Federal Funding Account County of El Dorado, Coloma
Summary
SCH Number
2026090495
Public Agency
California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC)
Document Title
Federal Funding Account County of El Dorado, Coloma
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/11/2026
Document Description
Installation of telecommunications infrastructure to enhance wireless and broadband speeds. County of El Dorado, The Coloma Broadband Fiber Project (proposed project) would include the installation of underground broadband infrastructure in the unincorporated communities of Coloma and Lotus in El Dorado County, California. The broadband infrastructure would include the installation of underground fiber optic lines within approximately 11.39 miles of previously disturbed rights-of-way (ROW) and road corridors and within existing easements. All underground fiber optic lines would be new, proposed infrastructure. Although allowed under the PEIR, no above ground broadband infrastructure is proposed under the project.
Contact Information
Name
Lisa S Cooke
Agency Name
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
Job Title
Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst V, CEQA Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Unincorporated Coloma area
Counties
El Dorado
Regions
Northern California, Unincorporated
Cross Streets
Coloma Road Hwy 49, Lotus Road
Other Location Info
The specific location of the proposed underground broadband infrastructure includes approximately 11.39 miles of previously disturbed ROW and road corridors and existing easements. The project is located within the Rural Centers of Coloma and Lotus, as defined by the El Dorado County General Plan, and is surrounded by various land uses. The project alignment is within the immediate vicinity of the
South Fork American River.
Other Information
Coloma-Lotus Community
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, California Code of Regulations, title 14 section 15301; Cl 2, 15302; Class 3, 15303; Cl 4, 15304; Cl 32, 15332
Reasons for Exemption
Under Decision D. 22-04-005, Section 3, and under Resolution T- 17845 the CPUC Commission determined that these projects planned by the El Dorado County, Coloma project would fall within one of several categorical exemptions under CEQA. Section 15301 consists of operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. Additionally, 15302 and 15303 consist of replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities and new construction or conversion of small structures, utility extensions of reasonable length to serve the construction, as well as 15304 which applies to small-scale land modifications with negligible environmental impacts, and 15332 respectively.