CESA Amended ITP No. 2081-2021-007-04 (Minor Amendment No. 4) for the SoCalGas Pipeline Recoat and Anode Install Project
5 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2022070285
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4
(CDFW)
Document Title
CESA Amended ITP No. 2081-2021-007-04 (Minor Amendment No. 4) for the SoCalGas Pipeline Recoat and Anode Install Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/5/2026
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has issued a CESA (Fish & G. Code, § 2050 et seq.) ITP, Minor Amendment No. 1, Major Amendment No. 2, Major Amendment No. 3, and this Amended ITP (Minor Amendment No. 4) to authorize SoCalGas to incidentally take giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens) and Tipton kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides) which are listed as endangered under CESA (Fish & G. Code § 2050 et seq.; see Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 670.5, subd. (a)(6)(C) and (a)(6)(D)), and San Joaquin antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus nelsoni) and San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) which is list which is designated as a threatened species under CESA (Fish & G. Code § 2050 et seq.; see Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 670.5, subd. (a)(6)(D), (b)(6)(B), and (b)(6)(E), respectively).
The Project includes activities associated with repair of two approximately 190-foot sections of high-pressure gas pipeline to prevent pipeline failure at two separate Work Sites, eTS 43141 Line 225 MP 3.28 (L225 Site) and eTS 44051 Line 85 MP 49.9 (L85 Site). The Project also includes installation of anodes to provide cathodic protection to the pipelines. This Amended ITP (Minor Amendment No. 4) amends the original ITP issued on July 15, 2022, to incorporate all previous amendments and amends the ITP to extend the expiration date from January 31, 2026, to January 31, 2027.
Contact Information
Name
Shaelyn Latronica
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Pourya Arefi
Agency Name
Southern California Gas Company
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Parcel #
184-012-051, 099-230-49, 098-113-13
State Highways
119, 33
Other Location Info
The Project is located in Kern County, California and comprised of two separate Work Sites, L225 and L85. L225 Site is located approximately one mile south of State Route 119, at 35.251245°N, -119.264576°W on California Resources Corporation-owned land; within the Tupman United States Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle on Assessor’s Parcel Numbers (APNs) 184-012-051, Township 31S, Range 25E, and Section 11, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian (MDBM). L85 Site is located approximately one mile east of State Route 33, at 35.422375°N, -119.660266°W on California Resources Corporation and Chevron Corporation owned land; within the Belridge USGS 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle on APNs 099 230 49 and 098-113-13, Township 29S, Range 21E and 22E, and Sections 12 and 07, MDBM.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 15269, subd. (b); Public Resources Code, section 21080, subd. (b)(4)
Reasons for Exemption
Approval of this Project is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA, Pub. Resources Code, § 21000 et seq.) because the Project is subject to California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 15269, subdivision (b), “Emergency repairs to publicly or privately owned service facilities necessary to maintain service essential to the public health, safety, or welfare” and Public Resources Code, section 21080, subdivision (b)(4), “Emergency repairs necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency”. “Emergency” is defined as “a sudden, unexpected occurrence, involving a clear and imminent danger, demanding immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss of, or damage to, life, health, property, or essential public services” (Pub. Resources Code, § 21060.3).
The purpose of the Project is to prevent pipeline failure by repairing two approximately 190 foot sections of high-pressure gas pipeline at two separate Work Sites, eTS 43141 Line 225 MP 3.28 (L225 Site) and eTS 44051 Line 85 MP 49.9 (L85 Site). The Project also includes the installation of anodes to provide cathodic protection of the pipelines at both Work Sites. The repairs are needed urgently to protect the integrity and safety of the pipeline as well as to ensure service to natural gas customers. In issuing the ITP including the revised provisions in all previous amendments (collectively, the Amended ITP), CDFW found, among other things, that Permittee’s compliance with the Conditions of Approval of the Amended ITP would fully mitigate Project impacts of the taking on the Covered Species and that issuance of the Amended ITP would not jeopardize the continued existence of the Covered Species.
On January 14, 2026, CDFW received a request from the Permittee for a minor amendment to the Amended ITP, and the corresponding fee payment on January 26, 2026. The minor amendment requests to extend the expiration date of the Amended ITP from January 31, 2026, to January 31, 2027. The Project has experienced continued delays associated with pending finalization of the Habitat Conservation Plan with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
CDFW has determined that this Amendment will not result in an increase to the amount of take or the severity of other impacts of the taking on the Covered Species. Given the circumstances of this Project, the changes to the Project described in this Amendment will not increase impacts to the Covered Species. Impacts will be minimized and fully mitigated through the implementation of measures required by Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2021-007-04. Measures include: 1) Weekly Compliance Reports; 2) establishment of avoidance zones; 3) worker education; and 4) permanent habitat protection.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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