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
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
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
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
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
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
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