BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Adopt Recommended Positions on State Legislation: AB 819 (Levine) California Environmental Quality Act: Notices and Documents: Electronic Filing and Posting; and Other Legislation Which May Require Urgent Consideration for a Position by the Board.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt a Position of "Support" on: AB 819 (Levine) California Environmental Quality Act: notices and documents: electronic filing and posting.
Body
SUMMARY:
AB 819 (Levine) California Environmental Quality Act: notices and documents: electronic filing and posting.
Position Recommendation: Support
Priority: 3
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires that lead state and local agencies prepare environmental review documents and provide notices for any discretionary projects that may impact the environment unless the project is excluded or exempt from CEQA review.
Current law requires that lead agencies submit draft environmental review documents to the State Clearinghouse in hard-copy or electronic form in the following instances: when a state agency is the lead agency, a responsible agency, or a trustee agency; when a state agency otherwise has jurisdiction with respect to the project; or when the project is of sufficient statewide, regional, or areawide environmental significance. AB 819 would require draft environmental review documents to be submitted to the State Clearinghouse for all projects, not only under the specified circumstances. It would also eliminate the option for a lead agency to submit hard copies of CEQA documents; instead, documents will be submitted in electronic form to the State Clearinghouse. In addition, lead agencies would also have to post draft environmental review documents on their own website, if any.
Current law requires state agencies to file notices of determination (NOD) with the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) after project approval. If a state agency determines that a proje...
Click here for full text