California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2025-040-04 for the Line 7039 Mile Post 14.12-1 Leak Repair Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025080236
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4
(CDFW)
Document Title
California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2025-040-04 for the Line 7039 Mile Post 14.12-1 Leak Repair Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/6/2025
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has issued a California Endangered Species Act (CESA; Fish & G. Code, § 2050 et seq.) Incidental Take Permit (ITP) No. 2081-2025-040-04 authorizing Southern California Gas Company to incidentally take San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) listed as threatened under CESA (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 670.5, subd. (b)(6)(E)).
The ITP authorizes take of San Joaquin kit fox (Covered Species) for Project activities to replace a pipeline segment where a leaking valve has been detected on the Line 7039 natural gas transmission pipeline at approximate milepost 14.12. The immediate replacement is needed to address safety regulatory requirements and to ensure the pipeline does not require isolation or reduction. The Project will include excavating to inspect the pipeline, replacing segments of pipe and a valve, recoating the pipeline, and backfilling the excavation. The Project workspace will be returned to pre-Project conditions, to the extent feasible, and allowed to revegetate naturally. The Project is expected to temporarily disturb 0.81 acre of Covered Species habitat.
Contact Information
Name
Sarah Bahm
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Christian Sicam
Agency Name
Southern California Gas Company
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Bakersfield
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Airports
Meadows Field Airport
Township
28S
Range
27E
Section
34
Base
MDB&M
Other Location Info
The Project is specifically located within the Oildale United States Geological Survey 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle map.
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 subject to the statutory exemption for “Specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency” (Emergency Project; Pub. Resources Code, § 21080, subd. (b)(4)) and Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15269, subd. (b)) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA; Pub. Resources Code, §21000 et seq.). “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 replace a section of high-pressure pipeline where a leaking valve has been detected on the 24-inch Line 7039 natural gas transmission pipeline at Mile Post 14.12. The Project must begin immediately as required by state and federal regulations to repair the leak. Natural gas pipeline maintenance is required by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) General Order 112 F. General Order 112 F incorporates the United States Department of Transportation regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 49, Part 192, Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline, as well as the California Department of Water Resources California Well Standards Bulletins 74-81 and 74-90, to ensure a safe and constant supply of natural gas to customers.
Line 7039 provides natural gas to SoCalGas’s system, as fed from producers’ supplies throughout the San Joaquin Valley. The leaking valve warrants immediate repair to reduce the potential for creating a future hazard, pursuant to SoCalGas’s procedural manual prepared under CFR 192.605. If the leak is not repaired immediately, CPUC may require isolation or reduction of natural gas in Line 7039 to avoid safety issues. Isolation or a reduction of natural gas along Line 7039 risks SoCalGas’s ability to provide reliable natural gas to customers within the San Joaquin Valley resulting in loss of provision of a public service essential to the health, safety, or welfare of customers.
The Project will include excavating a trench where the pipeline will be replaced and install two pressure control fittings and temporary bypass to allow for continued natural gas transmission around the replacement section. The pipeline will be: cleaned/abated, inspected, removed, new sections of Line 7039 and the 2-inch Line 38-3800 installed where these pipelines intersect, a new valve tapped into Line 7039 to feed Line 38-3800, recoated, tested, and excavation backfilled. Cross-compression, welding and tie-in activities will occur continuously for 72 hours, including overnight. Project workspace will be returned to pre-Project conditions to the extent feasible and allowed to revegetate naturally. Project is expected to temporarily disturb 0.81 acre of Covered Species habitat.
Impacts will be minimized and fully mitigated through the implementation of measures required by Incidental Take Permit No. 2081 2025 040 04. Measures include: 1) Monthly Compliance Reports; 2) establishment of avoidance zones; 3) worker education; 4) species relocation; and 5) permanent habitat protection.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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