Julian/Ramona/Borrego Springs Zito California, LLC (T-17907)
Summary
SCH Number
2026050570
Public Agency
California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC)
Document Title
Julian/Ramona/Borrego Springs Zito California, LLC (T-17907)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/14/2026
Document Description
The project encompasses 3 parts in San Diego County: 212 miles of all new Fiber To The Home for Julian/Romano (in the central part of the county), 57 miles of FTTH upgrade in Borrego Springs (in the eastern part of the county) and 2 new middle mile segments totaling 55.9 miles from Borrego to Kane (Imperial Co).
The project in the northern and northeastern part of Ramona is a broad, relatively flat valley. For the Julian project area, the terrain is mountainous and rocky. In Borrego Springs, the terrain is in the Sonoran Desert, that is relatively flat in the project area. The middle mile project area from Borrego Springs to Salton City, which is predominantly flat, Sonoran Desert to the Salton Sea. The second middle mile segment proceeds from Salton City to Calipatria to the south of the Salton Sea on to Kane in Imperial County. Arterial transportation is predominantly two lane. In Ramona, the main thoroughfare, State Route 67, is a 4 lane highway, with full local access. State Route 78 (the Julian Road) is a two-lane highway connecting Ramona to Julian, via another 2-lane highway, State Route 79. Zito's existing interconnection fiber line follows State Route 78 from Julian to Borrego Springs. For the Middle Mile project segment from Borrego to Salton City, the fiber path follows the Borrego Salton Seaway (State Route S22), a two lane highway. From Salton City to Calipatria the fiber path follows State Route 78.
New fiber will be installed on existing utility poles, pending permit. These typically follow existing roadways throughout the project area. Underground would be used if absolutely necessary, such as where no available utility poles exist. Typically such underground would be located along existing roadway. 212 miles of all new Fiber To The Home for Julian/Romano (in the central part of the county), 57 miles of FTTH upgrade in Borrego Springs (in the eastern part of the county) and 2 new middle mile segments totaling 55.9 miles from Borrego to Kane (Imperial Co).
Contact Information
Name
Narissa Petchumrus
Agency Name
California Public Utilities Commission
Job Title
Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Location
Cities
Ramona, Julian, Wynola, Harris Park, Pine Hills, Lake Cuyamaca
Counties
Imperial, San Diego
Regions
Countywide
State Highways
SR 67, SR 78, SR 79
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
SB 131 (2025) Statutory Exemption, PRC sec. 21080.51
Reasons for Exemption
Under Resolution T-17907 CPUC determined that this project falls within statutory exemption under CEQA. (a) [CEQA] does not apply to a project undertaken by any entity, including a public entity or private or nonprofit corporation, that consists of linear broadband deployment in a right-of-way, including a right-of-way of a local street or road, if the project meets all of the following conditions: (1) The project is constructed along, or within 30-feet of, the right-of-way of any public road or highway. (2) The project is either deployed underground where the surface area is restored to a condition existing before the project or placed aerially along an existing utility pole right-of-way. (3) The project incorporates, as a condition of project approval, measures developed by the Public Utilities Commission, the Department of Transportation, or the city, county, or city and county responsible for the right-of-way to address potential environmental impacts. At minimum, the project shall be required to include monitors during construction activities and measures to avoid or address impacts to cultural and biological resources. (4) The project applicant agrees to comply with all conditions otherwise authorized by law, imposed by a city, county, or city and county as part of a local agency permit process, that are required to mitigate potential impacts of the proposed project, and to comply with the Keene-Nejedly California Wetlands Preservation Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 5810) of Division 5), the California Endangered Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code), as applicable, other applicable state laws, and all applicable federal laws. (Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 24, Sec. 12. (SB 131) Effective June 30, 2025.