TRPA permit documents

March 9, 2023 R3X Group Attn: Mr. Sammy Rodriguez 11828 Spring Head Road Austin, Texas 78717 SHOREZONE DEBRIS REMEDIATION, AT&T CALIFORNIA, SUBMARINE COMMUNICATION CABLE REMOVAL, EL DORADO COUNTY PORTION OF LAKE TAHOE, CALIFORNIA, ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBER 018-060-004, ET.AL, TRPA FILE NUMBER ERSP2022-1690 Dear Mr. Rodriguez: Enclosed please find the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) permit and attachments for the project referenced above. If you accept and agree to comply with the Permit conditions as stated, please make a copy of the permit, sign the “Permittee’s Acceptance” block on the first page the Permit, and return the signed copy to TRPA within twenty-one (21) calendar days of issuance. Should the permittee fail to return the signed permit within twenty-one (21) calendar days of issuance, the permit will be subject to nullification. Please note that signing the permit does not of itself constitute acknowledgement of the permit, but rather acceptance of the conditions of the permit. TRPA will acknowledge the permit only after all standard and special conditions of approval have been satisfied. Please schedule an appointment with me to finalize your project. Due to time demands, TRPA cannot accept drop-in or unannounced arrivals to finalize plans. Pursuant to Rule 11.2 of the TRPA Rules of Procedure, this permit may be appealed within twenty-one (21) days of the date of this correspondence. Thank you for your patience in this matter. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions regarding this letter or your permit in general. Sincerely, Paul Nielsen Special Projects Manager Permit and Compliance Division Paul Nielsen Digitally signed by Paul Nielsen DN: cn=Paul Nielsen, o=Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, ou, email=pnielsen@trpa.gov, c=US Date: 2023.03.09 11:39:15 -08'00' PERMIT PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Removal of Two Submarine AT&T Cables from Lake Tahoe (AT&T Project A020LET) PERMITTEE(S): AT&T California FILE # ERSP2022-1690 APNs: 018-060-004, et.al COUNTY/LOCATION: El Dorado / Shorezone areas of Lake Tahoe extending from Baldwin Beach to D.L. Bliss State Park Having made the findings required by Agency ordinances and rules, the TRPA approved the project on March 9, 2023, subject to the standard conditions of approval attached hereto (Attachment Q), and the special conditions found in this permit. This permit shall expire on March 9, 2026, without further notice unless the construction has commenced prior to this date and diligently pursued thereafter. Commencement of construction consists of initiating permitted project activities. Diligent pursuit is defined as completion of the project within the approved construction schedule. The expiration date shall not be extended unless the project is determined by TRPA to be the subject of legal action which delayed or rendered impossible the diligent pursuit of the permit. THE PROJECT ACTIVITIES SHALL NOT COMMENCE UNTIL: (1) TRPA RECEIVES A COPY OF THIS PERMIT UPON WHICH THE PERMITTEE(S) HAS ACKNOWLEDGED RECEIPT OF THE PERMIT AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE CONTENTS OF THE PERMIT; (2) ALL PRE-ACTIVITY CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL ARE SATISFIED AS EVIDENCED BY TRPA’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THIS PERMIT; (3) THE PERMITTEE OBTAINS ALL REQUIRED AGENCY PERMITS, IF NECESSARY. TRPA’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IS NECESSARY TO OBTAIN A COUNTY PERMIT. THE COUNTY AND/OR APPLICABLE AGENCIES PERMIT AND THE TRPA PERMIT ARE INDEPENDENT OF EACH OTHER AND MAY HAVE DIFFERENT EXPIRATION DATES AND RULES REGARDING EXTENSIONS; AND (4) A TRPA PRE-ACTIVITY INSPECTION HAS BEEN CONDUCTED WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER AND/OR THE CONTRACTOR. March 9, 2023 _______________________________________ _______________________________ TRPA Executive Director/Designee Date --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PERMITTEE’S ACCEPTANCE: I have read the permit and the conditions of approval and understand and accept them. I also understand that I am responsible for compliance with all the conditions of the permit and am responsible for my agents’ and employees’ compliance with the permit conditions. I also understand that if the property is sold, I remain liable for the permit conditions until or unless the new owner acknowledges the transfer of the permit and notifies TRPA in writing of such acceptance. I also understand that certain mitigation fees associated with this permit are non- refundable once paid to TRPA. I understand that it is my sole responsibility to obtain any and all required approvals from any other state, local or federal agencies that may have jurisdiction over this project whether or not they are listed in this permit. Signature of Permittee(s)___________________________ Date______________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PERMIT CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE Paul Nielsen Digitally signed by Paul Nielsen DN: cn=Paul Nielsen, o=Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, ou, email=pnielsen@trpa.gov, c=US Date: 2023.03.09 11:40:06 -08'00' ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBER 018-060-004, ET.AL, TRPA FILE NUMBER ERSP2022-1690 Security Posted (1): Amount $5,000.00 Type __ Paid ______ Receipt No.______ Security Administrative Fee (2): Amount $________ Paid ______ Receipt No.______ Notes: (1) See Condition 3.D below (2) See TRPA Filing Fee Schedule Required plans determined to be in conformance with approval: Date:______________ TRPA ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The permittee has complied with all pre-project activity conditions of approval as of this date: _____________________________________ ________________________________ TRPA Executive Director/Designee Date ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPECIAL CONDITIONS 1. This permit authorizes the removal of two lengths of submarine telecommunications cable in Lake Tahoe proper and Emerald Bay. The longest cable is approximately 6-miles long and runs along the Southwestern shore of Lake Tahoe. The cable stretches from Baldwin Beach past Rubicon Point near Lester Beach. Most of the cable resides in the Emerald Bay and DL Bliss Underwater State Parks. This 6-mile cable comes up on shore a total of six times. The second cable rests at the mouth of Emerald Bay and spans approximately 1,000-feet. The shorter cable extends between the shores of Emerald Point and Eagles Point and lies in the Emerald Bay Underwater Park. The cables largely rest on the lake bed, not within the substrate, and measure approximately 3-inches in diameter. Three staging areas are approved the lake entry point for barge launch, the cut locations where cable comes up on shore, and the mobile barge. The cable will be removed using a 30-foot by 60-foot modular barge suitable for shallow water use. An outboard skiff will be used to maneuver the barge and is comparably sized to a recreational boat. Portions of the cable on land will be accessed from the barge from which a technician will approach the cut location on foot. Cable segments on shore are buried 4-6-inches. Sections of the cable may lie beneath large boulders, a mini excavator staged on the barge will be used to temporarily remove them. To remove the cable, it will be exposed at the high water line at 6,229.1-feet with hand tools or a mini excavator that will access the location by ramp from the barge, at which the cable will be severed. The cable will be cut with a reciprocating saw. A container will be used to collect particulates generated from the cable cutting operations. To minimize airborne cable particles, the cable will be kept wet during cutting operations. The cut end of the cable will be tied onto a steel cable and winched onto the barge, then spooled into segments. The portion above the high-water line will be covered by a 3M shrink cap and reburied with hand tools. A touchdown monitor will observe the operation underwater and collect cable fragments that fall to the lakebed. A technician on the barge will skim fragments from the surface. Collected cable fragments will then be disposed into a container onboard. Lake access is tentatively planned to be staged from the Tahoe Keys Marina. The following APNs are included in the project area for the 6-mile cable segment: Cut Location 1 - 118-090-069 Cut Location 2 - 018-060-004 Cut Location 3 - 017-131-001 Cut Location 4 - 017-111-001 Cut Location 5 - 017-071-001 Cut Location 6 - 016-131-005 The following APNs are included in the project area for the 1,000-foot cable segment in Emerald Bay: Cut Location A - 017-131-001 Cut Location B - 018-060-005 2. All standard conditions of approval contained in Attachment Q shall apply to this project. 3. Prior to permit acknowledgement, the following conditions of approval must be satisfied. A. The permittee shall submit an estimated construction schedule. B. The project plans shall be revised to include the location of the silt fence to be installed on both sides of Tallac Creek. C. The permittee shall submit a photograph or equipment details for the proposed mini excavator to be used on the landward portions of the project area. D. The security required under Standard Condition I.B. of Attachment Q shall be $5,000.00. The security shall not be released until TRPA determines the project was completed in accordance with the permit. E. The permittee shall submit final plans to TRPA. 4. The two Tahoe Yellow Cress (TYC) populations adjacent to project disturbance areas identified in the Tahoe Yellow Cress study shall be avoided and remain undisturbed. Any impacts to Tahoe Yellow Cress plants and/or associated habitat will be considered a violation of this permit. Sites where TYC were located during the July surveys shall be clearly flagged and these areas will be avoided during all work activities. An onsite qualified biological monitor will be present during all earthwork at these sites. 5. A preconstruction survey, no more than two weeks prior to earth work taking place, will be conducted at ALL terrestrial work sites to ensure no TYC are present. If additional TYC are observed outside of work locations the avoidance measures below will be implemented. If avoidance measures cannot be implemented (e.g. TYC is directly above the cable) TRPA and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will be consulted and no work will occur at that location until an updated and approved plan is agreed upon. Sites where TYC were located during the July surveys will be clearly flagged and these areas will be avoided during all work activities and an onsite qualified biological monitor will be present during all earth work at these sites. 6. At Cut Location #4, a plastic tarp will be placed over known locations where plants were observed in order to prevent any soil or other material from falling onto the area and covering or burying plants and or seeds. The tarp will be removed once that work is completed. 7. At the Baldwin Beach Location, a silt fence will be placed between the TYC locations and area where the cable will be hand dug in order to clearly delineate the TYC area and prevent impacts to soil where plants are located. 8. Prior to any work being implemented, all individuals involved in project activities must attend a field worker education program that specifically outlines TYC avoidance measures. 9. If feasible, all work should occur outside of the nesting period (February through mid-September). If work is to take place during the nesting period, surveys for active nests should be conducted by a qualified wildlife biologist no more than 10 days prior to the start of the Project. The surveys should be conducted at all terrestrial work locations. In addition to direct impacts, such as nest destruction, nests might be affected by noise, vibration, odors, and movement of workers or equipment. Identified nests should be continuously surveyed for the first 24 hours prior to any construction- related activities to establish a behavioral baseline. Once work commences, all nests should be continuously monitored to detect any behavioral changes as a result of the project. If behavioral changes are observed, the work causing that change should cease and TRPA and CDFW should be consulted for additional avoidance and minimization measures. If continuous monitoring of identified nests by a qualified wildlife biologist is not feasible, then a minimum no-disturbance buffer of 250 ft around active nests of bird species and a 500-ft no-disturbance buffer around the nests of raptors should be maintained until the breeding season has ended, or until a qualified biologist has determined that the birds have fledged and are no longer reliant upon the nest or parental care for survival. Variance from these no-disturbance buffers may be implemented when there is compelling biological or ecological reason to do so, such as when the Project area would be concealed from a nest site by topography. Any variance from these buffers should be supported by a qualified wildlife biologist, and TRPA and CDFW be notified in advance of implementing a no disturbance buffer variance. 10. All work shall be performed consistent with the proposed construction methodology described in the Biological Survey Report dated August 2022. Any deviations regarding the cable removal methods or equipment to be used shall be approved by the TRPA Environmental Specialist in writing before such deviations occur. 11. All project staging shall occur in developed areas outside of Lake Tahoe and the immediate project impact areas. 12. The permittee shall implement stormwater BMPs as needed to ensure turbidity is minimized, and soil movement and stormwater discharge to Lake Tahoe or its tributaries is avoided. 13. No trees are authorized to be removed. 14. All watercraft shall be inspected for presence of aquatic invasive species at a TRPA approved watercraft inspection station and evidence of inspection shall be presented to the TRPA Environmental Specialist prior to or at the required TRPA pre-activity inspection. 15. It is the permittee’s responsibility to dispose of the reclaimed cable at an approved facility in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations. 16. If a prehistoric archeological site (such as midden soils, stone tools, chipped stone, baked clay, or concentrations of shell or bone) or a historic-period archaeological site (such as structural features, concentrated deposits of bottles, or other historic refuse) is uncovered during project activities, all ground-disturbing activity within 100 feet of the discovery shall be halted until a qualified archaeologist can assess the significance of the find. TRPA shall be notified of the potential find and a qualified archaeologist shall be retained to investigate its significance. If the find is a prehistoric archeological site, the appropriate Native American group shall be notified. Any previously undiscovered resources found during construction will be recorded on appropriate California Department of Parks and Recreation 523 forms and evaluated for significance under all applicable regulatory criteria. If the archaeologist determines that the find does not meet the CRHR standards of significance for cultural resources, construction may proceed. If the find is determined to be significant by the qualified archaeologist (i.e., because the find is determined to constitute either an historical resource, a unique archaeological resource, or tribal cultural resource), the archaeologist shall work with TRPA to follow accepted professional standards such as further testing for evaluation or data recovery, as necessary. 17. The permittee is responsible for obtaining permission from all applicable property owners for any work occurring on public or private property. 18. All temporarily disturbed areas shall be returned to their pre-project conditions prior to the release of the project security. 19. Any normal construction activities creating noise in excess of the TRPA noise standards shall be considered exempt from said standards provided all such work is conducted between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 6:30 P.M. 20. Any change to the project requires approval (except for TRPA exempt activities) of a TRPA plan revision permit prior to the changes being made to any element of the project (i.e. structural modifications, coverage, scenic, grading, BMPs, etc.). Failure to obtain prior approval for modifications may result in monetary penalties and removal of the unapproved elements. 21. To the maximum extent allowable by law, the Permittee agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless TRPA, its Governing Board (including individual members), its Planning Commission (including individual members), its agents, and its employees (collectively, TRPA) from and against any and all suits, losses, damages, injuries, liabilities, and claims by any person (a) for any injury (including death) or damage to person or property or (b) to set aside, attack, void, modify, amend, or annul any actions of TRPA. The foregoing indemnity obligation applies, without limitation, to any and all suits, losses, damages, injuries, liabilities, and claims by any person from any cause whatsoever arising out of or in connection with either directly or indirectly, and in whole or in part (1) the processing, conditioning, issuance, administrative appeal, or implementation of this permit; (2) any failure to comply with all applicable laws and regulations; or (3) the design, installation, or operation of any improvements, regardless of whether the actions or omissions are alleged to be caused by TRPA or Permittee. Included within the Permittee's indemnity obligation set forth herein, the Permittee agrees to pay all fees of TRPA's attorneys and all other costs and expenses of defenses as they are incurred, including reimbursement of TRPA as necessary for any and all costs and/or fees incurred by TRPA for actions arising directly or indirectly from issuance or implementation of this permit. TRPA will have the sole and exclusive control (including the right to be represented by attorneys of TRPA's choosing) over the defense of any claims against TRPA and over their settlement, compromise, or other disposition. Permittee shall also pay all costs, including attorneys' fees, incurred by TRPA to enforce this indemnification agreement. If any judgment is rendered against TRPA in any action subject to this indemnification, the Permittee shall, at its expense, satisfy and discharge the same. 22. This approval is based on the permittee’s representation that all plans and information contained in the subject application are true and correct. Should any information or representation submitted in connection with the project application be incorrect or untrue, TRPA may rescind this approval, or take other appropriate action. END OF PERMIT

September 1, 2022 Tahoe Regional Planning Agency PO Box 5310, Stateline, NV 89449 (775)588-4547 trpa@trpa.gov Re: TRPA Shorezone - Lakezone Application AT&T Project A020LET Lake Tahoe Cable Removal South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, CA To whom it may concern, On behalf of AT&T California, R3X Group is pleased to submit a Shorezone – Lakezone Application for AT&T Project A020LET (Project). Supplemental information for the Shorezone - Lakezone application is provided in this letter. PROJECT PURPOSE AT&T proposes the removal of two discontinued submarine communication cables. Authorization to install the cable in submerged lands between Rubicon Bay and Tallac was granted by AT&T’s State Lands Commission lease agreement 1579.9 in 1955. The cable submerged in Emerald Bay was authorized by lease agreement 4417.9 in 1970. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AT&T California proposes the removal of two lengths of submarine telecommunications cable in Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay in California. The longest cable is approximately 6-miles long and runs along the Southwestern shore of Lake Tahoe. The cable stretches from Baldwin Beach past Rubicon Point near Lester Beach. Most of the cable resides in the Emerald Bay and DL Bliss Underwater State Parks. This 6-mile cable comes up on shore a total of 6 times. The second cable rests at the mouth of Emerald Bay and spans approximately 1,000-feet. The shorter cable extends between the shores of Emerald Point and Eagles Point and lies in the Emerald Bay Underwater Park. The Project area for both cables lies within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the USDA Forest Service. The cables largely rest on the lake bed, not within the substrate, and measure approximately 3-inches in diameter. The cable removal is expected to occur in the Fall during the recreational off-season, no earlier A T & T P r o j e c t A 0 2 0 L E T L a k e T a h o e S o u t h L a k e T a h o e , E l D o r a d o C o u n t y , C A S e p t e m b e r 1 , 2 0 2 2 P a g e | 2 R3X Group, Inc Serving California • 254.723.0013 • www.r3xgroup.com than October. AT&T anticipates using three staging areas: the lake entry point for barge launch, the cut locations where cable comes up on shore, and the mobile barge. The cable will be removed using a 30-feet by 60-feet modular barge suitable for shallow water use. An outboard skiff will be used to maneuver the barge and is comparably sized to a recreational boat. These maritime vessels are delivered by semi-trucks with an estimated length of 70-feet to 10-feet width. Portions of the cable on land will be accessed from the barge from which a technician will approach the cut location on foot. Cable segments on shore are buried 4-6-inches. Sections of the cable may lie beneath large boulders, a mini excavator staged on the barge will be used to temporarily remove them. To remove the cable, it will be exposed at the high water line at 6,229.1- feet with hand tools or a mini excavator that will access the location by ramp from the barge, at which the cable will be severed. The cable will be cut with a reciprocating saw. A container will be used to collect particulates generated from the cable cutting operations. To minimize airborne cable particles, the cable will be kept wet during cutting operations. The cut end of the cable will be tied onto a steel cable and winched onto the barge, then spooled into segments. The portion above the high water line will be covered by a 3M shrink cap and reburied with hand tools. A touchdown monitor will observe the operation underwater and collect cable fragments that fall to the lake bed. A technician on the barge will skim fragments from the surface. Collected cable fragments will then be disposed into a container onboard. A technician will be responsible for monitoring plume events through visual observation and a turbidity meter. Lake access is tentatively planned to be staged from the Tahoe Keys Marina. The Tahoe Keys Marina is approximately 2-miles East of Baldwin Beach. An invasive species inspection will occur on incoming marine craft prior to entering the lake. It will be the responsibility of AT&T's contractor to dispose of the reclaimed cable at an approved facility in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations. CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE Project is to be completed between October 2022 and March 2023, outside the recreational season. Project is expected to be completed within 16 days. If the permitting process exceeds the 2023 recreational offseason, the project will be completed within October 2023 and March 2024. A T & T P r o j e c t A 0 2 0 L E T L a k e T a h o e S o u t h L a k e T a h o e , E l D o r a d o C o u n t y , C A S e p t e m b e r 1 , 2 0 2 2 P a g e | 3 R3X Group, Inc Serving California • 254.723.0013 • www.r3xgroup.com LOCATION OF PROPOSED ACTIVITY The 6-mile cable proposed for removal is located along the shoreline of Lake Tahoe and comes on land at the following 6 locations. LAKE TAHOE SHORELINE 6-MILE CABLE Location Latitude Longitude Cut Location 1 38.943700 -120.069339 Cut Location 2 38.955678 -120.078125 Cut Location 3 38.967622 -120.085100 Cut Location 4 38.979236 -120.094002 Cut Location 5 38.993388 -120.094308 Cut Location 6 39.009428 -120.113150 The 1,000-foot cable proposed for removal is located in the mouth of Emerald Bay and comes on land at the following 2 locations. EMERALD BAY 1000-FEET CABLE Location Latitude Longitude Cut Location A 38.965811 -120.084089 Cut Location B 38.963600 -120.081600 STATE TAX PARCEL IDs The 6-mile cable proposed for removal is located along the shoreline of Lake Tahoe and comes on land at the following parcels. LAKE TAHOE SHORELINE 6-MILE CABLE Location Parcel ID Cut Location 1 118-090-069 Cut Location 2 018-060-004 Cut Location 3 017-131-001 Cut Location 4 017-111-001 Cut Location 5 017-071-001 Cut Location 6 016-131-005 A T & T P r o j e c t A 0 2 0 L E T L a k e T a h o e S o u t h L a k e T a h o e , E l D o r a d o C o u n t y , C A S e p t e m b e r 1 , 2 0 2 2 P a g e | 4 R3X Group, Inc Serving California • 254.723.0013 • www.r3xgroup.com The 1,000-foot cable proposed for removal is located in the mouth of Emerald Bay and comes on land at the following parcels. EMERALD BAY 1000-FEET CABLE Location Parcel ID Cut Location A 017-131-001 Cut Location B 018-060-005 SECTION TOWNSHIP RANGE The 6-mile cable proposed for removal is located along the shoreline of Lake Tahoe and comes on land at the following Section, Township Range. LAKE TAHOE SHORELINE 6-MILE CABLE Location Section Township Range Cut Location 1 26 13N 17E Cut Location 2 23 13N 17E Cut Location 3 15 13N 17E Cut Location 4 15 13N 17E Cut Location 5 10 13N 17E Cut Location 6 33 14N 17E The 1,000-foot cable proposed for removal is located in the mouth of Emerald Bay and comes on land at the following Section, Township Range. EMERALD BAY 1000-FEET CABLE Location Section Township Range Cut Location A 15 13N 17E Cut Location B 22 13N 17E WATER RESOURCES Work will occur within the banks of Lake Tahoe. Fill or dredging of material is not proposed. See enclosed Water Quality Protection Plan in Attachment D of the Permit Drawings. Authorization for the cable removal has been requested from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lahontan Regional Water Board, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. A T & T P r o j e c t A 0 2 0 L E T L a k e T a h o e S o u t h L a k e T a h o e , E l D o r a d o C o u n t y , C A S e p t e m b e r 1 , 2 0 2 2 P a g e | 5 R3X Group, Inc Serving California • 254.723.0013 • www.r3xgroup.com BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES A biological assessment was conducted for the proposed project limits. The report summarizes information collected during biological surveys conducted in March, June, July, and August 2022, compiles information about existing biological resources known to occur in the Project area, makes inferences about biological resources that could occur within the Project area, identifies and discusses potential impacts the Project could have on biological resources, and identifies avoidance measures to reduce the likelihood of such impacts. An endemic plant species to the shores of Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe Yellow Cress (Rorippa submbellata) is listed as endangered under the California Endangered species Act and is a candidate for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. A rare plant survey was conducted on July 21, 2022 to assess the nearby populations to determine the location of this species relative to Project disturbance areas. The Project produces temporary impacts to fish habitat. The Project does not produce permanent impacts attributed to new or expanded structures. The cable rests largely on top of gravel, cobble and sand, removal will not significantly modify the lake bottom habitat, and fish will be able to swim away as the cable is lifted. When the cable is removed, water quality adjacent to the cable will increase in turbidity; however these impacts will be relatively short-lived, and fish can move into clear oxygenated water. There is a potential for whitefish eggs to be disturbed during cable removal; however, the scale of these impacts would not be noticeable to the Lake Tahoe Population as a whole. A biological survey report and rare plant survey are included in support of the application. CULTURAL RESOURCES In February of 2022, AT&T California authorized a cultural resources study required for the proposed removal of two copper cables in Lake Tahoe. This cultural resources investigation was requested in order to fulfill the mandates of the National Historic Preservation Act, the California Environmental Quality Act, and the planning directives of the California State Lands Commission, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, and California State Parks. This study was carried out as per the California Office of Historic Preservation’s guidelines for archaeological survey reports, and consists of the results of a review of pertinent literature and documents, a records search by the North Central Information Center, a field survey and assessment of the Project area, as well as recommendations. A T & T P r o j e c t A 0 2 0 L E T L a k e T a h o e S o u t h L a k e T a h o e , E l D o r a d o C o u n t y , C A S e p t e m b e r 1 , 2 0 2 2 P a g e | 6 R3X Group, Inc Serving California • 254.723.0013 • www.r3xgroup.com An archaeological survey report is included in support of the application. The following supporting documents are enclosed as part of the Shorezone – Lakezone Application • Permit Drawings • Project Map • Biological Report • Tahoe Yellow Cress Rare Plant Survey • Agent Letter of Authorization • Archaeological Survey Report • Agencies Consulted Should you have any questions or would like to discuss the project in further detail, you may reach me at (254) 723-0013, or sammy@r3xgroup.com. Sincerely, R3X Group, Inc. Sammy Rodriguez Senior Scientist

1 | P a g e AT&T A020LET - Lake Tahoe Agencies Consulted – Current Status September 1, 2022 AGENCY CURRENT NOTES 1. US Army Corps c/o Jason Gibson Pre-Construction Notice submitted by email on 6/24/22. No response as of 8/12/22. R3X followed up with Region supervisor on 8/12. Follow up phone call placed on 8/24/22 - (801) 295-8380, ext. 8314. Supervisor has assigned application to Sarah West. No response as of 9/1/22. 2. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency c/o Tiffany Good Pre-application submitted online on March 18th. Shorezone – Lakezone application submitted on 9/1/22. 3. CA State Lands Commission c/o Jannalisa Toy Pre-application meeting held on March 24th. Online applications submitted on 6/23/22 and 7/1/22. Permit review has been initiated. SLC has initiated request to terminate leases. SLC stated that application process may take 6-9 months. SLC requested Tahoe yellow cress surveys on 8/23. Report submitted on 8/24/22. 4. CA Department of Fish and Wildlife Department c/o Patrick Moeszinger Pre-application meeting held on March 18th. 1600 Lake Streambed Alteration Permit application and biological studies submitted on 8/24/22. 5. Lahontan Regional Water Board c/o Bryan Talmadge Pre-application scheduled for March 23rd. Review of application initiated on 6/17/22. Meeting to discuss application requirements scheduled for week of 8/1/22. 401 Water Quality Certification submitted on 8/25/22. 6. US Forest Service c/o Karen Kuentz Permit drawings and request for review submitted by email on 6/17/22. Forest Service to determine if a permit is required. Permit requirement not confirmed as of 9/1/22. 7. CA State Parks c/o Silver Hartman Right of Entry Permit submitted on 7/14/22. Permit review has been initiated. Meeting scheduled on 8/15/22 to discuss cutting process and potential movement of lead within the lake near State Park water intakes. State Parks requested additional information on 8/15/22 regarding water sources for operation, staging areas, GIS data, Tahoe yellow cress survey report. Response to request provided on 8/16/22. 2 | P a g e AGENCY CURRENT NOTES 8. El Dorado Planning and Building Department Request for consultation submitted by email on 7/14/22. No permit needed confirmed by County on 7/14/22. 9. South Tahoe Public Utility District Requested consultation regarding permit or notification requirements on 7/14/22. No permit needed confirmed by South Tahoe Public Utility District confirmed project would not impact their facilities on 7/2/11.

June 24, 2022 Re: Letter of Authorization AT&T Project A020LET South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, CA To whom it may concern, The following individual is authorized to sign on my behalf as an Authorized Agent for permit applications associated with AT&T Project A020LET. Sammy Rodriguez Project Manager R3X Group, Inc. 11828 Springs Head Loop Austin, TX 78717 Should you have any questions or would like to discuss this Letter of Authorization in further detail, you may reach me at (775) 683-5235, or TD1963@ATT.COM. Sincerely, AT&T California Torrey Denoo Area Manager Construction and Engineering

VICINITY MAP ENG'R: TYPE OF CONST. PROJECT NO. DWG OF DATE: TEL: PREPARED BY: PROJECT LOCATION: PROJECT CITY: PROJECT COUNTY: 775-683-5240 A020LET 1 4/19/2022 TEL: (254) 723-0013 PERMIT DRAWINGS AT&T PROJECT A020LET, EL DORADO COUNTY LAKE TAHOE PROJECT LOCATION PROJECT DESCRIPTION AT&T California is dedicated to the prompt and diligent removal of the two lengths of submarine telecommunications cables resting in Lake Tahoe because they are no longer in use. AT&T California is committed to preserving one of the most scenic freshwater lakes in the Sierra Nevada by removing the cables in such a way that ensures the protection of the lake's water quality. As one of the world's largest companies, AT&T California understands the social responsibility to create a better, more environmentally sustainable future. AT&T California proposes the removal of two lengths of submarine telecommunications cable in Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay in California. The longest cable is approximately 6-miles long and runs along the Southwestern shore of Lake Tahoe. The cable stretches from Baldwin Beach past Rubicon Point near Lester Beach. Most of the cable resides in the Emerald Bay and DL Bliss Underwater State Parks. This 6-mile cable comes up on shore a total of 6 times. Photo documentation of the cut locations in Appendix B. The second cable rests at the mouth of Emerald Bay and spans approximately 1,000-feet. The shorter cable extends between the shores of Emerald Point and Eagles Point and lies in the Emerald Bay Underwater Park. The project area for both cables lies within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the USDA Forest Service. The cables largely rest on the lake bed, not within the substrate. The cable's outside diameter is approximately 3-inches and weighs 9-lbs/foot. The cable construction consists of communication cables surrounded by a lead sheath which is bounded by a layer of wire armor followed by an outer jute for additional waterproofing. The lead and steel add stability to the cable and it is expected that the cable will remain intact during the spooling process. No cutting will occur within the lake. The Project calls for 7 cut locations, 6 along the 6-mile cable and 1 on the Emerald Bay cable. The Emerald Bay cable has been previously severed on the South side of Emerald bay. If the cable end lies within the high water mark, one additional cut location (Cut Location B) would be required to remove the cable from the water. Details for Cut Location B in Appendix B. The cable removal is expected to occur in the Fall during the recreational off-season, no earlier than October. AT&T anticipates using three staging areas: the lake entry point for barge launch, the cut locations where cable comes up on shore, and the mobile barge. Map of the staging area in Appendix C. The cable will be removed using a 30-feet by 60-feet modular barge suitable for shallow water use. Barge detail available in Appendix A. An outboard skiff will be used to maneuver the barge and is comparably sized to a recreational boat. These maritime vessels are delivered by semi-trucks with an estimated length of 70-feet to 10-feet width. Portions of the cable on land will be accessed from the barge from which a technician will approach the cut location on foot. Cable segments on shore are buried 4-6-inches. Sections of the cable may lie beneath large boulders, a mini excavator staged on the barge will be used to temporarily remove them. To remove the cable, it will be exposed at the high water line at 6,229.1-feet with hand tools or a mini excavator that will access the location by ramp from the barge, at which the cable will be severed. The cable will be cut with a reciprocating saw. A container will be used to collect particulates generated from the cable cutting operations. To minimize airborne cable particles, the cable will be kept wet during cutting operations. The cut end of the cable will be tied onto a steel cable and winched onto the barge, then spooled into segments. The portion above the high water line will be covered by a 3M shrink cap and reburied with hand tools. A touchdown monitor will observe the operation underwater and collect cable fragments that fall to the lake bed. A technician on the barge will skim fragments from the surface. Collected cable fragments will then be disposed into a container onboard. A technician will be responsible for monitoring plume events through visual observation and a turbidity meter. Water Quality Protection Plan in Appendix D. Lake access is planned to be staged from the Tahoe Keys Marina. The Tahoe Keys Marina is approximately 3.5-miles East of Baldwin Beach. An invasive species inspection will occur on incoming marine craft prior to entering the lake. It will be the responsibility of AT&T's contractor to dispose of the reclaimed cable at an approved facility in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations. JASON PARNHAM SUBMARINE CABLE REMOVAL S. RODIRIGUEZ EMERALD BAY, BALDIN BEACH LAKE TAHOE EL DORADO Horizontal Datum: NAD 1983 (2011) State Plane California II (US Feet) Vertical Datum: NAVD 88 52 PROJECT PURPOSE 1. ALL WORK SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROVISIONS OF ALL LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL PERMITS. 2. NOTIFICATION SHALL BE PROVIDED TO ALL LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES PRIOR TO COMMENCING OPERATIONS. 3. CONTRACTOR SHALL NOT ENCROACH UPON PRIVATE PROPERTY WITHOUT PERMISSION AND WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO PRIVATE PROPERTY. 4. ALL MARINE EQUIPMENT SHALL BE INSPECTED FOR INVASIVE SPECIES BY A QUALIFIED BIOLOGIST PRIOR TO ENTERING THE LAKE. 5. A QUALIFIED BIOLOGIST SHALL MONITOR CABLE REMOVAL OPERATIONS ON LAND FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. 6. STAGING OF EQUIPMENT OR MATERIALS ON STATE PROPERTY SHALL BE COORDINATED WITH THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY. 7. ALL OPERATIONS MUST BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAL/OSHA LEAD IN CONSTRUCTION STANDARD TITLE 8 CCR SECTION 1532.1 AND FEDERAL STANDARD 29 CFR 1962.62. 8. EXPOSURE TO LEAD MAY OCCUR BY INHALATION OR INGESTION. 9. MEDICAL AND/OR BIOLOGIST MONITORING MAY BE REQUIRED BY YOUR EMPLOYER. 10. APPROPRIATE RESPIRATORY PROTECTION SHALL BE EMPLOYED DURING CABLE REMOVAL OPERATIONS. 11. LEAD WORK WARNING SIGNS SHALL BE VISIBLE TO ALL INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE CABLE REMOVAL PROCESS. 12. THE RESPONSIBLE MANAGER, IN COORDINATION WITH THE TECHNICIANS, MUST ENSURE THAT A CLEAN EATING AREA IS IDENTIFIED PRIOR TO STARTING WORK. 13. PROPER PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT SHALL BE WORN BY ALL INDIVIDUALS. 14. PROPER HYGIENE SHALL BE EMPLOYED. THE RESPONSIBLE MANAGER SHALL PROVIDE, FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS, ADEQUATE HAND WASHING FACILITIES, AND ASSURE THAT EMPLOYEES WASH THEIR HANDS AND FACE AT THE END OF THE WORK SHIFT. 15. THE EMPLOYER SHALL ASSURE THAT EMPLOYEES DO NOT LEAVE THE WORKPLACE WEARING ANY PROTECTIVE CLOTHING OR EQUIPMENT THAT WAS WORN DURING THE WORK SHIFT. 16. SHOWER FACILITIES, SOAP AND TOWELS SHALL BE PROVIDED, WHERE FEASIBLE, FOR EMPLOYEES, AND THE EMPLOYER SHALL ASSURE THAT THESE EMPLOYEES SHOWER AT THE END OF THE WORK SHIFT. 17. THE FOLLOWING PPE IS REQUIRED PER OSHA REGULATIONS: · TYVEK (DISPOSABLE) · SLIP-RESISTANT SHOE COVERS OR A DEDICATED PAIR OF WORK BOOTS. · DISPOSABLE GLOVES OR A DEDICATED PAIR OF LEATHER GLOVES. · HARD HAT AND SAFETY GLASSES. · A RESPIRATOR 20. ENGINEERING CONTROL MEASURES SHALL BE EMPLOYED TO CONTROL AND CONTAIN AIRBORNE LEAD PARTICULATES TO THE LOWEST FEASIBLE LEVEL: · A WATER SPRAYER SHALL BE USED TO WET THE CABLE DURING SAW CUTTING OPERATIONS. · A PROTECTIVE MAT, PLASTIC SHEETING, OR CONTAINER SHALL BE EMPLOYED TO CONTAIN PARTICULATES · WASTE CONTAINERS SHALL BE LABELED “LEAD CONTAINING WASTE” AND INCLUDE THE DATE. SOLID AND LIQUID WASTE SHALL BE CHARACTERIZED AND DISPOSED OF BY THE AT&T CONTRACTOR. 21. AN INDIVIDUAL TRAINED IN WATER QUALITY TESTING FOR LEAD SHALL CONDUCT WATER SAMPLING DURING CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS. SAMPLING SHALL OCCUR AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: · AT AN INTERMEDIARY POINT BETWEEN THE CUT LOCATIONS. · AT CUT LOCATIONS NEAR WATER INTAKES (1 PRE-CONSTRUCTIONSAMPLE, 2 POST-CONSTRUCTION SAMPLES). 22. SAMPLING SHALL FOLLOW LEAD SAMPLING PROTOCOLS AND TESTING SHALL BE CONDUCTED BY AN ELAP CERTIFIED LABORATORY. 23. THE SIERRA DISTRICT WATER & SEWER PLANT SUPERVISOR SHALL BE NOTIFIED PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIVITIES. 24. CONTRACTOR SHALL CAP ALL CUT ENDS PRIOR TO REELING THE CABLE TO MINIMIZE EXPOSURE OF THE INTERNAL SHEATH WITH WATER. 25. IN INSTANCES WHERE A ROCK/BOULDER MUST BE REMOVED TO ACCESS THE CABLE, CONTRACTOR MUST PERFORM A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE OUTER LAYER OF WIRE ARMOR AND OUTER JUTE. IF THE LEAD SHEATH IS EXPOSED, CONTRACTOR MUST PROPERLY DISPOSE OF THE CONTAMINATED SOIL ACCORDING TO THE WATER QUALITY PROTECTION PLAN IN APPENDIX D. CONSTRUCTION NOTES ENG'R: TYPE OF CONST. PROJECT NO. DWG OF DATE: TEL: PREPARED BY: PROJECT LOCATION: PROJECT CITY: PROJECT COUNTY: 775-683-5240 A020LET 2 4/19/2022 TEL: (254) 723-0013 JASON PARNHAM SUBMARINE CABLE REMOVAL S. RODIRIGUEZ EMERALD BAY, BALDIN BEACH LAKE TAHOE EL DORADO 52 erfsdf STATION - 6+93 SUBMARINE CABLE PROFILE 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 6244 6248 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 6244 6248 0+00 1+00 2+00 3+00 4+00 5+00 6+00 6+70 ENG'R: TYPE OF CONST. PROJECT NO. DWG OF DATE: JASON PARNHAM TEL: PREPARED BY: PROJECT LOCATION: PROJECT CITY: PROJECT COUNTY: 775-683-5240 SUBMARINE CABLE REMOVAL A020LET 3 52 4/19/2022 TEL: (254) 723-0013 S. RODRIGUEZ EMERALD BAY, BALDWIN BEACH LAKE TAHOE EL DORADO SCALE BAR 1"=60' 30 0 60 120 N S E W TALLAC CREEK LEGEND CUT LOCATIONS TOUCHDOWN MONITOR BARGE SUBMARINE CABLE HIGH WATER LINE STATE PARK BOUNDARY PARCEL BOUNDARY STREAMS 1970 CABLE EASEMENT SUBSTRATE CLASS (FISH HABITAT) SAND (MARGINAL) BOULDER (SPAWNING) SAND/COBBLE/BOULDER (SPAWNING) BALDWIN BEACH CUT LOCATION #1 LAT 38.9437 LONG -120.069339 BARGE SEE DETAIL APPENDIX A CURRENT LAKE ELEVATION USGS GAUGE READING 5/20/2022 BARGE LOCATION LAT: 38.9443 LONG: -120.0692 STREAM MOUTH PROTECTION ZONE STATION - 6+93 STATION - 13+63 SUBMARINE CABLE PROFILE 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6+70 7+00 8+00 9+00 10+00 11+00 12+00 13+00 13+40 ENG'R: TYPE OF CONST. PROJECT NO. DWG OF DATE: JASON PARNHAM TEL: PREPARED BY: PROJECT LOCATION: PROJECT CITY: PROJECT COUNTY: 775-683-5240 SUBMARINE CABLE REMOVAL A020LET 4 52 4/19/2022 TEL: (254) 723-0013 S. RODRIGUEZ EMERALD BAY, BALDWIN BEACH LAKE TAHOE EL DORADO SCALE BAR 1"=100' N S E W LEGEND CUT LOCATIONS TOUCHDOWN MONITOR BARGE SUBMARINE CABLE HIGH WATER LINE STATE PARK BOUNDARY PARCEL BOUNDARY STREAMS 1970 CABLE EASEMENT SUBSTRATE CLASS (FISH HABITAT) SAND (MARGINAL) BOULDER (SPAWNING) SAND/COBBLE/BOULDER (SPAWNING) Feet 1:1200 200 100 0 50 BARGE SEE DETAIL APPENDIX A BARGE LOCATION LAT: 38.9459 LONG: -120.0707 CURRENT LAKE ELEVATION USGS GAUGE READING 5/20/2022 STATION - 13+63 STATION - 20+33 SUBMARINE CABLE PROFILE 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 6244 6248 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 6244 6248 13+40 14+00 15+00 16+00 17+00 18+00 19+00 20+00 20+10 ENG'R: TYPE OF CONST. PROJECT NO. DWG OF DATE: JASON PARNHAM TEL: PREPARED BY: PROJECT LOCATION: PROJECT CITY: PROJECT COUNTY: 775-683-5240 SUBMARINE CABLE REMOVAL A020LET 5 52 4/19/2022 TEL: (254) 723-0013 S. RODRIGUEZ EMERALD BAY, BALDWIN BEACH LAKE TAHOE EL DORADO SCALE BAR 1"=100' Feet 1:1200.0024 200 100 0 50 N S E W LEGEND CUT LOCATIONS TOUCHDOWN MONITOR BARGE SUBMARINE CABLE HIGH WATER LINE STATE PARK BOUNDARY PARCEL BOUNDARY STREAMS 1970 CABLE EASEMENT SUBSTRATE CLASS (FISH HABITAT) SAND (MARGINAL) BOULDER (SPAWNING) SAND/COBBLE/BOULDER (SPAWNING) BARGE SEE DETAIL APPENDIX A BARGE LOCATION LAT: 38.9470 LONG: -120.0730 CURRENT LAKE ELEVATION USGS GAUGE READING 5/20/2022 STATION - 20+33 STATION - 27+03 SUBMARINE CABLE PROFILE 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 20+10 21+00 22+00 23+00 24+00 25+00 26+00 26+80 ENG'R: TYPE OF CONST. PROJECT NO. DWG OF DATE: JASON PARNHAM TEL: PREPARED BY: PROJECT LOCATION: PROJECT CITY: PROJECT COUNTY: 775-683-5240 SUBMARINE CABLE REMOVAL A020LET 6 52 4/19/2022 TEL: (254) 723-0013 S. RODRIGUEZ EMERALD BAY, BALDWIN BEACH LAKE TAHOE EL DORADO SCALE BAR 1"=100' Feet 1:1200.0024 200 100 0 50 N S E W LEGEND CUT LOCATIONS TOUCHDOWN MONITOR BARGE SUBMARINE CABLE HIGH WATER LINE STATE PARK BOUNDARY PARCEL BOUNDARY STREAMS 1970 CABLE EASEMENT SUBSTRATE CLASS (FISH HABITAT) SAND (MARGINAL) BOULDER (SPAWNING) SAND/COBBLE/BOULDER (SPAWNING) BARGE SEE DETAIL APPENDIX A BARGE LOCATION LAT: 38.9483 LONG: -120.0741 CURRENT LAKE ELEVATION USGS GAUGE READING 5/20/2022 STATION - 27+03 STATION - 33+73 SUBMARINE CABLE PROFILE 6180 6184 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 6180 6184 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 26+80 27+00 28+00 29+00 30+00 31+00 32+00 33+00 33+50 ENG'R: TYPE OF CONST. PROJECT NO. DWG OF DATE: JASON PARNHAM TEL: PREPARED BY: PROJECT LOCATION: PROJECT CITY: PROJECT COUNTY: 775-683-5240 SUBMARINE CABLE REMOVAL A020LET 7 52 4/19/2022 TEL: (254) 723-0013 S. RODRIGUEZ EMERALD BAY, BALDWIN BEACH LAKE TAHOE EL DORADO SCALE BAR 1"=100' 30 0 60 120 N S E W LEGEND CUT LOCATIONS TOUCHDOWN MONITOR BARGE SUBMARINE CABLE HIGH WATER LINE STATE PARK BOUNDARY PARCEL BOUNDARY STREAMS 1970 CABLE EASEMENT SUBSTRATE CLASS (FISH HABITAT) SAND (MARGINAL) BOULDER (SPAWNING) SAND/COBBLE/BOULDER (SPAWNING) BARGE SEE DETAIL APPENDIX A BARGE LOCATION LAT: 38.9501 LONG: -120.0757 CURRENT LAKE ELEVATION USGS GAUGE READING 5/20/2022 STATION - 33+73 STATION - 40+43 SUBMARINE CABLE PROFILE 6172 6176 6180 6184 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6172 6176 6180 6184 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 33+50 34+00 35+00 36+00 37+00 38+00 39+00 40+00 40+20 ENG'R: TYPE OF CONST. PROJECT NO. DWG OF DATE: JASON PARNHAM TEL: PREPARED BY: PROJECT LOCATION: PROJECT CITY: PROJECT COUNTY: 775-683-5240 SUBMARINE CABLE REMOVAL A020LET 8 52 4/19/2022 TEL: (254) 723-0013 S. RODRIGUEZ EMERALD BAY, BALDWIN BEACH LAKE TAHOE EL DORADO SCALE BAR 1"=60' 30 0 60 120 CASCADE CREEK N S E W LEGEND CUT LOCATIONS TOUCHDOWN MONITOR BARGE SUBMARINE CABLE HIGH WATER LINE STATE PARK BOUNDARY PARCEL BOUNDARY STREAMS 1970 CABLE EASEMENT SUBSTRATE CLASS (FISH HABITAT) SAND (MARGINAL) BOULDER (SPAWNING) SAND/COBBLE/BOULDER (SPAWNING) BARGE SEE DETAIL APPENDIX A BARGE LOCATION LAT: 38.9516 LONG: -120.0766 CURRENT LAKE ELEVATION USGS GAUGE READING 5/20/2022 STREAM MOUTH PROTECTION ZONE STATION - 40+43 STATION - 47+13 SUBMARINE CABLE PROFILE 6168 6172 6176 6180 6184 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 6168 6172 6176 6180 6184 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 40+20 41+00 42+00 43+00 44+00 45+00 46+00 46+90 ENG'R: TYPE OF CONST. PROJECT NO. DWG OF DATE: JASON PARNHAM TEL: PREPARED BY: PROJECT LOCATION: PROJECT CITY: PROJECT COUNTY: 775-683-5240 SUBMARINE CABLE REMOVAL A020LET 9 52 4/19/2022 TEL: (254) 723-0013 S. RODRIGUEZ EMERALD BAY, BALDWIN BEACH LAKE TAHOE EL DORADO SCALE BAR 1"=60' 30 0 60 120 N S E W EMERALD BAY STATE PARK EMERALD BAY UNDERWATER PARK LEGEND CUT LOCATIONS TOUCHDOWN MONITOR BARGE SUBMARINE CABLE HIGH WATER LINE STATE PARK BOUNDARY PARCEL BOUNDARY STREAMS 1970 CABLE EASEMENT SUBSTRATE CLASS (FISH HABITAT) SAND (MARGINAL) BOULDER (SPAWNING) SAND/COBBLE/BOULDER (SPAWNING) BARGE SEE DETAIL APPENDIX A BARGE LOCATION LAT: 38.9531 LONG: -120.0773 CURRENT LAKE ELEVATION USGS GAUGE READING 5/20/2022 STATION - 47+13 STATION - 53+76 SUBMARINE CABLE PROFILE 6172 6176 6180 6184 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 6172 6176 6180 6184 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 46+90 47+00 48+00 49+00 50+00 51+00 52+00 53+00 53+60 ENG'R: TYPE OF CONST. PROJECT NO. DWG OF DATE: JASON PARNHAM TEL: PREPARED BY: PROJECT LOCATION: PROJECT CITY: PROJECT COUNTY: 775-683-5240 SUBMARINE CABLE REMOVAL A020LET 10 52 4/19/2022 TEL: (254) 723-0013 S. RODRIGUEZ EMERALD BAY, BALDWIN BEACH LAKE TAHOE EL DORADO SCALE BAR 1"=60' 30 0 60 120 N S E W EMERALD BAY STATE PARK LEGEND CUT LOCATIONS TOUCHDOWN MONITOR BARGE SUBMARINE CABLE HIGH WATER LINE STATE PARK BOUNDARY PARCEL BOUNDARY STREAMS 1970 CABLE EASEMENT SUBSTRATE CLASS (FISH HABITAT) SAND (MARGINAL) BOULDER (SPAWNING) SAND/COBBLE/BOULDER (SPAWNING) CUT LOCATION #2 LAT 38.955678 LONG -120.078125 BARGE SEE DETAIL APPENDIX A BARGE LOCATION LAT: 38.9550 LONG: -120.0778 CURRENT LAKE ELEVATION USGS GAUGE READING 5/20/2022 STATION - 53+76 STATION - 60+53 SUBMARINE CABLE PROFILE 6180 6184 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 6180 6184 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 53+60 54+00 55+00 56+00 57+00 58+00 59+00 60+00 60+30 ENG'R: TYPE OF CONST. PROJECT NO. DWG OF DATE: JASON PARNHAM TEL: PREPARED BY: PROJECT LOCATION: PROJECT CITY: PROJECT COUNTY: 775-683-5240 SUBMARINE CABLE REMOVAL A020LET 11 52 4/19/2022 TEL: (254) 723-0013 S. RODRIGUEZ EMERALD BAY, BALDWIN BEACH LAKE TAHOE EL DORADO SCALE BAR 1"=60' 30 0 60 120 N S E W EMERALD BAY UNDERWATER PARK LEGEND CUT LOCATIONS TOUCHDOWN MONITOR BARGE SUBMARINE CABLE HIGH WATER LINE STATE PARK BOUNDARY PARCEL BOUNDARY STREAMS 1970 CABLE EASEMENT SUBSTRATE CLASS (FISH HABITAT) SAND (MARGINAL) BOULDER (SPAWNING) SAND/COBBLE/BOULDER (SPAWNING) BARGE SEE DETAIL APPENDIX A BARGE LOCATION LAT: 38.9563 LONG: -120.0776 CURRENT LAKE ELEVATION USGS GAUGE READING 5/20/2022 CUT LOCATION #2 LAT 38.955678 LONG -120.078125 STATION - 60+53 STATION - 67+23 SUBMARINE CABLE PROFILE 6184 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 6244 6184 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 6244 60+30 61+00 62+00 63+00 64+00 65+00 66+00 67+00 ENG'R: TYPE OF CONST. PROJECT NO. DWG OF DATE: JASON PARNHAM TEL: PREPARED BY: PROJECT LOCATION: PROJECT CITY: PROJECT COUNTY: 775-683-5240 SUBMARINE CABLE REMOVAL A020LET 12 52 4/19/2022 TEL: (254) 723-0013 S. RODRIGUEZ EMERALD BAY, BALDWIN BEACH LAKE TAHOE EL DORADO SCALE BAR 1"=60' 30 0 60 120 N S E W EMERALD BAY UNDERWATER PARK EMERALD BAY STATE PARK LEGEND CUT LOCATIONS TOUCHDOWN MONITOR BARGE SUBMARINE CABLE HIGH WATER LINE STATE PARK BOUNDARY PARCEL BOUNDARY STREAMS 1970 CABLE EASEMENT SUBSTRATE CLASS (FISH HABITAT) SAND (MARGINAL) BOULDER (SPAWNING) SAND/COBBLE/BOULDER (SPAWNING) BARGE SEE DETAIL APPENDIX A BARGE LOCATION LAT: 38.9582 LONG: -120.0777 CURRENT LAKE ELEVATION USGS GAUGE READING 5/20/2022 STATION - 67+23 STATION - 73+93 SUBMARINE CABLE PROFILE 6172 6176 6180 6184 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 6172 6176 6180 6184 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6240 67+00 68+00 69+00 70+00 71+00 72+00 73+00 73+70 ENG'R: TYPE OF CONST. PROJECT NO. DWG OF DATE: JASON PARNHAM TEL: PREPARED BY: PROJECT LOCATION: PROJECT CITY: PROJECT COUNTY: 775-683-5240 SUBMARINE CABLE REMOVAL A020LET 13 52 4/19/2022 TEL: (254) 723-0013 S. RODRIGUEZ EMERALD BAY, BALDWIN BEACH LAKE TAHOE EL DORADO SCALE BAR 1"=60' 30 0 60 120 N S E W LEGEND CUT LOCATIONS TOUCHDOWN MONITOR BARGE SUBMARINE CABLE HIGH WATER LINE STATE PARK BOUNDARY PARCEL BOUNDARY STREAMS 1970 CABLE EASEMENT SUBSTRATE CLASS (FISH HABITAT) SAND (MARGINAL) BOULDER (SPAWNING) SAND/COBBLE/BOULDER (SPAWNING) BARGE SEE DETAIL APPENDIX A EMERALD BAY UNDERWATER PARK EMERALD BAY STATE PARK BARGE LOCATION LAT: 38.9601 LONG: -120.0777 CURRENT LAKE ELEVATION USGS GAUGE READING 5/20/2022 STATION - 73+93 STATION - 80+63 SUBMARINE CABLE PROFILE 6164 6168 6172 6176 6180 6184 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 6164 6168 6172 6176 6180 6184 6188 6192 6196 6200 6204 6208 6212 6216 6220 6224 6228 6232 6236 73+70 74+00 75+00 76+00 77+00 78+00 79+00 80+00 80+40 ENG'R: TY […]

!( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( 1 2 3 5 6 A B 4 ± AT&T PROJECT NO: DWG OF DATE: A020LET 1 1 08/24/2022 PROJECT SCIENTIST: S. RODRIGUEZ TYPE OF CONST:CABLE REMOVAL PREPARED BY: S. RODRIGUEZ PROJECT COUNTY: PROJECT LOCATION: LAKE TAHOE PROJECT CITY: SOUTH LAKE TAHOE EL DORADO TEL: (254) 723-0013 0 2,000 4,000 1,000 Feet Legend !( Cut Locations DL Bliss State Park Emerald Bay State Park Emarld Bay Cable Project Alignment 6-mile Cable Project Alignment TEL: (254) 723-0013 Map Scale - 1:24000 (1" = 2,000')

AT&T PROJECT A020LET BIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT August 2022 Location: Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 Prepared for: Torrey Denoo AT&T Area Manager Construction and Engineering Prepared by: R3X Group, Inc. 9800 El Camino Real #2586 Atascadero, CA 93423 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................1 2.0 PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION .....................................................................................1 3.2 THE CALIFORNIA ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT (CESA) ................................................................................................ 4 3.3 CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) ................................................................................................ 4 3.5 SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES .................................................................................................................................................... 5 4.0 CRITICAL HABITAT AND SENSITIVE BIOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES ................................5 4.1 CRITICAL HABITAT .............................................................................................................................................................. 5 4.2 SENSITIVE BIOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES ............................................................................................................................. 5 4.3 TRPA DESIGNATED FISH HABITAT ................................................................................................................................... 6 4.3 WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES ................................................................................................................................... 6 4.4 WATERS OF THE STATE ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 4.5 CDFW SECTIONS 1600-1616 OF CALIFORNIA FISH AND WILDLIFE CODE ........................................................... 7 4.6 OTHER SENSITIVE BIOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES .............................................................................................................. 8 5.0 METHODS ....................................................................................................................................................8 6.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS ........................................................................................................................9 6.1 BIOTIC HABITATS ................................................................................................................................................................... 9 6.1.1 Wet Meadow ................................................................................................................................................................ 9 6.1.2 Barren ..........................................................................................................................................................................10 6.1.3 Montane Chaparral ................................................................................................................................................10 6.1.4 Sierran Mixed Conifer ............................................................................................................................................10 6.1.5 Jeffrey Pine .................................................................................................................................................................11 6.1.6 Lake Tahoe and Tallac Creek/Marsh ...............................................................................................................11 7.0 RESULTS ................................................................................................................................................... 11 7.1 SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES .................................................................................................................................................. 11 7.2 PLANTS .................................................................................................................................................................................. 12 7.3 ANIMALS................................................................................................................................................................................ 16 7.4 LAKE, CREEK, AND TERRESTRIAL HABITATS ............................................................................................................... 20 7.5 TERRESTRIAL WORK AREAS ............................................................................................................................................ 22 8.0 POTENTIAL IMPACTS - SUGGESTED AVOIDANCE AND MINIMIZATION MEASURES .............................................................................................................................................................................. 32 8.1 OVERVIEW AND ASSUMPTIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 32 8.2 WETLAND AND RIPARIAN HABITAT ............................................................................................................................... 32 8.4 CRITICAL HABITAT AND SENSITIVE BIOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES ............................................................................ 34 8.5 SPECIAL STATUS PLANTS AND ANIMALS ....................................................................................................................... 34 8.5.1 Tahoe Yellow Cress .................................................................................................................................................34 8.5.2 Passerines and Raptors .........................................................................................................................................35 8.5.3 Native Fish .................................................................................................................................................................36 8.5.4 Aquatic Invertebrates .............................................................................................................................................37 8.5.5 Flying mammals .......................................................................................................................................................37 8.5.6 Terrestrial mammals...............................................................................................................................................38 8.5.7 Western Bumble Bee ...............................................................................................................................................38 9.0 SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................................ 38 10.0 LITERATURE CITED .......................................................................................................................... 39 Figures Figure 1. Project location. ......................................................................................................................................... 3 Figure 2. Special status species in the vicinity of the Project location ............................................. 15 Figure 3. Sandy habitat at Tallac Creek. .......................................................................................................... 20 Figure 4. Cobble habitat. ......................................................................................................................................... 21 Figure 5. Cable partially buried beneath sand. ............................................................................................ 21 Figure 6. Sandy habitat with cable resting on top of sand. .................................................................... 22 Figure 7. Cut Location #1. Baldwin Beach work area. ............................................................................. 23 Figure 8. Cut Location #1. Work area to lake edge of Tallac Creek. .................................................. 23 Figure 9. Cut Location #1. Hand digging and cut location on inland edge of Tallac Creek. ... 24 Figure 10. Cut Location #2 .................................................................................................................................... 25 Figure 11. Cut Location Emerald Bay ............................................................................................................... 26 Figure 12. Cut Location #3 .................................................................................................................................... 27 Figure 13. Cut Location #4 .................................................................................................................................... 29 Figure 14. Cut Location #5 .................................................................................................................................... 30 Figure 15. Cut Location #6 .................................................................................................................................... 31 Figure 16. Wetlands along the project route. ............................................................................................... 33 Tables Table 1Special status animal species known to occur within 5-km of the project. ................... 13 Table 2. Special status animal species known to occur within 5 km of the project................... 16 Appendices Appendix 1. Work Plans Appendix 2. CNDDB Records Appendix 3. Tahoe Yellow Cress July 2022 Survey Report 1 AT&T Tahoe Cable Removal: Biological Survey Report R3X Group, Inc. 1.0 INTRODUCTION This report describes the biological resources within, and in the vicinity of, the proposed AT&T cable removal project in Lake Tahoe (Project) in El Dorado County, CA (Figure 1). It includes a description of existing biological conditions, assessment of special status species, and suggested avoidance measures to reduce the likelihood of impacts to sensitive species and habitat. Specifically, it 1) summarizes information collected during biological surveys conducted in March, June, July, and August 2022, 2) compiles information about existing biological resources known to occur in the Project area, 3) makes inferences about biological resources that could occur within the Project area, 4) identifies and discusses potential impacts the Project could have on biological resources, and 5) identifies avoidance measures to reduce the likelihood of such impacts. The intent of this report is to provide information that can be used to evaluate how the Project implementation could potentially disturb biological resources, and to identify safeguards that can be put in place to avoid these disturbances. Importantly, though the findings in this report provide information about biological resources in the Project area, they do not interpret specific laws or ordinances. 2.0 PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION AT&T California proposes the removal of two lengths of submarine telecommunications cable in Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay in California (Appendix 1). The longer cable is approximately 6 miles long and runs along the Southwestern shore of Lake Tahoe. The cable stretches from Baldwin Beach past Rubicon Point near Lester Beach. Most of the cable resides in the Emerald Bay and DL Bliss Underwater State Parks. This 6-mile cable surfaces on shore a total of 6 times. The second cable rests at the mouth of Emerald Bay and spans approximately 1,000 feet. This shorter cable extends between the shores of Emerald Point and Eagles Point and lies in the Emerald Bay Underwater Park. The project area for both cables lies within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the USDA Forest Service. The cables largely rest on the lakebed, not within the substrate. They weigh 9-lbs/foot and their outside diameter measures approximately 3 inches. Each is constructed of a core of communication cables surrounded by a lead sheath, which is bound by a layer of wire armor and secured by an outer jute layer for additional waterproofing. The Project calls for 7 cut locations, 6 along the 6-mile cable and 1 on the 2 AT&T Tahoe Cable Removal: Biological Survey Report R3X Group, Inc. Emerald Bay cable. The Emerald Bay cable has been previously severed on the South side of Emerald bay. If the cable end lies within the high water mark, one additional cut location would be required to remove the cable from the water. AT&T plans to remove the cable in the Fall, during the recreational off-season, no earlier than October. They anticipate using three staging areas: the lake entry point for barge launch, the cut locations where cable comes up on shore, and the mobile barge. The cable will be removed using a 30-feet by 60-feet modular barge suitable for shallow water use. An outboard skiff, comparable in size to a recreational boat, will be used to maneuver the barge. These maritime vessels will be delivered by semi-trucks with estimated dimensions of 70 feet long and 10 feet wide. Portions of the cable on land will be accessed by barge, from which a technician will approach the cut location on foot. Cable segments on shore are buried approximately 4-6-inches. Sections of the cable may lie beneath large boulders; in these instances, a mini excavator staged on the barge will be used to temporarily reposition the boulders. To remove the cable, it will be exposed at the high-water line at 6,229.1 feet with hand tools or an excavator that will access the location by ramp from the barge. The cable will be cut with a reciprocating saw. A container will be used to collect particulates generated from the cable cutting operations. To minimize airborne cable particles, the cable will be kept wet during cutting operations. The cut end of the cable will be tied onto a steel cable and winched onto the barge, then spooled into segments. The portion above the high water line will be covered by a 3M shrink cap and reburied with hand tools. A touchdown monitor will observe the operation underwater and collect cable fragments that fall to the lake bed. A technician on the barge will skim fragments from the surface. Collected cable fragments will then be disposed into a container onboard. A technician will be responsible for monitoring plume events through visual observation and a turbidity meter. 3 AT&T Tahoe Cable Removal: Biological Survey Report R3X Group, Inc. Figure 1. Project location. 4 AT&T Tahoe Cable Removal: Biological Survey Report R3X Group, Inc. 3.0 REGULATORY BACKGROUND This section explains the regulatory context that applies to environmental protection and to projects being conducted in California and, specifically, Lake Tahoe. 3.1 Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) The purpose of the ESA is to protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. It is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). USFWS has primary responsibility for terrestrial and freshwater organisms, while the responsibilities of NMFS are mainly marine wildlife, such as whales and anadromous fish. Under the ESA, species may be listed as either endangered or threatened. "Endangered" means a species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. "Threatened" means a species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. The law requires federal agencies, in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or the NMFS NOAA Fisheries Service, to ensure that actions they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any listed species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat of such species. The law also prohibits any action that causes a "take" (i.e., harm, harassment, or kill) of any listed species of fish or wildlife. 3.2 The California Endangered Species Act (CESA) CESA protects plants and animals listed, or proposed for listing, as rare (plants only), threatened, or endangered. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has jurisdiction over state-listed species. A permit is required for any take of state-listed species. The Lead Agency reviewing a proposed project within its jurisdiction has to determine whether any state-listed or proposed endangered or threatened species are present and determine whether the project could result in a significant impact to those species. 3.3 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) CEQA guidelines state that species not listed on the federal or state list of protected species may be considered rare or endangered if the species can be shown to meet specified criteria. CEQA criteria have been modeled after Federal and State Endangered Species language of the California Fish and Wildlife Code that pertains to rare or endangered plants or animals. The goal is to include guidelines to deal with 5 AT&T Tahoe Cable Removal: Biological Survey Report R3X Group, Inc. situations in which a public agency is reviewing a project that may have a significant effect on a species that has been deemed to be rare or have special status. Thus, CEQA provides an agency with the ability to protect a species from potential impacts associated with a project if it deems that the species meet the criteria of a threatened or endangered species. 3.5 Special Status Species In this report, special status species consist of plants and animals that are legally protected or considered sensitive by state, federal, and/or local agencies and conservation organizations. CDFW maintains lists of "species of special concern," which are defined as species that appear to be vulnerable to extinction because of declining populations, limited ranges, and/or continuing threats. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Birds of Conservation Concern, sensitive species included in USFWS Recovery Plans, California Native Plant Society (CNPS) list 1 and 2 species, and CDFW special status species are considered “special status species.” Although this group of species generally has no legal status, they are given special consideration under CEQA and a project must consider potential impacts to them during the planning phase. Additionally, most birds in the United States, including non-status species, are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act – making the destruction of active nests, eggs, and young illegal. Other listings include species designated as sensitive by the USFS Regional Forester in Region 5 and species designated as sensitive, special interest, or threshold species by TRPA. 4.0 CRITICAL HABITAT AND SENSITIVE BIOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES 4.1 Critical Habitat The Federal Endangered Species Act defines Critical Habitat as a specific region that contains features essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species. This requires federal agencies to consult with USFWS for projects that they fund or authorize on their lands to ensure they will not jeopardize the survival of a threatened or endangered species. This is also true for projects occurring in federally designated Critical Habitat. 4.2 Sensitive Biological Communities Sensitive biological communities provide values and functions that are important for a suite of species (e.g., riparian and wetland habitat). These habitats are protected by a variety of 6 AT&T Tahoe Cable Removal: Biological Survey Report R3X Group, Inc. federal and state regulations, including CDFW Streambed Alteration Program, federal Clean Water Act, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) designations, the California Coastal Commission in co […]

RARE PLANT SURVEY FOR TAHOE YELLOW CRESS CABLE REMOVAL PROJECT FINAL AUGUST 4, 2022 R3X Group, Inc. Prepared for: Prepared by: 1024 Simon Drive, Suite H Placerville, CA 95667 R3X Group, Inc. Cable Removal Project Sierra Ecosystem Associates Final 08/04/2022 Rare Plant Survey for Tahoe Yellow Cress Page i TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 1 2.0 METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................................ 4 3.0 RESULTS .................................................................................................................................... 4 4.0 SITE PHOTOS .......................................................................................................................... 10 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Project Location ................................................................................................................... 2 Figure 2. Survey Areas and Terrestrial Cut Locations ...................................................................... 3 Figure 3. Location 1 across Tallac Creek with multiple occurrences of TYC. ................................. 5 Figure 4. Location 4 - One plant located approximately 12 inches from the cables. .................... 8 R3X Group, Inc. Cable Removal Project Sierra Ecosystem Associates Final 08/04/2022 Rare Plant Survey for Tahoe Yellow Cress Page 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION The following sections address the R3X proposed Cable Removal Project (Project). The Project is located in South Lake Tahoe, California along the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe from north of D.L. Bliss State Park to Baldwin Beach. The project involves the removal of approximately 75 tons of lead cable from Lake Tahoe. The cable is mostly underwater but intersects the shoreline in 6 different onshore locations. An endemic plant species to the shores of Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe yellow cress (Rorippa subumbellata), has multiple occurrences nearby as shown in Figure 2. This Tahoe Yellow Cress is listed as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act and is a candidate for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. A survey was completed to assess the nearby populations to determine the location of this species relative to Project disturbance areas. R3X Group, Inc. Cable Removal Project Sierra Ecosystem Associates Final 08/04/2022 Rare Plant Survey for Tahoe Yellow Cress Page 2 Figure 1. Project Location R3X Group, Inc. Cable Removal Project Sierra Ecosystem Associates Final 08/04/2022 Rare Plant Survey for Tahoe Yellow Cress Page 3 Figure 2. Survey Areas and Terrestrial Cut Locations R3X Group, Inc. Cable Removal Project Sierra Ecosystem Associates Final 08/04/2022 Rare Plant Survey for Tahoe Yellow Cress Page 4 2.0 METHODOLOGY Sierra Ecosystem Associates, Inc. (SEA) staff Senior Ecologist, Jeremy Waites (J. Waites), and Natural Resource Analyst, Summer Von Aesch (S. Von Aesch) visited the project site and completed a rare plant survey with a focus on Tahoe Yellow Cress (TYC) on July 21, 2022. The survey consisted of travelling along the shoreline of Lake Tahoe to each location and conducting a survey. The survey consisted of a floristic pedestrian survey from the water’s edge to the high-water mark. The survey collected species information for all plants in the disturbance area and within 50 feet of the cable removal. If rare plants were found, information was collected on number of plants, size of population(s), and exact location of the rare plants and the cable using a sub-meter GPS unit. Pictures were taken of each rare plant occurrence as well as the overview of the site. 3.0 RESULTS Following the completion of the field survey, SEA found Tahoe yellow cress in Location 1 and Location 4. An overview of each cut location and pictures of the Tahoe Yellow Cress found are recorded below. Location 1 Location 1 cuts across the mouth of Tallac Creek on Baldwin Beach. The vegetation around the site consisted of mullein, sedge species, lupine, and Tahoe Yellow Cress. Eight individual plants are located a few feet down stream of the removal location. The location of the plants in relation to the cable removal is shown in Figure 3. Species Present • Rorippa subumbellata • Verbascum thapsus • Lupinus polyphyllus • Carex nebrascensis R3X Group, Inc. Cable Removal Project Sierra Ecosystem Associates Final 08/04/2022 Rare Plant Survey for Tahoe Yellow Cress Page 5 Figure 3. Location 1 across Tallac Creek with multiple occurrences of TYC. Location 2 Location 2 is on a rocky shore 0.75 mile south of the mouth of Emerald Bay. The vegetation around the site consists of various wetland plants such as willow, aspen, and alder. No occurrences of TYC were present. Species Present • Populus trichocarpa • Alnus incana • Populus tremuloides • Potentilla gracilis • Pinus contorta • Galium ssp. • Salix lasiolepis • Rorippa curvisiliqua R3X Group, Inc. Cable Removal Project Sierra Ecosystem Associates Final 08/04/2022 Rare Plant Survey for Tahoe Yellow Cress Page 6 Location 3 This site cuts across the low-lying peninsula on the north side of the mouth of Emerald Bay. The cable removal area is on a well vegetated rocky shore. The vegetation above the ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) is dominated by overstory trees consisting of sugar pine, Jeffrey pine, ponderosa pine, white fir, and black cottonwood. The understory was on the sandy shore was productive with No occurrences of TYC were found in this location. Species Present • Quercus vacciniifolia • Abies concolor • Calocedrus decurrens • Hieracium albiflorum • Pinus lambertiana • Pinus jeffreyii • Pinus ponderosa • Populus trichocarpa • Potentilla gracilis • Galium ssp. • Deschampsia cespitosa Location 3A The north side of the mouth of Emerald Bay where the cable removal is proposed is a heavily vegetated sandy shoreline consisting mostly of lupine and cinquefoil. No occurrences of TYC were found in this location. Species Present • Hosackia pinnata • Acmispon decumbens • Lupinus polyphyllus • Rumex triangulivalvis • Verbascum thapsus • Mentha canadensis • Salix lasiandra • Potentilla gracilis • Hieracium albiflorum Location 4 This cable removal area is located north of Emerald Bay on a rocky shore. The vegetation consisted of mostly huckleberry oak. One occurrence of TYC was found adjacent to the cable and is shown in Figure 4. R3X Group, Inc. Cable Removal Project Sierra Ecosystem Associates Final 08/04/2022 Rare Plant Survey for Tahoe Yellow Cress Page 7 Species Present • Pseudognaphalium californicum • Hieracium albiflorum • Carex ssp. • Deschampsia cespitosa • Potentilla gracilis • Rorippa subumbellata • Arctostaphylos patula • Pinus lambertiana • Quercus vacciniifolia • Pinus jeffreyi • Abies concolor R3X Group, Inc. Cable Removal Project Sierra Ecosystem Associates Final 08/04/2022 Rare Plant Survey for Tahoe Yellow Cress Page 8 Figure 4. Location 4 - One plant located approximately 12 inches from the cables. R3X Group, Inc. Cable Removal Project Sierra Ecosystem Associates Final 08/04/2022 Rare Plant Survey for Tahoe Yellow Cress Page 9 Location 5 Location 5 is just to the south of Lighthouse Point. This site is on a steep rocky shore with little vegetation. No occurrences of TYC were found in this location. Species Present • Ceanothus velutinus • Galium ssp. • Abies concolor • Deschampsia cespitosa Location 6 Location 6 is 0.6 mile north of D. L. Bliss State Park. The site is on a sandy shore between private docks with almost no vegetation below the OHWM. No occurrences of TYC were found in this location. Species Present • Ribes ssp. • Salix lasiolepis R3X Group, Inc. Cable Removal Project Sierra Ecosystem Associates Final 08/04/2022 Rare Plant Survey for Tahoe Yellow Cress Page 10 4.0 SITE PHOTOS Photo 1. A view of the stream bank on Tallac Creek where the Tahoe yellow cress is located at cut location 1. R3X Group, Inc. Cable Removal Project Sierra Ecosystem Associates Final 08/04/2022 Rare Plant Survey for Tahoe Yellow Cress Page 11 Photo 2. An overview of cut location 2. R3X Group, Inc. Cable Removal Project Sierra Ecosystem Associates Final 08/04/2022 Rare Plant Survey for Tahoe Yellow Cress Page 12 Photo 3. An overview of cut location 3. R3X Group, Inc. Cable Removal Project Sierra Ecosystem Associates Final 08/04/2022 Rare Plant Survey for Tahoe Yellow Cress Page 13 Photo 4. An overview of cut location 3A. R3X Group, Inc. Cable Removal Project Sierra Ecosystem Associates Final 08/04/2022 Rare Plant Survey for Tahoe Yellow Cress Page 14 Photo 5. Tahoe yellow cress at cut location 4. R3X Group, Inc. Cable Removal Project Sierra Ecosystem Associates Final 08/04/2022 Rare Plant Survey for Tahoe Yellow Cress Page 15 Photo 6. An overview of cut location 5. R3X Group, Inc. Cable Removal Project Sierra Ecosystem Associates Final 08/04/2022 Rare Plant Survey for Tahoe Yellow Cress Page 16 Photo 7. An overview of cut location 6.