Tehachapi Renewable Transmission
NEPA Document Collection for: Tehachapi Renewable Transmission
EIS
Environmental Impact Statement for the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project
Proposed Action
The proposed Project, which is described in full detail in Chapter 2 of the Final EIS (Description of Alternatives, including the Proposed Project), would connect the Tehachapi Wind Resource Area (TWRA) in southern Kern County with SCE’s transmission system in order to deliver power produced in the TWRA to utility load centers.
The primary components of the proposed Project include: (1) Construct new 500-kV transmission lines; (2) Construct new single-circuit 220-kV transmission lines; (3) Rebuild existing 220-kV lines to 500-kV standards; (4) Rebuild existing single-circuit transmission lines to double-circuit transmission lines; (5) Relocate several existing 66-kV subtransmission lines; (6) Construct a new 500-kV substation; and (7) Upgrade five existing substations. Approximately 42 miles of the proposed Project would be located on National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Angeles National Forest (ANF) and up to pproximately 16 miles of the proposed transmission facilities may require right-of-way (ROW) expansion on Angeles National Forest lands.
Because the proposed transmission line would traverse approximately 42 miles of NFS lands, SCE filed an application for a Special Use authorization with the USDA Forest Service on June 29, 2007, seeking permission for construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed Project on NFS lands in the ANF.
Conditions of Approval
Decision requires a Mitigation and Monitoring Plan. The plan will include all mitigation measures selected in the Record of Decision and a monitoring strategy to define rolls and responsibilities. The requirements are detailed in the Record of Decision linked in this database.
Data Completion Notes
CPUC Project Website: ftp://ftp.cpuc.ca.gov/gopher-data/environ/tehachapi_renewables/TRTP.htm
Documents
EA/EIS Report:- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume I.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume II.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume I 1 Introduction.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume I 2 Description of Alternatives including the Proposed Project.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume I 3 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume II 1 Visual Resources .pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume II 2 Wilderness and Recreation.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume II 3 Wildfire Prevention and Suppression.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume II 4 Electrical Interference and Hazards.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume II 5 Comparison of Alternatives.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume II 6 Other Required NEPA and CEQA Considerations.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume II 7 Development of the Tehachapi Wind Resource Area.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume II 8 Consultation and Coordination.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume II 9 References.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume II 10 Glossary and Acronyms.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume II 11 Index.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume III Appendices.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume III Appendix A Air Pollutant Emissions Calculations.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume III Appendix B1 Biological Assessment.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume III Appendix B2 Biological Evaluation.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume III Appendix B3 Biological Opinion.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume III Appendix C Management Indicator Species Report.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume III Appendix D Programmatic Agreement with State Historic Preservation Officer.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume III Appendix E Supplemental Draft EIS Comments and Responses.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume IV Appendix 4.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume IV Appendix 4 Fa1 Comments from Public Agencies Elected Officials.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume IV Appendix 4 Fa2 Comments from Public Agencies Elected Officials.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume IV Appendix 4 Fb Comments from Groups Organizations Companies.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume V Appendix 5.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume V Appendix 5 FC1 Comments Received from Individuals.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume V Appendix 5 FC2 Comments Received from Individuals.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume V Appendix 5 FD1 Comments Received from Southern California Edison.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume V Appendix 5 FD2 Comments Received from Southern California Edison.pdf
- Tehachapi Renewable FEIS Volume VI Appendix 6 Verbal and Emailed Public Comments.pdf
- Record of Decision
- Final EIS
Resource Analysis
Resource | Not Present |
Present, Not Affected |
Present, Potentially Affected |
Not Indicated |
Comment | Applicant Proposed Mitigation |
Agency Imposed Mitigation |
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Cultural Resources |
Part I |
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Cultural Resources |
Part III |
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Monitoring of selected sites shall be conducted annually by a professional archaeologist for a period of three years following completion of Project construction. Monitoring shall include inspection of all site loci and defined surface features, documented by photographs from fixed photo-monitoring stations and written observations. A monitoring report shall be submitted to the Forest Service, USACE, and CPUC within one month following the annual resource monitoring. The report shall indicate any properties that have been impacted by erosion or vehicle or maintenance impacts. For properties that have been impacted, SCE shall provide recommendations for mitigating impacts and for improving protective measures. After the third year of resource monitoring, the Forest Service, USACE, or CPUC, as appropriate, will evaluate the effectiveness of the protective measures and the monitoring program. Based on that evaluation, the Forest Service, USACE, or CPUC may require that SCE revise or refine the protective measures, or alter the monitoring protocol or schedule. If the CPUC, USACE, and Forest Service (for NFS lands) do not authorize alteration of the monitoring protocol or schedule, those shall remain in effect for the duration of Project operation. If the annual monitoring program identifies adverse effects to NRHP-eligible properties from operation or long-term presence of the Project, or if, at any time, SCE, Forest Service, USACE, or CPUC become aware of such adverse effects, SCE shall notify the Forest Service, USACE, and CPUC immediately and implement mitigation for adverse effects, as directed by the agencies. At the discretion of the Forest Service, USACE, and CPUC, such mitigation may include, but not be limited to modification of protective measures, refinement of monitoring protocols, data-recovery investigations, or payment of compensatory damages in the form of non-destructive cultural resources studies or protection.
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Wastes Hazardous or Solid |
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Impacted soil characterization and disposal In the event that potentially contaminated soils were encountered within the footprint of construction, soils would be tested and stockpiled. The appropriate CUPA would determine whether further assessment is warranted.
Part 112, SCE would prepare a SPCC for proposed and/or expanded substations. The plans would include engineered and operational methods for preventing, containing, and controlling potential releases, and provisions for quick and safe cleanup.
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Plans, and/or Remediation Plans.
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Geology and Minerals |
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Paleontological Resources |
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Water Quality |
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Lands and Realty |
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Noise |
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Fire Resources |
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CloseAPM HAZ-4 Fire Management Plan. The Fire Management Plan, developed by SCE and presented in the PEA as Appendix D, would be implemented. |
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CPUC, FS (for NFS lands), and the county fire departments no less than 60 days prior to the start of construction, such as the following:
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Access and Transportation |
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Visual Resources |
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AES-4, and the insulators shall be non-reflective and non-refractive, per APM AES-3. SCE shall consult with the CPUC and the FS to ensure that the objectives of this measure are achieved. SCE shall submit a Structure Type and Treatment Plan for the lattice steel towers, tubular steel poles, conductors, insulators, substation structures, fences/walls, retaining walls, bridges and any other visible structures, to the CPUC and FS, as appropriate, after Project approval, demonstrating compliance with this measure.
All reasonable efforts shall be made to meet the Scenic Integrity Objectives (SIOs) shown on the SIO Map in the ANF Land Management Plan. SIO adjustments that exceed a drop of more than one SIO level would require a Project-specific amendment to Forest Plan (Part 3) Standard S10. In order to compensate for the Project’s long-term visual impacts to the landscape character and visual quality, including but not limited to impacts to landscape character and visual quality of scenic highway and scenic trail viewsheds, SCE and the Forest Supervisor shall reach a consensus on what is a commensurate amount of restoration, monetary compensation, or landscape character/visual quality improvement.
For non-NFS lands and in locations designated by the CPUC, to protect landscape character and promote visual quality, SCE shall remove existing transmission line towers and conductors using existing and already maintained access roads and spur roads, and shall construct the new transmission line using the existing and already maintained network of access roads and spur roads to the greatest practical extent. V-4b Slope-round and re-contour in areas as prescribed. For areas of non-NFS lands where natural terrain includes rounded landforms, where soil types are conducive, and where cuts-and fills and excavated materials would be visible from sensitive viewing locations, SCE shall employ slope-rounding techniques to blend earthwork with natural contours where feasible. V-4c Avoid locating new roads in bedrock on NFS lands. Where feasible, re-opened and/or new access road and spur road locations on NFS lands shall be designed to avoid bedrock cuts, and shall be located in soil material to protect landscape character, ensure revegetation opportunities, and promote visual quality. V-4d Dispose of excavated materials as prescribed. For non-NFS lands, SCE shall dispose of excavated materials (soil, rocks, and concrete, and reinforcing steel) in a manner that is not visually evident and does not create visual contrasts. For NFS lands, SCE shall dispose of excavated materials (excess soil and rocks) in disposal areas (either on-NFS lands or off-NFS lands) as designated by the FS. For NFS lands, the FS will designate whether any footings from existing transmission structures need to be removed. |
Cultural Resources |
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NRHP/CRHR -eligible cultural resources to mitigate or avoid identified impacts. Treatment of cultural resources shall follow the procedures established by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Secretary of Interiors Standards and Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Mitigation alternatives may include, but are not limited to, avoidance, recordation, additional analysis of existing collections, and data recovery excavation. The HPTP or HRMP (herein HP/HRMP) shall be submitted to the Forest Service, USACE, and CPUC for review and approval. As part of the HP/HRMP, SCE shall prepare a research design and a scope of work for data recovery or additional treatment of significant sites that cannot be avoided. Data recovery on most resources would consist of sample excavation and/or surface artifact collection, and site documentation. A possible exception would be a site where human remains or sacred features are discovered that cannot be avoided. The HP/HRMP shall define and map all known significant properties affected, or potentially affected, by the Project, and shall identify the cultural values that contribute to their eligibility for the NRHP. A Construction Phase Management Plan shall be included that details how cultural resources will be avoided and protected during construction, in accordance with the PA. Measures shall include, at a minimum, designation and marking of Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs), archaeological monitoring, personnel training, and effectiveness reporting. The plan shall detail what measures will be used; how, when, and where they will be implemented; and how protective measures and enforcement will be coordinated with construction personnel. The HP/HRMP shall also define any additional areas that are considered to be of high-sensitivity for discovery of buried NRHP-eligible cultural resources, including burials, cremations, or sacred features. The HP/HRMP shall detail provisions for monitoring construction in these high-sensitivity areas. It shall also detail procedures for halting construction, making appropriate notifications to agencies, officials, and Native Americans, assessing NRHP-eligibility in the event that unknown cultural resources are discovered, and the timelines for assessing NRHP-eligibility, formulating a mitigation plan, and implementing treatment. Treatment plans for unanticipated discoveries shall be approved by the Forest Service, USACE, CPUC, appropriate Native Americans, and the SHPO prior to implementation. The HP/HRMP shall include provisions for analysis of data in a regional context, reporting of results within one year of completion of field studies, and curation of artifacts and data (maps, field notes, archival materials, recordings, reports, photographs, and analysts’ data) at a facility that is approved by Forest Service, USACE, and CPUC, and dissemination of reports to local and State repositories, libraries, and interested professionals. The Forest Service will retain ownership of artifacts collected from Forest Service managed lands. SCE shall attempt to gain permission for artifacts from privately held land to be curated with the other Project collections. The HP/HRMP shall specify that archaeologists and other discipline specialists conducting the studies meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards (per 36 CFR 61).
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Air Quality |
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BLM Sensitive Species |
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Invasive, Nonnative Species |
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For the preconstruction and construction of the Project, measures to control the introduction and spread of noxious weeds in the Project work area shall be taken as follows.
reduce sources of weed seed along the travel routes associated with Project construction identified in Figures A-2 through A-4 of Appendix A of the Biological Specialist Report (Aspen and H.T. Harvey & Associates, 2009) to prevent the introduction or control the spread of noxious weeds by mowing or other control methods to substantially reduce seed production in these infestations during Project construction. Following Project approval and during the time of year when weed species can be observed and identified, SCE shall identify, using a qualified plant ecologist, any other weed seed sources that could contribute to Project-related weed spread on the ANF. The following weed populations, and any other target infestations identified by Project surveys, should be controlled prior to construction. SCE shall initiate eradication of the following weed populations and any other isolated, target infestations discovered during preconstruction surveys along construction routes.
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Prime or Unique Farmlands |
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Fisheries Resources |
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Wilderness |
Wilderness and Recreation |
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Association (PCTA); California State Park and Recreation Commission; California Department of Parks and Recreation; Kern County Department of Parks and Recreation; Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation; San Bernardino County Regional Parks; Puente Hills Landfill Native Habitat Preservation Authority (Habitat Authority); Watershed Conservation Authority (WCA); and San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC).
construction or maintenance activities;
made unavailable to the public due to Project construction or maintenance activities; and
the ANF and at all recreational areas to be closed due to Project construction or maintenance activities. SCE shall document these coordination efforts to identify and provide noticing of alternative recreational areas and submit this documentation to the CPUC and the FS no less than 30 days prior to construction activities that would occur within one-half mile of wilderness or recreation areas that would be affected by such activities.
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Fire Resources |
Wildfire Prevention and Suppression |
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lead to system instability or cascading outages.
F-3d Remove hazards from the work area. SCE shall clear dead and decaying vegetation from the work area prior to starting construction and/or maintenance work.
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Public Health and Safety |
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Wildlife Resources |
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Vegetation |
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APM BIO-2: Every effort would be made to minimize vegetation removal and permanent loss at construction sites. If necessary, native vegetation would be flagged for protection. A project revegetation plan would be prepared for areas of native habitat temporarily affected during construction. APM BIO-4: Construction and Operations Crews would be directed to use Best Management Practices (BMPs) where applicable. These measures would be identified prior to construction and incorporated into the construction and maintenance operations. APM BIO-5: Biological monitors would be assigned to the project. The monitors would be responsible for ensuring that impacts to special-status species, native vegetation, wildlife habitat, or unique resources would be avoided to the fullest extent possible. Where appropriate, monitors would flag the boundaries of areas where activities need to be restricted to protect native plants and wildlife, or special-status species. These restricted areas would be monitored to ensure their protection during construction. APM BIO-6: A Worker Environmental Awareness Program (WEAP) would be prepared and all construction crews and contractors would be required to participate in WEAP training prior to starting work on the project. The WEAP training would include a review of the special-status species and other sensitive resources that could exist in the Project area, the locations of the sensitive biological resources, their legal status and protections, and measures to be implemented for avoidance of these sensitive resources. A record of all personnel trained would be maintained. |
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Wastes Hazardous or Solid |
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Migratory Birds |
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Special Status Species |
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Vegetation |
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plant species, and reseeding/transplanting are not feasible options, SCE shall preserve existing off-site occupied habitat that is not already part of the public lands in perpetuity at a 2:1 mitigation ratio (habitat preserved: habitat impacted).The determination of a significant rare plant population loss will be decided by the ANF botanist on a species and location basis, after available literature, research, and overall species distribution are reviewed. If avoidance, reseeding/transplanting, and, preservation of off-site habitat occupied by the impacted species are not found to be possible, the ANF will consider off-site restoration of degraded ANF lands and/or preservation of non-public lands with suitable habitat for the impacted species. The preserved habitat shall be of superior or similar habitat quality to the impacted areas in terms of soil features, extent of disturbance, habitat structure, and dominant species composition, as determined by a qualified plant ecologist. All special-status plant species impacted by Project activities shall be documented in an annual report and submitted to the CPUC and federal land manager (FS and USACE). Where reseeding has occurred, SCE shall track the success of the plants during the course of the annual restoration monitoring. This information shall be submitted as part of the annual report to the CPUC and federal land manager (FS and USACE). |
Special Status Species |
Reptiles and Amphibians |
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Special Status Species |
Birds |
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Special Status Species |
Mammals |
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July) within 300 feet of Project activities in areas that support suitable habitat. Surveys should be sufficient to determine the spatial extent and type of use (maternity of hibernacula) of roosting habitat within areas that may be impacted by ground disturbing activities. Surveys shall be performed by a qualified bat biologist (i.e., a biologist holding a CDFG collection permit and a Memorandum of Understanding with CDFG allowing the biologist to handle bats). Survey protocols will be developed in coordination with the FS, CDFG, SCE, USACE, and CPUC as appropriate. The resume of the biologist shall be provided to the CPUC, FS, and USACE (as appropriate) for concurrence prior to any Project activities. If active maternity roosts or hibernacula are found, the area occupied by the roost shall be avoided (i.e., not removed) by the Project during the maternity season. If avoidance of the maternity roost is not possible, the bat biologist shall survey (through the use of radio telemetry or other CDFG/FS/USACE approved methods) for nearby alternative maternity colony sites. If the bat biologist determines in consultation with and with the approval of the CDFG, FS, USACE (as appropriate), and CPUC that there are alternative roost sites used by the maternity colony and young are not present within the area proposed for disturbance then SCE will coordinate with the FS, CDFG, USACE and CPUC as appropriate on how to proceed. Measures that may be implemented in order to proceed may include, but are not limited to, providing alternative roosting habitat, exclusion of bats from the roosting site (only will be used when alternative sites are available and active) or other means that will not result in adverse impacts to bats. If active maternity roosts are absent, but a hibernaculum (i.e., a non-maternity roost) is present, then Mitigation Measure B-33b is not necessary, but Mitigation Measure B33c is required.
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Threatened and Endangered Species |
Vegetation |
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Threatened and Endangered Species |
Wildlife Amphibians - California Red-Legged Frogs |
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Threatened and Endangered Species |
Reptiles - Desert Tortoises |
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referred to as the “authorized biologist” hereafter. Additionally, a qualified biologist shall conduct focused clearance surveys for desert tortoise prior to construction activities within Segment 10 and Segment 4 between the Cottonwind and Whirlwind substations. Clearance surveys shall be conducted 100 m into agricultural areas that are adjacent to suitable habitat. Clearance surveys shall follow the FWS’s desert tortoise survey protocol. To mitigate potential permanent impacts to occupied desert tortoise habitat from Project construction, SCE will acquire habitat occupied by desert tortoises. Disturbance occurring along Segment 10 and along Segment 4 between the Cottonwind and Whirlwind substations shall be mitigated through acquisition of occupied habitat at a ratio of 3:1 (acres of habitat acquired: acres of land permanently disturbed). Mitigation acquisition shall occur at a FWS- and CDFG-approved location and shall be coordinated through a FWS- and CDFG-approved entity. SCE shall enter into a binding legal agreement regarding the preservation of off-site lands describing the terms of the acquisition, enhancement, and management of those lands. Fee title acquisition of habitat lands or a conservation easement over these lands will be transferred to an entity approved by FWS and CDFG, along with funding for enhancement of the land and an endowment for permanent management of the lands. SCE will provide verification to the CPUC that FWS- and CDFG-approved lands have been acquired. SCE shall develop and implement a mitigation and monitoring plan that includes the following measures in consultation with the FWS and CDFG.
present on work areas within or adjacent to the Project area the following information:
consultation with the FWS/CDFG/CPUC. All workers will be advised that equipment and vehicles must remain within the fenced work areas. Installation of the fencing and any necessary surveys will be directed and/or conducted by the authorized biologist in concurrence with the FWS/CDFG/CPUC.
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Threatened and Endangered Species |
T&E and Special-Status Fish - Santa Ana sucker |
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SCE shall conduct surveys for fish and other special-status aquatic organisms. The species noted in the project area shall be reported to the FS. No work shall be conducted in the flowing portion of the stream and water shall be diverted around the work area in a manner that does not restrict the movement of aquatic organisms unless authorized by the FS. Block nets or other barriers may be required, if deemed necessary by the FWS or the FS, and if fish or other special-status species are present. Block nets will not be used in areas supporting Santa Ana suckers. All activities that occur within ponded or flowing water shall be coordinated with the FS on NFS lands. Quarterly for duration of construction work in the San Gabriel and Big Tujunga Rivers, SCE shall prepare a report documenting the type and number of species located and any actions taken to relocate or exclude the species. This shall be reported to the FS and CPUC no later than 30 days following the completion of work at the San Gabriel or Big Tujunga Rivers. If Santa Ana suckers occur in portions of the creek where construction activities are scheduled to occur, SCE shall retain a qualified biologist with a FWS permit for the Santa Ana sucker to monitor all construction activities in occupied Santa Ana sucker habitat and assist SCE in the implementation of the monitoring program. The resumes of the proposed biologists will be provided to the CPUC and FS for concurrence. This biologist will be referred to as the authorized biologist hereafter. The authorized biologist will have the authority to stop all activities until appropriate corrective measures have been completed. |
Threatened and Endangered Species |
Birds |
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authorized biologist hereafter. The authorized biologist will be present during all activities immediately adjacent to or within known condor-occupied areas. The authorized biologist will have the authority to stop all activities until appropriate corrective measures have been completed.
shall include a 500-foot buffer around Project disturbance areas.
and 1 February. If construction or other Project-related activities that may cause nest abandonment by a Swainson’s hawk or forced fledging are necessary within the specified buffer zone, monitoring of the nest site (funded by SCE) by a qualified biologist shall be required to determine if the nest is abandoned. If the nest is abandoned and if the nestlings are still alive, SCE shall fund the recovery and hacking (controlled release of captive reared young) of the nestling(s).
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