(a) The lead agency shall determine whether a project may have a significant effect on the environment based on substantial evidence in the record. The existence of public controversy over the environmental effects of a project shall not require preparation of an environmental impact report it there is no substantial evidence before the agency that the project may have a significant effect on the environment.
(b) Statements in an environmental impact report and comments with respect to an environmental impact report shall not be deemed determinative of whether the project may have a significant effect on the environment.
(Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1514, Sec. 6)