 670.5, subd. (a)(6)(D) and (b)(6)(B), respectively). The ITP authorizes take of Tipton kangaroo rat, and San Joaquin antelope squirrel (Covered Species) for activities associated with the Project which is necessary to repair a high-pressure gas pipeline to prevent failure which is urgently required for health and human safety. The Project will include repair and recoating of the pipeline, installing four interference anodes, and returning the temporary disturbance area to pre-project conditions. The Project is expected to temporarily disturb 0.19 acres of Covered Species habitat.

Contact Information

Name
Kristie Stein
Agency Name
CDFW
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency

Location

Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
The eTS 47418 Line 7049 Mile Post 0.38 Recoat Anode Install Project (Project) is located along Lake Station Road approximately 6 miles east of the City of Taft, Kern County, California (See Figure 1). The approximate center is located at 35.149165° N and -119.337075° W. The Project occurs within the Buena Vista Lake Bed United States Geological Survey 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle on Assessor’s Parcel Number 220 120-28, and is within Township 32 South, Range 25 East, Section 18, Mount Diablo baseline meridian.

Notice of Exemption

Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 15269, subd. (b); Public Resources Code, section 21080, subd. (b)(4)
Reasons for Exemption
Approval of this Project is subject to the statutory exemption for “Specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency” (Emergency Project; Pub. Resources Code, §21080, subd. (b)(4)) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA; Pub. Resources Code, §21000 et seq.). “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 purpose of the Project is to repair an approximately 75-foot section of high-pressure gas pipeline to prevent pipeline failure. Southern California Gas Company provided the following information regarding the urgent nature of this Project: • Line 7049 (around Mile Post 0.38) is a one-way fed line which can cause impacts to local customers in the community of Taft and surrounding. Unlikely to impact the regional level unless it also causes an impact to Line 85. The Project constitutes an emergency measure which is required for immediate health and human safety. Prior to excavation activities, approximately three to four potholes will be hand-dug to identify the location of the pipeline. Excavation of a trench approx. 100-feet long by 13 feet wide by 10-feet deep will be required to expose the underground gas line. Once exposed, the pipeline will be abated, removing asbestos-containing material. The pipeline surface will be cleaned of dirt and debris to prepare the surface for recoating. The integrity of the pipe will then be inspected both visually and using wave and b-scan inspection equipment and/or portable hand and pipe latching equipment. If anomalies are detected during inspection, they may be remedied by soft padding the affected area using hand tools or by installing a “wedding band”, welding a metal sleeve over the anomaly in the existing pipeline. If severe anomalies are detected, the section of pipeline may need to be removed and replaced by welding a new pipe segment in place. Next, approximately four interference anodes will be installed adjacent to the pipeline. The anodes will be attached to the pipe via three #8 wires and connected to a small metal-plated terminal used for monitoring electric currents and potential. The trench will then be backfilled with either the native excavated spoils or clean fill as needed, returning the temporary disturbance area to pre-project condition. The Project is expected to cause the temporary loss of 0.19 acre of habitat for the Covered Species. Impacts will be minimized and fully mitigated through the implementation of measures required by Incidental Take Permit No. 2081 2021 064 04. Measures include: 1) Monthly Compliance Reports; 2) establishment of avoidance zones; 3) worker education; 4) species relocation; and 5) permanent habitat protection.

Attachments

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