TD1953883 Desert Front Circle 12kV Covered Conductor Project (California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 1927-ITP-2025-054- 06 (ITP))

The TD1953883 Desert Front Circle 12kV Covered Conductor Project is an initiative by Southern California Edison to replace a deteriorated wood utility pole and install covered conductors on the Circle 12kV distribution line to mitigate wildfire risks and electrical faults. Located in unincorporated San Bernardino County near Wrightwood, the project involves installing a new wood pole and a 12-gauge steel casing caisson within one foot of the existing pole location. Work activities include excavation within a 0.028-acre area, staging, and the use of a truck-mounted auger and tracked backhoe. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued Incidental Take Permit No. 1927-ITP-2025-054-06 pursuant to Section 1927.3 of the Fish and Game Code, authorizing the incidental take of four western Joshua trees protected under the California Endangered Species Act and the WJTCA. Additionally, the project is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as it constitutes an emergency action necessary to prevent or mitigate wildfires in a high-risk area. Coordination is managed by the CDFW Inland Deserts Region, with Andrew Chambers serving as the primary environmental scientist contact.