Introduction
Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website for the environmental review of the proposed Happy Valley Telephone Company (Happy Valley) d.b.a. TDS Telecom Olinda Last Mile Underserved Broadband Project (proposed project). The proposed project includes construction and installation of a fiber-optic network to extend high-speed internet service to communities in Happy Valley, Olinda, Igo, and other areas of unincorporated Shasta County. The proposed project is subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CPUC is the CEQA Lead Agency. A CEQA review is being performed to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed project. This site provides access to public documents and information relevant to the CEQA review process. Additional project information and documentation will be posted as it becomes available.
Quick Links
- Resolution T-17411, dated October 3, 2013, approving the funding of the TDS Grant Application for the project
- Resolution T-17517, dated May 12, 2016, conditionally approving funding to complete the project
- Proponent’s Environmental Assessment (PEA) dated August 3, 2015
- PEA (4 MB)
- PEA Appendices
- Appendix A – Project Plans (15.1 MB)
- Appendix B – CalEEMod Results
- Appendix C – Biological Resources Evaluation (20.1 MB)
- Appendix D – Waterway Delineation and Assessment Report (44.5 MB)
- Appendix E – Class III Cultural Resources Survey Report and Cultural Resource Correspondence (10.2 MB)
- Appendix F – EDR Corridor Study
- Deficiencies, Data Requests, and Responses
- CEQA Environmental Review Calendar
Project Description
The proposed project involves the construction of a second-generation, very-high-bit-rate digital subscriber line (VDSL2) fiber-optic network capable of 25 Mps/5 Mps (megabit-per-second download/upload) speed. Approximately 24.6 km (15.3 miles) of new fiber-optic cable would be buried within protective conduit along existing roads in southwestern Shasta County.
The proposed project is partly funded by the California Advance Services Fund (CASF). On December 20, 2007, in Decision 07-12-054 established the CASF program to provide grants that support projects that will a) provide broadband services to areas currently without broadband access and b) build out facilities in underserved areas, if funds are still available. CPUC Resolution T-17411 approved funding in the amount of $1,833,689 from the CASF for the proposed project. Additional funding of $399,853.20 or $469,978 to complete the proposed project was approved in CPUC Resolution T-17517. Links to Resolutions T-17411 and T-17517 are provided above.
Project Location
The proposed project is located approximately 11 miles south of Redding in Shasta County. The proposed project area includes components throughout the unincorporated communities of Olinda, Igo, and Happy Valley, west of the City of Anderson and the Sacramento River. The majority of the project area is used for agriculture with limited residential and commercial properties dispersed throughout. Public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management lies near the western end of the project area.
Environmental Review
On February 1, 2013, TDS Telecom submitted an application for CASF funding in the underserved areas of Olinda, Anderson, and other unincorporated areas of Shasta County. Resolution T-17411 stipulates that prior to receiving funds from the CASF grant, the proponent is required to provide a Proponent’s Environmental Assessment (PEA) and the CPUC must complete CEQA review. TDS Telecom provided the CPUC with their PEA on August 5, 2015. The approximate schedule for the subsequent CEQA processes following the PEA submittal are described below, in the CEQA Environmental Review Calendar.
CEQA Environmental Review Calendar
| Status | Action Item | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Complete | PEA review | October 2016 |
| Complete | Application deemed complete by CPUC | March 2017 |
| Complete | Closure of AB 52 notification and consultation process | March 2018 |
| Draft IS/MND publication | July 2018 | |
| Close of 30-Day Draft IS/MND comment period | August 2018 | |
| Final IS/MND publication | September 2018 | |
| CPUC adoption of IS/MND and Resolution | October 2018 |
Deficiencies, Data Requests, and Responses
The CPUC is currently reviewing the application and PEA to identify additional data needed from the Applicant to complete the environmental review process. The CPUC submitted data requests to the applicant for specific information to support the environmental review process. Those requests and the Applicant’s responses are included below.
| CPUC Report/Request | TDS’s Response | Attachments |
|---|---|---|
| Deficiency Letter No. 1 (Submitted 11/1/2016) |
Deficiency Response No. 1 (Received 12/20/2016) |
Attachments A and B (Received 12/202/2016) |
| Deficiency Letter No. 2 (Submitted 01/17/2017) |
Deficiency Response No. 2 (Received 02/22/2016) |
Attachments A to D (Received 2/22/2017) |
| PEA Completeness Letter (Submitted 03/20/2017) |
PEA Completeness Letter | |
| Data Request Letter No. 1 (Submitted 4/24/2017) |
Responses to Data Request No. 1 (Received 05/16/2017) |
Attachments A and B (Received 05/16/2017) |
AB 52 Consultation
Pursuant Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52) and Public Resources Code Section 21080.3.1, the CPUC sent formal notification letters to California Native American tribes that have requested, in writing, to be informed about proposed projects under review by the Commission. In addition, notification letters were sent to organizations and individuals identified by the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) as traditionally and culturally affiliated with the geographic area of the proposed project. The 30-day formal notification process ran from April 3rd to May 3rd 2017. Consultation with interested tribes occurred from June 2017 through February 2018. Additional AB 52 notification letters have been sent to two additional tribes that requested notification by the CPUC about new projects in Northern California. The AB 52 consultation process is anticipated to conclude in late March 2018.
Additional Information
Additional information will be posted as it becomes available. The CPUC, through its Environmental Review Team, is conducting an environmental review of the project. To request additional information, ask a question, or be added to the project mailing list, please contact us by email, fax, phone, or mail, as follows:
Email:
Olinda.CPUC@ene.com
Fax:
(415) 398-5326
Toll-Free Voicemail: (844) 578-9456
U.S. Mail or Courier:
Jensen Uchida
c/o Ecology and Environment, Inc.
505 Sansome Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94111
The CPUC Project Manager is:
Jensen Uchida
Energy Division
Infrastructure Permitting and CEQA
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102