Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 15002 General Concepts

• Library: California Code of Regulations
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through Register 2023 Notice Reg. No. 52, December 29, 2023
• Citation: Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 15002
• Year: 2023

(a) Basic Purposes of CEQA. The basic purposes of CEQA are to:

(1) Inform governmental decision makers and the public about the potential, significant environmental effects of proposed activities.

(2) Identify ways that environmental damage can be avoided or significantly reduced.

(3) Prevent significant, avoidable damage to the environment by requiring changes in projects through the use of alternatives or mitigation measures when the governmental agency finds the changes to be feasible.

(4) Disclose to the public the reasons why a governmental agency approved the project in the manner the agency chose if significant environmental effects are involved.

(b) Governmental Action. CEQA applies to governmental action. This action may involve:

(1) Activities directly undertaken by a governmental agency,

(2) Activities financed in whole or in part by a governmental agency, or

(3) Private activities which require approval from a governmental agency.

(c) Private Action. Private action is not subject to CEQA unless the action involves governmental participation, financing, or approval.

(d) Project. A "project" is an activity subject to CEQA. The term "project" has been interpreted to mean far more than the ordinary dictionary definition of the term. See Section 14undefined15378.

(e) Time for Compliance. A governmental agency is required to comply with CEQA procedures when the agency proposes to carry out or approve the activity. See Section 14undefined15004.

(f) Environmental Impact Reports and Negative Declarations. An environmental impact report (EIR) is the public document used by the governmental agency to analyze the significant environmental effects of a proposed project, to identify alternatives, and to disclose possible ways to reduce or avoid the possible environmental damage.

(1) An EIR is prepared when the public agency finds substantial evidence that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. See Section 14undefined15064(a)(1).

(2) When the agency finds that there is no substantial evidence that a project may have a significant environmental effect, the agency will prepare a "Negative Declaration" instead of an EIR. See Section 14undefined15070.

(g) Significant Effect on the Environment. A significant effect on the environment is defined as a substantial adverse change in the physical conditions which exist in the area affected by the proposed project. See Section 14undefined15382. Further, when an EIR identifies a significant effect, the government agency approving...