STATE OF CALIFORNIA, PETE WILSON, Governor

PUBLIC UTILITES COMMISSION

505 VAN NESS AVENUE

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102-3298

March 17, 1998

Dean Shauers, Project Manager

Pacific Pipeline System, Inc.

12201 E. Arapahoe Road, C10

Englewood, CO 80112

RE: Variance Request #53 - Relocation of the project pipeline from station numbers 1112+29 to 1116+03 (a distance of 374 feet) to provide a stable location for the Lebec Road bore(Segment 1).

Dear Mr. Shauers:

We have reviewed the above-referenced variance request and approve your request, based on the following factor:

• The originally proposed Lebec Road bore location is on a steeper sloping section of the road shoulder and would not provide a stable location for the boring operation.

• Two 50 foot by 50 foot temporary work areas are proposed on either side of Lebec Road at station number 1116+03 to accomplish the roadway bore. These revised boring sites are 374 feet south of the original bore location, resulting in the realignment of the pipeline on the west side of Lebec Road, instead of the east side, between station numbers 1116+03 to 1112+29. At station 1112+29, the pipeline would rejoin its original alignment. Construction practices for the 374 foot section would remain unchanged from those originally proposed for the area (bore of Lebec Road and trench construction along roadway shoulder).

• The proposed route was examined by a PPSI biologist (J. Duncan) on February 20, 1998. The eastern bore pit location consists of a weedy area graded within the past two years. Starthistle and nonnative grasses predominate. No sign of wildlife was noted during the survey of the eastern bore pit location and no suitable habitat was observed. The western bore pit and the proposed right-of-way alignment on the western side of Lebec Road are included within a large area of burned vegetation. The burn happened in the summer of 1997 and weedy species are returning to the area. The original vegetation was primarily shrubs and rabbit brush. With no current ground cover, there is limited habitat for wildlife species and none were encountered during the survey. There is little potential for any threatened or endangered species at either bore pit site or the proposed right-of-way alignment on the western side of Lebec Road.

• Previous literature reviews of both the approved route and proposed realignment has provided no information on any known cultural resource sites, including sites of historic value. The proposed route was examined by a PPSI archaeologist (M. Carlton) on February 20, 1998 at which time no indication of cultural remains were encountered. Considering the location of the bore pits and realignment area along the roadway shoulder, it is unlikely that any intact cultural resources would be present.

• Rerouting the pipeline from the eastern to the western side of Lebec Road should cause no additional impact; lane closures and detours would be required regardless.

• No increased impacts would result from the proposed realignment for the following issue areas: air quality, environmental contamination, hydrology, socioeconomics, geotechnical, public utilities, system safety, traffic/transportation, visual resources, or minority-low income.

• The following measures shall be implemented:

- All applicable mitigation measures for the project shall be implemented at the subject location.

- A Native American monitor shall be present during construction. If any signs of cultural resources are identified, work shall cease immediately, and the site shall be evaluated using the procedures in the Cultural Resources Management Plan.

- The Interstate 5 drainage system on the east side of Lebec Road shall be protected by installing temporary fencing to identify prohibition areas and installing and maintaining erosion control measures. Siting of fencing and erosion control measure shall be approved by the CPUC Environmental Monitor prior to the use of the site for boring operations.

- Temporary fencing and signage shall be installed to protect the utility tower on the west side of Lebec Road.

- Fencing on the west side of Lebec Road shall be repaired (if cut or damaged) to existing condition.

- All curbs along Lebec Road that are damaged shall be repaired in accordance with County of Kern requirements.

- Private property shall be revegetated in accordance with the Erosion Control, Revegetation, and Landscaping Plan.

- Implementation of this variance in accordance with the provisions noted above shall be verified on a random basis by a CPUC/ANF Environmental Monitor.

Sincerely,

Andrew Barnsdale

Project Manager

cc: R. Borden, ANF

H. Rastegar, Aspen

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