California Aqueduct Reach 4 PG&E Transmission Line Guard Structure Installations
Summary
SCH Number
2025110209
Public Agency
California Department of Water Resources
(DWR)
Document Title
California Aqueduct Reach 4 PG&E Transmission Line Guard Structure Installations
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/6/2025
Document Description
PG&E will be conducting overhead transmission line work on existing towers. Most of the work will be done in the air using a helicopter, however, PG&E will install temporary guard structures on the ground in the Department of Water Resources right of way. The guard structures are safety features designed to catch transmission lines that could fall to the ground during work and will consist of wooden poles with accessories for catching overhead wires. Two guard structures will be installed within 12 to 15 feet of each other at California Aqueduct milepost (MP) 92.40R; one guard structure will be installed at California Aqueduct MP 93.05R. PG&E vehicles may need to drive off established roads to access the work sites.
For both locations, the accessories for catching overhead wires will first be attached to the wooden poles. At MP 92.40R, an auger-mounted digger truck will drill two approximately two-foot diameter by eight-foot-deep holes, and a 45-foot-tall wooden pole, with the attached accessories, will be installed in each hole. At MP 93.05R, one approximately two-foot diameter by eight-foot-deep hole will be drilled, and a 45-foot-tall wooden pole, with the attached accessories, will be installed in the hole. Once the poles are installed, the area around the guard structures will be backfilled and compacted.
PG&E will remove the guard structures when the transmission tower work is complete; the holes left by the removed poles will be backfilled and compacted to match the original grade. Work is necessary to protect the public while PG&E conducts overhead transmission tower work.
Contact Information
Name
Mark McDaniel
Agency Name
California Department of Water Resources
Job Title
Planner Scheduler/UC Supervisor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Fresno
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
MP 93.05R, is about 0.32 miles of intersection of W. Nees Ave and First Lift Canal Rd.
State Highways
Interstate 5
Airports
Eagle Field
Waterways
California Aqueduct
Other Location Info
Work will occur at two sites on the right side (R) of California Aqueduct (Aqueduct) Reach 4, in the Department of Water Resources right of way. The work sites are at Aqueduct milepost (MP) 92.40R (36.860803, -120.775048 and 36.860894, -120.775139) and MP 93.05R (36.852480, -120.767368). The northernmost site, MP 92.40R, is approximately 1.27 miles northwest of the intersection of the Aqueduct and W. Nees Avenue; the southernmost site, MP 93.05R, is approximately 0.32 miles northwest of the intersection of W. Nees Avenue and First Lift Canal Road.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15305(b) and 15301
Reasons for Exemption
PG&E requests permission to perform overhead transmission line work on its existing transmission towers and install temporary guard structures in the Department of Water Resources right of way. No expansion of existing use will occur, there will be no changes to land use or density, and work will occur in an area with an average slope of less than 20 percent. DWR will issue an Encroachment Permit for this work. Categorical Exemptions 15305(b) (Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations – Issuance of Minor Encroachment Permits) and 15301 (Existing Facilities) apply.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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