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Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website for the environmental review of the proposed TDS Telecom (TDS) Winterhaven Last Mile Underserved Broadband Project (Project). The proposed Project includes construction and installation of a fiber-optic network that would extend high-speed internet service to the community of Winterhaven, to a portion of the Fort Yuma-Quechan Indian Reservation, and to other areas of unincorporated Imperial County in southeastern California.
The objective of the proposed Project is to make available affordable broadband internet services to currently underserved areas in Imperial County, including a portion of the Fort Yuma-Quechan Reservation.
The proposed Project is subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the CPUC is the CEQA Lead Agency. The proposed Project is also subject to review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is the NEPA Lead Agency. A CEQA/NEPA review is being performed to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with the Project. This website provides access to public documents and information relevant to the CEQA and NEPA review process.
Quick Links
- Resolution T-17410, dated October 4, 2013, approving funding of the TDS grant application for the Project
- Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA), dated April 21, 2015 [742 KB]
- Deficiency Letter, dated May 28, 2015, from CPUC regarding review of PEA [18 KB]
- TDS Response to Deficiency Items, dated June 17, 2015 [543 KB]
- Letter Deeming PEA Complete, dated June 24, 2015, from CPUC [23 KB]
- Draft Initial Study/Environmental Assessment and Mitigated Negative Declaration, dated January 13, 2016
- Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration, dated January 13, 2016 [291 KB]
- Final Initial Study/Environmental Assessment and Mitigated Negative Declaration, dated February 22, 2016
- Finding of No Significant Impact, dated August 3, 2016
Project Description
The proposed Project involves the construction of a second-generation, very-high-bit-rate digital subscriber line (VDSL2) fiber-optic network capable of 25 Mbps/5 Mbps (megabit-per-second download/upload) speeds. In total, approximately 24.65 km (15.31 miles) of new fiber-optic cable would be buried within protective conduit along existing roads in the project area, and approximately 2.25 km (1.40 miles) of existing buried copper line would be used in the new system.
The proposed Project is funded in part by the California Advanced Service Fund (CASF). On December 20, 2007, the CPUC in Decision 07-12-054 established the CASF program as a two-year program to provide funds for the deployment of broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas in California. CPUC Resolution T-17410 approved funding in the amount of $2,063,967 from the CASF for the proposed Project. A link to Resolution T-17410 is provided above.
Environmental Review
The TDS PEA was deemed complete by the CPUC on June 24, 2015. The CPUC subsequently determined that an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) was the appropriate CEQA document to evaluate potential environmental issues associated with this project. Based on discussions with BIA, preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) was anticipated to be the appropriate level of review for NEPA compliance. Therefore, the CPUC coordinated with BIA to prepare a joint IS/EA.
Scoping Meeting and Public Comment Period
CPCU held a public scoping meeting from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2015. The meeting was held at the Paradise Event Center, Paradise Casino, 450 Quechan Drive, Yuma, AZ 85364.
The initial public comment period began on August 26, 2015, and ended at 5 p.m. on Monday, September 28, 2015. Members of the public, interested parties and governmental agencies were invited to attend. A scoping report is available as Appendix G of the Draft IS/EA and MND (link provided below).
CPUC prepared a draft joint IS/EA and MND and published it for public review on January 13, 2016. Agencies and members of the public were invited to review the draft IS/EA and MND (via the links below) and provide written input. The public review period closed at 5 p.m. on Monday, February 15, 2016. CPUC received no comments on the draft joint IS/EA and MND during the public review period.
The Final IS/EA and MND is available for download at the links below. No comments were received on the Draft IS/EA and MND during the public review period, and no changes were made to the Draft IS/EA and MND to create the Final IS/EA and MND. The CPUC certified, through the Final IS/EA and MND, that although the proposed Project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made or agreed to by the Project proponent.
- Final IS/EA and MND, dated February 22, 2016
Finding of No Significant Impact
The BIA published a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the proposed Project, indicating its conclusion that the proposed Project would not have a significant impact on the environment. The BIA is also expected to announce its decision to grant the right-of-ways over tribal land requested by the applicant for construction of the proposed Project.
For Additional Information
The CPUC, through its Environmental Review Team, manages the environmental evaluation of the proposed project. To request additional information or to be added to the mailing list for project updates, please contact us by email, fax, phone or mail, as follows:
Email: winterhavenproject@horizonh2o.com
Fax: (510) 350-3592
Toll-free voicemail: (844) 211-7510
Mail: Connie Chen, CPUC
c/o Tom Engels
Horizon Water and Environment, LLC
180 Grand Avenue, Suite 1405
Oakland, CA 94612
The CPUC's Project Manager is:
Connie Chen
Energy Division
Infrastructure Permitting and CEQA
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
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