Page updated: June 26, 2025
The City of Los Angeles (City) Bureau of Engineering (BOE) is beginning the environmental review process for the proposed LAX Transpacific Cable Landing (Project) consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The project would be constructed and operated by the applicant Hood 1703 LLC (Applicant).
PROJECT LOCATION AND SETTING: The landing site for the proposed Project would be located beneath an existing paved parking lot at the south end of Dockweiler Beach Park (Latitude: 33.9318° / Longitude: -118.4364°). From the landing site, a subterranean terrestrial conduit system would be installed within public rights-of-way (ROWs) within the Cities of Los Angeles and El Segundo, to reach existing data centers. Four submarine cables would be installed on submerged land within the City of Los Angeles’ jurisdiction and extend through both state and federal waters to locations across the Pacific Ocean. From a horizontal directional drilled (HDD) exit hole off Dockweiler Beach, these submarine cables would be buried to approximately 3.3 feet below the seabed, where feasible, in waters of less than 3,600-foot water depth. In deeper waters, it is not feasible to bury cables in the seafloor; instead, they would be laid on the seafloor.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Project consists of undersea (subsea) fiber optic telecommunications cable landing infrastructure that could receive up to four future submarine cable systems and connect this infrastructure to a terrestrial landing site and terrestrial conduits installed along public ROWs to existing data center(s) in the region.
The Project would include construction at the Dockweiler Beach landing site, along public ROWs, and offshore to install the following components:
- Four (4) offshore bore pipes using HDD and extending approximately 4,000 feet offshore
- Two (2) beach manhole (BMHs) installed at Dockweiler State Beach at approximately 400 feet landward of the mean high water (MHW) line to serve as a terminus point for HDD bores
- Up to four (4) Ocean Ground Beds (OGBs) at Dockweiler State Beach
- One (1) HDD bore from one BMH to the intersection of Imperial Highway and Vista Del Mar
- Approximately four (4) miles of open trenched terrestrial conduit route in the Cities of Los Angeles and El Segundo
The Applicant proposes to install the landing infrastructure (e.g., BMHs, bore pipes) in one phase, with cable(s) installation occurring in a subsequent phase based on planning timelines, regulatory approval, and installation availability. Once construction is complete, the landing site and conduit along the ROWs to the data center would be restored to pre-construction condition.
While no subsea cables are currently proposed to be installed or operated as part of this initial phase of the Project, the environmental review process will evaluate the environmental impacts associated with subsea cable installation to be comprehensive. Anticipated offshore Project components include the HDD marine bore pipes described above, up to four submarine cables, and cable regenerators.
Notice of Preparation/Initial Study and Public Scoping Period
The BOE is beginning the environmental review process for the proposed Project consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City is the Lead Agency under CEQA. As the Lead Agency, the City has prepared an Initial Study (IS)/Environmental Checklist in accordance with current City of Los Angeles Guidelines for Implementation of CEQA of 1970, Article I, and CEQA Guidelines Section 15082. The City identified a potential for significant impacts and proposes to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The EIR will address the proposed Project’s potential effects to the following environmental resources:
- Air Quality
- Biological Resources
- Cultural Resources
- Energy
- Geology and Soils
- Mandatory Findings of Significance
- Noise
- Recreation
- Transportation/Traffic
- Tribal Cultural Resources
The City is requesting input from agencies, stakeholders, and other interested parties on the scope and content of the EIR. Using the information obtained through the environmental scoping period, the City will prepare an EIR to analyze the environmental impacts of the proposed Project and alternatives. The BOE welcomes comments and/or concerns related to the content of the environmental information presented and invites you to attend a virtual public meeting held via Zoom to learn more about the proposed Project and participate in the environmental review process.
PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD: The Notice of Preparation and Initial Study will be circulated for a thirty (30) day public review period, beginning on June 26, 2025, and ending on July 25, 2025. Please use the links below to view and download these materials:
These documents are on file at the offices of the Bureau of Engineering, 1149 S. Broadway, Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90015.
A copy of the Notice and Preparation and Initial Study Checklist may also be obtained by contacting Daniel Kim of the Bureau of Engineering at daniel.y.kim@lacity.org or at (213) 485-1411.
Copies of the Notice of Preparation and Initial Study/Environmental Checklist are also available for review at the Playa Vista Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, 6400 Playa Vista Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90094, (310) 437-6680.
All comments must be submitted in writing no later than 4:00 p.m. on July 25, 2025 by mail or email (please include “LAX Transpacific Cable Landing” in the subject line) to:
Daniel Kim, Environmental Supervisor I
Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering, Environmental Management Group
1149 S. Broadway, Suite 600, Mail Stop 939
Los Angeles, CA 90015
daniel.y.kim@lacity.org
PUBLIC MEETING: A virtual public meeting will be held during the public review period to solicit comments from interested parties on the content of the EIR. The meeting will be held at the following date, time, and location:
Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 1:00 PM
Join meeting via link below:
https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1614811414
Meeting ID: 161 481 1414
Passcode: 859561
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The City will consider all comments, written and oral, in determining the scope of the analysis in the Draft EIR.