Fellows Pump Station Infrastructure Removal Project (Project) (California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2023-047-04 (ITP))

Summary

SCH Number
2024090917
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4 (CDFW)
Document Title
Fellows Pump Station Infrastructure Removal Project (Project) (California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2023-047-04 (ITP))
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/24/2024
Document Description
This proposed Project involves the demolition and removal of all above-grade infrastructure, including 6 above ground storage tanks (AST’s), buildings, pipelines, pumps, and all associated infrastructures on the abandoned oil and gas storage facility. The project is expected to result in incidental take of San Joaquin antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilis nelsoni), San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes mactrotis mutica), and giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens) (collectively, Covered Species of the ITP), which are designated as a threatened and endangered species pursuant to the California Endangered Species Act. The Project will result in temporary impacts to 7.01 acres of Covered Species habitat. 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

Name
Shaelyn Latronica
Agency Name
CDFW
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency

Location

Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
The Site is on Midway Road, just east of the intersection with Highway 33 in Kern County, California, approximately 1.25 miles east of Fellows and approximately 3.5 miles northwest of Taft between in the Midway Valley between the Temblor Range and Elk Hills.

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 prevent the collapsing of above ground storage tanks (AST’s) at the abandoned Shell oil and gas storage facility by demolishing the existing AST’s, associated infrastructure, and removing potentially hazardous waste from the site. Shell California Pipeline Company provided the following information regarding the urgent nature of this Project: • Recent visits completed on-site identified one of the AST’s had begun to buckle and cave in on itself and the other ASTs on-site had evidence of buckling and corrosion. Another routine maintenance visit by Shell’s contractor identified that a fire had occurred in one of the buildings on-site with indications of trespassers. Kern County Panning and Natural Resources Department has indicated concurrence with the site being a risk to public health and safety if the ASTs were to collapse. The Project will include the implementation of short-term remedies followed by the demolition of the site. The short-term remedies involve the installation of semi-permanent barriers to restrict access to trespassers onto the site and temporary measures to secure site infrastructure and buildings. The demolition involves the demolition and removal of all above-grade infrastructure, including 6 above ground storage tanks (AST’s), buildings, pipelines, pumps, and all associated infrastructures on the abandoned oil and gas storage facility. Impacts will be minimized and fully mitigated through the implementation of measures required by Incidental Take Permit No. 2081 2023 047 04. Measures include: 1) Monthly Compliance Reports; 2) establishment of avoidance zones; 3) worker education; 4) species relocation; and 5) permanent protection and perpetual management of 4 acres of Habitat Management Lands.

Attachments

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