Legal Resources |  |  T14  15006  

Chapter 3. Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act Article 1. General Reducing Delay and Paperwork.   

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Public agencies should reduce delay and paperwork by:

(a) Integrating the CEQA process into early planning. (15004(c))

(b) Ensuring the swift and fair resolution of lead agency disputes. (15053)

(c) Identifying projects which fit within categorical exemptions and are therefore exempt from CEQA processing. (15300.4)

(d) Using initial studies to identify significant environmental issues and to narrow the scope of EIRs. (15063)

(e) Using a negative declaration when a project not otherwise exempt will not have a significant effect on the environment. (15070)

(f) Using a previously prepared EIR when it adequately addresses the proposed project. (15153)

(g) Consulting with state and local responsible agencies before and during preparation of an environmental impact report so that the document will meet the needs of all the agencies which will use it. (15083)

(h) Urging applicants, either before or after the filing of an application, to revise projects to eliminate possible significant effects on the environment, thereby enabling the project to qualify for a negative declaration rather than an environmental impact report. (15063(c)(2))

(i) Integrating CEQA requirements with other environmental review and consulting requirements. (Public Resources Code Section 21080.5)

(j) Eliminating duplication with federal procedures by providing for joint preparation of environmental documents with federal agencies and by adopting completed federal NEPA documents. (15227)

(k) Emphasizing consultation before an environmental impact report is prepared, rather than submitting adversary comments on a completed document. (15082(b))

(l) Combining environmental documents with other documents such as general plans. (15166)

(m) Eliminating repetitive discussions of the same issues by using environmental impact reports on programs, policies, or plans and tiering from reports of broad scope to those of narrower scope. (15152)

(n) Reducing the length of environmental impact reports by means such as setting appropriate page limits. (15141)

(o) Preparing analytic rather than encyclopedic environmental impact reports. (15142)

(p) Mentioning only briefly issues other than significant ones in EIRs. (15143)

(q) Writing environmental impact reports in plain language. (15140)

(r) Following a clear format for environmental impact reports. (15120)

(s) Emphasizing the portions of the environmental impact report that are useful to decision-makers and the public and reducing emphasis on background material. (15143)

(t) Using incorporation by reference. (15150)

(u) Making comments on environmental impact reports as specific as possible. (15204)

Authority cited:

Public Resources Code 21083

Reference:

Public Resources Code 21003

Public Resources Code 21083

(Amended by Register 2005, No. 40.)