High Desert Operational Efficiency Project (California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2025-031-06-A1 (ITP))
Summary
SCH Number
2026080024
Public Agency
California Department of Transportation, District 8
(DOT)
Document Title
High Desert Operational Efficiency Project (California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2025-031-06-A1 (ITP))
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/3/2026
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has issued an ITP
amendment (No. 2081-2024-032-06-A1), pursuant to Section 2081(b) of the Fish and Game Code to Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (Permittee).
According to lead agency California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Burlington Northern Santa Fe in conjunction with Caltrans proposes to construct two staging tracks and an approximately 11-milelong main track extension to increase operational flexibility and reduce rail delays. Please see Attachment 1 for more information.
This ITP amendment authorizes the Permittee to expand the Project footprint boundary by additional 101.25 acres to accommodate additional grading within the Permittees right-of way. The Project will result in impacts to 10.77-acres of additional impacts to western Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) habitat/seedbank including the removal of an additional 10 individuals. The Project will permanently remove an additional 10.77-acres of western Joshua tree habitat/seedbank. The Project is expected to result in incidental take of western Joshua tree, which is/are designated as a candidate species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). The ITP amendment referenced above as issued by CDFW authorizes incidental take of species listed under CESA that may occur as a result of Project implementation.
Contact Information
Name
Sameh Hegazi
Agency Name
California Department of Transportation
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Email
Name
Emily Leon
Agency Name
Fish and Wildlife, Region 6
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Responsible Agency
Phone
Name
Jason Sanchez
Agency Name
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad
Job Title
Project Planner
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Hesperia
Counties
San Bernardino
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
The High Desert Operational Efficiency Project (Project) is located within the Burlington Northern Santa Fe right-of-way within the City of Hesperia, San Bernardino County, State of California.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Public Resources Code section 21080 (b)(10) and Title 14, section 15275
Reasons for Exemption
The Lead Agency determined that the Project meets certain qualifying criteria for the exemption. Pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.1(a), the Lead Agency is responsible for determining whether the Project is exempt from CEQA and that determination shall be final and conclusive on all persons, including Responsible Agencies. As a result, CDFW, acting as a Responsible Agency, is bound by the Lead Agency’s determination that the Project is exempt from CEQA.
County Clerk
San Bernardino
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.