Caltrans Encroachment Permit for Pacific Power’s 5G16 Happy Camp Core (Part 5) Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025060469
Public Agency
California Department of Transportation, District 2
(DOT)
Document Title
Caltrans Encroachment Permit for Pacific Power’s 5G16 Happy Camp Core (Part 5) Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/11/2025
Document Description
Pacific Power is proposing maintenance activities on their existing overhead distribution lines within the California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) right-of-way along State Route 96 in Siskiyou County from post mile 41.131 to 41.398 in the community of Happy Camp. The maintenance activities are the outcome of Pacific Power's continued fire mitigation program of system hardening in California and is being conducted in accordance with the California Public Utilities Commission guidelines. The proposed maintenance activities would consist of the removal of five existing utility poles and associated anchors, replacement and installation of anchors and guy wires, the installation of underground conductors between existing poles 2390 and 2478, the overhead reconductoring between two poles at one highway crossing, and the removal of overhead conductors at one highway crossing. Part of the underground work includes the installation of two risers, one each, on poles 2390 and 2478 (poles to remain) and an above-ground sectionalizing cabinet and underground vault on the west side of State Highway 96, north of 2nd Avenue.
Disassembling equipment will include a hydraulic jack to loosen the poles and a line truck or truck-mounted crane will be used to remove the wood poles. A tractor and trailer with reels will be used to pull the ground wire and de-energized lines. Horizontal directional drilling methods will be used to install the underground conductors (2, 6” conduits). Entry and exit points for the drill will be located within work areas located near poles 2390 and 2478, and the sectionizing cabinet. The horizontal directional drill will be set on the ground and ground disturbance will be limited to the 14-inch diameter hole drilled for the conduits. A vac truck will be used to remove and haul away fluid used for drilling. Excavation pits will be located at poles 2390 and 2478 that will be used to pull the conduit onto the riser poles. The pits will be 5 feet in length by 5 feet in width by 5 feet deep. An excavation pit will also be located at the sectionalizing cabinet that will be 7 feet in length by 4.6 feet in width by 4 feet deep for the installation of the underground vault.
Caltrans will issue an encroachment permit (0224-6-UL-0189) to allow the proposed improvements to occur within the right-of-way of State Route 96.
Contact Information
Name
Keith Pelfrey
Agency Name
Caltrans, District 2
Job Title
Branch Chief - R3
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Kevin Schiedler
Agency Name
Pacific Power
Job Title
Not Specified
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Counties
Siskiyou
Regions
Northern California
Other Location Info
State Route 96 in Siskiyou County from post mile 41.131 to 41.398
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Existing Facilities, Section 15301
Reasons for Exemption
The California Department of Transportation has determined that the project is categorically exempt in accordance with Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) Class 1 — Operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The project would not have a significant effect on the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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