Ventura 1 - Frontier Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026070798
Public Agency
California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC)
Document Title
Ventura 1 - Frontier Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/21/2026
Document Description
Frontier proposes fiber-optic installation to provide improved broadband connectivity
within the cities of Santa Paula and Ojai, in Ventura County, California. The proposed route begins just north of the City of Santa Paula and extends generally along State Route 150 (SR-150) to the City of Ojai.
The current design follows existing utility pathways (i.e., where communications and/or other utility infrastructure is currently present) and proposes to install fiber using a combination of existing infrastructure including aerial installations (i.e., overlashing) and underground conduit installation. As currently designed, the route is primarily aerial, and no new overhead utility structures are proposed, although Frontier expects to underground some facilities. Given the nature of infrastructure projects, the mix of aerial vs. underground installation methods is subject to change up to and including through construction. Where underground installation is required, Frontier intends to utilize localized hand trenching and very limited horizontal directional drilling (HDD). Frontier expects new infrastructure to be installed within existing rights-of-way (ROW) and authorized utility easements in areas where previous ground-disturbance activities have occurred.
Where ground disturbing activities are planned, they are expected to include placing conduit, installing handholes, and minor surface restoration. Frontier intends to use existing access routes to minimize disturbance and to limit work areas to graded road shoulders and other reasonably adjacent disturbed surfaces, to the extent practicable, to minimize new ground disturbance
Contact Information
Name
Andrew Chan
Agency Name
California Public Utilities Commission
Job Title
CEQA Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Ojai, Santa Paula
Counties
Ventura
Regions
Countywide
State Highways
State Route 150
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.