City Council

(23) 26-0192 EXEMPTION and ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to the acceptance of two easement deeds with long- term indemnification from U.S. Borax Inc., located in Bishop, Inyo County, California, near Owens Lake, a portion of the Assessor Parcel Number (APN) 029-180-29. Recommendations for Council action: 1. ADOPT the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) determinations of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners that accepting an easement is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Guidelines Section 15060(c)(2) that states an activity is not subject to CEQA if the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. 2. APPROVE the Department of Water and Power (DWP) proposed Resolution authorizing the DWP to accept two easement deeds with long-term indemnification provisions from U.S. Borax Inc., at no cost to DWP, granting the City rights to construct, operate, maintain, repair, replace, and reconstruct roads over and across real property owned by U.S. Borax Inc., located in Bishop, Inyo County, California, near Owens Lake, and identified as a portion of Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 029-180-29. Fiscal Impact Statement: The City Administrative Officer reports that approval for the DWP to accept the two easement deeds from U.S. Borax Inc. will have no impact on the City’s General Fund. There is no cost to DWP, as the easements will be purchased by the State on behalf of the City. The above recommendations comply with the DWP’s adopted Financial Policies.