HomeMy WebLinkAboutMUP21-0004_15.CA-016-CSW_Heffernan_Hill_(NEPA)NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA)
FCC-FOCUSED CHECKLIST EVALUATION
SITE: Heffernan Hill
LOCATION: Jarbo Gap, California
(Heffernan Hill / CA-016)
Prepared for:
ComSites West
200 Litton Drive, Suite 310
Grass Valley, California 95945
Date: 11-Jan-2021
Prepared by:
EarthTouch, Inc.
3135 North Fairfield Road, Suite D
Layton, Utah 84041
EarthTouch, Inc. 3135 North Fairfield Road Layton, Utah 84041 Tel: 801.771.2800
EarthTouch, Inc. 3135 North Fairfield Road Layton, Utah 84041
11-Jan-2021
Mr. Greg Hutton
ComSites West
200 Litton Drive, Suite 310
Grass Valley, California 95945
RE: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Screening Report of a proposed wireless facility location
at approximately 11951 State Route 70 State Route 70 about 0.75 miles to the south of Jarbo Gap in
unincorporated Butte County, California.
Dear Mr. Hutton;
EarthTouch, Inc. has completed an environmental screening of the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) special interest items as outlined in Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations (47 CFR) § 1.1307
(a)(1) through (8) and (b) for the above-referenced site. This NEPA FCC Checklist Report was completed in
accordance with the requirements of the FCC requirements, the Scope of Work of ComSites West, and
general industry standards.
Based upon the results of our assessment, it appears that the proposed installation will not adversely impact
any of the criteria as outlined in 1.1307(a) items (1) through (8) and (b). Therefore, the preparation of an
Environmental Assessment (EA) for these criteria is not required. However, that requires further action, as
follows:
Construction
The proposed action is located in an area impacted by the Camp Fire in 2018, which resulted in the loss of
vegetation and a general encroachment of opportunistic weeds. As such, best management practices should
be exercised during construction due to the loss vegetation and associated root systems that aid in slope
stability and soil retention. Also, steps should be taken to reduce to the extent practicable, any spread of
opportunistic weeds during construction activities. Specific actions should be included within a Storm Water
Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and communicated directly to construction personnel.
We appreciate the opportunity to assist ComSites West. Should you have any questions, please reach out to
me at 801.771.2800 or bcox@earthtouchinc.com.
Sincerely,
EarthTouch, Inc.
Brett E. Cox
President / Senior Scientist
ComSites West
NEPA Checklist Site Description i
Heffernan Hill (CA-016) – Jarbo Gap, California
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA)
FCC-FOCUSED CHECKLIST EVALUATION OF A
PROPOSED WIRELESS FACILITY LOCATION AT ROUGHLY
11951 STATE ROUTE 70 NEAR THE COMMUNITY OF JARBO GAP
IN AN UNINCORPORATED PART OF BUTTE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
(Heffernan Hill / CA-016)
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requires agencies of the Federal government
evaluate the effects of their actions on the quality of the human environment. As a Federal licensing agency,
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) fulfills its responsibilities under NEPA by requiring
licensees review proposed actions for environmental consequences and potential impact on the quality of the
human environment. Pursuant to the requirements of NEPA, the FCC adopted nine elements that must be
examined by a licensee with respect to any new wireless facility application or minor/major modifications to
an existing wireless facility to evaluate the potential environmental impact of these actions. FCC rules
implementing NEPA, including a list of wireless facility activities that may significantly affect the
environment, may require further environmental processing, or may require the preparation of an
Environmental Assessment (EA) are detailed in 47 CFR § 1.1307(a), et seq.
Consistent with FCC guidelines; EarthTouch, Inc. has performed an evaluation of a proposed wireless facility
collocation with respect to the items identified in 47 CFR § 1.1307 (a) and (b). This NEPA checklist
evaluation describes the proposed action and summarizes an assessment of the potential environmental effects
of a proposed monopole and wireless facility to be developed in a lease area established within a portion of a
roughly 40-acre property located at approximately 11951 State Route 70 near Jarbo Gap in unincorporated
Butte County, California (“site” or “subject property”).
This assessment was conducted by personnel from EarthTouch, Inc. in response to a request and authorization
by Mr. Greg Hutton of ComSites West, a company that develops, owns, and operates wireless facility towers
in California. The Scope of Work performed included completing a ‘checklist evaluation,’ consistent with
FCC rules, to ascertain whether the proposed wireless facility would have a “significant effect” on the quality
of the human environment, which would require additional environmental processing, and/or the preparation
of an Environmental Assessment (EA) pursuant to FCC rules.
2.0 SUMMARY
The proposed wireless facility would be located near the crest of Heffernan Hill approximately 0.5 mile to the
southeast of Butte County Fire Station No. 36 on State Route 70 in Jarbo Gap (Figure 1). The community of
Jarbo Gap is located in northern Butte County roughly 90 miles to the north of Sacramento, approximately 30
miles to the east of Chico, and about 20 miles to the north-northeast of Oroville, the Butte County seat. The
natural landscape of the site vicinity can be generally described as hilly and semi-mountainous terrain of the
western slope of the Sierra-Nevada Mountains to the north of Oroville Reservoir in an area crossed by the
North Fork of the Feather River and improved with some gravel/dirt access roads, scattered residential
dwellings, and some commercial/retail facilities along State Route 70 (Figure 2). The wireless facility would
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be constructed within a roughly 50- by 200-foot lease area in the Northeast Quarter (1/4) of Section 26,
Township 22 North, Range 4 East, Mount Diablo Base & Meridian (MDB&M), at a latitude/longitude of
39º44’09.06” / 121º29’20.37” (Figure 3). The proposed wireless facility would be located adjacent to and
accessed via an existing gravel/dirt road running southeasterly from State Route 70 near Fire Station No. 36 to
the proposed lease area. The access road would be improved as part of the development of the proposed
wireless facility. Other than the access road, there are no commercial/residential improvements near the
proposed wireless facility location (Figure 4). In addition, the general area was significantly damaged by the
Camp Fire in 2018.
Proposed Action
Review of zoning drawings (Appendix A) provided indicated the proposed wireless facility would include:
Establishing a roughly 10,000-square-foot ground lease near the crest of Heffernan Hill within which a
180-foot steel-lattice tower would be erected; and concrete pads constructed for the placement of
equipment cabinets to house electronic hardware, back-up batteries, and attendant electrical and
telecommunications units and gear;
Establishing a roughly 30-foot access easement along roughly 0.5-miles of an existing gravel/dirt access
road and improving the access road to provide for access by high-clearance 2-wheel-drive (2WD)
vehicles;
Establishing a roughly 20-foot utility easement running southwesterly from the proposed lease area about
2,000 feet to an existing utility pole about 200 feet east of State Route 70 and then installing roughly five
utility poles to support overhead electrical transmission telecommunications lines over a distance of about
1,200 feet, and then trenching and placing utilities sub-grade over a distance of about 830 feet to the lease
area; and
Surrounding the lease area with 6-foot chain-link fence topped with barbed-wire and a chain-link gate
that would be locked to restrict access.
The proposed wireless facility would include establishing a roughly 10,000-square-foot lease area near the
crest of Heffernan Hill in which a 180-foot steel-lattice tower would be constructed. Development of the
proposed wireless facility would include access road improvements, areas traversed by overhead and sub-
grade utilities, and staging areas associated with construction. The lease area would be graded level and
covered with gravel and some concrete pads to support the placement of equipment cabinets for electronic
hardware and backup batteries; and encircled by a 6-foot chain-link privacy fence topped with 3-strands of
bard-wire. The existing roughly 0.5-mile-long high-clearance 4-wheel drive access road from State Route 70
to the proposed lease area would be improved within an existing 30-foot easement to accommodate high-
clearance 2-wheel drive vehicles. Utility connections would traverse overhead roughly 1,200 feet from an
existing utility pole about 200 feet to the east of State Route 70; and would involve installing 4 or 5 utility
poles; and then traverse a distance of roughly 830 feet to lease area within a 1.5-foot wide by 2.5-foot-deep
trench with ground vaults installed about every 300 feet. The trench would be opened, utility cabling
installed, and then trench backfilled with the material removed from the trench to match the existing grade,
and then reseeded with native vegetation.
General Area Characteristics
The unincorporated community of Jarbo Gap is situated on State Route 70 in northeastern Butte County to the
north of Lake Oroville and near the Plumas National Forest and Feather River Canyon. The Jarbo Gap area
includes some roadside diners and convenience stores, fire station and look-out, some scattered private homes
typically on multi-acre properties, and out-door recreational opportunities in the nearby Plumas National
Forest that include camping, fishing, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and hunting. In the past, logging
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and timber production were carried out in the general area but diminished significantly over the last few
decades. The area is sparsely populated with a permanent population of about 200 residents.
Site Vicinity and Adjoining Properties
The site vicinity can generally be described as hilly and semi-mountainous terrain of the western slope of the
Sierra-Nevada Mountains to the north of Oroville Reservoir crossed by the North Fork of the Feather River
and by State Route 70; with some scattered rural residential dwellings, recreational dwellings, and roadside
commercial/retail buildings on larger acreage properties accessed by gravel-dirt roads. The site vicinity
consists of sparsely developed 5- to 370-acre properties and undeveloped land in areas to the west of
undeveloped lands managed by the US Forest Service. Although predominantly undeveloped, the general
area was significantly damaged by the Camp Fire.
Site Description
The subject property is a square-shaped parcel of land encompassing about 40 acres situated immediately east
of State Route 70 about 0.5 mile to the southeast of Butte County Fire Station No.: 36 within the SE¼, NE¼
and NW¼, SE¼ of Section 26, Township 22 North, Range 4 East, Mount Diablo Base & Meridian
(MDB&M). The site is generally composed of undeveloped land consisting of scattered live oak and with
some gray pine groves, shrubs and scrub, and native/non-native grasses and flowering plants. However, the
site includes a high-clearance 4-wheel-drive road providing access to a small weather station within a roughly
20- by 20-foot fence-encircled area near the crest of Heffernan Hill.
Site Summary
A summary of the information regarding the subject property is included in Table 1.
Table 1 Address, Legal Description, Specific Zoning, and Utilities for Site
Civic Address: Approx. 11951 State Route 70
(Jarbo Gap), Butte County, California 95965
Parcel or Account Number(s): 058-200-42
Summarized Legal Description: Southeast Quarter (SE¼) of the Northeast Quarter (NE¼), Section 26, Township 22 North,
Range 4 East, Mount Diablo Base & Meridian (MDB&M) in Butte County, California
Size of Parcel / Tract: 40 acres
Site Specific Zoning: Timber Production Zone (TPZ)
Purpose of Zoning: The purpose of the TPZ zone is to preserve and protect land where timber is actively being
grown and harvested, as well as minimize impacts to neighboring uses from active timber
operation. Permitted uses include logging, timber processing, crop cultivation, the
management of forest lands for timber operations and animal grazing, and compatible uses,
which are uses that are determined to not significantly detract from the use of the property for,
or inhibit, growing and harvesting timber. Extractive uses that are generally compatible with forestry operations, including mining and oil and gas extraction, are conditionally permitted in
the TPZ zone. Minimum parcel size and development standards for development in the TPZ
zone are generally equivalent to the TM zone. The TPZ zone implements the Timber Mountain
land use designation in the General Plan.
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA) / FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC) CHECKLIST EVALUATION SUMMARY Site No.: CA-016 Site Name: Heffernan Hill Address: approx. 11951 State Route 70 Jarbo Gap, California 95965 Coordinates (NAD 83) Lat: 39º44’09.06” N Long: 121º29’20.37” W Project Type (choose one): New Build / New Tower Tower Collocation Other Collocation National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Critical Element of the Human Environment Federal or State Agency(ies) with Jurisdictional Oversight Check the Appropriate Box(es) Comment(s) about Critical Element of the Human Environmental based on Evaluation Criteria No Effect Potential Adverse Effect Categorical Exclusion Collocation / Programmatic Agreement Location in Officially Designated Wilderness Area 47 CFR §§1.1307(a)(1) National Park Service US Forest Services US Bureau of Land Management No Wilderness Areas within close proximity of site Location in Officially Designated Wildlife Refuge 47 CFR §§1.1307(a)(2) US Fish & Wildlife Services No Wildlife Refuges within close proximity of site Affect Threatened or Endangered Species 47 CFR §§1.1307(a)(3) US Fish & Wildlife Services No impact to species or critical habitat Affect Historical Sites, Districts, Buildings, Areas, etc 47 CFR §§1.1307(a)(4) State Historic Preservation Office Collocation Agreement Programmatic Agreement Cleared thru consultation with California OHP Indian Sites of Religious / Cultural Significance 47 CFR §§1.1307(a)(5) Native American Indian Tribes, Tribal Historic Preservation Office, Native Hawaiian Organizations Collocation Agreement Programmatic Agreement Cleared thru California NAHC and FCC TCNS Location in 100-year Floodplain 47 CFR §§1.1307 (a)(6) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Site located in a Zone X Areas outside of 100-yr flood Wetlands, Deforestation, & Surface Waterways 47 CFR §§1.1307(a)(7) US Army Corps of Engineers Construction confined to areas removed from wetlands and waters of the US High-Intensity White Light /Residential Neighborhood 47 CFR §§1.1307(a)(8) Federal Aviation Administration No high-intensity white-light necessary due to distance from airports/heliports Radio Frequency Radiation / Exposure [47 CFR §§1.1307(b), 1.1310, and 2.1093] Federal Communications Commission, Office of Engineering and Technology (Bulletin No. 65) Signature: Date: 11-Jan-2021 Printed Name: Brett Cox Company: EarthTouch, Inc.
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47 CFR 1.1307 (a)(1) Would the proposed wireless communications facility be located
within an officially designated wilderness area?
No Effect Potentially Adverse Affect
The Wilderness Act of 1964 identifies wilderness areas as places where, …the earth and its community of life
are untrammeled or unchanged by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. There are
roughly 762 Wilderness Areas throughout the United States encompassing approximately 109 million acres.
Wilderness areas are generally larger than 5,000 acres; have retained an original, primeval character; and are
administered by the National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), US Forest Service,
and US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). These National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS)
generally includes four types of lands managed by the Federal government, including; National
Parks/Monuments, National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, and BLM lands. In addition, there are areas
of natural and recreational significance that include; National Seashores/Lakeshores, National Recreation
Areas, National Conservation Areas, and National Scenic Trails.
To evaluate whether the proposed wireless facility would be located in or within close proximity to officially
designated wilderness areas, EarthTouch, Inc. consulted the following:
National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS);
U.S. Forest Service (Plumas National Forest) and US Bureau of Land Management;
California page of the National Scenic Trails; and
California page of the National Park Service.
In addition, US Geological Survey 7.5-minute series maps, State and local agency planning maps, and street
maps were reviewed in order to determine if the proposed wireless facility is located in, or within close
proximity to, an officially designated wilderness area(s).
The proposed action would be generally situated on a hillcrest and southwest- and east-sloping hillsides
to the east of State Route 70 at elevations ranging from about 2,190 feet above mean sea level (amsl) in
areas near State Route 70 to roughly 2,526 feet amsl at the top of Heffernan Hill. The site is located
roughly 0.5 mile to the southwest of the Plumas National Forest, but more than 15 miles from the nearest
wilderness area (Bucks Lake Wilderness). The proposed wireless facility would be visible from nearby
areas of the Plumas National Forest but would not be visible from the Bucks Lake Wilderness Area.
There are north-south running high-voltage electrical transmission lines supported by roughly 130- to
160-foot steel-lattice towers that traverse areas about 0.5 mile to the east and west of the subject property,
including nearby areas of the Plumas National Forest; which would also be visible, and more prominent
within affected areas of the Plumas National Forest.
The proposed action is not in a federal set-aside area of natural and recreational significance, including
officially designated Wilderness Areas, National Parks, National Monuments, National Seashores,
National Lakeshores, National Recreational Areas, or National Conservation Areas. Additionally, the
proposed wireless facility would not significantly impact the visual resources of the Plumas National
Forest. Therefore, construction and operation of the proposed wireless facility would have no effect on
these officially designated areas (Figure 5) pursuant to FCC rules.
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47 CFR 1.1307 (a)(2) Would the proposed wireless communications facility be located
within an officially designated wildlife refuge area?
No Effect Potentially Adverse Affect
Federal wildlife refuges and state-administered preserves are typically areas of public lands set aside for the
conservation of fish, wildlife, and plants. There are more than 560 refuges, 38 wetland management
districts, more than 26,000 waterfowl production areas, 50 coordination areas, and other protected and
“special management areas” encompassing more than 150 million acres, including; research natural areas,
wetlands of national/international importance; and Wild and Scenic Rivers that comprise the National
Wildlife Refuge System and National Wild & Scenic Rivers System.
To evaluate whether the proposed wireless facility would be located in or within close proximity to
designated wildlife refuges, preserves, or set-aside areas, EarthTouch, Inc. reviewed the following:
The National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS);
The National Wild & Scenic Rivers System (NWSR);
National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS); and
US Geological Survey 7.5-minute Quadrangle Maps (Berry Creek, California)
Based on review of these sources:
The site is not located within, adjacent to, or within a 1-mile radius of wildlife refuge, preserve, or
management area, Wild or Scenic River, ecological reserve, National Conservation Area, Wilderness
Study Area, or National or Scenic Trail or Scenic Byway (Figure 6).
47 CFR 1.1307 (a)(3)
Would the proposed wireless communications facility affect listed
threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitats;
and/or likely jeopardize the continued existence of any proposed
threatened and endangered species; and/or likely result in the
destruction or adverse modification of critical or proposed critical
habitats pursuant to Endangered Species Act?
No Effect Potentially Adverse Affect
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) requires agencies of the federal government use their authority to
ensure their actions are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of threatened or endangered species or
adversely modify critical habitat. Endangered and threatened species are statutory terms. Endangered
species are species or subspecies that are …in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of
its range. Threatened species are defined as a species or subspecies that are likely to become endangered
within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
Critical habitat refers to geographic areas that are essential for the conservation of threatened and endangered
species and which may require special management consideration. Threatened and endangered plant, animal,
and fish species are legally protected from take, which is defined as to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot,
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wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect. Section 7 of the ESA requires agencies of the federal government
consult with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding actions that may adversely affect listed
species and ensure that reasonable measures are undertaken to mitigate impacts to Federal-listed species and
their critical habitat.
In accordance with Section 7 of the ESA, EarthTouch, Inc., acting as the non-Federal representative of the
FCC, has consulted with the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) by performing the following tasks:
Obtaining information from the USFWS regarding the potential presence of federally listed threatened,
endangered, and candidate species that may be potentially present in the area covered by the Berry Creek
(California) 7.5-minute Quadrangle Maps and abutting 7.5-minute Quadrangle Maps;
Obtaining information from the California Department of Fish & Game (DFG) pertaining to the
occurrence of federally listed threatened, endangered, and candidate species within the area covered by
the Berry Creek (California) 7.5-minute Quadrangle Maps available through the California Natural
Diversity Database (CNDDB), a program that identified federal and state listed animal and plant species
and rare plants and animals within the general area of the site; and
Obtaining and reviewing critical habitat maps maintained by the USFWS for federal-listed threatened,
endangered, and candidate species (official maps obtained through review of the Federal Register).
A map of critical habitat within the general area is included in Figure 7. Federal-listed threatened,
endangered, and candidate species are included in Appendix C.
Environmental Setting and Potential Presence of Federal Listed Species
The proposed lease area is located along a north-south trending ridge between State Route 70 to the west and
the North Fork of the Feather River to the east. The general area includes relatively steep terrain with the
exception of ridge and hillcrests and ephemeral drainages that flow into the North Fork of the Feather River.
Elevations range from about 1,000 feet to 5,150 feet amsl. The vegetation consists of mixed conifers in the
lower elevations and true fir in the higher elevations. However, the conifers were largely destroyed by the
Camp Fire in 2018.
Based on a site inspection, the proposed ground lease is situated in along a hillcrest consisting of grasslands
with some scattered oak and other broad-leafs, small conifer stands, and snags/burned trees as a result of the
Camp Fire. The west slope of the site generally consists of oaks, shrubs, and grasses with some small conifer
stands with higher densities of trees on eastern slopes of the site. There is a roughly 8-foot weather station
within a fence-encircled area adjacent to the proposed lease area access by a high-clearance 4-wheel-drive
road that runs southwesterly from State Route 70 to the site.
Federal-listed Threatened, Endangered, or Candidate species reported to be in the general area of the site
include:
California red-legged frog Rana draytonii Threatened
southern mountain yellow-legged frog Rana muscosa Endangered
California black rail Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus Threatened
vernal pool tadpole shrimp Lepidurus packardi Threatened
vernal pool fairy shrimp Branchinecta lynchi Threatened
steelhead-Central Valley Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus Threatened
chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Threatened
gray wolf Canis lupus Endangered
Butte County meadowfoam Limnanthes floccosa ssp. californica Endangered
There were no vascular plant species or flora noted in and around the proposed ground lease, access road,
and proposed utility routes identified as special status species. No evidence of burrows related to special
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status species was observed. There is no standing water, freshwater wetlands, vernal pools, riparian habitat,
or other areas where fresh water would be anticipated to collect and give rise to possible habitation by
special status species.
The proposed action would involve construction equipment for excavating footings and trenching to emplace
utilities and some minor impacts to non-native and some native vegetation are anticipated. However, with a
general lack of evidence of occupation by special status species noted within the areas of direct impact by the
proposed action, and no impact to special status species is anticipated.
Further the site inspection and photographs were reviewed by a staff biologist who determined that given the
present conditions of the ground lease and adjoining areas; there was very low habitat potential for Federal-
listed Threatened, Endangered, or Candidate species. Therefore, the proposed action is not anticipated to
result in adverse impacts to Federal-listed Threatened, Endangered, or Candidate species or indirect impacts
such as sediment deposition into storm drains or surface waters. As such, the proposed action is expected to
have ‘no effect’ upon Federal-listed Threatened, Endangered, or Candidate species.
However, with the hillcrest location, the proposed 180-foot steel-lattice tower and snags/burned trees may
provide suitable nesting for the delisted bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), American peregrine falcon
(Falco peregrinus anatum), and/or golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos).
Critical Habitat
Section 3 of the ESA defines critical habitat as specific areas within the geographic area occupied by a
species, at the time of its listing, which have the physical and biological features that are essential to the
conservation of a listed species, and that may require special management considerations or protection.
Critical habitat may include areas not currently occupied by the species but would be needed for its recovery.
Federal agencies are required to consult with the USFWS if their proposed actions would adversely modify
designated critical habitat.
Based on a review of the critical habitat maps for the area of the subject property obtained from the USFWS,
there is no critical habitat at or near the subject property (Figure 7). The North Fork of Feather River is
roughly 0.75 miles to the east of the subject property this surface water body provides suitable habitat for
chinook salmon and Central Valley steelhead and areas along this surface water body may provide for some
special status plant species known from the general area. But the proposed action is not anticipated to impact
areas along the North Fork of the Feather River.
Bird Strikes
The USFWS “Guidance on the Sighting, Construction, Operation, and Decommissioning of
Communications Towers” recommends collocation of facilities when possible and the construction of towers
that are less than 200 feet in height and absent of guy wires and lighting in order to minimize the opportunity
for bird strikes.
The proposed wireless facility would include a roughly 180-foot self-supporting steel-lattice tower along a
hillcrest with 40- to 100-foot snags/burned tree within an area or higher hillcrests and mountains crossed by
nearby high-voltage electrical transmission lines with support towers of similar height. In general, the
proposed wireless facility is would be developed in a manner generally consistent with the recommended
guidelines of the USFWS and located within similar-type structures in order to minimize the potential impact
to migrating birds due to bird strike.
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Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Under the provisions of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MTBA) (16 U.S.C., §703, Supp. I, 1989), it is
unlawful to “pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture, or kill, possess, offer for sale, sell, offer
to barter, barter, offer to purchase, purchase, deliver for shipment, ship, export, import, cause to be shipped,
exported, or imported, deliver for transportation, transport or cause to be transported, carry or cause to be
carried, or receive for shipment, transportation, carriage, or export, any migratory bird, any part, nest, or eggs
of any such bird, or any product, whether or not manufactured, which consists, or is composed in whole or
part, of any such bird or any part, nest, or egg thereof.”
During the site inspection, no burrows were noted within the proposed ground lease or adjoining areas.
There are no trees or large shrubs that could potentially create habitat for nesting birds within close
proximity of the proposed wireless facility. Based on the lack of vegetation the proposed action would not
result in “take” of nesting migratory birds, and/or their active nests, eggs and/or chicks, which are protected
under the MBTA.
47 CFR 1.1307 (a)(4)
Would the proposed wireless communications facility affect sites,
districts, buildings, structures, or objects significant in American
history, architecture, engineering, archaeology, and/or cultural
resources that are listed or eligible for listing in the National
Register of Historic Places?
No Effect Categorical Exclusion Potentially Adverse Affect
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) requires Federal agencies to evaluate
the effects of proposed undertakings on historical, archaeological, and cultural resources. Guidelines for
implementing the Section 106 process are promulgated by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
(ACHP) in “Protection of Historic Properties” (36 CFR Part 800), which mandate Federal agency compliance
with other laws related to historic preservation including the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act
(AHPA), Executive Order 11593, and NEPA. Other agency-specific rules also require consideration of a
proposed project’s impact on historic properties and cultural resources. Historic properties is a term of
defined statutory meaning defined by the FCC to include “…any historic or prehistoric site, building,
structure, or object included in, or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).”
An initial step in the process outlined in 36 CFR Part 800 is delineating an area of potential effect (APE),
which is defined as the geographic area within which a proposed action facility may have an effect on historic
properties (if present). The FCC has defined the APE for wireless facilities to include the areas affected by
project construction and staging activities as well as visual impacts, which vary depending upon the proposed
height of the structure.
A record search for cultural resources within an approximate ½-mile of the proposed wireless facility and
comprising the visual area of potential effect (APE) identified three (3) cultural resource studies within the
general area of the subject property; none of which encompassed the proposed wireless facility location.
There were no prehistoric archaeological or historical archaeological resources identified within the APE for
direct effects of visual effect. There were three (3) historic resources identified within the within the APE for
visual effects, including; the Jarbo Gap Fire Station, PL-09, and PLI-Camp-04. However, none of these
historical properties were determined to be a significant resource or eligible for listing or potentially eligible
for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
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Zoning drawings show that the proposed wireless facility would include vertical improvements within a
roughly 10,000-square-foot lease area along with surface and subsurface impacts to improve the existing
roughly 0.5-mile-long high-clearance 4-wheel drive access road and provide for utility connections that would
traverse overhead roughly 1,200 feet from an existing utility pole about 200 feet to the east of State Route 70
that would involve installing 4 or 5 utility poles, and then traverse a distance of roughly 830 feet up to the
hillside within a 1.5-foot wide by 2.5-foot deep trench with ground vaults installed about every 300 feet.
Since the proposed action would involve disturbance of undeveloped areas within a proposed lease area,
improvements along an existing dirt road, and along utility connection points; consultation with the California
Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) was initiated in conformance with FCC rules and the requirements of
the California OHP as required by the NHPA.
Initially, within the APE for direct effects, 1-meter transect surveys were conducted. No cultural materials,
topographic anomalies, or other features suggested historic or pre-contact subsurface archaeological deposits
were identified. Based on the lack of prehistoric or historic archaeological resources identified within the
APE for direct effects or APE for visual effects, and the location of the proposed wireless facility, access
road, and utility route along and exposed ridge with shallow soils and surface water resources more than a
mile distant; the probability of encountering significant historical or pre-contact subsurface archaeological
deposits within the APE for direct effects or APE for visual effects is considered to be low.
Given the lack of prehistoric or historic resources within the APE for direct effects or APE for visual effects,
the cultural resources study of the proposed wireless facility recommended a finding of no effect and
suggested that no additional cultural resources study was necessary for the construction and operation of the
proposed wireless facility.
In accordance with FCC rules, a Form 620 New Tower (“NT”) Submission Packet was prepared and
submitted to the California OHP on 13-Nov-2020 (Appendix D), with receipt by California OHP confirmed
on 17-Nov-2020. The Form 620 NT Submission Packet included a determination of ‘no effect’ to ‘historic
properties’ associated with constructing and operating the proposed wireless facility. Subsequently, a
response from the California OHP was not received within 30 days. Pursuant to the rules outlined in the
Nationwide Programmatic Agreement (NPA) of 2004, Appendix B § B. 2.; the California OHP is presumed to
concur with the determination and the Section 106 review process is deemed complete if a written notice of
disagreement with a determination of ‘no effect’ to ‘historic properties’ is not provided within 30 days of
receipt of the Form 620 NT Submission Packet.
Discovery
There is always the possibility of encountering previously unidentified cultural resources during any ground
disturbing activities. In order to protect any unrecorded cultural/archaeological properties that may exist, the
following restrictions should apply during development of the project:
Personnel and equipment associated with the project should be restricted to the developed areas of the site
that have been previous disturbed by previous development.
Personnel associated with the project should refrain from collecting or otherwise disturbing cultural
materials that may be encountered during development.
If unrecorded archaeological materials, such as stone, ceramic, or bone artifacts, are encountered during
the project, activities in the affected area(s) should cease, and a qualified archaeologist should be notified
to determine significance of the Discovery.
Human skeletal remains or burials encountered during the project require immediate cessation of
construction activity in the affected area, as well as immediate notification of proper authorities. The
human remains must be reported to SHPO, local Native American tribe, qualified Archaeologist and/or
ComSites West
NEPA Checklist Evaluation 7
Heffernan Hill (CA-016) – Jarbo Gap, Caifornia
the County Coroner, in accordance with Section IX of the Programmatic Agreement. Consultation with
the appropriate parties and recovery will be completed before any construction activities can be resumed.
Prior to any further activity contact archaeologists at EarthTouch, Inc. for direction on how to proceed.
47 CFR 1.1307 (a)(5) Would the proposed wireless communications facility affect Native
American religious sites?
No Effect Categorical Exclusion Potentially Adverse Affect
Numerous federal statues, laws, and implementing regulations require consultation with Native American
tribes, including; the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Archaeological Resources Protection Act,
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act.
Implementing regulations found in 36 CFR Part 800 require agencies of the federal government determine if
their actions would have an effect on archaeological sites or properties of historic or cultural significance to
Native American communities or other ethnic groups.
California has more than 100 federally recognized Native American tribes. Within California, the Native
American Heritage Commission (NAHC) was established in 1976 and is the primary agency with regard to
identifying and cataloging places of special religious, historical, social, or cultural significance to Native
Americans, and known graves and cemeteries of Native Americans on public and private land.
In 2008, the FCC created the Tower Consultation Notification System (TCNS), which provides a mechanism
for entities to voluntary submit the details of proposed tower construction activities to the FCC and through
the TCNS to Federally recognized Native American Tribes, Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs), and
State Historical Preservation Officers (SHPOs). The TCNS also provides a means for direct response from
the Native American Tribes, NHOs, and SHPOs, to the proposed tower construction if there are concerns
about the propose action.
Due to disturbance of undeveloped land associated with the proposed wireless facility, consultation with the
California NAHC was initiated. On 10-Jul-2020, EarthTouch, Inc. requested that the California NAHC
search the Sacred Lands File to identify religious or sacred sites or sites with cultural significance. A
response from the California NAHC was provided on 14-Jul-2020, indicating negative results, but identified
five (5) Native American Tribes or Rancherias a geographical interest in the general area of the proposed
wireless facility.
Subsequently, on 21-Jul-2020, EarthTouch, Inc. provided the identified Native American Tribes or
Rancherias with a copy of Zoning Drawings, Cultural Resources Study, and letter with additional descriptions
of the proposed wireless facility with a request for review and comment regarding whether the proposed
wireless facility would/would not pose a significant concern to sites/areas considered to be of religious,
sacred, or cultural significance. As of the date of this NEPA Checklist Evaluation report, there have been no
responses from the Native American Tribes & Rancherias notified expressing concerns about the
development of the proposed wireless facility.
EarthTouch Inc. filed a notification of the proposed wireless facility with the TCNS on 26-Aug-2020. A
‘notice of organizations that were sent proposed tower information’ (email No: 218207) was issued by the
FCC on 4-Sep-2020) included Tribal Nations with expressed a geographic interest in the area of the proposed
wireless facility, which were notified through about the proposed wireless facility via the TCNS. In addition,
follow-up correspondence or supplemental information was submitted to some Tribal Nations via email,
webpage, or other method(s) considered acceptable to each Tribal Nation, which included detailed drawings
ComSites West
NEPA Checklist Evaluation 8
Heffernan Hill (CA-016) – Jarbo Gap, Caifornia
of the proposed wireless facility, maps, and the results of an evaluation of architectural, archaeological,
cultural, and/or historical properties at the subject property and within 0.5-mile of the site, along with a
description of commercial improvements to the site and elements of the proposed wireless facility. Follow-up
emails and notifications regarding the proposed wireless facility were forwarded to the Tribal Nations by the
FCC as requested. Based on referral to the FCC, consultation with Tribal Nations was considered closed as of
4-Nov-2020 (Native American Consultation information included in Appendix D).
Discovery
There is always the possibility of encountering previously unidentified cultural resources during any ground
disturbing activities. In order to protect any unrecorded cultural/archaeological properties that may exist, the
following restrictions should apply during development of the project:
Personnel and equipment associated with construction activities should be restricted to the developed
areas of the site previously impacted by construction and landscaping activities.
Personnel associated with the project should refrain from collecting or otherwise disturbing cultural
materials that may be encountered during development.
If unrecorded archaeological materials, such as stone, ceramic, or bone artifacts, are encountered during
the project, activities in the affected area(s) should cease, and a qualified archaeologist should be notified
to determine significance of the Discovery.
Human skeletal remains or burials encountered during the project require immediate cessation of
construction activity in the affected area, as well as immediate notification of proper authorities. The
human remains must be reported to SHPO, local Native American tribe, qualified Archaeologist and/or
the County Coroner, in accordance with Section IX of the Programmatic Agreement. Consultation with
the appropriate parties and recovery will be completed before any construction activities can be resumed.
47 CFR 1.1307 (a)(6) Would the proposed wireless communications facility be located in
a floodplain?
No Effect Potentially Adverse Affect Mitigated Affect
Executive Order 11988 defines a floodplain as the lowland and relatively flat area adjoining inland coastal
waters, ...including at a minimum, that area subject to a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any
given year, which is commonly referred to as the 100-year floodplain. The Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) acts as the lead agency for flood hazard assessment and mitigation nationwide. FEMA has
adopted the 100-year floodplain as the standard for administration of the National Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP) and the imposition of regulations managing proposed development within the 100-year floodplain.
Flood status information is documented in Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), which identify 100-year
floodplain boundaries and floodplain “zone” designations.
Review of a FIRM prepared by FEMA with coverage of the subject property depicted the site as being located
within a “Zone X.” FEMA defines the Zone X as areas of minimal flood potential outside the 500-year
floodplain. A portion of the relevant FIRM for the site is included as Figure 8.
Community Panel No.: 06007C 0600E Map Revised: 6-Jan-2011
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Heffernan Hill (CA-016) – Jarbo Gap, Caifornia
47 CFR 1.1307 (a)(7)
Would construction of the proposed wireless communications
facility result in a significant change to surface features (e.g.,
wetland fill, deforestation, or water diversion)?
No Effect Potentially Adverse Affect Mitigated Affect
Executive Order 11990 requires federal agencies to avoid, to the extent possible, the adverse impacts
associated with the destruction or loss of wetlands, if a practicable alternative exists. Wetlands are defined
in the Clean Water Act as those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a
frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence
of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps,
marshes, bogs, and similar areas. Wetlands include marshes, swamps, bogs, wet meadows, prairie potholes,
vernal pools, playa lakes, and some other bottomland areas. Wetlands typically consist of topographic
depressions in the landscape characterized by the presence of a prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation adapted
to grow in anaerobic or reducing (hydric) soil conditions that are permanently or periodically inundated or
saturated.
Jurisdictional waters of the US, including wetlands, are protected under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
(CWA), which regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material to the waters of the US. Section 404(b)(1)
guidelines and states, no discharge of fill material is permitted if a practicable alternative exists that would
have a less adverse impact on the aquatic ecosystem, so long as the alternative does not have another
significant adverse consequence. NEPA compliance requires Federal agencies to consider direct and indirect
impacts of a proposed action to wetlands and waters of the US.
The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maintained by the USFWS provides geospatially referenced
information on the status, extent, characteristics, and functions of wetland, riparian, and deepwater habitats.
Review of NWI data for the Berry Creek (California) 7.5-minute Quadrangle Maps indicated that there are no
areas of jurisdictional wetlands or waters of the US on the subject property. There are some ephemeral
drainages within the general area of the site. As such, a Storm Water Pollution Prevention (SWPPP) should
be prepared and implemented during construction to minimize down-slope migration of sediments and spoils.
Additionally, best management practices should be carried out during construction activities to prevent
surface migration of disturbed soils and excavated spoils due to the proposed lease area and adjacent areas
being previously impacted by fire, which disturbed the vegetation and root systems that provide for the
stability of soil in burn areas. An applicable portion of a NWI map with coverage of the site and site vicinity
is shown in Figure 9.
Inspection of the subject property and proposed ground lease failed to identified evidence of wetlands, such as
standing water and wetland vegetation. Review of soil survey data associated with the subject property did
not identify ‘hydric soil’ conditions at, or adjacent to the proposed ground lease and utility connection route.
Additionally, the proposed lease area and utility route are void of heritage or landmark trees, including;
native oak. However, any trenching would be more than two times the distance from the tree canopy of any
native oak (if present). Therefore, the proposed wireless facility would have no effect on heritage or
landmark trees.
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Heffernan Hill (CA-016) – Jarbo Gap, Caifornia
47 CFR 1.1307 (a)(8)
Would towers and/or supporting structures associated with the
proposed wireless communications facility be equipped with high-
intensity white light and be located in a residential neighborhood?
No Effect Potentially Adverse Affect
Section 77 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) require Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) review
of any proposed action that extends 200 feet of more above ground level (agl), intrudes into one of the
imaginary boundaries/surfaces established around the runways of all airports available for public use, or is
located within an instrument approach area of a civil airport. In addition, a complex series of imaginary
surfaces are defined for each military and civil airport. In general, these surfaces extend outward 25,000 feet
from military airport facilities; 20,000 feet from runways at major airports; 10,000 feet from a runway at a
general aviation facility; and 5,000 feet from a heliport. Objects extending above the height of these surfaces
are considered to be an obstruction and a hazard to aviation safety. In these situations, FCC rules
implementing NEPA provide for the licensee to carry out an aeronautical study in accordance with 14 CFR
Part 77 and notify the FAA by completing a Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration Form (FAA Form
7460-1). If the FAA determines that a tower presents a hazard to air navigation, then obstruction marking
and/or lighting is required. Where the FAA requires the use of high-intensity white lights to illuminate a
wireless communications antenna support tower that is also located within a residential neighborhood
(pursuant to local zoning ordinance), the FCC rules require the licensee/tower builder prepare an
Environmental Assessment.
Zoning drawings depict the proposed wireless facility to involve establishing a roughly 10,000-square-foot
ground lease within which a 180-foot-tall self-supporting steel-lattice tower would be erected. Review of
zoning drawings, 7.5-minute Quadrangle maps, and information readily available from the FAA; the
following was established:
The proposed wireless facility (tower structure) does not extend over 200 feet agl in vertical height;
The proposed wireless facility (tower structure) is not located in a residential zone;
The proposed wireless facility (tower structure) is not located within;
- 25,000 feet (4.7 linear miles) of a runway for an active military airport;
- 20,000 feet (3.8 linear miles) of a runway for a major airport;
- 10,000 feet (1.9 linear miles) of a runway for a municipal airport;
- 5,000 feet (0.9 linear miles) of a heliport;
The proposed wireless facility (tower structure) does not to intrude into an ‘imaginary surface’
established around airports or heliports that area available for public use or does not reside within an
instrument approach area of a civil airport.
Geographic, elevation, and proposed pole height information pertaining to the proposed antenna deployment
on a 180-foot self-supporting steel-lattice tower was input into the Landing Facility Slope Calculation
program (TOWAIR Determination) maintenance by the FCC, which indicated the proposed wireless facility
meets the ‘pass slope’ criteria. Therefore, there does not appear to be a need to initiate an FAA Aeronautical
Study or prepare or submit a Form 7460-1 to the Western-Pacific Region of the FAA and there would not be a
requirement for the use of high-intensity white-light for aviation safety.
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NEPA Checklist Evaluation 11
Heffernan Hill (CA-016) – Jarbo Gap, Caifornia
47 CFR 1.1307 (b)
Would operation of or signal transmission from the proposed
wireless communications facility cause human exposure to levels of
radio frequency radiation in excess or threshold limits?
No Effect Potentially Adverse Affect
The FCC guidelines for human exposure to radio frequency (RF) radiation electromagnetic fields are derived
from recommendations by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) and the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). These standards provide for safe levels of RF
exposure for the general public and workers based upon thresholds for known adverse health affects and
incorporate appropriate margins of safety. Transmitting RF facilities, such as radio, television, cellular, PCS,
wireless, and paging facilities, are required to undergo routine evaluation for RF compliance as a part of
application, construction, or modification of a facility or as a part of license renewal. Technical guidelines for
RF exposure evaluation are outlined in the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) Technical
Bulletin No. 65.
For cellular, PCS, and specialized mobile radio service, the total operating power of all channels means the
sum of ERP and EIRP of all collocated simultaneously operating transmitters owned and operated by a single
licensee. According to manufacturer specifications, the maximum power rating for – transmitting – panel
antennas that will be used by the licensee is below the mandatory effective radiating power (ERP). The actual
operating power of the transmitters depends upon system losses within the operating system. However, the
transmitters tend to operate at a power that is less than the maximum rating.
Additional evaluation of the potential radiofrequency radiation (Rf) exposure associated with a wireless
facility, pursuant to FCC rules [47 CFR 1.1307], is required when the total operating power of non-building
mounted antennas, owned and operated by a single licensee, is: (a) greater than 2,000 watts ERP and (b) the
lowest part of an associated antenna is less than 10 meters (approx 32.8 feet) above ground level (agl).
The antenna arrays associated with the proposed wireless facility antennas would be mounted on a 180-foot
self-supporting steel-lattice tower with radiated centers at 80 feet or more agl with the lowest part of any
antenna well above 32.8 feet agl. As such, a more detailed evaluation regarding the Rf characteristics of the
proposed wireless facility would not be necessary to comply with the FCC rules.
Also, during site development the placement of both ‘Information and Warning’ signs would be posted in
areas accessible to the general public or occupational access.
3.0 CONCLUSION
This NEPA Checklist evaluation has revealed that the construction and operation of a proposed wireless
facility at the subject property should have no significant effect on the quality of the human environment.
Additional Comments
The following comments are provided for clarification:
Construction
The proposed action is located in an area reportedly impacted by fire in 2018, which resulted in the loss of
vegetation and a general encroachment of opportunistic weeds. As such, best management practices should
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NEPA Checklist Evaluation 12
Heffernan Hill (CA-016) – Jarbo Gap, Caifornia
be exercised during construction due to the loss vegetation and associated root systems that aid in slope
stability and soil retention. Also, steps should be taken to reduce to the extent practicable, any spread of
opportunistic weeds during construction activities.
4.0 TECHNICAL STAFF
The following EarthTouch, Inc. personnel were involved in this NEPA Checklist Evaluation.
Brett E. Cox
Senior Scientist
NEPA Checklist Evaluation
FIGURE 1
SITE LOCATION
FIGURE 1
Heffernan Hill (CA-016)
Site Location
(approx.) 11951 State Route 70
Jarbo Gap, California 95965
Figure: 1
Append: NEPA Checklist Evaluation
Project: CA-016-COMW / ComSites West - Heffernan Hill
Analyst: Brett Cox
Source: Bing Maps
Jarbo Gap, (Butte County), California
3135 North Fairfield Road
EarthTouch, Inc.
Layton, Utah 84041
NORTH
SITE
FIGURE 2
TOPOGRAPHIC MAP
Topographic MapFIGURE 2Heffernan Hill (CA-016)(approx.) 11951 State Route 70Jarbo Gap, California 95965Project: CA-016-COMW / ComSites West - Heffernan HillSource: US Geological SurveyBerry Creek (California) 7.5-minute Quadrangle MapAnalyst: Brett CoxFigure: 2Append: NEPA Checklist EvaluationSITESITENORTHroad accessutility accesslease areaEarthTouch, Inc.3135 North Fairfield RoadLayton, Utah 84041SITE
FIGURE 3
TAX ASSESSOR MAP
FIGURE 3Heffernan Hill (CA-016)Tax Assessor Map(approx.) 11951 State Route 70Jarbo Gap, California 95965Source: Butte County AssessorOroville, CaliforniaFigure: 3Append: NEPA Checklist EvaluationProject: CA-016-COMW / ComSites West - Heffernan HillAnalyst: Brett CoxSITEEarthTouch, Inc.3135 North Fairfield RoadLayton, Utah 84041SITENORTH
FIGURE 4
SITE SKETCH
Heffernan Hill (CA-016)FIGURE 4Site & Proposed Action(approx.) 11951 State Route 70Jarbo Gap, California 95965Figure: 4Append: NEPA Checklist EvaluationSource: ComSites WestSacramento, CaliforniaProject: CA-016-COMW / ComSites West - Heffernan HillAnalyst: Brett CoxEarthTouch, Inc.Layton, Utah 840413135 North Fairfield RoadSITENORTHSITE
FIGURE 5
WILDERNESS AREA MAP
Wilderness Areas(approx.) 11951 State Route 70FIGURE 5Heffernan Hill (CA-016)Jarbo Gap, California 95965Analyst: Brett CoxProject: CA-016-COMW / ComSites West - Heffernan HillFigure: 5Append: NEPA Checklist EvaluationSource: National Wilderness Preservation SystemWilderness Areas of the United StatesEarthTouch, Inc.Layton, Utah 840413135 North Fairfield RoadSITENORTHSITE
FIGURE 6
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE MAP
Heffernan Hill (CA-016)(approx.) 11951 State Route 70Jarbo Gap, California 95965FIGURE 6Wildlife RefugesFigure: 6Append: NEPA Checklist EvaluationAnalyst: Brett CoxSource: National Wildlife Refuge SystemRefuges & Ecological Areas of the United StatesProject: CA-016-COMW / ComSites West - Heffernan HillEarthTouch, Inc.3135 North Fairfield RoadLayton, Utah 84041SITENORTHSITE
FIGURE 7
CRITICAL HABITAT MAP
SITEFIGURE 7Jarbo Gap, California 95965Critical HabitatHeffernan Hill (CA-016)(approx.) 11951 State Route 70Project: CA-016-COMW / ComSites West - Heffernan HillAnalyst: Brett CoxFigure: 7Append: NEPA Checklist EvaluationSource: US Fish & Wildlife ServiceCritical Habitat Mapper3135 North Fairfield RoadLayton, Utah 84041EarthTouch, Inc.SITENORTHSITE
FIGURE 8
FLOODPLAIN MAP
FIGURE 8Floodplain Status Map(approx.) 11951 State Route 70Jarbo Gap, California 95965Heffernan Hill (CA-016)Flood Map Service CenterProject: CA-016-COMW / ComSites West - Heffernan HillSource: Federal Emergency Management AgencyFigure: 8Append: NEPA Checklist EvaluationAnalyst: Brett CoxSITE3135 North Fairfield RoadLayton, Utah 84041EarthTouch, Inc.NORTHSITE
FIGURE 9
NATIONAL WETLANDS INVENTORY MAP
Jarbo Gap, California 95965Wetlands & Waters of the USHeffernan Hill (CA-016)(approx.) 11951 State Route 70FIGURE 9Figure: 9Append: NEPA Checklist EvaluationProject: CA-016-COMW / ComSites West - Heffernan HillAnalyst: Brett CoxSource: US Fish & Wildlife ServiceNational Wetlands InventoryEarthTouch, Inc.Layton, Utah 840413135 North Fairfield RoadSITENORTHSITE
APPENDIX A
ZONING DRAWINGS
1520 River Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95815
Ph 916-567-9630
www.MSTArchitects.com
1520 River Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95815
Ph 916-567-9630
www.MSTArchitects.com
S 23 S 24
APN 058-200-028
1520 River Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95815
Ph 916-567-9630
www.MSTArchitects.com
1520 River Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95815
Ph 916-567-9630
www.MSTArchitects.com
1520 River Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95815
Ph 916-567-9630
www.MSTArchitects.com
APPENDIX B
SITE PHOTOGRAPH(S)
ComSites West 40-acre Property
Proposed Wireless Facility (approx.) 11951 State Route 70
Heffernan Hill / CA-016 (Jarbo Gap), Butte County, California 95965
Photograph 1
Description: Proposed lease area and steel-
lattice tower location
View: South-southeast
Photograph 2
Description: Proposed lease area and steel-
lattice tower location
View: Southeast
Photograph 3
Description: Existing access road near
proposed lease area
View: North-northeast
ComSites West 40-acre Property
Proposed Wireless Facility (approx.) 11951 State Route 70
Heffernan Hill / CA-016 (Jarbo Gap), Butte County, California 95965
Photograph 4
Description: Existing access road near
proposed lease area
View: South-southwest
Photograph 5
Description: Existing access road
View: South-southwest
Photograph 6
Description: Existing access road adjacent to
State Route 70
View: Southeast
APPENDIX C
THREATENED, ENDANGERED, AND CANDIDATE SPECIES LIST
Threatened, Endangered, and Rare Species identified within proximity of the subject property Element_Type Scientific Name Common Name Federal_ Status State_ Status Taxonomic Sort 1 Animals - Amphibians Rana boylii foothill yellow-legged frog None Endangered Animals - Amphibians - Ranidae - Rana boylii 2 Animals - Amphibians Rana draytonii California red-legged frog Threatened None Animals - Amphibians - Ranidae - Rana draytonii 3 Animals - Amphibians Rana muscosa southern mountain yellow-legged frog Endangered Endangered Animals - Amphibians - Ranidae - Rana muscosa 4 Animals - Birds Aquila chrysaetos golden eagle None None Animals - Birds - Accipitridae - Aquila chrysaetos 5 Animals - Birds Haliaeetus leucocephalus bald eagle Delisted Endangered Animals - Birds - Accipitridae - Haliaeetus leucocephalus 6 Animals - Birds Pandion haliaetus osprey None None Animals - Birds - Pandionidae - Pandion haliaetus 7 Animals - Birds Strix occidentalis occidentalis California Spotted Owl None None Animals - Birds - Strigidae - Strix occidentalis occidentalis 8 Animals - Mammals Antrozous pallidus pallid bat None None Animals - Mammals - Vespertilionidae - Antrozous pallidus 9 Animals - Mammals Myotis thysanodes fringed myotis None None Animals - Mammals - Vespertilionidae - Myotis thysanodes 10 Animals - Reptiles Emys marmorata western pond turtle None None Animals - Reptiles - Emydidae - Emys marmorata 11 Plants - Vascular Sagittaria sanfordii Sanford's arrowhead None None Plants - Vascular - Alismataceae - Sagittaria sanfordii 12 Plants - Vascular Allium jepsonii Jepson's onion None None Plants - Vascular - Alliaceae - Allium jepsonii 13 Plants - Vascular Allium sanbornii var. sanbornii Sanborn's onion None None Plants - Vascular - Alliaceae - Allium sanbornii var. sanbornii 14 Plants - Vascular Perideridia bacigalupii Bacigalupi's yampah None None Plants - Vascular - Apiaceae - Perideridia bacigalupii 15 Plants - Vascular Calycadenia oppositifolia Butte County calycadenia None None Plants - Vascular - Asteraceae - Calycadenia oppositifolia 16 Plants - Vascular Packera eurycephala var. lewisrosei Lewis Rose's ragwort None None Plants - Vascular - Asteraceae - Packera eurycephala var. lewisrosei 17 Plants - Vascular Cardamine pachystigma var. dissectifolia dissected-leaved toothwort None None Plants - Vascular - Brassicaceae - Cardamine pachystigma var. dissectifolia 18 Plants - Vascular Streptanthus longisiliquus long-fruit jewelflower None None Plants - Vascular - Brassicaceae - Streptanthus longisiliquus 19 Plants - Vascular Stellaria obtusa obtuse starwort None None Plants - Vascular - Caryophyllaceae - Stellaria obtusa 20 Plants - Vascular Bulbostylis capillaris thread-leaved beakseed None None Plants - Vascular - Cyperaceae - Bulbostylis capillaris 21 Plants - Vascular Arctostaphylos mewukka ssp. truei True's manzanita None None Plants - Vascular - Ericaceae - Arctostaphylos mewukka ssp. truei 22 Plants - Vascular Fritillaria eastwoodiae Butte County fritillary None None Plants - Vascular - Liliaceae - Fritillaria eastwoodiae 23 Plants - Vascular Lilium humboldtii ssp. humboldtii Humboldt lily None None Plants - Vascular - Liliaceae - Lilium humboldtii ssp. humboldtii 24 Plants - Vascular Sidalcea gigantea giant checkerbloom None None Plants - Vascular - Malvaceae - Sidalcea gigantea 25 Plants - Vascular Claytonia parviflora ssp. grandiflora streambank spring beauty None None Plants - Vascular - Montiaceae - Claytonia parviflora ssp. grandiflora 26 Plants - Vascular Clarkia gracilis ssp. albicaulis white-stemmed clarkia None None Plants - Vascular - Onagraceae - Clarkia gracilis ssp. albicaulis 27 Plants - Vascular Clarkia mildrediae ssp. lutescens golden-anthered clarkia None None Plants - Vascular - Onagraceae - Clarkia mildrediae ssp. lutescens 28 Plants - Vascular Clarkia mildrediae ssp. mildrediae Mildred's clarkia None None Plants - Vascular - Onagraceae - Clarkia mildrediae ssp. mildrediae 29 Plants - Vascular Clarkia mosquinii Mosquin's clarkia None None Plants - Vascular - Onagraceae - Clarkia mosquinii 30 Plants - Vascular Cypripedium californicum California lady's-slipper None None Plants - Vascular - Orchidaceae - Cypripedium californicum 31 Plants - Vascular Cypripedium fasciculatum clustered lady's-slipper None None Plants - Vascular - Orchidaceae - Cypripedium fasciculatum 32 Plants - Vascular Erythranthe filicifolia fern-leaved monkeyflower None None Plants - Vascular - Phrymaceae - Erythranthe filicifolia 33 Plants - Vascular Erythranthe glaucescens shield-bracted monkeyflower None None Plants - Vascular - Phrymaceae - Erythranthe glaucescens 34 Plants - Vascular Erythranthe inconspicua small-flowered monkeyflower None None Plants - Vascular - Phrymaceae - Erythranthe inconspicua 35 Plants - Vascular Agrostis hendersonii Henderson's bent grass None None Plants - Vascular - Poaceae - Agrostis hendersonii 36 Plants - Vascular Poa sierrae Sierra blue grass None None Plants - Vascular - Poaceae - Poa sierrae 37 Plants - Vascular Eriogonum umbellatum var. ahartii Ahart's buckwheat None None Plants - Vascular - Polygonaceae - Eriogonum umbellatum var. ahartii 38 Plants - Vascular Brodiaea sierrae Sierra foothills brodiaea None None Plants - Vascular - Themidaceae - Brodiaea sierrae 39 Plants - Vascular Viola tomentosa felt-leaved violet None None Plants - Vascular - Violaceae - Viola tomentosa
APPENDIX D
FORM 620 NEW TOWER (“NT”) SUBMISSION PACKET