California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
The state legislature enacted the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in 1970. CEQA established statewide regulations for the environmental review of discretionary projects as well as a process for mitigating or avoiding potential environmental impacts.
The purpose of CEQA is to:
- Disclose to the public the potentially significant environmental effects of a proposed project;
- Develop alternatives and mitigation measures to prevent or minimize environmental impacts;
- Identify additional opportunities for public participation and community input;
- Improve findings to support the future approval of discretionary projects.
CEQA requires public agencies to publish Negative Declarations, Mitigated Negative Declarations, and Environmental Impact Reports.
Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
Environmental Impact Reports
Plans and Projects