Arcata Bay - Vero Fiber Networks Project

The Arcata Bay Project is located near Humboldt Bay in the City of Arcata and the unincorporated communities of Indianola, Manila, and Samoa in Humboldt County. The project alignment includes construction of conduits for installation of fiber optic cable along two parallel routes called FH1 and FH2, which are approximately 9 miles each. The project alignment is located along State Route (SR) 255, Myrtle Road (near Indianola), and J and 11th streets in Arcata. An existing segment of the alignment is located along Old Arcata Road, which would connect to new infrastructure (e.g., drop lines) near Indianola. The project applicant, Vero Fiber Networks, proposes to place approximately 18 miles total of underground fiber-optic cable using directional bore methods (i.e., trenchless). A 6-inch conduit would be installed in FH1 and an 8-inch conduit would be installed in FH2, along existing roads. Trenchless methods would not result in any ground disturbance; however, manholes, hand holes, pull boxes, and bore pits would be excavated along highways and road shoulders. It is assumed that these features would require excavation of up to 4 feet in depth. All disturbance would be temporary except for the small footprints occupied by manhole and handhole lids, which would be flush with the ground. Manholes, pull boxes, and bore pits are planned to be placed in locations free of sensitive biological resources.