Final

Proponent's Environmental Assessment

for the

Williams Communications, Inc.

Fiber Optic Cable System Installation Project - California Network







Prepared for:



California Public Utilities Commission

505 Van Ness Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94102

Contact: John Boccio

Telephone: 415/703-2641

jbx@cpuc.ca.gov





Prepared by:



Jones & Stokes Associates, Inc.

2600 V Street

Sacramento, CA 95818-1914

Contact: Francine Demos

Telephone: 916/737-3000

francine@jsanet.com





Applicant:



Williams Communications, Inc.

110 West 7th Street, Suite 500

Tulsa, OK 74119-1044

Contact: Stephen Lee

Telephone: 918/645-5311

stephen.lee@wilcom.com







August 1999













































































This document should be cited as:



Jones & Stokes Associates, Inc. 1999. Proponent's environmental assessment for the Williams Communications, Inc. Fiber Optic Cable System Installation Project - California Network. Final. July. (JSA 98-358.) Prepared for the California Public Utilities Commission, San Francisco, CA.







Table of Contents



Page

Chapter 1. Introduction 1-1

PROJECT PROPONENT 1-1

CEQA LEAD AND RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES 1-2

PROJECT OBJECTIVES 1-2

SCOPE OF THIS EXPANDED INITIAL STUDY/
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION 1-3

ORGANIZATION OF THIS IS/MND 1-4



Chapter 2. Project Description 2-1

INTRODUCTION 2-1

REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT 2-3

MITIGATION INCORPORATED INTO PROJECT DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION APPROACHES 2-4

Construction Methods for Fiber Optic Cable and Conduit Installation 2-4

Regenerator and OP-AMP Stations 2-8

Staging Area Establishment 2-9

Access Roads 2-9

Equipment Access through Streams 2-10

Facility Operation and Maintenance 2-10

Avoidance of Sensitive Resources 2-10

Work Zones 2-12

Surface Reclamation 2-12

Erosion Control 2-14

Equipment Maintenance and Refueling 2-17

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE 2-17

Spread Superintendent 2-18

Spread Supervisor 2-18

Contract Compliance Inspectors 2-18

Environmental Resource Coordinator 2-18

Biological and Archeological Resource Monitors 2-19

ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING AND AWARENESS 2-19

Williams and its Consultant Team 2-19

Contractor Team 2-19

LAND USES ISSUES 2-20

Public Roads 2-20

Utility Crossings 2-21

Private Property 2-21

Farm and Agricultural Lands 2-21

CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE AND WORKFORCE 2-21

Construction Schedule 2-21

Timing of Work 2-21

Construction Workforce 2-22

SUMMARY OF MITIGATION MEASURES INCORPORATED INTO
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION APPROACH 2-23

Specific Measures 2-23

General Measures 2-24

NO-PROJECT ALTERNATIVE 2-25

FUTURE PROJECTS 2-26



Chapter 3. Project Route Descriptions 3-1

INTRODUCTION 3-1

POINT ARENA TO SACRAMENTO 3-2

Proposed Project Route Description 3-2

Proposed Regenerator/OP-AMP Station Locations 3-3

Proposed Construction Methods 3-3

SACRAMENTO TO CALIFORNIA/NEVADA BORDER 3-4

Proposed Project Route Description 3-4

Proposed OP-AMP Station Locations 3-6

Proposed Construction Methods 3-6

SAN FRANCISCO TO SANTA CLARA 3-6

Proposed Project Route Description 3-6

Proposed Regenerator/OP-AMP Station Locations 3-7

Proposed Construction Methods 3-8

PITTSBURG TO SACRAMENTO 3-8

Proposed Project Route Description 3-8

Proposed Regenerator/OP-AMP Station Locations 3-10

Proposed Construction Methods 3-10

SAN LUIS OBISPO TO BAKERSFIELD 3-10

Proposed Project Route Description 3-10

Proposed Regenerator/OP-AMP Station Locations 3-12

Proposed Construction Methods 3-12

SAN LUIS OBISPO TO LOS OSOS LOOP 3-12

Proposed Project Route Description 3-12

Proposed Regenerator/OP-AMP Station Locations 3-14

Proposed Construction Methods 3-14

RIVERSIDE TO CALIFORNIA/ARIZONA BORDER 3-14

Proposed Project Route Description 3-14

Proposed Regenerator/OP-AMP Station Locations 3-16

Proposed Construction Methods 3-16

LOS ANGELES TO RIVERSIDE 3-16

Proposed Project Route Description 3-16

Proposed Regenerator/OP-AMP Station Locations 3-18

Proposed Construction Methods 3-18

LOS ANGELES TO ANAHEIM 3-18

Proposed Project Route Description 3-18

Proposed Regenerator/OP-AMP Station Locations 3-19

Proposed Construction Methods 3-19



Chapter 4. Environmental Setting 4-1

INTRODUCTION 4-1

I. AESTHETICS 4-1

Regulations, Approvals, and Permits Applicable to Aesthetics 4-1

Proposed Project Route Settings 4-2

II. AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES 4-3

Regulations, Approvals, and Permits Applicable to Agricultural Resources 4-4

Proposed Project Route Settings 4-4

III. AIR QUALITY 4-6

California Climate and Meteorology 4-6

Regulations, Approvals, and Permits Applicable to Air Quality 4-7

Pollutants of Concern and Attainment/Nonattainment Status 4-10

Proposed Project Route Settings 4-12

IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES 4-13

Vegetation Resources 4-13

Wildlife Resources 4-22

Fisheries Resources 4-25

Regulations, Approvals, and Permits Applicable to Biological Resources 4-26

Proposed Project Route Settings 4-30

V. CULTURAL RESOURCES 4-61

Prehistory, Ethnography, and History 4-61

Project Study Areas and Delineation of Areas of Potential Effects 4-61

Inventory Methods 4-62

Field Survey Methods 4-62

Results of Inventory 4-63

Regulations, Approvals, and Permits Applicable to Cultural Resources 4-63

Paleontological Resources 4-64

Proposed Project Route Settings 4-67

VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS 4-72

Geology and Seismicity 4-72

Soils 4-72

Regulations, Approvals, and Permits Applicable to Geology and Soils 4-73

VII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 4-73

Regulations, Approvals, and Permits Applicable to Hazards and

Hazardous Materials 4-73

Proposed Project Route Settings 4-73

VIII. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY 4-74

Approach and Methodology 4-74

Regulations, Approvals, and Permits Applicable to Hydrology and Water Quality 4-75

Proposed Project Route Settings 4-76

IX. LAND USE AND PLANNING 4-78

Regulations, Approvals, and Permits Applicable to Land Use and Planning 4-78

Proposed Project Route Settings 4-79

X. MINERAL RESOURCES 4-79

Regulations, Approvals, and Permits Applicable to Mineral Resources 4-79

XI. NOISE 4-81

Regulations, Approvals, and Permits Applicable to Noise 4-81

XII. POPULATION AND HOUSING 4-82

XIII. PUBLIC SERVICES 4-82

XIV. RECREATION 4-83

XV. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC 4-83

Regulations, Approvals, and Permits Applicable to Transportation/Traffic 4-83

Proposed Project Route Settings 4-83

XVI. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS 4-84



Chapter 5. Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures 5-1

INTRODUCTION 5-1

I. AESTHETICS 5-5

Criteria for Determining Significance 5-5

Impact Mechanisms 5-5

Impact Assessment 5-5

Cumulative Impacts 5-9

II. AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES 5-9

Criteria for Determining Significance 5-9

Impact Mechanisms 5-9

Impact Assessment 5-9

Cumulative Impacts 5-10

III. AIR QUALITY 5-11

Criteria for Determining Significance 5-11

Impact Mechanisms 5-14

Impact Assessment 5-14

Cumulative Impacts 5-15

IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES 5-16

Criteria for Determining Significance 5-16

Impact Mechanisms 5-17

Impact Assessment 5-18

Cumulative Impacts 5-65

V. CULTURAL RESOURCES 5-66

Criteria for Determining Significance 5-66

Impact Mechanisms 5-67

Impact Assessment 5-67

Cumulative Impacts 5-72

VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS 5-72

Criteria for Determining Significance 5-73

Impact Mechanisms 5-73

Impact Assessment 5-73

Cumulative Impacts 5-80

VII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 5-76

Criteria for Determining Significance 5-77

Impact Mechanisms 5-77

Impact Assessment 5-77

Cumulative Impacts 5-80

VIII. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY 5-80

Criteria for Determining Significance 5-81

Impact Mechanisms 5-82

Impact Assessment 5-82

Cumulative Impacts 5-87

IX. LAND USE AND PLANNING 5-88

Criteria for Determining Significance 5-88

Impact Mechanisms 5-88

Impact Assessment 5-88

Cumulative Impacts 5-89

X. MINERAL RESOURCES 5-89

Criteria for Determining Significance 5-89

Impact Mechanisms 5-90

Impact Assessment 5-90

Cumulative Impacts 5-90

XI. NOISE 5-90

Criteria for Determining Significance 5-91

Impact Mechanisms 5-92

Impact Assessment 5-92

Cumulative Impacts 5-96

XII. POPULATION AND HOUSING 5-96

Criteria for Determining Significance 5-97

Impact Mechanisms 5-97

Impact Assessment 5-97

Cumulative Impacts 5-97

XIII. PUBLIC SERVICES 5-98

Criteria for Determining Significance 5-98

Impact Mechanisms 5-98

Impact Assessment 5-98

Cumulative Impacts 5-99

XIV. RECREATION 5-99

Criteria for Determining Significance 5-99

Impact Mechanisms 5-99

Impact Assessment 5-99

Cumulative Impacts 5-100

XV. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC 5-100

Criteria for Determining Significance 5-101

Impact Mechanisms 5-101

Impact Assessment 5-101

Cumulative Impacts 5-104

XVI. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS 5-105

Criteria for Determining Significance 5-105

Impact Mechanisms 5-105

Impact Assessment 5-105

Cumulative Impacts 5-107

MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE 5-107



Chapter 6. Citations 6-1

Printed References 6-1

Personal Communications 6-5



Chapter 7. List of Preparers 7-1

WILLIAMS COMMUNICATIONS, INC. 7-1

GOODIN, MACBRIDE, SQUERI, RITCHIE, & DAY, LLP 7-1

JONES & STOKES ASSOCIATES, INC. 7-1

Management Team 7-1

Route-Specific Project Management 7-1

Technical Team 7-2

Publications Team 7-2





Volume II. Technical Appendices



Appendix A. Environmental Checklist Form



Appendix B. Possible Environmental-Related Permits and Agency Approvals for Each

Proposed Project Route



Appendix C. California State Lands Commission Jurisdiction



Appendix D. Sample Wetland Delineation Report



Appendix E. Sample Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan



Appendix F. Environmental Compliance Checklist for Proposed Regenerator/OP-AMP Sites



Appendix G. Resource Tables



Appendix H. Sample Reclamation Plan



Appendix I. Mitigation Monitoring Plan



Appendix J. Sample Fire Prevention and Response Plan



Appendix K. Biological Species Lists



Appendix K-1. Common and Scientific Names of Plant Species Mentioned in the Text



Appendix K-2. Common and Scientific Names of Wildlife and Fish Species Mentioned in the Text



Appendix K-3. Special-Status Plant Species Potentially Occurring along Each Project Route



Appendix K-4. Special-Status Wildlife Species Potentially Occurring along Each Project Route



Appendix K-5. Special-Status Fish Species Potentially Occurring along Each Project Route



Appendix L. Consultation and Coordination



Appendix M. Summary of Prefield and Historical Research



Appendix N. Previously Identified Fossil Localities



Appendix O. Background Information on Acoustics









List of Tables



Table Page

3-1 Right-of-Way Miles and Construction Methods - Point Arena to Sacramento 3-2



3-2 Right-of-Way Miles and Construction Methods - Sacramento to the

California/Nevada Border 3-4



3-3 Right-of-Way Miles and Construction Methods - San Francisco to Santa Clara 3-6



3-4 Right-of-Way Miles and Construction Methods - Pittsburg to Sacramento 3-8



3-5 Right-of-Way Miles and Construction Methods - San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield 3-11



3-6 Right-of-Way Miles and Construction Methods - San Luis Obispo to Los Osos Loop 3-13



3-7 Right-of-Way Miles and Construction Methods - Riverside to the

California/Arizona Border 3-15



3-8 Right-of-Way Miles and Construction Methods - Los Angeles to Riverside 3-16



3-9 Right-of-Way Miles and Construction Methods - Los Angeles to Anaheim 3-18



4.III-1 Ambient Air Quality Standards Applicable in California 4-7



4.III-2 California Air Basins and Local Air Districts Crossed by the Project Routes 4-8



4.III-3 Air Quality Requirement Attainment Status by Pollutant and Air Basin 4-11



4.IV-1 Vegetation, Wetland, and Wildlife Field Surveys Conducted for Each

Project Route 4-15



4.IV-2 Noxious Weed Species of Concern 4-18



4.V-1 Paleontological Sensitivity of Geologic Units Potentially Occurring in the

Project Study Area 4-65



4.VIII-1 Beneficial Uses of Major Waterbodies along the Project Routes 4-75



4.XI-1 Maximum Allowable Ambient Noise Exposure for Various Land Uses 4-82





5-1 Sensitive or Protected Resources Identified at the Regenerator/OP-AMP Station

Sites during Field Surveys and Site Visits 5-1



5.III-1 Construction Emission Offset Significance Thresholds 5-11



5.III-2 Estimated Construction Emissions Associated with Typical Fiber Optic

Cable Installation Projects 5-12



5.III-3 Operational Emissions Associated with a 255-hp Diesel Generator 5-13



5.XI-1 Summary of Construction Noise Sources 5-92



5.XI-2 Estimated Noise in the Vicinity of an Active Construction Site 5-93









List of Figures



Figure Follows Page

1-1 Locations of Proposed Fiber Optic Cable Routes in California 1-2



2-1 Typical Manhole and Handhole 2-5



2-2 Plowed Installation 2-6



2-3 Bridge Attachment 2-6



2-4 Aerial Installation 2-6



2-5 Typical Regenerator Station Sites 2-7



2-6 Directional Boring 2-8



2-7 General Field Organization for the Williams Fiber Optic System Project 2-18



3-1a Point Arena to Sacramento Project Route 3-2



3-1b Point Arena to Sacramento Project OP-AMP Station Locations 3-2



3-1c Point Arena to Sacramento Project OP-AMP Station Locations 3-2



3-2a Sacramento to the California/Nevada Border Project Route 3-4



3-2b Sacramento to the California/Nevada Border Project OP-AMP Station Locations 3-6



3-3 San Francisco to Santa Clara Project Route 3-6



3-4a Pittsburg to Sacramento Project Route 3-8



3-4b Pittsburg to Sacramento Project OP-AMP Station Locations 3-10



3-5a San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield Project Route 3-10



3-5b San Luis Obispo to Bakersfield Project OP-AMP Station Locations 3-10



3-6 San Luis Obispo to Los Osos Loop Project Route 3-13



3-7a Riverside to California/Arizona Border Project Route 3-14





3-7b Riverside to California/Arizona Border Project Regenerator and

OP-AMP Station Locations 3-16



3-7c Riverside to California/Arizona Border Project Regenerator and

OP-AMP Station Locations 3-16



3-8 Los Angeles to Riverside Project Route 3-16



3-9 Los Angeles to Anaheim Project Route 3-18



4.III-1 California Air Basins 4-8









List of Acronyms and Abbreviations



ADDS all-dialect self-supporting

APCD Air Pollution Control District

APE area of potential effects

AQMD Air Quality Management District

ARB California Air Resources Board

AST aboveground storage tanks



BART Bay Area Rapid Transit District

BLM U.S. Bureau of Land Management



CAAQS California ambient air quality standards

Caltrans California Department of Transportation

CCAA California Clean Air Act

CEQA California Environmental Quality Act

CESA California Endangered Species Act

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CNAHC California Native American Heritage Commission

CNPS California Native Plant Society

CO carbon monoxide

Corps U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

CPCN Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity

CPUC California Public Utilities Commission

CRHR California Register of Historical Resources



dBA A-weighted decibel

DFG California Department of Fish and Game

DHS California Department of Health Services



EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

ESA Endangered Species Act

ESU evolutionarily significant unit



FCAA Federal Clean Air Act

FCC Federal Communications Commission



HCP habitat conservation plan

hp horsepower

HVAC heating, ventilating, and air conditioning



I-80 Interstate 80

IS/MND initial study/mitigated negative declaration

ITE Institute of Transportation Engineers



KMEP Kinder-Morgan Energy Partners



L50 sound level equalled or exceeded 50 percent of the time

Ldn day-night level

LUST leaking underground storage tanks



mph miles per hour

MWD Metropolitan Water District



NAAQS national ambient air quality standards

NAGPRA Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act

NCCP Natural Communities Conservation Plan

NDDB Natural Diversity Data Base

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act

NHPA National Historic Preservation Act

NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service

NOx oxides of nitrogen

NPDES National Pollution Discharge Elimination System

NPL National Priority List

NPRR Northwestern Pacific Railroad

NRHP National Register of Historic Places



OP-AMP optical amplification

OPGW optical ground wire cable

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration



PM10 particles 10 microns or less in diameter

PM2.5 particles 2.5 microns or less in diameter

ppm parts per million



RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

RHCA riparian habitat conservation area

ROG reactive organic gases

RWQCB regional water quality control board



SCL State equivalent CERCLIS list

SDCWA San Diego County Water Authority

SOx sulfate

SPL state equivalent priority list

SPRR Southern Pacific Railroad

SR State Route

SWLF solid waste landfills

SWPPP storm water pollution prevention plan



TRIS Toxic Release Inventory Database

TSD treatment, storage, disposal facilities



U.S. 101 U.S. Highway 101

UPRR Union Pacific Railroad

USFS U.S. Forest Service

USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

USGS U.S. Geological Service

UST underground storage tanks



VELB valley elderberry longhorn beetle



Williams Williams Communications, Inc.

WQS water quality standards



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