HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.G- Community Development 5.G
DOC ID: 4137 B
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO — REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Information/Report
From: Mark Persico M/CC Meeting Date: 11/16/2015
Prepared by: Lisa Sherrick, (909) 384-
5057
Dept: Community Development Ward(s): All
Subject:
Discussion Regarding Scoping Comments on the North-South Gas Line Project
(#4137)
Current Business Registration Certificate: Not Applicable
Financial Impact:
Motion: Discuss and Take Possible Action.
Synopsis of Previous Council Action:
None
Background:
Over the past several months Southern California Gas (SCG) has been conducting
community meetings to discuss the 65-mile gas pipeline project that starts in the City of
Adelanto runs through the City of San Bernardino and terminates in the City of Moreno
Valley. On October 2, 2015, a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a joint Environmental
Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) was issued in the Federal
Register. A NOI is the initial step in the environmental review process under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the federal counterpart - the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
CEQA and NEPA are intended to provide full and complete information to the public and
decision makers on the environmental impacts of a project. CEQA and NEPA forces
public agency decision makers to document and consider their actions, however, it is
not intended to stop projects. Projects can have significant environmental impacts and
still be approved if the Lead Agency finds that the benefits of the project outweigh or
"override" the projects' impacts.
While SCG is the project applicant proposing to construct, maintain and operate the
pipeline, the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) and the National Forest
Service (NFS) are the agencies responsible for reviewing and approving the pipeline
project, and are referred to as "Lead Agencies." An independent environmental
consultant has been retained by the CPUC and NFS to conduct the environmental
review and prepare the EIR/EIS.
Based upon SCG's tentative timeline, the environmental review process will last through
late 2016, construction will begin in third quarter 2018 and the line will be operational
Updated: 11/9/2015 by Georgeann "Gigi" Hanna B Packet Pg. 144
5.G
4137
fourth quarter 2019. A copy of the NOI is included with this report as Attachment A.
Analysis:
Release of the NOI starts a public comment period during which individuals and public
agencies can identify environmental areas they believe should be addressed during the
environmental review process. Comments received during the comment period must be
addressed and are used to determine the "scope" of issues discussed in the EIR/EIS.
The first of two distinct public comment period ends on November 23, 2015. The second
public comment period occurs when the Draft EIR/EIS is released. The public will be
invited to comment on the DEIR/EIS when it is released sometime within the next twelve
months. Often times a Lead Agency will conduct a public hearing to certify the Final
EIR/EIS, which affords a third opportunity for public comment. It is unclear at this time if
the CPUC or NFS will conduct a public hearing prior to certification of the final
environmental document.
The NOI identifies the following areas as having potential environmental impacts:
❑ Aesthetic resources
❑ Agricultural and forestry resources
❑ Air quality
❑ Biological resources
❑ Cultural and paleontological resources
❑ Geology, soils and minerals
❑ Hazards and hazardous materials
❑ Hydrology and water quality
❑0 0❑0❑Land use and planning
000❑0❑Noise
0❑❑0 0❑Public health and safety
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Public services and utilities
❑0 0❑0 0❑ Recreation
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Transportation and traffic
❑❑00000 Cumulative impacts
Over the past few weeks City staff and our environmental consultant have reviewed the
NOI and have attended the October 27, 2015, scoping meeting at San Gorgonio High
School. We have identified additional areas that we believe must be addressed by the
CPUC and NFS as part of the EIR/EIS process. Staff is preparing a formal comment
letter that will be submitted prior to the close of the comment period. A draft copy of the
letter will be available at the November 16, 2015, meeting of the Mayor and Common
Council.
Subsequent to the close of the first comment period on November 23, 2015, the CPUC
will be preparing a Scoping Report summarizing the comments received. That report will
also be used as the basis for the Draft EIR/EIS.
Conclusion:
IL The EIR/EIS is a very formal process with strict timelines for public review and
Updated: 11/9/2015 by Georgeann "Gigi" Hanna B Packet Pg. 145
5.G
4137
comment. Staff is very familiar with the process. To protect the public interest and
assure compliance with CEQA and NEPA, staff and the environmental consultant will
track each step of the process and review the draft environmental document and
technical studies over the next twelve to eighteen months.
Supporting Documents:
NOP - Joint EIR-EIS (PDF)
Updated: 11/9/2015 by Georgeann "Gigi" Hanna B Packet Pg. 146
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
BUILDING•CODE ENFORCEMENT•LAND DEVELOPMENT•PLANNING
300 North"D" Street
San Bernardino, CA 92418-0001
San Beraa iao 909.384.5071 Fax 909.384.5155
SM www.sbcity.org
November 16, 2015
Public Scoping Comments
RE: North-South Project
505 Sansome Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94111
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The following comments are submitted on behalf of the City of San Bernardino (City). These
comments identify the issues of concern that the proposed North-South Project poses from both
its construction and future operation within the City. As should be evident from the attendance
and comments at the October 27, 2015 scoping meeting, most of the proposed preferred
alignment for this 36-inch pressurized natural gas pipeline through the City is very controversial
to local residents and poses some potentially significant impacts that are of concern to the City
Council and Staff. Based on the City's review, the proposed North-South "reliability" pipeline will
have more impact on the City of San Bernardino than any other incorporated city along the
proposed 65-mile preferred alignment. The City's comments and concerns follow.
North-South Protect
1. Until the recent scoping session, neither project proponents (Southern California Gas
Company and San Diego Gas and Electric) have maintained effective contact with the City
Council or Staff. Oddly, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and proponents
held public meetings in the City of Highland which is not even affected by this project.
This failure to involve City professional staff and political representatives prior to selecting
a preferred alignment is an egregious oversight by all parties and must not continue into
the future. The City supports the resident comments regarding "transparency" in the future
and offer City professional staff to coordinate future efforts by the project proponents and
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) lead agency, the CPUC.
2. Although the preferred alignment may be the shortest route for this pipeline, the City
believes that it is also the route with the greatest impact on the human environment.
Therefore, the City recommends that two alternative alignments with minimal effects on
the human environment be considered. The first alternative route would begin in Needles
at the northern gas pipeline; follow the alignment of U.S. Highway 95 south through Vidal
Junction; and continue along Highway 95 to connect with the southern gas pipeline in
Blythe. This would follow an existing, previously disturbed area and would impact only
about five miles of occupied human environment near the City of Blythe. The second
alternative route would begin in Desert Center at the southern pipeline and travel north on
Additional backup
MCC Meeting of 1 1/16/15
Item 5G
f
State Highway 177 to State Highway 62; follow State Highway 62 to Granite Pass and
then follow the existing graded dirt road to the Iron Mtn. Pumping Plant; from there it would
follow either of the two major graded dirt roads Oust west of Danby Dry Lake) until they
converge just north of the Little Piute Mountains into a single graded dirt road that will
intersect Interstate 40 and the existing north pipeline alignment, east of Mountain Springs
Summit. This route has no or minimal effect on the human environment. Additionally,
because these are established routes the overall impact on desert environment would be
minimal. Yes, these routes are longer, but they minimize risks for and impacts to humans
(both during construction and over the long-term during operations) and they meet the
fundamental reliability test being sought by the gas companies.
3. Within the City, residential alignments for the proposed pipeline should be the lowest
priority. An alternative that follows the 1-215 alignment (possibly Cajon Boulevard for a
portion of this alignment) and the BNSF track alignment to State Highway 60 and then
east to Moreno Valley should be considered.
4. For the alternatives section, the City expects a comprehensive, objective, ;comparison of
all ,impact categories for all feasible alternatives. For all alternatives available for this
project, the City expects a clear explanation of the screening criteria used to evaluate the
alternatives; the City'expects to see transparent application of the criteria for selecting or
rejecting alternatives and if alternatives are 'deemed infeasible, a clear, substantive,
explanation of why.
5. CEQA/NEPA Issues: Based on a review of the issues identified and discussed in the
Notice of Preparation,(NO'P), there are a few issues of concern for the preferred alignment
that need to be elaborated. Please consider the following:
• Many jurisdictions, including the ,City, require screening of staging areas and
construction yards where feasible to minimize aesthetic impacts during construction.
Please include measures, including submittal of a plan to the City, for screening of
staging areas and construction yards.
• Under air quality, the focus during construction must be on fugitive dust generation
during ground disturbing activities. Also, if there will be any blow-off valves within the
City these should be identified. Any short term impacts from operation and
maintenance activities should be characterized, particularly odors, human health
hazards and GHG emissions.
• The City's General Plan/General Plan EIR identify sensitive biological resource and
cultural resource locations. Please address the sensitive areas for these resource
issues. In addition, many of the homes in the City are older than 50 years and some
may qualify as historic resources. Please address the potential for construction
vibration effects to adversely impact such properties.
• Citizen comments at the scoping meeting raised the issue of seismic hazards related
to this project. High quality risk analyses are often difficult to understand. The risk
analysis must characterize post construction and maintenance of the 36" pipeline.
Even where the pipeline does not cross an active fault, what risk exists from ground
shaking impacts or other geotechnical hazards within the preferred alignment?
• What is the potential threat for terrorist activity related to the pipeline?
• Please ensure that where the pipeline crosses any streams, the depth of potential
scour is compared to the depth of the pipeline.
Additional backup
MCC Meeting of 11/16/15
Item 5G
•
• Many of the residents at the scoping meeting were concerned about the impacts to
their community during both construction and future operations. As a whole, the City
of San Bernardino has a high number of residents below the poverty line. Even in
higher income areas of the City the social issues of construction and change in
character of the neighborhoods deserves to be fully evaluated in order to inform
decision-makers about the human environmental impacts of the proposed project.
• Noise issues need to be fully addressed in the context of the City's Development
Code; General Plan; and State noise guidelines. Detailed mitigation, even including
relocation of noise sensitive receptors during construction for noise levels exceed
thresholds, must be considered.
• The effects on recreational walking and biking along Valencia Avenue must be given
consideration within the EIR.
• Several major traffic issues: management of traffic on all City roadways during
construction; commitment to obtain encroachment permits from the City; and return of
the roadways within the City to comparable or better condition than current conditions.
• Cumulative impacts: Seek and obtain from the City a list of projects to include in the
cumulative impact evaluation, including such projects as the City's Water Factory
proposal.
• Focus on indirect or secondary impacts of all construction activities, and long-term
effects,such as risk.
To close, the City strongly encourages the project proponents to initiate ongoing coordination
with the City Staff. We intend to maintain outreach to the affected areas of the City over the life
of this project. As previously stated, we generally oppose imposition of!a`major infrastructure
system such as the North-South Project within residential areas. We also believe that
alternatives exist that could eliminate many of the proposed project's impacts on the human
environment between Adelanto and Moreno Valley. We hook forward to reviewing the scoping
report as soon as it is available.
Please feel free to contact me at (909) 384-5357 or persico_ma @sbcity.org if you have any
additional questions.
Respectfully,
Mark H. Persico, AICP
Community Development Director
Additional backup
MCC Meeting of 11/]6/15
Item 5G
STATE OF CALIFORNIA Edmund G.Brown Jr., Govemor
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
0FpcP OF THE
SOS VAN NESS AVENUE
Tlt�il�
SAN FRANCISCO,CA 94102-3298
V
d
_,
Notice of Preparation CL
Scoping Notice
for a Joint
Environmental Impact Report/ s
Environmental Impact Statement cn
for the c
North-South Project z0
Proposed by Southern California Gas Company and San Diego Gas and
Electric o
CPUC Application No. 13-12-013 1n
c
Forest Service Application No. FCD102314 (D
E
E
To: All Interested Parties L)
Si usted necesita una copia de este documento en espanol o si necesita informacion a
acerca del proyecto por favor/lame a (855)520-6799. r°
A. Introduction T_
Cn
Southern California Gas Company(SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas and Electric(SDG&E) have filed w
an application with the California Public Utilities Commission(CPUC) for authority to recover W
w
revenue requirements in customer rates,and for approval of related cost allocation and rate
design proposals,for the proposed North-South Project(Proposed Project),SoCalGas has also 0
filed an application for a right-of-way(ROW)with the United States Department of Agriculture, n
Forest Service(Forest Service)to site project infrastructure within the San Bernardino National O
Forest.The CPUC as the lead agency under California law, and the Forest Service as the lead z
federal agency,will direct the preparation of a joint Environmental Impact Report(EIR)and an a=i
Environmental Impact Statement(EIS), referred to as an EIR/EIS,forthe Proposed Project to
comply with the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA)and the National Environmental cva
Policy Act(NEPA). Q
As required by CEQA,this Notice of Preparation (NOP) is being sent to interested agencies and
members of the public.The purpose of the NOP,which also serves as the Forest Service Scoping
Notice, is to inform recipients that the CPUC and Forest Service are beginning joint preparation
of an EIR/EIS for the Proposed Project and to solicit information that will be helpful in the
environmental review process.This notice includes a description of the project that SoCalGas and
SDG&E propose to construct, a summary of potential project impacts,the times and locations of
Packet Pg. 147
Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
public scoping meetings,and information on how to provide comments.The Forest Service and
the CPUC are jointly conducting the three public meetings that will be held during the EIR/EIS
scoping period (see detail in Section E).The scoping period will end on November 23,2015.
As required by NEPA,the Forest Service published a Notice of Intent(NOI) in the Federal Register
to prepare a joint EIR/EIS for the Proposed Project.The NOI provides information about the
Proposed Project, describes the Forest Service review process, solicits information that will be
helpful in the environmental review process, and also serves as an invitation to federal,state,
and local agencies and tribal governments to join as cooperating agencies.A copy of the NOI is
attached. Please refer to the NOI for more detailed information about the Forest Service permit o
review process. �-
m
_
A Scoping Summary Report will be prepared to summarize comments submitted to the CPUC and N
the Forest Service.This joint NOP/Scoping Notice,the Forest Service NOI,and the Scoping U
Summary Report(after it has been finalized) can be viewed on the project web site at the
following link: �o
IL
http://www.couc.ca,aov/Environmeiit/inforlehein-s/nortlisouth.)w I 0
Z
N
The Proponent's Environmental Assessment(PEA) includes an additional pipeline segment,the
Moreno to Whitewater segment,which is no longer included in the Proposed Project.The EIR/EIS o
will analyze the project components listed in Section B and alternatives to SoCalGas's and
SDG&E's proposal
E
B. Project Description v
The Proposed Project includes the construction,operation,and maintenance of a 36-inch- o
diameter natural gas transmission pipeline;the rebuilding of the Adelanto Compressor Station by
adding 30,000 horsepower of compression to the system; installation of additional pressure M
limiting and communications equipment at the Moreno Pressure Limiting Station,Whitewater
Pressure Limiting Station,and Desert Center Compressor Station;and installation of pressure N
limiting and communications equipment at the proposed Shaver Summit Pressure Limiting w
Station.The pipeline would be approximately 65 miles long, beginning at the Adelanto
Compressor Station in the city of Adelanto, proceeding south through the Cajon Pass and the San w
c
Bernardino National Forest,and ending at the Moreno Pressure Limiting Station in the city of o
Moreno Valley.The proposed pipeline alignment would be located primarily within existing
public and private ROW. a
O
Z
As shown in Figure 1,the Proposed Project would be located in San Bernardino and Riverside
Counties;the cities of Adelanto,Victorville, Highland,San Bernardino,Colton, Loma Linda, and E
Moreno Valley;and the San Bernardino National Forest.
r
Q
The Proposed Project includes the following major components:
• Replacement of existing infrastructure and installation of new infrastructure at the
Adelanto Compressor Station, including the natural gas turbines and compressors,
exhaust emission treatment equipment,gas and oil cooling equipment,filter separator,
auxiliary buildings, blowdown stack, lubrication oil tanks (for unused and used oil),
cathodic protection system,and generators.
Page 2 of 12
Packet Pg. 148'!
5.G.a
Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
• Installation of approximately 30,000 horsepower of natural gas compression, new
emission control equipment,and in-line inspection tool launcher at the Adelanto
Compressor Station.
• Construction of the Adelanto to Moreno pipeline,segmented as follows:
• Segment 1-Adelanto Compressor Station to the San Bernardino National Forest
Boundary
• Segment 2—San Bernardino National Forest
• Segment 3—Swarthout Canyon Road along U.S. Route 66 to Reche Canyon Road
• Segment 4--Reche Canyon Road to Moreno Pressure Limiting Station
• Station piping modifications and installation of additional pressure limiting and
L
communications equipment at the Moreno Pressure Limiting Station. Q
a�
• Station piping modifications and installation of additional pressure limiting and
J
communications equipment at the Whitewater Pressure Limiting Station.
• Installation of pressure limiting and communications equipment at the proposed Shaver
Summit Pressure Limiting Station.
• Modification of existing station piping and installation of pressure limiting and 0
communications equipment at the Desert Center Compressor Station.
• Installation of 16 main line block valves. 0
z
• Modifications to existing roads, including those currently used by SoCalGas and other m
utilities within the San Bernardino National Forest, as well as city-and county-maintained =
roads. 0 N
• The establishment of temporary staging areas adjacent to the Proposed Project
alignment. E
0
Project Purpose.According to SoCalGas and SDG&E,the Proposed Project is needed to establish 0
a�
a physical connection between their Northern and Southern gas transmission systems. One =
portion of SoCalGas's and SDG&E's interconnected transmission system,SoCalGas'Southern 0
Transmission System (Southern System), requires daily minimum flowing supplies of natural gas U)
from receipt points in the Southern System.Without these minimum supplies,there is not M
enough natural gas supply in the Southern System to provide all customers with their daily load
requirements. If load demand on the Southern System increases, and/or available supplies at the N
receipt points decrease,customers on the Southern System may face supply-based curtailments w
without the Proposed Project. CL
W
r
C
Most of the Southern System flowing supplies(natural gas) originate from one pipeline: El Paso 0
Natural Gas Company's El Paso South Mainline. Southern System customers have faced reliability
problems in the past because of the lack of natural gas supply options, including a Southern p
System curtailment in February of 2011,several recent supply-related near misses, and z
operational issues that have created reliability concerns. Reliability concerns have been =
m
heightened by increased regional demand of natural gas for the generation of electricity
following the closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.Additionally,available
supplies from the El Paso South Mainline may become more scarce and expensive if exports from Q
the United States to Mexico increase.
A physical link does not currently exist between SoCalGas's Southern System and Northern
Transmission System.The Proposed Project would create this link and resolve supply-related
risks to the Southern System by providing Southern System customers access to Northern System
storage facilities and receipt points.
Page 3 of 12
Packet Pg. 149
Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
In addition,SoCalGas and SDG&E have presented the following six objectives in their PEA:
1. Provide safe and reliable gas service in a timely and cost effective manner to Southern
System customers.
2. Maintain the Southern System's reliability and alleviate the potential for curtailments of
customers on the Southern System due to the discrepancy between customer demand
and the volume of flowing supplies delivered to the Southern System to meet that
demand.
3. Resolve supply-related risks to the Southern System by providing Southern System
customers with access to storage supplies and more receipt points located outside of the
m
Southern System (Topock, Needles,Wheeler Ridge, Kern River Station,and Kramer o
Station). a.
a�
4. Provide an interconnection allowing the Applicant to efficiently transport 800 million
J
cubic feet per day of natural gas supplies into the Southern System from interstate and
intrastate receipt points located outside of the Southern System. 0
S. Provide Southern System natural gas customers(including electric generators) located on
the Southern System with the same level of reliability that customers receive elsewhere
U)
on SoCalGas's and SDG&E's integrated transmission system. c
6. Complete the Proposed Project as soon as possible to mitigate the risk of curtailments o
caused by(i) increased demand in the Southern System caused by the decommissioning
of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station and (ii)future projects that are expected to =
decrease available supplies at the Southern System receipt point. o
c
During the environmental review process,the CPUC may refine the project objectives to allow a
wider range of alternatives to be evaluated in the EIR/EIS. E
0
v
C. Project Alternatives
.Q
0
U
The EIR/EIS will evaluate alternatives to the Proposed Project that could potentially reduce, �!?
eliminate,or avoid impacts of the Proposed Project.Alternatives may include minor route ti
M
variations, alignment alternatives,and non-physical alternatives. In compliance with CEQA and
NEPA, an EIR/EIS must describe a reasonable range of alternatives to the Proposed Project or y
project location that could meet the project's purpose and need,feasibly attain most of the basic W
project objectives,and avoid or lessen any of the significant environmental impacts of the 0�
W
Proposed Project.Additionally,the No Project/No Action Alternative must also be analyzed in the
EIR/EIS.The No Project/No Action Alternative will describe the situation that would likely occur o
in the absence of Proposed Project implementation.The EIR/EIS will also evaluate the I
comparative merits of the alternatives. 0 a.
O
Z
SoCalGas and SDG&E evaluated a variety of project alternatives that may be able to obtain the =
same objectives as the Proposed Project, including non-physical alternatives, infrastructure E
alternatives, and alignment alternatives.As part of the environmental review process for the
0
Proposed Project,the CPUC and USFS will evaluate the feasibility of alternatives presented by Q
SoCalGas and SDG&E and consider whether they meet CEQA and NEPA requirements.The CPUC
and USFS will likely develop other alternatives for evaluation in the EIR/EIS. New alternatives
developed during the environmental review process for the Proposed Project will be based on
input received during the public scoping process and the potential environmental impacts
identified during the analysis of the Proposed Project.
Page 4 of 12
Packet Pg. 150
5Ga
Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
D. Analysis of Potential Environmental Impacts
In accordance with CEQ/a guidelines and NEPA implementing regulations,the CPUC and Forest
Service intend to prepare a joint EIR/EIS to evaluate potential environmental impacts of the
Proposed Project and to propose mitigation measures to reduce any significant impacts
identified.The EIR/EIS will also analyze potential environmental impacts of the alternatives to
the Proposed Project and propose mitigation to reduce those impacts.
A)
0
Based on preliminary analysis of the Proposed Project and review of documents submitted by 0-
SoCalGas and SDG&E, including the PEA and technical reports submitted to the CPUC and Forest
_
Service after the PEA was filed, implementation of the Proposed Project may have a number of
potentially significant environmental impacts. Potential impacts on the existing environment are
summarized by resource area below. No determinations have yet been made as to the
significance of these potential impacts;such determinations will be made in the environmental
0
analysis conducted in the EIR/EIS after the issues are thoroughly considered and the public has y
had an opportunity to comment. In addition,the EIR/EIS will address issues raised during the t
public scoping process and will include an evaluation of the cumulative impacts that may occur z
as the result of implementing the Proposed Project in combination with other reasonably (D
foreseeable projects in the area.
0
Aesthetic Resources c
m
E
• Potential impacts on nighttime views as a result of nighttime construction lighting and 0
operational nighttime lighting at the Adelanto Compressor Station and Moreno Pressure
Limiting Station. _
Q
• Temporary impacts along state scenic highways from construction of the Proposed
Project.
• Potential temporary impacts on scenic vistas during construction. M
• Potential impacts on visual resources within the San Bernardino National Forest during Nr
construction and for a period of several years following construction until revegetation cn
and restoration activities are completed. w
w
Agricultural and Forestry Resources
0
• Potential temporary impacts on Prime Farmland and Farmland of Local Importance. a.
• Potential conflicts with existing land use zones as established in the San Bernardino O
Z
National Forest Land Management Plan.
• Potential permanent loss of forest due to the placement of project infrastructure. _
0
E
Air Quality
a
• Potential impacts caused by various activities during construction of the Proposed
Project that may generate emissions of criteria pollutants, greenhouse gases, and toxic
air contaminants, including diesel particulate matter.These emissions may exceed
federal and state thresholds.
• Construction activities could potentially cause new violations of ambient air quality
standards or contribute substantially to existing violations of those standards.
Page 5 of 12
Packet,112g. 1 s1
Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
® Construction activities could potentially conflict with or obstruct implementation of
applicable air quality plans.
• Construction activities may contribute to a cumulatively considerable net increase of
criteria pollutants in a non-attainment area.
• Potential impacts associated with vehicle travel that may generate fugitive dust
emissions.
• Potential impacts associated with the operation of the upgraded Adelanto Compressor
Station could result in emissions of criteria pollutants,greenhouse gases,and toxic air
contaminants. o
L
a
a�
Biological Resources
N
fC
® Potential impacts on state or federally listed species, including indirect impacts on Santa
t
Ana sucker,arroyo toad,Swainson's hawk,and least Bell's vireo; direct impacts on desert
tortoise and San Bernardino kangaroo rat; and direct or indirect impacts on in
southwestern willow flycatcher and coastal California gnatcatcher.
• Potential impacts on state or federally listed species and their habitats. z
• Potential impacts on non-listed, special status plant and wildlife species potentially
present in the Study Area. _
• Potential impacts on vegetation, including grassland, riparian,chaparral,coastal scrub, w
desert scrub, herbaceous,and woodland communities, including impacts on special m
status vegetation communities. E
Of • Potential impacts from an increase in non-native weed establishment and recruitment v
during construction and operations.
• Potential impacts on jurisdictional waters regulated by the United States Army Corps of a
Engineers, State Water Resources Control Board, and the California Department of Fish v
and Wildlife.
• Potential impacts on tree resources, including, but not limited to,conflicts with policies M
adopted by San Bernardino County,the City of Adelanto, and/or the City of Highland.
Impacts on riparian areas could conflict with the Forest Service Riparian Conservation (n
Area standards. w
• Potential conflicts with the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan w
(MSHCP), Coachella Valley MSHCP,Stephens' Kangaroo Rat Habitat Conservation Plan, c
and/or the County of Riverside Reche Canyon/Badlands Area Plan. -°
• Potential direct and indirect impacts on nesting birds during construction and/or a
operations and maintenance activities. O
z
Cultural and Paleontological Resources d
E
• Potential impacts on historic resources determined eligible or recommended as eligible
for listing on the California Register of Historic Resources and National Register of Q
Historic Places.
• Potential impacts on known and unknown archaeological sites during construction.
• Potential impacts on paleontological resources during construction.
• Potential for construction activities to disturb human remains, including those interred
outside of formal cemeteries.
Page 6 of 12
Packet Pg. 15� .
4 5.G.a
Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
Geology,Soils,and Minerals
® Potential geologic and sail hazards associated with fault rupture,strong seismic ground
shaking, landslides,and liquefaction.
• Potential impacts associated with subsidence,soil erosion, and expansive soils.
• Potential impacts related to the loss of availability of mineral resources.
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
m
• Possible impacts during construction and operation related to the potential for
accidental release of hazardous materials, including but not limited to previously m
contaminated sails, petroleum products(diesel,gasoline, hydraulic fluid,transmission
J
oil, lubricating oil and grease,waste oil, mineral oil), welding gases, paint,solvents,
methanol,antifreeze,water-soluble chemicals, corrosion inhibitors,scale inhibitors, C7
drag-reducing agents, and biocides.
• Possible impacts related to pipeline failure during operations, which is defined as an v)
accidental release, rupture, and/or ignition of natural gas from a pipeline. In the event of
pipeline failure, there would be increased risk of fire,explosion, and potential to Z
generate a migrating gas vapor cloud.Typical causes of pipeline failure include third-
party digging activities in the vicinity of the pipeline;ground movement associated with
fault rupture; liquefaction and/or landslides; undetected pipeline corrosion; and material o
N
or welding defects. Pipeline failure also can be caused by intentional vandalism or
destruction. E
E
• Potential impacts related to interference of construction activities with emergency o
U
evacuation routes in the area.
c
Q
Hydrology and Water Quality �°
ti
• Potential impacts on water quality during construction activities, including increased
sediment loads to receiving waterbodies,the spread of contaminated water, and �-
discharge of hydrostatic testing waters. CO
Mu
• Potential impacts on water quality during construction related to the possible accidental
release of drilling fluid used during directional drilling activities. w
• Potential impacts on water quality during operations as a result of increased impervious
surface area (e.g., pavement). —°>
• Temporary impacts on existing drainage patterns associated with open cuts of water 0
body crossings,creation of new access roads, and expansion of existing access roads z
during construction.
a�
Land Use and Planning
ca
w
• Potential temporary community disruption due to construction activities. a
• Potential for construction activities to temporarily physically divide an established
community by impacting commuter traffic on Reche Canyon Road.
• Construction of the Proposed Project could potentially conflict with requirements of the
San Bernardino National Forest Land Management Plan, possibly requiring a project-
specific Land Management Plan amendment.
• Construction of the Proposed Project could potentially impact the roadless area
characteristics associated with the Cajon Roadless Area.
Page 7 of 12
Packet Pg. 153
...._.._._...............
Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project BIR
Noise
• Noise would occur as a result of construction of the pipeline and block valves,
construction and upgrades of compressor stations and pressure limiting stations,
and
construction-related traffic.Construction vibration would be related to laying of the
pipeline, and levels of vibration would vary during the construction period.
• Potential short-term noise and vibration from operation and maintenance activities (e.g.,
noise resulting from infrequent pipeline depressurization at one of the 16 proposed main ,
line block valves during maintenance activities). d
0
n.
Public Health and Safety c
J
N
• Potential for wildfires due to construction and maintenance activities in areas of high or
moderate fire potential. w
• Potential disruption of emergency services due to the presence of construction o
equipment and workspaces.
Cn
0
Public Services and Utilities Z
0
r
• Construction of the Proposed Project may result in the need for emergency medical o
services related to construction accidents.
m
E
Recreation E
0
U
• Potential impacts on recreation within the San Bernardino National Forest, including use
of forest roads and trails and the Pacific Crest Trail during construction. o
• Potential for construction activities to result in short-term impacts to recreational users CO
of five parks within the City of San Bernardino (Blast Soccer Complex,Guhin Park,Jack
M
Reilly Park, Lionel E. Hudson Park,and Harper Field), including traffic delays in the vicinity
of the parks and indirect impacts associated with noise and air quality.
M
w
Transportation and Traffic o!
W
r
C
• Potential temporary construction-related traffic impacts such as closed streets, lane o
closures, left-turn intersection prohibitions, reduced capacities for construction zones
(spreads),sidewalk closures, crosswalk closures and relocation,transit route and bus a
O
stop changes, and bicycle and pedestrian system changes. Z
t:
• Construction of the Proposed Project may reduce capacity, reduce speed limits,and stop
traffic for construction vehicles and equipment on the streets along the proposed E
pipeline alignment and streets that cross the proposed pipeline alignment. It is expected U
that all the streets on the proposed pipeline alignment and the streets crossing the a
proposed pipeline alignment would have temporary construction-related impacts.
Page 8 of 12
Packet Pg. 154
Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
Cumulative Impacts
Potential cumulative impacts resulting from the construction of other projects at the
same time or in the same location as the Proposed Project that may compound or
increase the impacts identified above. Potential cumulative projects may include but are
not limited to utilities, residential,commercial, industrial, and roadway construction and
maintenance projects.
Mitigation Measures
g �
2
0
L
SoCalGas and SDG&E have proposed measures in the PEA that could reduce, avoid,or eliminate a
(D
potential environmental impacts of the Proposed Project.The effectiveness of these measures =_
(called "Applicant Proposed Measures")will be evaluated in the EIR/EIS and will be considered N
part of the Project Description.That is, potential environmental impacts will be evaluated with 0
the consideration that the Applicant Proposed Measures will be implemented. If necessary,
additional mitigation measures will be developed and evaluated in the EIR/EIS to further reduce, Cn
eliminate,or avoid potential environmental impacts.When the CPUC and Forest Service make
their final decision on the Proposed Project,they will define the mitigation measures to be 0
adopted as a condition of project approval, and the CPUC and Forest Service will require Z
m
implementation of a mitigation monitoring and reporting program.
c
0
N
C
E. Public Scoping Meetings
E
0
The CPUC and Forest Service will conduct three public scoping meetings in the project area, as v
shown below.The purpose of the scoping meetings is to present information about the Proposed =
Project and the CPUC and Forest Service decision-making process and to allow responsible o
agencies, interested agencies, and the general public the opportunity to comment on the scope, in
focus, and content of the EIR/EIS.
M
T
Table 1 Public Scoping Meetings N
Moreno Valley w
San Gorgonio High w
Location School Courtyard Marriott Conference and w
Recreation Center =
Tuesday, Wednesday, October Thursday, October 29,
Date October 27, 2015 28, 2015 2015 a
Time 6 to 8:30 p.m. 6 to 8:30 p.m. 6 to 8:30 p.m. z
Address 2299 Pacific Street,San 9619 Mariposa Road, 14075 Frederick Street,
Bernardino, CA Hesperia, CA Moreno Valley,CA E
r
U
fC
Q
F. Scoping Comments
The CPUC and Forest Service are jointly soliciting information from all responsible and trustee
agencies, all other public agencies with jurisdiction by law with respect to the Project,as well as
public input regarding the topics and alternatives that should be included in the EIR/EIS.
Page 9 of 12
Packet Pg. 155
Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
Suggestions for submitting scoping comments are presented at the end of this section.The
scoping period will end on November.23,2015.
All Scoping Comments: Interested parties may submit comments in a variety of ways: (1) by U.S.
mail, (2) by email, (3) by fax, or(4) by attending a public scoping meeting(see times and
locations in Table 1, above)and making a verbal statement or handing in a written comment at
the scoping meetings. Commenters should include their names and mailing addresses at the
bottom of the comment for mailed,faxed,and emailed comments and note the"North-South
Project"
0
L
By mail: Comments may be sent to the following address: °-
(D
C
Public Scoping Comments y
RE: North-South Project 0
505 Sansome Street,Suite 300 -�
San Francisco, CA 94111 0
By email:Comments may be sent to the following address: c
Z
north-soutWene.com.
C
0
By fax:Comments may be sent to the following number: c
0
(415)398-5326. E
0
U
Comments on the NOP/Scoping Notice must be received or postmarked by November 23,
c
2015,to be accepted. No comments will be accepted after the comment period is closed. o
Interested parties will have an additional opportunity to comment on the North-South Project 0
during the 45-day public review period to be held for the Draft EIR/EIS.
ti
M
r
Comments received during scoping, including names and addresses of those who comment,will
be part of the public record for this proposed project.Comments submitted anonymously will be
w
accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the Forest Service
with the ability to provide the respondent with subsequent environmental documents and will w
not provide the respondent standing to participate in subsequent administrative or judicial =
review of the Forest Service decision.This project will follow the predecisional administrative
review process pursuant to 36 CFR 218,Subparts A and B. n.
O
Z
Scoping Report:A scoping report will be prepared that summarizes all comments received
(including oral comments made at the scoping meetings).This report will be posted on the
project website at:
�a
w
htt.G It%,%,�rw.cpuc.ca.gov/Environment/info/ene/n-s/northsouth,html Q
This NOP/Scoping Notice has been sent to responsible and trustee agencies, potential
cooperating federal agencies,Tribal Governments, and the State Clearinghouse.Agencies should
state their views regarding the scope and content of the environmental information,which
reflects their statutory responsibilities in connection with the Proposed Project.Once again,
responses should identify the issues to be considered in the Draft EIR/EIS, including significant
Page 10 of 12
Packet Pg. 156'
Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
environmental issues, alternatives, and mitigation measures and whether the responding agency
will be a responsible agency or a trustee agency. Due to the time limits mandated by State laws,
responses must be sent at the earliest possible date but no later than 45 days after receipt of this
notice (November 23, 2015).
G. Additional Information
t:.
U
d
Information about the Proposed Project and the CEQA/NEPA compliance process is available at a
the following website: v
c
J
htt www,cpuc.ca. ovg (Environment/infol,ene/n-s/northsouth.html
O
This site will be used to post all public documents related to the EIR/EIS, including notices of :3
w
p ublic meetings. No public comments will be accepted on this website.
However,the website
T
provides information on how interested parties can sign up to be placed on the project mailing
t=
list.The PEA is also available on the website. o
z
a)
s
Requests for additional information or to be added to the mailing list may be made by contacting =
us via e-mail,fax,or phone, as follows: o
N
a..
C
Project e-mail: North-Soutb@ene.com E
Project fax: (415)398-5326 E
Project voicemail: (855)520-6799 (toll free) V
a�
c
Documents related to the North-South Project and the EIR/EIS will be made available at the sites o
listed below: rn
n
M
Project Document Repository Sites
Library Sites Address Phone v�
ED
Victorville City Library 15011 Circle Drive,Victorville, CA 92395 (760)245-4222 &
w
Norman F. Feldheym 555 West 6th Street,San Bernardino,CA 92410 (909)381-8201
Central Library _o
Moreno Valley Public 25480 Alessandro Blvd, Moreno Valley, CA (951)413-3880 a
Library 92553 O
US Forest Service Office ?
— c
San Bernardino National 602 S.Tippecanoe Ave.,San Bernardino,CA (909)382-2600
Forest Headquarters 92408
I c�
w
Q
Page 11 of 12
Packet Pg; 1571
5.G.a
Notice of Preparation for the North-South Project EIR
m
L
J
N
tC
0
t
7
O
N
O
Z
N
t
c
O
N
This page intentionally left blank
0
U
c
CL
O
V
Cn
ti
M
r
Cn
W
W
r
C
O
d
O
Z
C
a>
E
t
U
O
a..
Q
Page 12 of 12
Packet Pg. 158
Date'10--,2015
I — 5.G.a
'Proposed'Adelanto ,�—?I mLVI Proposed Adelanto
Compressor Station ;I ADELANT(S',� . Compressor Station
a t
395
r
- 1102,
r
' s
/t- � - � Whitewater Pressure
Limiting Station
J Merenc Pressure �.
Deseri Center
4 ,, iJmMn Station ^ 7 ,� Compressor Station
MLV3 Propo sed Shaver Summit . V
.• - -r -. ..... .,.
- Pressure Limiting Station d
a`
a , t J
to
t9I V 5(Dall
i 1 V 5 and 1"Ie r onncct `¢
z
I' d
t
dILV s '
get\ p
Iti s �el C
G
1 O
CL
� l\„
C
+-
(S' cn
SAN ML'v tam r cM
-1 t }' r
ER RD
CUCAMONGA/� �s RIALTO
J"` N
�i FONTANA� r } rM�ytlx . �i1GHI ND LLI
I -188 r
r _
O
r,r'_ COCTOJ ' MLV12, ° REDL S t '`° d
ON:t �O 1 t r LOMA �' O
LINDA Z
YUCAIPA
°'- SAN BERNARDtN& OUNTY
JURUPAr..'* t t. •s�lr��a�e.s�seraaraseeelass�s �o�'�i V
t VALLEY' f/ r`•�w '•� 1 r ;.RIVERSIDE COUNTY M
` ; w r`'`a� u '`I CAL14SA
r ax ! MLV 14
r
4 �< • �
{ RIV
RCO'; •► .91 •�" x i ......._., VALLE MLV15 t
Moreno Pressure ~MLV16
i
Limiting Station
Proposed Pipeline Alignment • Milepost ', US Forest Service
Segment 1 ♦ Station California Department of Fish and Wildlife i
Segment 2 ■ Proposed Main Line Block Valve National Park ,
was County Line Bureau of Land Management
*0*®Segment 3 '' City
-•� Segment 4 "_ i zi• "" E Packet Pg. 159
5.G.a
U
Q1
0
L.
(L
O
C
J
to
0
S
Y
O
s
O
z
m
Y
c
O
U)
Y
c
m
E
0
U
c
.Q
O
U
CO
ti
M
T
V!
NW
w
W
Y
O
a
O
z
Y
E
s
U
Y
Y
Q
Packet Pg. 160
U
d
'o
L
a
m
c
J
N
RS
.0
7
O
y
O
Z
d
t
c
O
N
Attachment 1: Notice of Intent to prepare a joint Environmental Impact C
Report/Environmental Impact Statement for the North-South Project E
o
L)
a�
c
'a
O
U
h-
M
r
d'
W
W
G
O
7
n.
O
Z
c
d
E
t
U
Q
Packet Pg. 161
5.G.a
w
d
0
L
a
m
c
J
N
m
0
t
O
O
N
O
z
d
t
C
O
Vl
r
C
This page intentionally left blank E
0
U
c
Q
O
v
co
ti
M
r
d'
W
W
r
C
O
M
CL
O
z
4-:
c
E
�a
a
Packet'Pg. 162
59728 ' Federal Re ister/Vol. 80 No. 191/Friday,Frida October 2 2015/Notices
Register/Vol. , y, ,
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE high desert city of Adelanto and would proposed project,project specific LMP
proceed in a southerly direction through amendments may be required to resolve
Forest Service the Cajon Pass and the San Bernardino potential conflicts with the plan Land
National Forest,terminating at the Use Zones and the plan standards
San Bernardino National Forest, Moreno Pressure Limiting Station in the associated with riparian areas,scenery
California, Proposed North-South City of Moreno Valley.Approximately management,and the Pacific Crest Trail.
Project EIR/EIS eight miles of the proposed pipeline and
associated tem orar construction areas Proposed Action
AGENCY;Forest Service,USDA. P Y
ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare a moss lands subject to Forest Service The Forest Service proposed action
joint Environmental Impact Report/" jurisdiction,The balance of the would authorize the construction,
Environmental Impact Statement for the alignment crosses through non-federal operation,and maintenance of a 36-
land in San Bernardino and Riverside inch-diameter natural gas transmission r
North-South Project.. �
Counties along public roads. line,associated valve stations,and m
SUMMARY:Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) The Adelanto Compressor Station access roads on National Forest.System o
of the National Environmental Policy would be rebuilt with approximately lands within the San Bernardino o-
Act of 1969(NEPA),as amended,notice 30,000 horsepower(HP)of compression National Forest.Temporary work areas
is hereby given that the San Bernardino in order to accommodate the design or areas needed for pre-construction
National Forest(Forest Service), throughput.Additional Proposed surveys,including geological y
together with the California Public Project components include:(i) explorations,would also be authorized. f°
Utilities Commission(CPUC),intend to Installation of additional pressure The pipeline Right-of-Way would be
prepare a joint Environmental Impact liiniting equipment at Moreno Pressure authorized by a 50 year permit or
Report and Environmental Impact Limiting Station and Whitewater easement under the authority of the in
Statement(EIR/EIS)for the Southern Pressure Limiting Station,(ii) Mineral Leasing Act.
installation of pressure limiting
-�
California Gas Company(SoCal Gas) P Possible Alternatives t
and San Diego Gas and Electric(SDG&E) equipment at the proposed Shaver o
proposed North-South Project. Summit Pressure Limiting Station near The EIR/EIS will describe and Z
DATES:All scoping comments must be the City of Indio and at the Desert evaluate the comparative merits of a
Center Compressor Station near the reasonable range of alternatives to the
received by November 23, 2015.The e
draft environmental impact statement is community of Desert Center,and(iii) proposed action.Alternatives to be 0
installation of 16 main line block valves. analyzed in the EIR/EIS will be N
expected June 2016 and the final Y
environmental impact statement is Purpose and Need for Action developed during the environmental
expected December 2016. review process and will consider input E
P The Forest Service must respond to received during scoping,and will E
ADDRESSES:You may submit comments SoCalGas and SDG&E's application for a include the no action alternative as 0
to Eric Chiang,California Public new natural gas transmission pipeline required by law. a
Utilities Commission,and Jody Noiron, in the Cajon Pass designated utility D
S
Forest Supervisor,San Bernardino corridor in a manner that is consistent Responsible Official S
National by any of the following with the Forest Service special use The Responsible Official for the 0 CL
methods: regulations(36 CFR part 251 Subpart B), Forest Service decision is Randy Moore, rn
Email:North-South @ene.com. the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920,as Regional Forester,Pacific Southwest ti
Mail:Public Scoping Comments,,RE: amended,and the Land Management Region.Jody Noiron,Forest Supervisor,
North-South Project,505 Sansome Plan(LMP).The Forest Service purpose San Bernardino National Forest,will be �r
94111,Suite 300,San Francisco,CA and need will guide the development of the Forest Service official responsible
alternatives considered on National for conducting the environmental N
Fax:(415)398-5326. w
Forest System lands. review.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Cajon Pass corridor has a long IX
Information can be requested by leaving history of serving as a major utility and Nature of Decision To Be Made w
a voice message at(844)277-2475,or by transportation corridor into southern The CPUC has independent r_
checking the project Web site at http:H California.It was designated as a utility jurisdiction over the entire project,and —0,
www.cpuc.ca.gov/Environment/info/ corridor when the LMP was revised in will determine if SoCalGas'and
eneln-slnorthsouth.html. 2006,and was included as a"Section SDG&E's application for authority to
Individuals who use 368"corridor by the LMP amendment recover North-South Project revenue Z
telecommunication devices for the deaf signed by the Natural Resources and requirements in customer rates,and for Y
(TDD)may call the Federal Information Environment Under Secretary of approval of related cost allocation and
Relay ervice(FIRS)at 1-800-877-8339 g g E
Y ) Agriculture in 2009.Designated rate design proposals,is in the public E
between 8 a.m.and 8 p.m.,Eastern corridors are the primary agency interest,and if so,under what L
Time,Monday through Friday. alternative for siting energy conditions the authority would be a
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:The transmission projects. granted.If the CPUC approves the Q
primary components of the Proposed Permits issued by the Forest Service proposed project,the Forest Service will
Project include the construction of a 36- are required by law to be consistent decide whether or not to authorize the
inch-diameter natural gas transmission with the IMP.The LMP identifies portions of the project on National
pipeline and the rebuilding of the suitable uses within various land use Forest System lands,and if so,under
Adelanto Compressor Station.The zones,describes desired conditions what conditions.
pipeline would be primarily constructed based on the LMP goals and objectives, Preliminary Issues
within existing public and private and sets resource management ary
( rights-of-way.The Adelanto to Moreno standards.The joint EIR/EIS will The Forest Service and CPUC have
pipeline would be approximately 65 evaluate the consistency of the proposed identified potential issues and impacts
miles in length and would begin at the project and any alternatives with the to the existing environment that require
Adelanto Compressor Station in the LMP.Based on an initial review of the a detailed analysis in the EIR/EIS.Those
Packet Pg. 163
Federal Re ter/Vol. 80 No. 191/Friday, October 2 2015/Notices 5
issues and impacts include aesthetics, 3. October 29,2015 from 6 to 8:30 techniques or other forms of information
air quality,biological resources,heritage p.m.at the Moreno Valley Conference technology should be addressed to:Desk
resources,paleontological resources, and Recreation Center, 14075 Frederick Officer for Agriculture,Office of
greenhouse gas emissions,fire,water Street,Moreno Valley,CA Information and Regulatory Affairs,
quality,land use,noise,public services, It is important that reviewers provide Office of Management and Budget;New
recreation,socioeconomics and their comments at such times and in Executive Office Building, 725 17th
environmental justice,roadless areas such a way that they are useful to the Street NW.,Washington,DC 20502.
(Cajon Roadless Area),and CPUC and Forest Service preparation of Commenters are encouraged to submit
transportation.No determinations have the EIR/EIS.Therefore,comments their comments to OMB via email to:.
yet been made as to the significance of should be provided prior to the close of OIRA Submission@omb,eop.gov or fax
these potential impacts;such the comment period and should clearly (202)395-5806 and to Departmental
determinations will be made in the articulate the reviewer's concerns and Clearance Office,USDA,OCIO,Mail
environmental analysis conducted in contentions. Stop 7602,Washington,DC 20250- m
the EIR/E1S after the issues are Comments received during scoping, 7602.Comments regarding these o
considered thoroughly.This overview is including names and addresses of those information collections are best assured a
presented to assist the public and who comment,will be part of the public of having their full effect if received
agencies in preparing written scoping record for this proposed project. within 30 days of this notification.
comments. Comments submitted anonymously will Copies of the submission(s)may be
be accepted and considered;however, obtained by calling(202)720-8681. 1°
Permits or Licenses Required anonymous comments will not provide An agency may not conduct or
SoCalGas and SDG&E would be the Forest Service with the ability to sponsor a collection of information
required to obtain any applicable provide the respondent with subsequent unless the collection of information o
discretionary and ministerial permits environmental documents and will not displays a currently valid OMB control
from federal,state,and local agencies provide the respondent standing to number and the agency informs
prior to construction of the project. participate in subsequent administrative potential persons who are to respond to 0
Those permits could include,but are or judicial review of the Forest Service the collection of information that such Z
not limited to,permits or certificates decision.This project will follow the persons are not requited'to respond to
required by the Clean Water Act and predecisional administrative review the collection of information unless it
administered by the United.States Army process pursuant to 36 CFR 218, displays a currently valid OMB control o
Corps of Engineers and the State and Subparts A and B. number.
Regional Water Resource Control Dated:September 28,2015. Rural Utilities Service d
Boards,permits related to the Clean Air lod Noiron, E
Title:7 CFR 1744-E,Borrower
Act administered by the State or 0
Regional Air Quality Control Boards, sorest Supervisor,San Bernardino National Investments—Telecommunications o
g Q Y Forest,USDA Forest Service. U
and wildlife and habitat related permits Loan Program. CD
administered by the United States Fish [FR Doc.2015-25095 Filed 10-1-15;8:45 am] OMB Control Number:0572-0098. S
and Wildlife Service and California BILLING CODE 3410-11-P Summary of Collection:The Rural Q
Economic Development Act of 1990, 0
Department of Fish and Wildlife. Title XXIII of the Farm Bill,Public Law to
Invitation to Cooperating Agencies DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 101-624,authorized qualified Rural
The Forest Service invites federal, Utilities Service(RUS)borrowers to M Rural Utility Service �-
state,or local agencies and tribes to join make investments in rural development
as cooperating agencies.Requests for Submission for OMB Review; projects without the prior approval of
the RUS Administrator,provided cooperating agency status may be Comment Request p w
submitted to Forest Supervisor Jody however that such investments do not
Noiron,San Bernardino National Forest, September 28,2015. cause the borrower to exceed its
The Department of Agriculture has allowable qualified investment level as w
602 S.Tippecanoe Ave.,San p g q �
Bernardino,CA 92408. submitted the following information determined in accordance with the
collection requirement(s)to Office of procedures set forth in 7 CFR part 1744, �
Scoping Process Management and Budget(OMB)for subpart E.RUS requests that the
The CPUC and Forest Service are review and clearance under the borrower submit(1)a description of the �-
initiating the joint CEQA/NEPA scoping Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, rural development project and type of z
process with this Notice of Intent and Public Law 104-13.Comments investment;(2)a reasonable estimate of
associated Joint Notice of Preparation/ regarding(a)whether the collection of the amount the borrower is committed
Scoping Notice.The comments received information is necessary for the proper to provide to the project including E
during scoping will help guide the performance of the functions of the future expenditures;and(3)a pro forma
development of the EIR/EIS.Three agency,including whether the balance sheet and cash flow statement yg
public meetings will be held during the information will have practical utility; for the period covering the borrower's Q
scoping process to answer questions (b)the accuracy of the agency's estimate future commitments to determine that
about the proposed project and to accept of burden including the validity of the the "excess"or proposed "excess"
comments on the scope of the analysis. methodology and assumptions used;(c) investments will not impair the
Meetings will be held at the following ways to enhance the quality,utility and borrower's ability to repay the loan or
dates and locations: clarity of the information to be cause financial hardship.
1. October 27,2015 from 6 to 8:30 collected; (d)ways to minimize the Need and Use of the Information:
p.m.at San Gorgonio High School,2299 burden of the collection of information RUS will collect information to consider
Pacific Street,San Bernardino,CA on those who are to respond,including whether or not to approve a borrower's
2.October 28,2015 from 6 to 8:30 through the use of appropriate request to make an investment in a rural
p.m.at the Courtyard Marriott,9619 automated,electronic,mechanical,or development project when such an
Mariposa Road,Hesperia,CA other technological collection investment would cause the borrower to
Packe0,,,g. 164