Project Description
The 45 mile long project to install a 30-inch natural gas pipeline required a full Environmental Impact Review (EIR) be conducted under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Route options traversed the entire width of the Sacramento Valley with numerous water crossings and special status species habitat. Some of the most productive agricultural cropland lay between the source and termination points for the project. The California State Lands Commission was designated as the lead agency due to a crossing of the Sacramento River.

GTS Involvement
GTS was contracted to determine the preferred route from numerous options proposed by two separate environmental firms. GTS used it’s proprietary analysis method and route optimization software to quantify the construction costs and environmental impacts for each of the alternatives. The resultant recommendation was vetted by facilitation of a panel of subject matter experts.

GTS was further commissioned to prepare the project description and provide a comprehensive construction survey to be used in preparation of the Preliminary Environmental Assessment (PEA).

GTS prepared the design calculations, construction drawings, HDD report and construction specifications for the project as well as responding to numerous data requests. Additionally, GTS reviewed and commented on the entire DEIR document to ensure engineering and construction issues were adequately represented.