Kern River Mountain Pass Lateral Project

This proposed Project is an Amendment (Major Amendment No. 2) to the original ITP that includes the continued operation and maintenance of the Kern River Gas transmission Company’s existing pipelines, meter stations, valve sites and compressor station. This Amendment will extend take coverage by adding two additional Covered Species, including western Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) and western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea), add associated avoidance and minimization conditions of approval and extend the Project for ten years. The Project is expected to result in incidental take of Mohave ground squirrel, desert tortoise, gilded northern flicker, western Joshua tree, and western burrowing owl, which are designated as a threatened, endangered or candidate, 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.