Amendment No. 1 to the High Desert Operational Efficiency Project (Notification of Lake or Streambed Alteration, No. EPIMS-SBR-57967-R6)

Amendment No. 1 to the High Desert Operational Efficiency Project, under Lake or Streambed Alteration Notification No. EPIMS-SBR-57967-R6, authorizes the BNSF Railway Company to expand its project footprint within the BNSF right-of-way in Hesperia, San Bernardino County, California. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has approved an expansion of approximately 101.25 acres, bringing the total work area to 207.28 acres. This expansion will result in permanent impacts to an additional 2.064 acres of resources protected under Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code. The project is governed by Fish and Game Code Section 1602 and is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as determined by the California Department of Transportation on April 18, 2024, pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080(b)(10) and California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 15275. Key personnel managing the project include Emily Leon, an Environmental Scientist with the CDFW, and French Thompson, General Director for BNSF Railway Company. The amendment was officially dated July 20, 2026.