Work Order 15 for the SisTel Broadband Capital Oversight Project

The SisTel Broadband Capital Oversight Project is part of the statewide Middle-Mile Broadband Network (MMBN) project which would install about 10,000 miles of broadband infrastructure across the State of California. The SisTel Broadband Capital Oversight Project is located within Siskiyou and Humboldt counties, California and extends approximately 89 miles along portions of State Route (SR) 3, SR 96, SR 263, Salmon River Road, Sawyers Bar Road, Hawkinsville-Humbug Road, Humbug Creek Road, Klamath River Road, Quartz Valley Road, and various streets in the city of Yreka. Work Order 15 of the SisTel Broadband Capital Oversight Project has been determined to meet the CEQA and NEPA definitions for independent utility and is considered as a standalone project. This CEQA Exemption / NEPA Categorical Exclusion Determination Form addresses Work Order 15 (i.e., the Project) which is located on SR 96 in Humboldt County. The Project is on land managed by Caltrans District 1, Humboldt County, and Six Rivers National Forest. The Project would involve the construction and installation of one (1) 4-way microduct owned by the California Department of Technology (CDT) with two (2) 288-count Loose Tube Fiber Optic Outdoor Cable 12 Element All Dielectric Dry Core Design MiDia®200 Micro GX microfiber cables (one [1] each for CDT and Siskiyou Telephone Company [STC]) maintained by STC leaving two (2) spare ducts. Installation would involve rock saw trench, open trench, and horizontal directional drilling (HDD). The new conduit would be placed approximately 4–8 inches off the edge of the pavement, or within the outside paved shoulder when the terrain or environmental conditions are not suitable, unless adjustments are necessary to avoid sensitive resources or per the requirements of approving agencies (e.g., Caltrans, Humboldt County, Six Rivers National Forest). Access vaults or handholes would be installed approximately every 1,500–2,400 feet. Vaults are typically 30 inches by 48 inches by 36 inches. However, every fifth vault may be larger for splicing (48 inches by 48 inches by 48 inches). Vaults would be flush with the ground or buried. Separate Caltrans pullboxes may be installed adjacent to vaults spaced approximately 1 mile apart. Where available and applicable, the fiber optic cable would be attached to existing bridges to span across rivers and streams. Cable marker posts may be installed at approximately 1-mile intervals to note the presence of fiber optic cable. The markers would be made of fiberglass and would be either flat or in the dimensions of 4 inches by 4 inches by 8 feet. All route and handhole numbers would be in black on an orange background, self-adhesive, and 1 inch in height. The construction corridors would typically be confined to existing right of way (ROW), up to approximately 30 feet wide. Once construction is completed, the permanent ROW would be reduced to a 10-foot width, extending 5 feet on either side of the conduit centerline. Multiple locations have been identified as potential staging areas for the project. The staging areas are locations adjacent to or near the project alignment that would be used for staging and storage of construction equipment and materials (e.g., vehicles, trailers, cable and duct reels, vaults, bulk materials). No new roads or road improvements would be required for the establishment of the staging areas, and no grading or removal of woody vegetation within the staging areas would be required. If bulk materials (e.g., rock, sand) are temporarily stored within the staging area, best management practices (BMPs) such as silt fences would be implemented to contain the materials and prevent erosion and runoff. Purpose: The Project would support the Middle-Mile Broadband Network project which will install the broadband infrastructure along the State Highway System (SHS) and County/City roads necessary to connect to a third-party operated Last Mile Broadband Network which will bring internet connectivity to homes, businesses, and community institutions. Need: In July 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 156 to create an open-access middle-mile network to bring high-speed broadband service to all Californians. The lack of available middle-mile broadband infrastructure has been a major issue in connecting California’s communities. The statewide open-access middle-mile network included in SB 156 is a foundational investment to ensure every Californian has access to broadband Internet service that meets the connectivity needs of today, and well into the future. This project intends to support providing critical statewide broadband infrastructure to enhance access to and increase the affordability of high-speed internet for all Californians.