Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of Indian Springs Telecom LLC's proposed Indian Springs Telecom Project. As part of the Rural Telecommunications Infrastructure Grant Program (RTIGP), Resolution T-17216, which was approved on October 15, 2009, authorizes the Executive Director of the CPUC to enter into a contract to perform a CEQA review of the Indian Springs Telecom Project. Because the issuance of grants pursuant to the RTIGP are discretionary actions subject to the requirements of CEQA, the CPUC is the lead agency for CEQA review of the Indian Springs Telecom Project.

The Indian Springs Telecom Project was terminated in fall 2010 and is no longer under CEQA review by the CPUC.

Application Process for RTIGP Funding

CEQA review for RTIGP grants is conducted consistent with the two-phase application process for RTIGP funding established in D.03-09-071. Phase 1 is the qualifying phase, in which applicants must provide information required in the legislation (information about the community to be served, its residents, financial information, letters of support from the local government and other affected governmental agencies, letters of support from 75 percent of the identified residential community and identity of the fiscal agent). Upon successful completion of Phase 1, an applicant may submit a Phase 2 Application, detailing a feasibility study and a construction cost study.

Approval of a Phase 1 Application means that the CPUC has determined that a proposed project would be eligible to receive funds under the RTIGP. Phase 1 determinations do not approve a "project" under CEQA and do not trigger environmental review.

Phase 2 Applications seek funds that are necessary for the construction of rural telecommunications infrastructure and are considered to be projects under CEQA. Approvals of Phase 2 Applications are subject to a case-by-case factual analysis of environmental impacts.

Indian Springs School District submitted a Phase 1 Application on February 15, 2005. On March 11, 2005, Indian Spring School District was notified of its Phase 1 approval and of its eligibility to submit a Phase 2 Application, which it submitted on April 15, 2005. This site provides access to public documents and information relevant to the Phase 2 CEQA review process.

Background

Indian Springs Telecom LLC proposes to construct the Indian Springs Telecom Project, which would include construction of cell towers, underground power transmission lines, and access roads at three sites (Bear Mountain, Hatchet Mountain, and Round Mountain) along State Route 299 within Shasta County. The facilities would be owned by Indian Springs Telecom LLC for the duration of the grant period, which ends in July 2010 (at which time ownership would be transferred to the Indian Springs Elementary School).

The Indian Springs Telecom Project would provide cellular service to residents and commuters within the coverage area of Hatchet Mountain, Round Mountain and Bear Mountain. The project sites are located on private land and are surrounded by undeveloped areas with low vegetation or timberlands. Most of the proposed project areas have been previously disturbed by the construction of roads and other communications facilities.

Project construction would include grading of new access roads and driveways, grading of the tower sites, construction of concrete slabs and/or footings to accommodate the towers, construction of telecommunications towers on the footings, installation of security fencing, and installation of new powerlines. The construction phase of the project is estimated to be completed within four months.

Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA)

Indian Springs LLC filed a PEA on August 31, 2009. This document provided a starting point for the environmental review process conducted by the CPUC.

Environmental Review Process

The PEA was submitted to the CPUC on August 31, 2009.

The Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration or Draft Environmental Impact Report will be distributed for public review and published here, when available. A final document will then be published before the CPUC makes a decision on the proposed project.

For Additional Information

The CPUC, through its Environmental Review Team, is conducting an environmental review of the project. To request additional information or to be added to the mailing list, please contact us at IndianSpringsTelecom@aspeneg.com.

The CPUC's Project Manager is: