HomeMy WebLinkAbout14 Power Point Overview of CEQA
Workshop Item # 14 April 15, 2015(CEQA)Environmental Quality Act Overview of the California
Overview of CEQA 2 Chapter 3: Guidelines for Implementation of the CEQA− Title 14 California Code of Regulations•Courtsby Legislature and interpreted by the − 21189.3 established by
State Legislature-21000 CEQA Statute; Public Resource Code (PRC) Sections •EmissionsRequires analysis and mitigation of Green House Gas − : SB 97 2009•1970: California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA)•1969: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)•
Overview of CEQA 3 Identify ways to avoid or reduce significant impact(s)− alternative(s)To minimize impact(s) through mitigation or feasible − Objective of CEQA•Public review and comment−
environmental impacts of a proposed projectTo provide information about the potential for significant − Purpose of CEQA•
New Information Overview of CEQA 4 Prepare an EIR•Significant effect on the environment − DeclarationDetermination to prepare a Negative or Mitigated Negative •No significant effect
on the environment − (EIR) shall be preparedNegative Declaration (MND) or Environmental Impact Report Determines whether a Negative Declaration (ND), Mitigated •− Main features of CEQA•
Overview of CEQA 5 Other political subdivision•Public district•Regional agency•Any county, city & county, city•State agency, board or commission•Public Agencies− Who must file CEQA•
New Information Overview of CEQA 6 environmental impacts?Is there any possibility that the project will cause significant –Is the project exempt?–Is the action a project?–Is an agency
action subject to CEQA•
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New Information Overview of CEQA 8 indirect physical change in the environment”change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable “…an activity which may cause either a direct physical
− What is a “project” (PRC 21065)•
New Information Overview of CEQA 9 environmentDetermined not to have a significant effect on the − Categorical exemptions•Emergency actions− Family day care homes− Feasibility and Planning
Studies− Statutory exemptions •Two types of exemptions− be exemptmayIf the action is a project, it •
New Information Overview of CEQA 10 as the project does not exceed one mile in length.forth in Section 21080.21 of the Public Resource Code, as long restoration, removal, or demolition
of an existing pipeline as set The installation of new pipeline or maintenance, repairs, (k)•Exemptions Title 14, Chapter 3, Section 15282: Other Statutory − Statutory Exemptions (Granted
by Legislature)•
New Information Overview of CEQA 11 Fill Development Projects Class 32 -In-15332 •Facilities Class 19 Annexation of Existing Facilities and Lots for Exempt -15319 •Class 3 New Construction
or Conversion of Small Structures -15303 •Replacement or Reconstruction Class 2-15302 •Existing Facilities Class 1 -15301 •Title 14, Chapter 3, Section 15300: Categorical Exemptions
− Categorical Exemptions•
New Information Overview of CEQA 12 Environmental Impact Report•Mitigated Negative Declaration•Negative Declaration•either Provides information for the basis or preparing − Preliminary
environmental analysis•Conduct an Initial Study− exemptnotIf the action is a project and is •
New Information Overview of CEQA 13 Public review but public hearing not required•months3 to 5 − Time frame for completion•project revisionsby making insignificant these effects to levels
mitigate they are able to and effects will occur, environmental the IS indicates one or more adverse significant If − Negative Declaration Mitigated •environmentproposed project will
have significant effect on the If the IS indicates there is no substantial evidence that the − Negative Declaration •
New Information Overview of CEQA 14 opinion or erroneous informationDoes not include argument, speculation, unsubstantiated − reasonable assumptions based on factsMust be backed by substantial
evidence, facts, and − effect on the environment.”economic change by itself shall not be considered a significant and objects of historic or aesthetic significance. A social or including
land, air, water, minerals, flora, fauna, ambient noise, of the physical conditions within the area affected by the project or potentially substantial, adverse change in any “…substantial,•Environme
ntthe on Effect Significant 1528214, Chapter 3, Section Title − EIR•
New Information Overview of CEQA 15 Public Meeting on DEIR− Public & Agency Review of DEIR − Mitigation measures and alternatives•What is a significant impact•Existing conditions and
baseline•Prepare Draft EIR (DEIR)− Distribute Notice of Preparation (NOP)− Initial Study− EIR cont.•
New Information Overview of CEQA 16 Public − Responses must include reasoned analysis•Written responses to comments•List of comments•Prepare Final EIR (FEIR)− EIR cont.•
New Information Overview of CEQA 17 7 to 12 months•Time frame for completion− adopted, Monitoring and Reporting Program Mitigation•adoptedFindings •Project Approval− analysisRepresents
the lead agency’s independent judgment and •Was reviewed and considered by the decision making body•Is the document in compliance with CEQA•EIR Certification− EIR cont.•
Fiscal Impact Overview of CEQA 18 There is no fiscal impact associated with this workshop item•
Recommendation Overview of CEQA 19 Review this report and provide comment•