San Bernadino 1B - AT&T Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026070799
Public Agency
California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC)
Document Title
San Bernadino 1B - AT&T Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/21/2026
Document Description
Frontier proposes to install 297.62 miles of new fiber-optic cable, which would extend high-speed internet service to unserved and underserved residents in San Bernardino County. Fiber installations would take place near the communities surrounding Lucerne Valley. In general, proposed fiber routes are located along local roadways; however, some segments are on or adjacent to State Routes 18 and 247. Fiber would be installed using a combination of existing infrastructure, where available, supplemented by new underground conduit and/or aerial installations. New infrastructure would be installed within existing right-of-way and utility easements in developed areas where previous ground-disturbance activities have occurred. Underground conduit would generally be installed at a depth of 18 to 48 inches by either boring, trenching, or plowing, depending on the location and local, state, and federal requirements. In some cases, to avoid existing infrastructure, new underground conduits may be required to be installed significantly deeper.
Contact Information
Name
Andrew Chan
Agency Name
California Public Utilities Commission
Job Title
CEQA Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
San Bernardino
Regions
Countywide
State Highways
State Routes 18 and 247
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.