Situation
Soar Environmental Consulting is providing environmental compliance and resource management services in support of the California Department of Technology’s Middle Mile Broadband Initiative. This statewide program is designed to expand broadband infrastructure within underserved and rural regions of California and is subject to multiple regulatory frameworks, including CEQA, NEPA, and agency-specific requirements.
Soar is supporting project implementation across a range of jurisdictions in coordination with federal and state agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and Caltrans. Project activities include the installation of aerial and subterranean fiber-optic infrastructure within state and federal lands and established rights-of-way across geographically diverse regions of California.
Action
Soar is executing a comprehensive scope of environmental services to support permitting and compliance requirements. Current efforts include Biological assessments, including protocol-level rare plant surveys conducted by qualified botanists in Shasta, Plumas, Imperial, and Riverside counties in accordance with CDFW and CNPS guidelines. Cultural resources assessments, including Tribal consultations in multiple Northern, Central, and Southern California locations, and construction monitoring. Additionally, Stormwater permit services are underway with LCAN/SWPPP development and execution.
Additional services include Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), wetland delineations consistent with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) methodologies, and other supporting technical studies. Updating environmental documents such as ECRs, ESAs, wetland delineations consistent with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) methodologies, and other supporting technical studies. These efforts are designed to identify sensitive resources, evaluate potential project impacts, and support agency consultations and permitting processes across multiple jurisdictions.
Results
Over the past year, multiple studies have been conducted and approved. Biological and Cultural monitoring is starting as of Spring 2026. Biological resources technical reports are currently in preparation, and cultural resource assessments are ongoing, with all deliverables progressing in alignment with established project schedules and budget parameters.
Soar has maintained consistent regulatory coordination and has effectively supported client objectives by ensuring compliance with applicable environmental regulations while facilitating timely project advancement. Ongoing collaboration with state, federal, and tribal entities has contributed to efficient review processes and positive agency engagement
