Colorado River Indian Tribe Californian Broadband Network
Summary
SCH Number
2026070797
Public Agency
California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC)
Document Title
Colorado River Indian Tribe Californian Broadband Network
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/21/2026
Document Description
The proposed Project is funded in part through the CPUC Federal Funding Account (FFA), and would enhance broadband connectivity across tribal lands by combining aerial and underground installations of fiber optic cables. The Project would provide high-speed fiber optic broadband service to unserved Tribal households across two routes: Blythe, and Parker Dam. The Project includes two principal components: (1) attachment of new broadband fiber to existing utility poles across the majority of the alignment, and (2) installation of underground fiber optic conduit within CalTrans right-of-way (ROW) corridors along key road segments. The Project is divided into two distinct sites the Blythe Route and the Parker Dam Route. Blythe Route extends from Palo Verde Dam, extending southwest to Defrain Blvd before proceeding southward and intersecting with 6th Avenue. From this point, it turns eastward, traversing 6th Avenue and leading to Lovekin Boulevard. Continuing southward, it eventually reaches Hobsonway and terminates at the Hobsonway and Interstate 10 intersection at the Arizona-California border. This route would include interconnections with Palo Verde Valley High School, the Mesa Bluff Village Development including four other developed areas along W Wells Road, and Palo Verde College.
The Parker Dam Route interconnects with the existing Big River Segment along Aqueduct Road at approximately 34° 9'47.92"N, 114°18'28.65"W. The line primarily follows Parker Dam Road terminating at 34°11'46.10"N, 114°13'34.11"W. This route includes offshoots into six existing developments along Parker Dam Road including a mobile home development near the intersection of Parker Dam Road and SR 62, Bermuda Palms RV Resort mobile home development, Bluewater Drive W, Bluewater Dr, River Reflections Estates and nearby development, and Riverland Resorts. This route would provide potential interconnection for 744 residences, 15 businesses, and 4 anchor institutions.
Contact Information
Name
Andrew Chan
Agency Name
California Public Utilities Commission
Job Title
CEQA Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Blythe, Earp and Parker Dam
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Countywide
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-17922 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.