Compliance Requirements UIA is required to comply with all the guidelines, requirements, and conditions associated with the grant of CASF funds as specified in D.12-02-015. Such compliance includes, but is not limited to: California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) All CASF grants are subject to CEQA requirements unless the project is statutorily or categorically exempt pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines. UIA has provided the Commission with construction plans for the proposed project area. The Wrightwood area will be linked through FCC-licensed microwave backhaul from UIA’s existing middle-mile infrastructure in the Inland Empire to a tower located on Table Mountain, in the Angeles National Forest. UIA already has a lease agreement for the tower use from American Towers. The US Forest Service is not requiring a National Environmental Policy Act analysis for this project’s minor modifications to the tower because the tower has been at that location for more than 40 years. Based on the above information, the project qualifies for the following categorical exemption from CEQA: CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 – New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures, involving construction, installation, and/or conversion of limited numbers of new and/or existing facilities/structures. For the aerial portion, which utilizes existing pole infrastructure, UIA will follow CPUC General Order 95 “Rules for Overhead Electric Line Construction.” UIA will not be expanding the utility pole infrastructure or have need for disturbing new soil. Deployment Schedule The Commission expects UIA to complete the project within 24 months from start date (as determined by the procedure below). If the applicant is unable to complete the proposed project within the 24-month timeframe requirement established by the Commission, it must notify the Commission as soon as it becomes aware of this prospect. The Commission may reduce payment for failure to notify CD’s Director and satisfy this requirement. Execution and Performance CD and the CASF grant recipient (UIA) shall determine a project start date after the CASF grant recipient has obtained all approvals. Should the recipient or Contractor fail
Comments on Draft Resolution In compliance with Public Utilities Code § 311(g), a notice letter was e-mailed on April 3, 2015, informing all parties on the CASF Distribution List of the availability of the draft of this resolution for public comments at the Commission's website at http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/documents/. This letter also informed parties that the final conformed Resolution adopted by the Commission will be posted and available at this same website. No comments were received. Findings On June 26, 2014, the Commission approved Resolution T-17443, which implemented new timelines for applications to the CASF Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account and offered existing providers a “right of first refusal” to upgrade service in unserved and underserved areas. The window for new applications opened on December 1, 2014. UIA filed an application for CASF funding for its Wrightwood Project on December 8, 2014. The proposed project will improve speeds by installing a system capable of symmetrical 1 gigabit-per-second download/upload service to 1,857 households (2,710 housing units) in the community of Wrightwood, which lies astride the border of San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties. This system would provide broadband Internet service to an area that is currently underserved by landlines and has a mix of underserved and unserved coverage from wireless providers. The CBGs impacted by the project are 060379303012, 060710092011, 060710092012, and 060710092013. CD posted the proposed project area map, CBGs and zip codes by county for the UIA Wrightwood Project on the Commission’s CASF webpage under “CASF Application Project Summaries” on December 15, 2014. CD received no challenges to this project. CD reviewed and analyzed data submitted for the UIA Wrightwood Project’s CASF grant application to determine the project’s eligibility for CASF funding. This data included, but was not limited to: proof of a CPCN from the Commission; descriptions of current and proposed broadband infrastructure; geographic information system (GIS) formatted shapefiles mapping the project