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Resolution 2190 7197A JHHW:SRC:nct 06/05/80 RESOLUTION NO. 2190 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING LOCAL GUIDELINES IMPLEMENTING THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT AND RESCINDING GUIDELINES HERETOFORE ADOPTED RESOLVED, by the Board of Directors of the South Tahoe Public Utility District, E1 Dorado County, California, that WHEREAS, this Board has heretofore adopted local guidelines implementing the California Environmental Quality Act; WHEREAS, said guidelines were based upon State EIR Guidelines issued by the Secretary for Resources of the State Resources Agency and State Guidelines have recently been amended; WHEREAS, it 'is required by said Act and said State Guidelines that all public agencies adopt local guidelines based upon said State guidelines; WHEREAS, there has been filed with the District Clerk and ex officio Secretary and presented to this Board, Local Guidelines Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act, Revision June 1980, and this Board has- %W reviewed said Guidelines and each and every part thereof; and WHEREAS, it is in the public interest that said Local Guidelines be adopted; NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby ORDERED as follows: 1. That the aforesaid Local Guidelines Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act, Revision June 1980, be, and are hereby, adopted. 2. That the Local Guidelines heretofore adopted by this Board be, and are hereby, rescinded. Press Tent South Tahoe Public Utility District ATTEST: 121-12 1117w /d 4z /0 * Clerk ex officio Secretary I hereby cer~ify that the foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of Resolution No.21 9 duly and regularly adopted by the Board of Directors of the South Tahoe-u6lic Utility District, E1 Dorado County, California, at a meeting thereof duly held on the 3rd day of JULY , 1980, by the following vote. AYES, and in favor thereof, Directors: OLSON, KASHUBA, WYNN AND JONES NOES, Directors: NONE ABSENT, Directors: Madden Clerk an ex officio Secretary South Tahoe Public Utility District 2 2844A JHHW:SSW:nct 07/24/79 c1v SRC:ea:sc 05/13/80 SRC:nct 06/05/80 SOUTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT LOCAL GUIDELINES IMPLEMENTING THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT REVISION - JUNE 1980 f LOCAL GUIDELINES IMPLEMENTING THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTICLE I - GENERAL Section 1.1. Purposes 1 Section 1.2. Objectives 1 ARTICLE II - DEFINITIONS Section 2.1. Approval 2 Section 2.2. Board 2 Section 2.3. Categorical Exemption 2 Section 2.4. Cumulative Impacts 2 Section 2.5. Discretionary Project 3 Section 2.6. District 3 Section 2.7. District's Staff 3 Section 2.8. Emergency 3 Section 2.9. Environment 3 Section 2.10. Environmental Documents 3 Section 2.11. EIR 3 Section 2.12. EIS - Environmental Impact Statement 3 Section 2.13. Feasible 3 Section 2.14. Initial Study 4 Section 2.15. Jurisdiction by Law 4 Section 2.16. Lead Agency 4 Section 2.17. Mitigation 4 Section 2.18. Negative Declaration 5 Section 2.19. Notice of Completion 5 Section 2.20. Notice of Determination 5 Section 2.21. Notice of Exemption 5 Section 2.22. Notice of Preparation 5 Section 2.23. Person 5 Section 2.24. Project 6 Section 2.25. Projects of Statewide, Regional or Areawide Significance 6 Section 2.26. Responsible Agency 8 Section 2.27. Significant Effect on the Environment 8 Section 2.28. Tiering 8 Section 2.29. Trustee Agency 8 ARTICLE III - LEAD AGENCY DETERMINATION Section 3.1. Staff Determination of Lead Agency 8 Section 3.2. State Assisted or Approved Projects 9 Section 3.3. Federally Assisted or Approved Projects 10 Section 3.4. Staff Finding That District is Lead Agency 10 Section 3.5. Staff Finding That Another Public Agency is Lead Agency 10 i 1 4, A. Preliminary Environmental Assessment Filing 10 B. Subsequent Findings Modifying Original Determination 10 Section 3.6. District's Duties As a Responsible Agency 11 A. In General 11 B. Response to Consultation Prior to Lead Agency's Decision to Prepare a Negative Declaration or an EIR 11 C. Response to Notice of Preparation 11 D. Comments or Draft EIRs and Negative Declarations 12 E. Decision on Adequacy of EIR or Negative Declaration 12 F. Certification of EIR or Negative Declaration 12 G. Adoption of Alternatives or Mitigation Measures 12 H. Findings 12 I. Notice of Determination '13 ARTICLE IV - EXEMPT ACTIVITIES Section 4.1. Staff Determination of Exemption 13 Section 4.2. "No Project" Exemption 13 Section 4.3. Feasibility and Planning Studies 13 Section 4.4. Emergency Projects 13 Section 4.5. Ministerial Projects 14 Section 4.6. Categorical Exemptions 14 A. Class I: Existing Facilities 14 B. Class II: Replacement or Reconstruction 15 C. Class III: New Construction of Small Structures 16 D. Class IV: Minor Alterations to Land 16 E. Class V: Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations 17 F. Class VI: Information Collection 17 G. Class VII: Actions for Protection of Natural Resources 17 H. Class VIII: Actions for Protection of the Environment 18 I. Class IX: Inspection 18 J. Class X: Accessory Structures 18 K. Class XI: Surplus Property 18 L. Class XII: 'Acquisition of Lands for Wildlife Conservation Purposes 18 M. Class XIII: Transfer of Ownership of Land in Order to Create Parks 18 N. Class XIV: Open Space Easements 19 0. Class XV: Annexations of Existing Facilities and Lots for Exempt Facilities 19 P. Class XVI: Changes in Organization of the District '19 Q. Class XVII: Enforcement Action by Regulatory Agencies 19 R. Class XVIII: Educational or Training Programs 20 S. Class XIX: Normal Operations of Facilities for Public Gatherings 20 T. Class XX: Regulation of Working Conditions 20 U. Class XXI: Transfers of Ownership of Interest in Land to Preserve Open Space 20 V. Class XXII: Leasing New Facilities 20 W. Exceptions 21 Section 4.7. Initial Review for Exemptions 21 A. Staff Finding of No Exemption 21 B. Staff Finding of Exemption 21 C. Retention of Preliminary Environmental Assessment; Availability for Inspection 22 ii IL L Section 4.8. Notice of Exemption 22 A. Preparation 22 B. Filing 22 Section 4.9. Required Consultation 22 ARTICLE V - INITIAL STUDY PROCEDURES Section 5.1. Undertaking of Initial Study; By Whom; Submission of Data; Costs; Time of Undertaking 23 Section 5.2. Scope, Purposes and Contents of Initial Study 24 A. Scope 24 B. Purposes 24 C. Contents 24 Section 5.3. Examples of Significant Effect 25 Section 5.4. Mandatory Findings of Significance 25 Section 5.5. Staff Determination; Environmental Impact Assessment 26 Section 5.6. Procedure Required as a Result of Staff Determination 26 Section 5.7. General Rule as to Modifications 27 Section 5.8. Appeal 27 Section 5.9. District Determination Conclusive 27 Section 5.10. Master Environmental Assessment 27 ARTICLE VI - NEGATIVE DECLARATIONS Section 6.1. Time Limitation 27 Section 6.2. Proposed Negative Declaration; Prior Consultation 28 Section 6.3. Content and Form of Negative Declaration 28 A. Contents 28 B. Form 29 Section 6.4. Filing of Negative Declaration 29 Section 6.5. Notice of Proposed Negative Declaration 29 Section 6.6. Comments from Agencies Having Jurisdiction by Law 29 Section 6.7. Board Approval or Disapproval of Project 30 Section 6.8. Notice of Determination 30 Section 6.9. Costs 31 ARTICLE VII - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTS Section 7.1. Time Limitation 31 Section 7.2. Environmental Impact Reports; When Required 31 Section 7.3. Notice of Preparation 31 A. When Required 31 B. Content of Notice 32 C. Timing 32 Section 7.4. Preparation of Draft EIR: By Whom 32 Section 7.5. Content of Draft EIR 33 A. Description of Project 33 B. Description of Environmental Setting 33 C. Environmental Impact 34 L 1. The Significant Environmental Effects of the Proposed Project 34 iii 2. Any Significant Environmental Effects Which Cannot be Avoided if the Proposal is Implemented 35 3. Mitigation Measures Proposed to Minimize the Significant Impact 35 4. Alternatives to the Proposed Action 35 5. The Relationship Between Local Short-Term Uses of Man's Environment and the Maintenance and Enhancement of Long-Term Productivity 36 6. Any Significant Irreversible Environmental Changes Which Would be Involved in the Proposed Action Should it be Implemented 36 7. The Growth-Inducing Impact of the Proposed Action 36 D. Water Quality Aspects 36 E. Summary 37 F. Statement of Reason for Findings of No Significance 37 G. Organizations and Persons Consulted 37 H. Index 37 I. Page Limits 37 Section 7.6. General Rules for Preparation of EIR 37 A. Interdisciplinary Approach 37 B. Technical Data; Submission of Appendices 38 C. Incorporation by Reference 38 D. Proportionate Discussion 39 E. Forecasting 39 F. Disclosure Statement 39 G. Standards for Adequacy 39 Section 7.7. EIRs on Federal Projects 39 A. District Use of Federal EIS 39 B. District EIR to be Prepared Prior to EIS 40 C. District EIR to be Prepared Subsequent to EIS 40 D. Consultation 40 Section 7.8. Consultation Prior to Completion of Draft EIR 40 Section 7.9. Completion of Draft EIR; Notice 41 Section 7.10. Review of Draft EIR by Other Public Agencies and Persons with Special Expertise 42 A. General 42 B. Time for Review 43 C. Failure to Comment 43 D. Continued Planning Activities 43 Section 7.11. Availability of the Draft EIR for Review 43 Section 7.12. Public Hearings 43 A. General 43 B. Notice 44 C. Public Hearing During Public Meeting 44 D. Procedures for Conducting Public Hearings 44 Section 7.13. Final EIR 44 A. Preparation 44 B. Contents 44 Section 7.14. Certification of Final EIR by Board; Board Approval or Disapproval of Project 45 Section 7.15. Required Written Findings 45 Section 7.16. Notice of Determination 46 Section 7.17. Costs 47 Section 7.18. Retention of Comments 47 Section 7.19. Statement of Overriding Considerations 47 iv ~i 90 ARTICLE VIII - EIRs AND PROJECT SCOPE Section 8.1. Use of a Single EIR 47 A. Two or More Projects 47 B. Later Projects 47 C. General Plan EIR 48 Section 8.2. Multiple and Phased Projects 48 A. Phased Projects 48 B. Interrelated Projects 48 C. Similar Projects 48 Section 8.3. Staged EIR 48 A. General Form 48 B. Supplement to General Form EIR 49 C. Statutory Designation of Lead Agency 49 Section 8.4. Tiering 49 Section 8.5. Program EIR 49 ARTICLE IX - SUBSEQUENT ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS Section 9.1. General Rule 51 A. Changes in Project 52 B. Changes in Circumstances 52 C. New Information 52 Section 9.2. Timing for Subsequent EIR 52 A. Before Project Approval 52 B. After Project Approval 53 Section 9.3. Supplement to an EIR 53 A. When Used 53 B. Contents 53 C. Notice and Review 53 D. Findings 53 ARTICLE X - MISCELLANEOUS Section 10.1. District's Staff Determination 54 Section 10.2. Partial Invalidity 54 Section 10.3. Headings 54 Section 10.4. Effective Date 54 EXHIBITS "A" Preliminary Environmental Assessment "B" Notice of Exemption "C" Initial Study "D" Significant Effects "E" Environmental Impact Assessment "F" Negative Declaration "G" Notice of Proposed Negative Declaration "H" Notice of Determination "I" Notice of Preparation "J" Energy Conservation "K" Notice of Completion v LOCAL GUIDELINES IMPLEMENTING THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT Denotes State Guidelines Section ARTICLE I - GENERAL 15001, Section 1.1. Purposes. These Guidelines implement the 15002, purposes and provisions of the California Environmental Quality 15005, Act, being Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et seq., and the 15006, Guidelines for implementation of the Act which have been adopted 15022 and by the California Secretary for Resources (hereinafter referred 15050 to as "State Guidelines"). The enhancement and long-term protection of the environment and the encouragement of public participation in achieving these goals are objectives of these local Guidelines. 15012(a), Section 1.2. Objectives. From time to time and under 15013, circumstances as outlined by these Guidelines, environmental 15016 and documents must be prepared as a prerequisite to approval of a 15075(b) project. When required, such documents should be prepared as early as is feasible in the planning process for a proposed project in order to enable environmental considerations to influence project conceptualization, programming, and design to assure full consideration of environmental constraints and opportunities before project plans are finalized. The function of such documents is to inform the Board and the public of the environmental effects of proposed projects. The intent of the environmental review process is to enable the District to evaluate projects to determine whether they may have a significant effect on the environment, to examine and institute methods to reduce adverse impacts and to consider alternatives to projects as proposed. The environmental effects set forth in environmental documents are to be evaluated by the Board before a project is approved. If an EIR is prepared, the information in such EIR constitutes evidence that the District shall consider along with any other information which may be presented to the District. The Board retains authority to balance environmental objectives with economic, social, and other relevant objectives of the proposed project, but should, as a result of information contained in environmental documents, establish requirements or conditions on project design, construction, or operation in order that the environment may be protected or enhanced. ARTICLE II - DEFINITIONS 15020 Whenever the following terms are used in these Guidelines, they shall have the following meanings unless otherwise expressly defined: 15021 Section 2.1. Approval means a decision by the District which commits it to a definite course of action with regard to a particular project. As respects any project to be undertaken directly by the District, approval shall ordinarily take the form of legislative action in regard to a project. The time of such action may vary from project to project according to the circumstances pursuant to which the project is undertaken. As respects private projects defined in paragraphs (2) and (3) of Section 2.23A, approval shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest commitment to issue, or the issuance by the District of, a discretionary contract, grant, subsidy, loan, or other form of financial assistance, lease, permit, license, certificate, or other entitlement for use of the project. For purposes of these Guidelines, the environmental process must be completed as of the time of project approval. Section 2.2. Board means the Governing Board of this District. 15023 Section 2.3. Categorical Exemption means an exemption from the requirement of preparing a Negative Declaration or an EIR even though the proposed project is discretionary in nature, all as more particularly described in Section 4.6. 15023.5 Section 2.4. Cumulative Impacts means 'two or more individual effects which, when considered together, are considerable or which compound or increase other environmental impacts. Such individual impacts may be changes resulting from a single project or a number of separate projects. The cumulative impact from several projects is the change in the environment resulting from the incremental impact of the project when added to other closely related past, present and reasonably foreseeable future projects. Cumulative impacts can result from individually minor but collectively significant projects over a period of time. The discussion of cumulative impacts should be practical and reasonable and must show their severity and significance but need not be as detailed as the discussion of the project's direct effects. The discussion of cumulative impacts must include the following: 2 A. A list of projects producing related or cumulative impacts, including those projects outside the control of the District, B. A summary of the expected environmental effects to be produced by those projects with specific reference to additional information where that information is available, and C. A reasonable analysis of the cumulative impacts of the relevant projects. 15024 Section 2.5 Discretionary Project means a project, approval of which requires the exercise of independent judgment, deliberation or decision making on the part of the District. Section 2.6. District means this District. 15050(c)(11) Section 2.7. District's Staff means the Engineer-Manager and/or his designee, and any other person or persons designated by the Board. 15025 Section 2.8. Emergency means a sudden, unexpected occurrence, involving a clear and imminent danger, demanding immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss of, or damage to, life, health, property, or essential public services. Emergency includes such occurrences as fire, flood, earthquake, or other soil or geologic movements, as well as such occurrence such as riot, accident, or sabotage. 15026 Section 2.9. Environment means the physical conditions which exist in the area which will be affected by a proposed project including land, air, water, minerals, flora, fauna, ambient noise, objects of historic or aesthetic significance. 15026.5 Section 2.10. Environmental Documents means draft and final EIRs, initial studies, Negative Declarations, Notices of Completion and Notices of Determination. 15027 Section 2.11. EIR means a detailed statement setting forth the matters specified in Section 21100 of the Public Resources Code as more particularly described-hereinafter in Section 7.5. 15028 Section 2.12. EIS- Environmental Impact Statement means an EIR prepared pursuant to the National Environmental olicy Act (NEPA). 15029 Section 2.13. Feasible means capable of being accomplished in a successful manner within a reasonable period of time, taking into account economic, environmental, social, and technological factors. ~llor 3 15029.5 Section 2.14. Initial Study means a preliminary analysis prepared by the District pursuant to Article V to determine whether an EIR or a Negative Declaration must be prepared for a project. 15029.6 Section 2.15. Jurisdiction by Law. A. Jurisdiction by law means the authority of any public agency to: (1) Grant a permit or other entitlement for use, (2) Provide funding for the project in question, or (3) Exercise authority over resources which may be affected by the project in question. B. In addition to other public agencies having jurisdiction by law over District projects, the following cities and counties have jurisdiction by law over District projects: (1) The city or county in which the project site is located. (2) The city or county in which the major environmental effects of the project will occur, (3) The city or county in which reside those citizens most directly concerned with the major environmental effects of the project. C. Where an agency having jurisdiction by law must exercise discretionary authority over a project in order for the project to proceed, such agency is also a responsible agency or the lead agency with respect to the project. 15030 Section 2.16. Lead Agency means the public agency which has the principal responsibility for preparing environmental documents and for carrying out or approving a project. Criteria for determining which agency will be the lead agency for a project are contained in Article III. 15032.5 Section 2.17. Mitigation includes: A. Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action. 4 t B. Minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation. C. Rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating or restoring the impacted environment. D. Reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action. E. Compensating cor the impact by replacing or providing substitute resources or environments. 15033 Section 2.18. Negative Declaration means a written statement by the lead agency briefly describing the reasons that a proposed project, although not otherwise exempt, will not have a significant effect on the environment and therefore does not require the prepartion of an EIR. 15034 Secton 2.19. Notice of Completion means a brief notice filed with the Secretary for Resources by the District after it has completed a draft EIR and is prepared to send out copies for review. 15035 Section 2.20. Notice of Determination means a brief notice filed with the County Clerk after District approval of, or determination to carry out, a project for which a Negative Declaration or a final EIR has been approved by the District. 15035.5 Section 2.21. Notice of Exemption means a brief notice filed with the County Clerk upon District approval of, or determination to carry out, a ministerial, categorically exempt or emergency project. 15035.7 Section 2.22. Notice of Preparation means a brief notice sent by a lead agency to notify responsible agencies that a lead agency plans to prepare an EIR for a project and to solicit guidance from the responsible agencies as to the scope and content of the environmental information to be included in the EIR. 15036 Section 2.23. Person includes any person, firm, association, organization, partnership, business, trust, corporation, company, district, county, city and county, town, the State and any of the agencies or political subdivisions of such entities. k 5 t, 15037 Section 2.24. Project. A. Project means the whole of an action which has a potential for resulting in a physical change in the environment, directly or ultimately, that is any of the following: (1) an activity directly undertaken by the District; (2) an activity undertaken by a person which is supported in whole or in part through contracts, grants, subsidies, loans, or other forms of assistance from the District; or (3) an activity involving the issuance by the District to a person of a lease, permit, license, certificate, or other entitlement for use. B. Project does not include: (1) anything specifically exempted by State law; (2) proposals for legislation to be enacted by the State Legislature; (3) continuing administrative or maintenance activities, such as purchases for supplies, personnel related actions, general policy and procedure making (except as they are applied to specific instances covered above), feasibility or planning studies; or (4) the submittal of proposals to a vote of the people of the State or of a particular community, e.g., of the District or of a zone or area within the District. C. The word "project" refers to the activity which is being approved and which may be subject to several discretionary approvals by governmental agencies. The word "project" does not mean each separate governmental approval. 15161.6(b) Section 2.25. Projects of Statewide, Regional or Areawide Significance means any projects which meet one or more of the following criteria: A. A project which would interfere with the attainment or maintenance of state or national air quality standards including: 6 (1) A proposed residential development of more than 500 dwelling units; (2) A proposed shopping center or business establishment employing more than 1,000 persons or encompassing more than 500,000 square feet of floor space; (3) A proposed commercial office building employing more than 1,000 persons or encompassing more than 250,000 square feet of floor space; (4) A proposed hotel/motel development of more than 500 rooms; and (5) A proposed industrial, manufacturing or processing plant, or industrial park planned to house more than 1,000 persons, occupying more than 40 acres of land, or encompassing more than 650,000 square feet of floor area. B. A project which would result in the cancellation of an open space contract made pursuant to the California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Williamson Act) for any parcel of 100 or more acres. C. A project located in and substantially impacting on an area of critical environmental sensitivity for which an environmental impact report was prepared including the Lake Tahoe Basin; the Santa Monica Mountains Zone as defined in Government Code Section 67463; the California Coastal Zone as defined in, and mapped pursuant to, Public Resources Code Section 30103; an area within 1/4 mile of a wild and scenic river as defined by Public Resources Code Section 5093.5; the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta as defined in Water Code Section 13220; the Suisun Marsh as defined in Public Resources Code Section 29109; and including a project located within the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission as defined in Government Code Section 66610. D. A project which would substantially affect sensitive wildlife habitats including, but not limited to riparian lands, wet lands, bays, estuaries, marshes and habitats for rare and endangered species as defined by Fish and Game Code Section 903. E. A project which would interfere with attainment of regional water quality standards as stated in the approved areawide wastewater management plan. 7 15039 Section 2.26. Responsible Agency means a public agency which proposes to carry out or approve a project for which a lead agency has prepared the environmental documents. The term "responsible agency" includes all public agencies other than the lead agency which have discretionary approval power over the project. 15040 Section 2.27. Significant Effect on the Environment means a substantial, or potentially substantial, adverse change in any of the physical conditions within the area affected by the activity, including land, air, water, minerals, flora, fauna, ambient noises, and objects of historical or aesthetic significance. 15041 Section 2.28. Tiering means the coverage of general matters in broad scope or program EIRs with subsequent narrower environmental documents (such as site-specific EIRs) incorporating by reference the general discussions and concentrating solely on the issues specific to the environmental document subsequently prepared. 15042 Section 2.29. Trustee Agency means a state agency having jurisdiction by law over natural resources affected by a project which are held in trust for the people of California such as the California Department of Fish and Game for the fish and L wildlife, the State Lands Commission for state owned "sovereign" lands, the State Department of Parks and Recreation for the State Park System and the University of California for sites within the Natural Land and Water Reserve System. ARTICLE III - LEAD AGENCY DETERMINATION 15065, Section 3.1. Staff Determination of Lead Agency. As early 15065.5 as is feasible in the planning process the District staff shall and determine whether a proposed activity is an activity described 15051(c) in subparagraphs (1), (2) or (3) of Section 2.24A and shall and (e) determine whether the District or another public agency is responsible for preparation of environmental documents for the project and is, therefore, the lead agency. The District's staff shall consider, among others, the following factors relating to the lead agency principle: A. If the project is to be carried out by a public agency, the lead agency shall be the public agency which proposes to carry out the project. B. If the project is to be carried out by a nongovernmental person, the lead agency shall be the public 8 agency with the greatest responsibility for supervising or approving the project as a whole. The lead agency will generally be the agency with general governmental powers rather than an agency with a single or limited purpose which is involved by reason of the need to provide a public service or public utility to the project, such as the District; in such cases, the District will, upon request, provide data concerning all aspects of its activities required to furnish service to the project to the agency drafting the environmental documents, and no separate environmental documents will be required in regard to such activities. Under this principle whenever any property to be served by the District requires a change in zoning, conditional use permit, variance, subdivision or tract approval or other land use permits or entitlements, the governmental agency responsible therefor will ordinarily be the lead agency. C. Where more than one public agency equally meet the criteria set forth in subsection B the agency which is to act first on the project in question shall be the lead agency (following the principle that the environmental impact should be assessed as early as possible in governmental planning). D. Where the provisions of subsection A through C leave the District and one or more other agencies with a substantial claim to be the lead agency, the District may, by agreement with such other agency or agencies, designate which agency will be the lead agency or may provide for cooperative efforts, joint exercise of power, or similar devices for assuring preparation of environmental documents. E. Upon request of a public agency or a project applicant, the Office of Planning and Research will resolve disputes among public agencies as to which is the lead agency, and, upon request of a public agency or a project applicant, will assist the lead agency in determining the responsible agencies and those Federal agencies which have responsibility for carrying out or approving a proposed project. 15061(c) Section 3.2. State Assisted or Approved Projects. Where a and project is to be undertaken by the District, but requires state 15061(f) approval or financial assistance, the state agency involved ordinarily will require the District to prepare the environmental documents and to submit such documents with the request for approval of the proposed project. If the District thereby, or through its own initiative, becomes responsible for preparing such documents, the District is the lead agency for L 9 JL y. the project, and the procedures set forth in these Guidelines relating to project evaluation and preparation of environmental documents, including the filing of a Notice of Determination for the proposed project, are applicable. 15063 Section 3.3. Federally Assisted or Approved Projects. Where a project is to be undertaken by the District, but requires Federal approval or financial assistance, the Federal agency involved ordinarily will undertake an environmental evaluation of the project and may or may not request District preparation of environmental documents. Since the Federal agency documents are in satisfaction of NEPA requirements, the District remains obligated under CEQA to prepare environmental documents for the project and is therefore the lead agency for the project. However, the District should cooperate with the Federal Agency through joint planning, research, public hearings and environmental documents to reduce as much as possible duplication between CEQA and NEPA. Section 3.4. Staff Finding that District is Lead Agency. If, in the judgment of the District's staff, the project does not involve another public agency which is the lead agency it shall proceed with the project evaluation process as outlined in Articles IV and V, provided, however, that where other public agencies will have authority for approving or carrying out the project, the District's staff shall consult with such other agencies in the preparation of all environmental documents for the project. Any person proposing to undertake a project as defined in paragraphs (2) or (3) of Section 2.23A (i.e., a private project) may present his objections to the staff's determination to the Board at its next regular or special meeting. 15064, Section 3.5. Staff Finding that Another Public Agency is 15065(e), Lead Agency. 15065.3, 15065.5, A. Preliminary Environmental Assessment Filing. If, 15085(j), in the judgment of the District's staff, the project does 15161(a) involve another public agency which is the lead agency, it and shall so find and shall designate the lead agency on the 15161(c) Preliminary Environmental Assessment, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A". The Preliminary Environmental Assessment shall be retained in the District's office as part of its usual record-keeping process and shall be made available for public inspection during all regular District office hours. B. Subsequent Findings Modifying Original Determination. Upon making a finding that another public agency is -lead agency, further environmental assessment L 10 / 90 shall be necessary unless otherwise required by the Board or unless the District's staff finds: (i) that the lead agency did not prepare any environmental documents for the project and the statute of limitations has expired for a challenge to the action of the appropriate lead agency, or (ii) that the lead agency prepared environmental documents for the project but a subsequent EIR is required pursuant to Section 9.1, and the lead agency has granted a final approval for the project and the statute of limitations has expired for a challenge to the action of the lead agency, or (iii) the lead agency prepared inadequate environmental documents without consulting the District as a responsible agency and the statute of limitations has expired for a challenge to the action of the lead agency. If the District's staff makes the aforesaid findings, the District shall assume environmental responsibilities of a lead agency for the project and the time limitations applicable to the District as lead agency shall apply. 15085.5(a) Section 3.6. District's Duties as a Responsible Agency. and (b) A. In General. Whenever a determination is made that another public agency constitutes the lead agency for a project, the District's staff shall, upon written request of the lead agency, provide data concerning all aspects of the District's activities required in relation to the project, and shall otherwise respond to consultation by the lead agency in order to assist the lead agency in preparing environmental documents for the project and in order to assure that environmental documents used by the District will comply with the California Environmental Quality Act. 15085.5(b)(1) B. Response to Consultation Prior to Lead Agency's Decision to Prepare a Negative Declaration or an EIR. When consulted by the lead agency prior to a determination by the lead agency to, prepare a Negative Declaration or an EIR, the District's staff shall recommend either a Negative Decalration or an EIR and shall explain its reasons for so recommending. Where District's staff disagrees with a lead agency's decision to prepare a Negative Declaration for a project, District's staff should identify the significant environmental effects which it believes could result from the project and recommend either that an EIR be prepared or that the project be modified to eliminate the significant effects. 15085.5(b)(2), C. Response to Notice of Preparation. As soon as 15085.5(c) possible, but not later than 45 days after receiving a and Notice of Preparation from the lead agency, the District's 15054.3 staff shall send a written reply thereto by certified mail. 11 qo The reply shall specify the scope and content of environ- mental information which would be germane to the District's statutory responsibilities in connection with the proposed project. In addition, District's staff shall attend meetings requested by the lead agency to discuss the scope and content of the EIR. 15085.5(d) D. Comments on Draft EIRs and Negative Declarations. When requested by the lead agency, District's staff shall provide written comments upon Draft EIRs or proposed Negative Declarations to the extent deemed appropriate. Such comments should focus on any shortcomings in the Draft EIR, the appropriateness of using a Negative Declaration and on additional alternatives or mitigation measures which the EIR should include. 15085.5(e) E. Decision on Adequacy of EIR or Negative Declaration. If the District's Board finds that the final environmental impact statement or Negative Declaration prepared by the lead agency for a project is not adequate for use by the District, the District's Board and the District will be deemed to have waived any objection to the adequacy of the Final Environmental Impact Report or Negative Declaration unless either the District files a court action within 30 days after the lead agency files a Notice of Determination for the project or the District's staff prepares a subsequent Environmental Impact Report if such subsequent report is permissible under Article IX. 15064 and F. Certification of EIR or Negative Declaration. 15085.5(f) Prior to approving a project for which another agency is the lead agency, -the District Board shall consider the lead agency's EIR or Negative Declaration and the environmental effects of the project as shown in such document and shall certify that it has reviewed and considered the information contained in such document. 15085.5(g) G. Adoption of Alternatives or Mitigation Measures. When an Environmental Impact Report has been prepared for a project, the District shall not approve the project as proposed if the District finds any feasible alternative or feasible mitigation measure within its powers that would substantially lessen any significant effect which the project would have on the environment. 15085.5(h) H. Findings. When the District is the responsible agency for a project for which there are significant effects as shown in the Environmental Impact Report, the District shall make the findings required by Section 7.15 and shall prepare the statement required by Section 7.16. 12 15085.5(i) I. Notice of Determination. Upon approval by the District of a project for which the District is a responsible agency and for which a Negative Declaration or Environmental Impact Report has been prepared, the District may, if it deems appropriate, file a Notice of Determination in the office of the County Clerk. Such Notice shall be substantially in the form required by Exhibit "H". ARTICLE IV - EXEMPT ACTIVITIES Section 4.1. Staff Determination of Exemption. Upon a determination, pursuant to Section 3.4, that the District is the lead agency for a proposed activity, the District's staff shall determine which such activity is exempt from further compliance with these Guidelines by reason of Sections 4.2 through 4.5. 15037, Section 4.2. "No Project" Exemption. Activities which do 15050(c), not fall within the definition of project as set forth in (1)(A) and Section 2.24 and activities for which it can be seen with a 15060 certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment do not require the preparation of a Negative Declaration or an EIR and, thus, are outside of the primary scope of these Guidelines. Section 4.3. Feasibility and Planning Studies. Feas0117i ty and panning studies of potential projects undertaken by the District are not within the definition of project as set forth in Section 2.24. Such studies may, however, contain considerations of environmental factors incident to the potential project. Section 4.4. Emergency Projects. The following emergency projects do not require the preparation of a Negative Declaration or an EIR and, thus, are outside the primary scope of these Guidelines: 15071 A. Projects undertaken, carried out, or approved by the District to maintain, repair, restore, demolish, or replace property or facilities damaged or destroyed as a result of a disaster in a disaster stricken area in which a state of emergency has been proclaimed by the Governor pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 8550) of Division 1, Title 2 of Government Code. B. Emergency repairs to any of the District's facilities necessary to maintain service. 13 C. Specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency. Section 4.5. Ministerial Projects. 15032 and A. Ministerial projects do not require the preparation 15073 of a Negative Declaration or an EIR and, thus, are outside the primary scope of these Guidelines. Ministerial projects include activities which are undertaken or approved by a decision which a District officer or the Board makes upon a given state of facts in a prescribed manner in obedience to the mandate of legal authority. With these projects, the officer or Board must act upon the given facts without regard to his, her, or its own judgment or opinion concerning the priority of wisdom of the act although the statute, ordinance or regulation may require, in some degree, a construction of its language by the officer or Board. In summary, a ministerial project involves only the use of fixed standards or objective measurements without personal judgment. 15032, B. Ministerial projects include, but are not limited 15050(c) to, individual utility service connections and disconnec- (1)(B) and tions. 15073(a) through (c) 15073(d) C. Where a project involves an approval that contains elements of both a ministerial action and discretionary action, the project shall be deemed discretionary. 15050(c) Section 4.6. Categorical Exemptions, Subject to qualifica- (1)(C), tion set forth in subsection U, the following classes of pro- 15100, jects, in accordance with and pursuant to Article 8 of the 15100.1 State Guidelines, have been determined not to have a significant and effect on the environment, and therefore are declared to be 15100.4 categorically exempt from the requirement of preparing a Negative Declaration of an EIR. The categorical exemptions listed herein are not intended to be, and are not to be construed to be, a limitation of the categorical exemptions set forth in Article 8 of the State Guidelines nor are they to be construed as a finding that ' the activity listed is discretionary, as opposed to ministerial, in nature. 15101 A. Class I: Existing Facilities. Class I consists (Class 1, of the operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration State of all existing District facilities, structures, equipment, or Guidelines) other property of every kind if such activity involves negligible or no expansion of use beyond that previously existing, including but not limited to: 14 sa (1) street improvements, except where such will involve the removal of a scenic resource, such as a stand of trees, rock outcropping, or historic building, and conveyance facilities, including pipelines, conduits and service facilities; (2) service connection facilities, including all appurtenances; (3) public safety facilities; (4) storage reservoirs, ponds, disposal areas; (5) pump stations; (6) buildings and structures; and (7) treatment plants and waste disposal facilities. 15102 B. Class II: Replacement or Reconstruction. Class (Class 2, II consists of replacement or reconstruction of any District State facilities, structures, or other property where the new Guidelines) facility or structure will be located on the same site as the replaced or reconstructed facility or structure and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the replaced or reconstructed facility or structure, including but not limited to: (1) street improvements and conveyance facilities, including pipelines, conduits and service facilities, including the undergrounding of overhead electrical utility distribution systems where surface is restored to the condition existing before undergrounding; (2) service connection facilities, including all appurtenances; (3) public safety facilities; (4) storage reservoirs, ponds, disposal areas; (5) pump stations; (6) buildings and structures; and (7) treatment plants and waste disposal facilities. 15 90 J 15103 C. Class III: New Construction of Small Structures. (Class 3, Class III consists of construction of new small facilities State or structures and installation of small new equipment or Guidelines) facilities, including but not limited to service extensions and appurtenances and auxiliary facilities required to serve newly constructed small structures as follows: (1) single family residence not in conjunction with the building of two or more such units; (2) apartments, duplexes and similar structures designed for not more than four dwelling units if not in conjunction with the building of two or more such structures; (3) stores, motels, offices, restaurants and similar small commercial structures not involving the use of significant amounts of hazardous substances, if designed for an occupant load of 30 persons or less, if not in conjunction with the building of two or more such structures; (4) Water main, sewage, electrical, gas and other utility extensions of reasonable length to serve such construction; (5) accessory (appurtenant) structures including garages, carports, patios, swimming pools and fences. 15104 D. Class IV: Minor Alterations to Land. Class IV (Class 4, consists of minor alterations in the condition of land, State water, and/or vegetation, which do not involve removal of Guidelines) mature scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes including but not limited to: (1) small, inconspicuous structures, improvements and facilities; (2) minor cutting or mowing of grass, weeds, and brush for fire protection and aesthetic reasons; (3) grading on land with a slope of less than 10 percent except where it is to be located in a waterway, in any wetland, in an officially designated (by Federal, State or local governmental action) scenic area, or in the officially mapped areas of severe geologic hazard; (4) new gardening or landscaping; L 16 (5) filling of earth into previously excavated land with material compatible with the natural features of the site; (6) minor alterations in land, water and vegetation on existing officially designated wildlife management areas of fish production facilities which result in improvement of habitat for fish and wildlife resources or greater fish production; (7) minor temporay uses having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment; (8) minor trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored; (9) maintenance dredging where the spoil is deposited in a spoil area authorized by all applicable State and Federal regulatory agencies; (10) creation of bicycle lanes on existing rights of way. 15105 E. Class V: Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations. (Class 5, Class V consists of minor alterations in land use State limitations in areas with less than a 20% slope, which do Guidelines) not result in any changes in land use or density, established by or on behalf of the District, including but not limited to: (1) Minor lot line adjustments, side yard and set back variances not resulting in the creation of any new parcel; (2) Issuance of minor encroachment permits; (3) Reversion to acreage in accordance with the Subdivision Map Act. 15106 F. Class VI: Information Collection. Class VI (Class 6, consists of basic data collection, research, experimental State management and resources evaluation activities which do not Guidelines) result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. These activities may be undertaken strictly for information gathering purposes or as part of a study leading toward the undertaking of a project. 15107 G. Class VII: Actions for Protection of Natural (Class 7, Resources. Class VII consists of actions taken by the State District as authorized by state law or local ordinance to Guidelines) assure the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of a 17 „ natural resource where the regulatory process involves procedures for the protection of the environment. Construction activities are not included in this exemption. 15108 H. Class VIII: Actions for Protection of the Environ- (Class 8, ment. Class VIII consists of actions taken by the District State as authorized by state law or local ordinance to assure Guidelines) the maintenance, restoration or enhancement of the environment-where the regulatory process involves procedures for the protection of the environment. Construction activities are not included in this exemption. 15109 I. Class IX: Inspection. Class IX consists of (Class 9, inspection activities, including but not limited to State inquiries into the performance of an operation and examina- Guidelines) tion of the quality, health, or safety of a project. 15111 J. Class X: Accessory Structures. Class X consists (Class 11, of the construction or placement of minor structures State accessory to or appurtenant to existing commercial, indus- Guidelines) trial, or institutional facilities, including small parking lots. 15112 K. Class XI: Surplus Property. Class XI consists of (Class 12, sales of surplus District personal or real property, except State land located in an area of statewide interest or potential Guidelines) area of critical concern as identified in the Governor's Environmental Goals and Policy Report prepared pursuant to Government Code Sections 65041 et seq., and not otherwise exempt under Section 15112 of the State Guidelines. 15113 L. Class XII: Acquisition of Lands for Wildlife (Class 13, Conservation Purposes. Class XII consists of the acquisi- State acquisition of lands for fish and wildlife conservation Guidelines) purposes, including preservation of fish and wildlife and preserving access to public lands and waters where the purpose of the acquisition is to preserve the land in its natural condition. 15116 M. Class XIII: Transfer of Ownership of Land in (Class 16, Order to Create Parks. Class XIII consists of the acquisi- State acquisition or sale of land in order to establish a park Guidelines) where the land is in a natural condition or contains historic sites or archaeological sites and either (a) The management plan for the park has not been prepared, or (b) The management plan proposes to keep the area in a natural condition or preserve the historic 18 o ~o or archaeological site. This exemption does not apply when a management plan is proposed that will change the area from its natural condition or significantly change the historic or archaeological site. 15117 N. Class XIV: Open Space Easements. Class XIV (Class 17, consists of the acceptance of easements or fee interests in State order to maintain the open space character of land. Guidelines) 15119 0. Class XV: Annexations of Existing Facilities and (Class 19, Lots for Exempt Facilities. Class XV consists of: State Guidelines) (1) annexations to the District of areas containing existing public or private structures developed to the density allowed by the current zoning or pre-zoning of the appropriate city or county, whichever is more restrictive, provided, however, that the extension of utility services to the existing facilities would have a capacity to serve only the existing facilities. (2) annexations of individual small parcels of the minimum size for facilities exempted by Section 4.6C, New Construction of Small Structures. 15120 P. Class XVI: Changes in Organization of the District (Class 20, Class XVI consists of a change of organization of, or a State reorganization of, the District where the changes do not Guidelines) change the geographical area in which previously existing powers are exercised, including but are not limited to: (1) Establishment of the District as a subsidiary district or establishment by the District of a subsidiary district. (2) Consolidation of the District with one or more districts having identical powers. (3) Merger of the District with a city if the District lies entirely within the boundaries of the city. 15121 Q. Class XVII: Enforcement Actions b Regulatory (Class 21, Agencies. Class RVIT consists o actions by regulatory State agencies to enforce or revoke a lease, permit, license, Guidelines) certificate, or other entitlement for use issued, adopted or prescribed by the regulatory agency or law, general 19 LW rule, standard, or objective administered or adopted by the regulatory agency, including but not limited to: (1) the direct referral of a violation of a lease, permit, license, certificate or entitlement for use or of a general rule, standard or objective to the Attorney General, District Attorney or City Attorney, as appropriate for judicial enforcement, and; (2) the adoption of an administrative decision or order enforcing or revoking a lease, permit, license, certificate or entitlement -for use or enforcing the general rule, standard or objective. Construction activities are 'not included in this exemption. 15122 R. Class XVIII: Educational or Traininq Programs. (Class 22, Class XVIII consists of the adoption, alteration or State termination of educational or training programs which Guidelines) involve no physical alteration in the area affected or which involve physical changes only in the interior of existing school or training structures., including but not limited to development of or changes in curriculum or training methods. 15123 S. Class XIX: Normal Operations of Facilities for (Class 23, Public Gatherings. Class XIX consists of the normal opera- State tion of existing facilities for public gatherings for which Guidelines) such facilities were designed where there is a past history of the facility being used for the same kind of purpose. Facilities included within this exemption include but are not limited to racetracks., stadiums, convention :enters, auditoriums, amphitheaters, planetariums, swimming pools and amusement parks. 15124 T. Class XX: Regulation of Working Conditions. (Class 24, Class XX consists of actions taken by regulatory agencies State to regulate employee wages, hours of work or working Guidelines) conditions where there will- be no demonstrable physical changes outside of the place of work. 15125 U. Class XXI. Transfers of Ownership of Interests in (Class 25, Land to Preserve Open Space. Class XXI consists of the State transfers of ownership of interests in land in order to Guidelines) preserve open space. 15127 V. Class XXII. Leasing New F acilities. Class XXII (Class 27, consists of the leasing of a newly constructed or State previously unoccupied privately-owned facility by a local Guidelines) or state agency where the local governing authority L 20 90 determined that the building was exempt from CEQA. To be exempt under this section, the proposed use of the facility: (1) Shall be in conformance with existing State plans and policies and with general, community, and specific plans for which an EIR or Negative Declaration has been prepared, (2) Shall be substantially the same as that originally proposed at the time the building permit was issued, (3) Shall not result in a traffic increase of greater than 10% of front access road capacity, and (4) Shall include the provision of adequate employee and visitor parking facilities. 15100.2 W. Exceptions. The above categorical exemptions are inapplicable when the cumulative impact of successive projects of the same type in the same place over time is significant. In addition, Classes III through VI and Class X do not apply where the project may impact on an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern LW where such resource has been designated, precisely mapped and officially adopted pursuant to law by federal, state, or local agencies. A categorical exemption shall not be used for an activity where there is a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. Section 4.7. Initial Review for Exemptions. 15013 A. Staff Finding of No Exemption. If in the judgment of District's staff the proposed activity does not fall within one of the categories described in Sections 4.2 through-4.5, it shall proceed with the project evaluation process as outlined in Article V. Any person proposing to undertake an activity may present his objection to the staff's determination to the 'Board at its next regular or special meeting. B. Staff Finding of Exemption. If in the judgment of the District s s a , a propose activity does fall within one of the categories enumerated in Sections 4.2 through 4.5, it shall so find on the form entitled Preliminary Environmental Assessment, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A". LO 21 C. Retention of Preliminary Environmental Assessment; Availability for Inspection. The Preliminary Environmental Assessment s ha be retained at the District's office as part of its usual record-keeping process and shall be made available for public inspection during all regular District office hours. Except as otherwise may be determined by the Board, the date of completion and signing of the Preliminary Environmental Assessment by the District's staff shall be deemed to constitute the date of approval of the exempt activity. Section 4.8. Notice of Exemption. 15035.5, A. Preparation. Upon completion and signing of a 15074(a) Preliminary Environmental Assessment for a ministerial, and categorically exempt or emergency project and consultation 15074(b) with responsible agencies, the District's staff or the project's applicant may prepare a Notice of Exemption on a form attached hereto as Exhibit "B" which Notice shall contain the following: (1) a brief description of the project; (2) a finding that the project is exempt, including a citation to the State Guidelines section under which it is found to be exempt; and LW (3) a brief statement of reasons to support the findings. In the event that the Notice of Exemption is prepared and filed by a project applicant rather than the District's staff, such Notice shall have attached to it a certified copy of the Preliminary Environmental Assessment prepared by the District's staff or other certified. document or record of the District stating that the District has found the project to be exempt. 15050(c)(9) B. Filing. Upon completion of the Notice of Exemption 15074(4) and it shall be filed with the County Clerk of the county 15074(e) county or counties in which the project is located and in the District's office where -it shall be available for public inspection. The filing of a Notice of Exemption starts a 35 day statute of limitations period on legal challenges to the District's decision that the project is exempt. If a Notice of Exemption is not filed, a 180 day statute of limitations applies. 15066(b) Section 4.9. Required Consultation. Upon a determination and by District's staff pursuant to Section 4.7 that a project is 15080(g) not exempt, the District's staff shall consult with Responsible 22 02/ 9U Agencies and any Trustee Agencies responsible for natural resources affected by the project, and shall inform such agencies that it proposes to proceed with an initial study to determine whether a Negative Declaration or EIR is required for the Project. Such consultation may be done quickly and informally. 15050(c)(2) ARTICLE V - INITIAL STUDY PROCEDURES 15080 Section 5.1. Undertaking of Initial Study;_ By Whom; Submission of Data; Costs; Time of Undertaking. Upon a determination that the District is the lead agency for a project and that the project is discretionary and is not otherwise exempt, an initial study shall be undertaken for the purpose of ascertaining whether the proposed project may have a significant effect on the environment unless the District's staff can determine without such a study that any aspects, considered individually or cumulatively, of the project may cause a significant effect on the environment. In such event, an EIR shall be prepared for the project, regardless of whether the overall effect of the project is adverse or beneficial. 15080 A. As to projects defined in paragraph (1) of Section 2.24A, the initial study shall be undertaken by the District's staff or by private experts pursuant to contract with the District. 15080 B.- As to projects defined in paragraphs (2) or (3) of Section 2.24A, the person or entity proposing to carry out the project shall submit all data and information as may be required by the D.istrict's staff in order to prepare the initial study. All costs incurred by the District in reviewing the data and information submitted by said person or entity, or in conducting its own investigation based upon such data and information for the purpose of determining whether the proposed project might have a significant effect on the environment shall be borne by the person or entity proposing to carry out the project. 15013 C. The initial study and subsequent environmental proceedings relating to the proposed project shall be prepared and undertaken as early as is feasible in the planning process in order to enable environmental considerations to influence the project program and design. The initial study and subsequent environmental proceedings shall, however, be coordinated in a timely fashion with the existing planning, review, and project approval processes being used by the District. 23 ,'2 1yo 15050(c)(12) D. Where the project is one defined in Section and 2.24A(3), the initial study shall be completed and the 15054.2 determination required by Secton 5.5 hereof shall be made within 45 days from the date that the District receives an application for the project and accepts such application as complete. Section 5.2. Scope, Purposes and Contents of Initial Study. 15080(a), A. Scope. In evaluating, in the initial study, 15080(c), whether a project may have a significant effect on the 15081(a) environment, the District's staff shall base its determina- and (b) tion, to the extent possible, on scientific and factual data, shall consider both primary or direct and secondary or indirect consequences of the project and shall consider all phases of project planning, implementation and operation. B. Purposes. The purposes of an initial study are to: (1) Identify environmental impacts; (2) Enable an applicant to the District or the District itself to modify a project and mitigate adverse impacts before an EIR is written; (3) Focus an EIR, if one is required, on potentially significant environmental effects; (4) Facilitate environmental evaluation early in the design of a project; (5) Provide documentation of the factual basis for the finding in a Negative Declaration that a project will not have a significant effect on the environment; and (6) Eliminate unnecessary EIRs. C. Contents. An initial study shall- be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "C" and shall contain: (1) A description of the project, including the location of the project; (2) An identification of the environmental setting; (3) An identification of environmental effects by use of a check-list, matrix, or other method; 24 ,~2 iqo LW (4) A discussion of ways to mitigate the significant effects identified, if any; (5) An examination of whether the project is compatible with applicable existing zoning and plans; and (6) The name of the person or persons who prepared or participated in the initial study. 15081(c) Section 5.3. Examples of Significant Effect. Some examples of consequences which may be deemed to have a significant effect on the environment are contained in Exhibit "D" attached hereto and by reference incorporated herein. In most instances, affirmative findings as to any of the effects contained in said Exhibit "D", regardless of whether the overall effect of the project is adverse or beneficial, will require preparation of an EIR. In addition, where there is, or is anticipated to be, a substantial body of opinion that considers or will consider a particular effect to be adverse, an EIR should be prepared. 15082 Section 5.4. Mandatory Findings of Significance. A project shall be found to have a significant effect on the environment if: A. The project has the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory. B. The project has the potential to achieve short-term environmental goals to the disadvantage of long-term environmental goals. C. The project has possible environmental effects which are individually limited but cumulatively considerable. As used in the subsection, "cumulatively considerable" means that the incremental effects of an individual project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effect of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects. 25 /yu D. The environmental effects of a project will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly. 15080(d), Section 5.5. Staff Determination; Environmental Impact 15066(b) Assessment. Upon completion of the initial study and prior to making the determination required by this action, the District's staff shall consult informally with Responsible Agencies with respect to its proposed determination. The District's staff shall then determine either: A. That the project will not have a significant efffect on the environment; B. That the project, if modified in accordance with specified mitigation measures set forth in the initial study, will not have a significant effect on the environment; C. That the project may have a significant effect on the environment. Such determination shall be set forth on the form, entitled "Environmental Impact Assessment," attached hereto as Exhibit "E" and such form, together with the initial study shall be filed in the District office. 15080(d), Section 5.6. Procedure Required as a Result of Staff 15083, Determination. 15084(a) A. If the District's staff makes the finding described in Section 5.5A, it shall immediately prepare a proposed Negative Declaration and otherwise proceed in accordance with the procedures described in Article VI. B. If the District's staff makes the finding described in Section 5.5B, it shall request a determination from the Board as to whether modification of the project in accordance with the specified mitigation measures should be undertaken. Upon a determination of the Board that the project should be modified and upon completion of such procedures as may be necessary to assure such modification, the District's staff shall prepare a proposed Negative Declaration and otherwise proceed in accordance with the procedures described in Article VI. C. If the District's staff makes the finding described in Section 5.5C, or if it cannot be assured, as specified in subsection B above, that the project will be LW 26 / ycl modified in accordance with the mitigation measures specified, then the District's staff shall immediately prepare or cause to be prepared an EIR in accordance with the procedures described in Article VII. 15080(d)(2) Section 5.7. General Rule as to Modifications. A project may be modified or revised by the person or entity undertaking a project described in Section 2.23A(2) or (3) or by the District if the project is the one described in Section 2.23A(1), in response to an initial study, in order to mitigate potential adverse effects to a point where no significant impact will occur. In such event, a Negative Declaration, rather than an EIR, shall be required for the project. If the project would still result in one or more significant effects on the environment after the mitigation measures are added to the project, an EIR shall be required for the project. Section 5.8. Appeal. Any person aggrieved by the determination made by the District's staff pursuant to Section 5.5 may, within ten days following such determination, file with the Secretary of the District a request for appeal thereof to the Board. The Board shall hear its appeal at its next regular or special meeting and shall not prepare a Negative Declaration or an EIR for the project until such appeal has been heard and determined. 15064(c) Section 5.9. District Determination Conclusive. Pursuant to Section 15064(c) and Section 21080.1 of the Public Resources Code of the' State Guidelines, the determination of the District, as Lead Agency, whether to prepare an EIR or a Negative Declaration for a project shall be final and conclusive on all persons, including Responsible Agencies, unless circumstances change as provided in Section 9.1 of these guidelines or unless the determination of the District is challenged as provided in Section 21167 of the California Public Resources Code. 15069.6 Section 5.10. Master Environmental Assessment. The District may, if it deems appropriate, prepare a master environmental assessment, inventory or data base for all or a portion of the territory within its jurisdiction in order to provide information which may be used or referenced in EIRs or Negative Declarations. The content, format and procedures to be used in developing such assessment may be determined by District's staff at the time that such assessment is undertaken. 15050(c)(3), ARTICLE VI - NEGATIVE DECLARATIONS 15050(c)(12) and Section 6.1. Time Limitation. Where the project is one 15054.2 defined in Section 2.24A 3 , the Final Negative Declaration 27 LO shall be completed pursuant to Section 6.7 within 105 days from the date the District receives an application for the project and accepts such application as complete. Completion of the Final Negative Declaration within the 105 day period shall include the conduct of an initial study, public review, and the preparation of a document ready for approval by the Board. Completion within the 105 day period need not include the approval of the Final Negative Declaration by the Board. Prior to approving a project, the Board shall consider and approve the Final Negative Declaration. However, such time period may be extended for an additional reasonable period in the event that compelling circumstances justify additional time and the project applicant consents to the extension. 15050(c)(5), Section 6.2. Proposed Negative Declaration; Prior Consulta- 15061(g), tion. If, upon completion of the procedures specified in Article 15066 and V, it is determined that a Negative Declaration should be 15083 prepared for a project, District's staff shall first prepare a proposed Negative Declaration. Before completing the proposed Negative Declaration, the District's staff shall consult with all Responsible Agencies in order to insure that the Negative Declaration will reflect the concerns of such agencies. In addition, any person may submit information to the District's staff to assist in the preparation of the Negative Declaration. Such information may be submitted in any format. District's staff may include such information in the Negative Declaration if it subjects the information to its own independent evaluation and analysis. 15061(b) Section 6.3. Content and Form of Negative Declaration. and 15083(c) A. Contents. A Negative Declaration shall be a concise statement containing the following information: (1) a brief description of the project, including a commonly used name for the project, if any; (2) the location of the project and the name of the project proponent; (3) a finding that the project will not have a significant effect on the-environment; (4) an attached copy of the Initial Study documenting reasons to support the finding; and (5) a statement of mitigation measures, if any, included in the project to avoid potentially significant effects. kw 28 B. Form. The Negative Declaration should normally not exceed one page in length. A copy of the form of Negative Declaration is attached hereto marked Exhibit "F". 15050(c)(9) Section 6.4. Filing of Negative Declaration. Upon comple- and tion of a proposed Negative Declaration, the District's staff 15083(c) shall cause a copy of the proposed Negative Declaration with the initial study attached thereto to be filed at the District's office and to be available for public inspection. 15083(d) Section 6.5. Notice of Proposed Negative Declaration. and District's staff shall mail or personally deliver a copy of a 15161.5(e) Notice of Proposed Negative Declaration in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "G" to the project applicant, if any, and to all persons and organizations who have requested such Notice. In addition, where a state agency is a Responsible Agency or has jurisdiction by law with respect to the project, ten copies of the proposed Negative Declaration shall be mailed to the State Clearinghouse, and where a project is of statewide, regional or area-wide significance (as defined in Section 2.27) a copy shall also be mailed to the appropriate Area Council of Governments for review and comment. In addition, District's staff shall give public notice of the proposed Negative Declaration by at least one of the following procedures: A. By publication of a copy of the*Notice of Proposed Negative Declaration once in a newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by the proposed project; B. By posting of a copy of the Notice of Proposed Negative Declaration on, and within twenty (20) feet off of, the site of the proposed project; or C. By mailing a copy of the Notice of the Proposed Negative Declaration to owners of property contiguous to the site of the proposed project as their names and addresses are shown on the last equalized assessment roll of the county in which the project is located. Mailings undertaken pursuant to this Section shall be by first class mail, postage prepaid. The noticed review period shall be long enough to provide members of- the public with sufficient time to respond to the proposed finding before the Negative Declaration is approved. 15050(c)(5), Section 6.6. Comments from Agencies Having Jurisdiction by 15050(c)(6), Law. Following the filing of the proposed Negative Declaration 15066 and tithe District's office, the District's staff shall consult with 15083 and seek to obtain comments from Responsible Agencies and should consult with the persons having special expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved. 29 ~i y0 LO 15050(c)(6), Section 6.7. Board Approval or Disa roval of Pro'ect. 15050(c)(7), Following the filing of the Negative Declaration at the 15050(c)(8), District's office and the completion of procedures specified in 15055(b)(1) Section 6.5 and 6.6, but in no event sooner than ten days and following the date of filing, the Board may consider the project 15083(c) at a regular or special meeting for purposes of adoption of the Negative Declaration and of approval or disapproval of the project. At this time, District's staff should report on any comments received as a result of the procedures specified in Section 6.5 and 6.6, and shall present the Final Negative Declaration to the Board. Members of the public may appear before the Board and present their views. The Board shall review and consider and adopt a Final Negative Declaration" prior to its determination to approve or disapprove the project. The responsibility for such review and consideration and adoption may not be delegated. A hearing may be held on the environmental impact of the project prior to approval thereof. If held, such hearing shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.12 and shall use the Negative Declaration as a basis for discussion. 15050(c)(9) Section 6.8. Notice of Determination. Following approval and of the project, the District's staff shall prepare a Notice of 15083(f) Determination substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "H". Such Notice shall contain the following- A. An identification of the project including its common name where possible and its location; B. A brief description of the project; C. The date on which the District approved the project; D. The determination of the District that the project will not have a significant effect on the environment; E. A statement that a Negative Declaration has been prepared pursuant to the provisions of CEQA; F. The address where a copy of the Negative Declaration may be examined. Said Notice shall then be filed with the County Clerk of the county or counties in which the project is located and, if the project requires a discretionary approval from any State agency, with the Secretary for Resources. 30 15053(a) Section 6.9. Costs. As to projects covered by paragraphs (2) and 3 of Section 2.24A, the person or entity proposing to carry out the project requiring approval by the District shall bear all costs incurred by the District in preparing and filing the Negative Declaration. 15050(c)(4) ARTICLE VII - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTS 15054.2 Section 7.1. Time Limitation. Where the project is one and defined in Section 2.24A 3 , the Final EIR shall be certified 15050(e)(12) pursuant to Section 7.15 within 1 year from the date the District receives an application for the project and accepts such application as complete; provided, however, that such time period may be extended for an additional reasonable period in the event that compelling circumstances justify additional time and the project applicant consents to the extension; and provided, further, that the 1 year time period required by this Section may be waived in the event that a combined EIR-EIS is to be prepared pursuant to Section 7.5 and the District's staff finds that the time required to prepare such combined document would be less than the time required to prepare each document separately and the applicant has requested or consented to the waiver. In the event of a waiver of the time limit where a combined EIR-EIS is prepared, the District Board shall approve or disapprove the project within 60 days after the combined EIR-EIS has been completed. 15013, Section 7.2. Environmental Impact Reports; When Required. 15050(c)(5), An EIR shall be prepared for all discretionary projects not 15061(g), otherwise exempt upon a finding by the District's staff that the 15066, project may have a significant effect on the environment, that 15084, it can be fairly argued on the basis of substantial evidence that 15085(b) the project may have a significant effect on the environment or and that there is serious public controversy concerning the environ- 15063(d) mental effect of the project. 15066 Section 7.3. Notice of Preparation. 15085(b) and A. When Required. Immediately after a determination 15054.2(d) pursuant to Section 5.5 and Section 7.1 that an EIR is re- quired for a project, the District's staff shall, by certified mail, send a Notice of Preparation to each Responsible Agency and Trustee Agency with respect to the project and to each Federal agency involved in approving or funding the project. If any Responsible Agency is a State agency, a copy of such Notice shall be sent to the State Clearinghouse in the Office of Planning and Resources of the State Department of Resources. When the Notice of 31 Preparation is submitted to the State Clearinghouse, the state identification number issued by the Clearinghouse shall be the identification number for all subsequent environmental documents on the project. The identification number should be referenced on all subsequent correspondence regarding the project, specifically on the title page of the draft and final EIR and on the Notice of Determination. B. Content of Notice. The Notice of Preparation shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "I", shall state that the District intends to prepare an EIR for the project and shall request the views of the agency to whom the Notice is addressed concerning the content of the environmental information which is germane to such agency's statutory responsibilities in connection with the proposed project. The Notice of Preparation shall provide the agency to whom the Notice is addressed with sufficient information describing the project, its location and is its environmental effects, as determined from the initial study or otherwise, to enable such agency to make a meaningful response to the Notice. A copy of the initial study may, if deemed appropriate by District's staff, be enclosed with the Notice of Preparation. Notices shall be sent by certified mail or other method that provides a record that the notice was received. C. Timing. The Notice of Preparation shall request response thereto within 45 days from the date of the Notice. The District may, however, commence preparation of the Draft EIR pursuant to the requirements of this Article VII during such 45-day period, provided however, that it shall to the extent required by responses to the Notice of Preparation, revise or add to such Draft EIR to conform to such responses. In addition, the District's staff or a Responsible Agency or a Trustee Agency on a project may request a meeting of representatives of the agencies to which the Notice of Preparation was addressed for the purpose of expediting the responses of such agencies or for the purpose of determining the scope and content of the environmental information to be required by such agencies. In the event that such a request is made, the District shall convene the meeting within 30 days of such request. Section 7.4. Preparation of Draft EIR: By Whom. 15061(b) A. As to projects defined in paragraph (1) of Section 2.24A, the Draft EIR shall be undertaken by the District's staff or by private experts pursuant to a contract with the District. 32 ~~qo 15030 B. As to projects defined in paragraphs (2) and (3) and of Section 2.24A, the person or entity proposing to carry 15061(b) out the project may be requested to submit a Draft EIR, containing the information required by Section 7.5 for review and consideration by the District's staff, or the Draft EIR may be undertaken by District's staff or by private experts pursuant to a contract with the District. If the person or entity proposing to carry out the project submits a Draft EIR pursuant to request of District's staff, District's staff shall analyze such Draft EIR to verify its accuracy and objectivity prior to presenting it to the Board. In such event, the District's staff may require additional information and data, including a statement specifying other public agencies believed to be Responsible Agencies or agencies having jursidiction by law over the project. In no event shall the District use a Draft EIR prepared by such other person or entity as its own without independent evaluation and analysis. 15027 and Section 7.5. Content of Draft EIR. The Draft EIR shall 15140 contain the information described in subsections A through H below. Each topic shall be discussed in a separate, distinct section or the Draft EIR shall state where in the document each element is discussed. 15141 A. Description of Project. The description of the project shall contain the following information but should not supply extensive detail beyond that needed for evaluation and review of the environmental impact: (1) The precise location and boundaries of the proposed project shall be shown on a detailed map, preferably topographic. The location of the project shall also appear on a regional map. (2) A statement of the objectives sought by the proposed project. (3) A general description of the project's technical, economic, and environmental characteristics, considering the principal engineering proposals and supporting public service facilities. 15142 B. Description of Environmental Setting. An EIR shall include a description of the environment in the vicinity of the project, as it exists before commencement of the project, from both a local and regional perspective. 33 % h (1) Knowledge of the regional setting is critical to the assessment of environmental impacts.. Special emphasis should be placed on environmental resources that are rare or unique to that region. Specific reference to related projects, both public and private, both existent and planned, in the region, should also be included for purposes of examining the possible cumulative impact to such projects. (2) The EIR shall discuss any inconsistencies between the proposed project and applicable general plans and regional plans. Such regional plans include, but are not limited to, the applicable Air Quality Management Plan (or State implementation Plan once adopted), area-wide waste treatment and water quality plans, regional transportation plans, and regional land use plans for the protection of the Lake Tahoe Basin. 15080(d)(3), C. Environmental Impact. All phases of a project 15143 and must be considered when evaluating its impact on the en- 15148.1 vironment: planning, acquisition, development and operation. The EIR shall discuss the subjects described in paragraphs (1) through (7) below; provided, however, that such discussion shall emphasize impacts determined in the initial study (if any) prepared for the project to be significant and may omit examination of those impacts found to be clearly insignificant in such initial study; and provided further, that the subjects described in paragraphs (5) and (6) below need be included only in EIRs prepared in connection with the adoption or amendment of a plan, policy, or ordinance of the District or with a project which is subject to the requirement for preparing an EIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. 15143(a) (1) The Significant Environmental Effects of the. Proposed Project. The EIR shall describe the direct and indirect significant effects of -the project on the environment, giving due consideration to both the short-term and long-term effects. Such description should include' relevant specifics of the area, the resources involved, physical changes, alterations to ecological systems and changes induced in population distribution, population concentration, the human use of the land (including commercial and residential development) and other aspects of the resource base such as water, scenic quality, and public services. Cumulative effects shall also be discussed when found to be significant. 34 (2) Any Significant Environmental Effects Which Cannot be Avoided if the Proposal-is-Implemented. The EIR shall describe any significant impacts, including those which can be reduced to an insignificant level but not eliminated; where there are impacts that cannot be alleviated without imposing an alternative design, their implications and the reasons why the project is being proposed, notwithstanding their effect, should be described. The EIR shall describe significant impacts on any aesthetically valuable surroundings, or on human health. (3) Mitigation Measures Proposed to Minimize the Significant Impact. The EIR shall describe significant avoidable adverse impacts, including inefficient and unnecessary consumption of energy, and measures to minimize these impacts. This discussion shall identify the mitigation measures which will eliminate such impact or reduce them to a level of insignificance. Where several measures are available to mitigate an impact, each should be discussed and the basis for selecting a particular measure should be identified. Energy conservation measures, as well as other appropriate mitigation measures, shall be discussed when relevant. Examples of energy conservation measures recognized by the Secretary for Resources are set forth in Exhibit "I". (4) Alternatives to the Proposed Action. The EIR shall describe all reasonable alternatives to the project, or to the location of the project, which could feasibly attain the basic objectives of the project, and why they were rejected in favor of the ultimate choice. The specific alternative of "no project" must also always be evaluated (except for projects consisting of the construction of facilities required by the International Olympic Committee as a condition of an award of the Olympic games), along with the impact. The discussion of alternatives shall focus on alternatives capable of eliminating any significant adverse environmental effects or reducing them to a level of insignificance, even if these alternatives substantially impede the attainment of the project objectives, and are more costly. If the environmentally superior alternative is the "no project" alternative, then the EIR shall also identify an environmentally superior alternative among the other alternatives. 35 (5) The Relationship between Local Short-Term Uses of Man's Environment and the Maintenance and Enhancement of long-Term roductivit The EIR shall escri e the cumulative an long- erm effects of the proposed project which adversely affect the state of the environment. Special attention should be given to impacts which narrow the range of beneficial uses of the environment or pose long-term risks to health or safety. In addition, the reasons why the proposed project is believed by the sponsor to be justified now, rather than reserving an option for further alternatives, should be explained. (6) Any Significant Irreversible Environmental Changes Which Would Be Involved in the Proposed Action Should it be Implemented. Uses of non-renewable resources during the initial and continued phases of the project may be irreversible since a large commitment of such resources makes removal or non-use thereafter unlikely. Primary impacts and, particularly, secondary impacts (such as a highway improvement which provides access to a non-accessible area) generally commit future generations to similar uses. Also irreversible damage can result from environmental accidents associated with the project. Irretrievable commitments of resources should be LW evaluated to assure that such consumption is justified. (7) The Growth-Inducing Impact of the Proposed Action. The EIR shall discuss the ways in which the proposed project could foster economic or population growth, either directly or indirectly in the surrounding environment. Included in this are projects which would remove obstacles to population growth (a major expansion of a wastewater treatment plant might, for example, allow for more construction in service areas). Increases in the population may further tax existing community service facilities so consideration must be given to this impact. The EIR shall also discuss the characteristics of the projects which may encourage and facilitate other activities that could significantly affect the environment, either individually or cumulatively. It must not be assumed that growth in any area is necessarily beneficial, detrimental, or of little significance to the environment. 15145 D. Water Quality Aspects. The EIR shall describe in the environmental setting section, and in other sections where applicable, water quality aspects of the proposed 36 90 project which have been previously been certified by the appropriate state or interstate organization as being in substantial compliance with applicable water quality standards. 15140(b) E. Summary. The EIR shall contain a brief summary of the proposed project and its consequences. Such summary shall be in language sufficiently simple that the issues can be understood by the average member of the public. The summary shall stress the major conclusions, areas of controversy (including issues raised by agencies and the public), and the issues to be resolved (including the choice among alternatives and how to mitigate the significant effects). The summary should normally not exceed 15 pages. 15140(e) F. Statement of Reason for Findings of No and (f) and SSi nniif~icance. Environmental effects which were found in an 15143.5 initial study prepared for the project to be clearly insignificant and unlikely to occur need not be discussed in the EIR. The EIR, however, shall contain a statement briefly enumerating such clearly insignificant effects and there shall be attached to the EIR a copy of such initial study. In addition, the EIR shall contain a statement briefly enumerating effects that could possibly be LO considered significant but were not discussed in detail in the EIR because they were found to be insignificant. The latter statement shall briefly indicate the reasons for the finding of insignificance. 15144 G. Organizations and Persons Consulted. The EIR shall include a section identifying all Federal, State and local agencies (including Responsible Agencies), organizations and private individuals consulted in preparing the EIR and the identity of the persons, firm or agency preparing the EIR. 15140(b) H. Index. The EIR shall contain a table of contents or an index. 15140.5 I. Page Limits. The text of draft environmental impact reports shall normally be less than 150 pages and for proposals of unusual scope or complexity should normally be less than 300 pages. Section 7.6. General Rules for Preparation of EIR. 15140(d) A. Interdisciplinary Approach. The EIR should be prepared using a systematic, interdisciplinary approach. The interdisciplinary analysis shall be conduted by L 37 qo competent individuals, but no single discipline shall be designated or required to undertake this evaluation. Preparation of EIRs is dependent upon information from many sources, including any engineering project report and any scientific documents relating to environmental features. The EIR shall reference all documents used in its preparation including, where possible, a citation to the page and section number of any technical reports which were used as the basis for any statements in the EIR. 15140(c) B. Technical Data; Submission of A endices. The information containe in an IR shall include summarized technical data, maps, plot plans, diagrams, and similar relevant information sufficient to permit full assessment of significant environmental impacts of reviewing agencies and members of the public. Placement of highly technical and specialized analysis and data in the body of an EIR should be avoided through inclusion of supporting information and analyses as appendices to the main body of the EIR. Appendices to the EIR may be prepared in volumes separate from the basic EIR document, but shall be available for public examination and shall be submitted to all clearinghouses which assist in public review. 15149 C. Incorporation by Reference. (1) An EIR may incorporate by reference all or portions of another document which is a matter of public record or is generally available to the public. Where all or part of another document is incorporated by reference, the incorporated language shall be considered to be set forth in full as part of the text of the EIR. (2) Where part of another document is incorporated by reference, such other document shall be made available to the public for inspection at a public place or public building. The EIR shall state where the incorporated documents will be available for inspection. At a minimum, the incorporated document shall be made available to the public in the district office. (3) Where an EIR uses incorporation by reference, the incorporated part of the referenced document shall be briefly summarized in the EIR where possible or briefly described if the data or information cannot be summarized. The relationship between the incorporated part of the referenced document and the EIR shall be described in the EIR. 38 ,2/ ya (4) Where information is incorporated from an EIR that has previously been reviewed through the state review system, the state identification number of the incorporated document should be included in the summary or designation described in C(3) of this Section. 15140(e) D. Proportionate Discussion. The EIR should discuss environmental effects in proportion to their severity and probability of occurrence. 15140(g) E. Forecasting. The preparation of an EIR necessarily and (h) and involves some degree of forecasting. While 15075(b) fore- seeing the unforeseeable is not possible, best efforts must be used to discover and disclose all reasonably available information. If, after thorough investigation, it is found that a particular effect is too speculative for evaluation, such conclusion should be stated and further discussion of the impact should be terminated. 15150 F. Disclosure Statement. The EIR serves as a public disclosure document explaining the effects of the proposed project on the environment, alternatives to the project, and ways to minimize adverse effects and to increase beneficial effects. G. Standards for Adequacy. The EIR should be prepared with a sufficient degree of analysis to provide the Board with information which enables it to make a decision which intelligently takes account of environmental consequences. An evaluation of the environmental effects of the proposed project need not be exhaustive, but the sufficiency of an EIR is not to be reviewed in the light of what is reasonably feasible. The standard 'is not perfection, but rather adequacy, completeness, and a good faith effort at full disclosure are to be sought. 15063 Section 7.7. EIRs on Federal Projects. A. District Use of Federal EIS. Where a project is to be undertaken by the District but requires Federal approval or financial assistance and where the District has determined that an EIR will be necessary for the project but is aware that a Federal environmental impact statement has been or will be prepared for the project, the District shall, whenever possible, use all or part of the Federal environmental impact statement as the District EIR, provided, however, that the District shall assure that such environmental impact statement complies with the requirements of these guidelines (in particular, that it 39 contains a discussion of mitigation measures, energy conservation and growth-inducing impact as required by paragraphs (3) and (7) of Section 7.5C). If such environmental impact statement does not comply with the requirements of these guidelines, the District shall add or supplement such environmental impact statement to assure such compliance. B. District EIR to be Prepared Prior to EIS. If the District finds that an environmental impact statement for a project will not be prepared by the Federal agency by the time the District will need to consider an EIR, the District shall use its best efforts to prepare a combined EIR-EIS. Since Federal law generally prohibits a Federal agency from using an EIR prepared by a local agency as the Federal environmental impact statement unless the Federal agency is involved in the preparation thereof, the District, in preparing the EIR-EIS, shall involve the Federal agency in such preparation and shall consult as soon as possible with such agency. C. District EIR to be Prepared Subsequent to EIS. If the District finds that an environmental impact statement for a project has been prepared by the Federal agency prior to the time when the District will need to consider an EIR and that the Federal agency circulated the environmental impact statement for public review as broadly as is required by these guidelines for circulation of a District EIR and that the Federal agency gave notice complying with the requirements of Section 7.9B and Section 7.9C, then the District need not recirculate the environmental impact statement for public review. The District shall, however, publish notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in the District (or in the county in which the District is located if there is not a newspaper of general circulation in the District) that the District will use such environmental impact statement in place of an EIR and that it finds that the environmental impact statement meets the requirements of these guidelines and of the California Environmental Quality Act. D. Consultation. If the District plans to use an environmental impact statement as part or all of the District EIR or if the District plans to prepare a joint EIR-EIS, the District's staff shall consult as soon as possible with the Federal agency which is responsible for preparation of the Federal environmental impact statement. 15064 and Section 7.8. Consultation Prior to Completion of Draft EIR. 15085(b) Prior to completion of the Draft EIR, the District's staff, to 40 the extent deemed appropriate by such staff, shall consult with any person or organizations it believes will be concerned with the environmental effects of the project. In addition, any person may submit information to the District's staff to assist in preparation of the EIR. Such information may be submitted in any format. District's staff may include, or cause to be included, such information in the EIR if it subjects the information to its own independent evaluation and analysis. 15050(c)(9), Section 7.9. Completion of Draft EIR; Notice. Upon 15085(a) completion, the Draft EIR shall be presented to the Board for and review at a regular or special meeting. If the Board finds that 15085(c) the Draft EIR is in order and that it reflects the independent judgment of the District the Board shall instruct the District's staff: 15085(c) and A. To file a Notice of Completion in the form 15161.5(e) attached hereto as Exhibit "K" with the Secretary for Resources, or, where the Draft EIR will be reviewed through the State Clearinghouse, to file with the State Clearinghouse a cover form required by the State Clearinghouse, together with ten copies of the Draft EIR; 15085(d) B. To mail or personally deliver a Notice of Completion substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "K" to all organizations and individuals who have previously requested Notice of Completion of the Draft EIR; 15085(d) C. To mail or personally deliver, in the case of projects of statewide, regional or area-wide significance (as defined in Sectin 2.27) a copy of the Draft EIR to the appropriate metropolitan Area Council of Governments for review and comment; and 15085(d) D. To give public notice of the completion of the Draft EIR by at least one of the following procedures: (1) By publication of a copy of the Notice of Completion once in a newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by the proposed project; (2) By posting of a copy of the Notice of Completion on, and within twenty (20) feet off of, the site of the proposed project; or (3) By mailing a copy of the Notice of Completion to owners of property contiguous to the site of the proposed project as their names and addresses are shown on the last equalized assessment roll of the county in which the project is proposed to be located. LO 41 a~yv Filings undertaken pursuant to this Section shall be deemed complete when the appropriate document has been deposited in the United States mail addressed appropriately or has been delivered in person to the appropriate office. Mailings undertaken pursuant to this Section shall be by first-class mail, postage prepaid. 15050(c)(5), Section 7.10. Review of Draft EIR by Other Public Agencies 15050(c)(6), and Persons with Special Expertise. 15066(f) and A. General. 15161(a) (1) Upon completion of the procedures required by Section 7.9, the District's staff shall consult with and obtain comments from Responsible Agencies and other public agencies having jurisdiction by law with 15085(d) and respect to the proposed project. The identity of those 15161.5(e) public agencies having jurisdiction by law over the project shall be determined on a project-by-project basis. In the event that review and comment by a state agency is sought, ten copies of the Draft EIR shall be submitted through the State Clearinghouse. In addition, where appropriate, area clearinghouses may be used in seeking review and comment by regional and local agencies. (2) The District may send copies of the Draft EIR to public agencies or persons with special expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved whose comments relative to the Draft EIR would be desirable. 15085(d)(2) (3) Copies of the Draft EIR should also be and 15163(b) furnished to appropriate public libraries. 15085(d)(3) (4) In determining appropriate public agencies, persons and libraries to whom copies of the Draft EIR should be transmitted under paragraphs (1) through (3) above, District's staff shall be guided by any listings of agencies, persons or libraries prepared by it with respect to various projects and project locations. (5) Each public agency, person and library to whom a Draft EIR is sent under paragraphs (1) through (3) above shall be advised in writing that written comments may be submitted to the District within the time established for review under subsection B below. LW 42 ,2/ 90 15160(a), B. Time for Review. At the time the Board authorizes 15160(b) the procedures described in Sections 7.9 and 7.10, it shall 15160(c) and establish a time period so as to permit adequate review of 15161.5(d) comment on the Draft EIR by such public agencies or persons. The period of time, to be established in the discretion of the Board, shall be based upon the size and scope of the proposed project; provided, however, that in no event shall the review period be less than thirty (30) days or more than ninety (90) days. Where review by a state agency through the State Clearinghouse is requested, the review period shall not be less than forty-five (45) days unless the State Clearinghouse approves a shorter period. 15162 C. Failure to Comment. In the event a public agency or person whose comments on a Draft EIR are solicited pursuant to subsection A above fails to comment within the time period established pursuant to subsection B above, it shall be presumed, absent a written request for a specific extension of time for review and comment, together with the reasons therefor, that such agency or person has no comment to make. Any extension of time granted by the District shall be reasonable under the circumstances, but ordinarily shall not cover a period greater than the time period initially established for review and comment pursuant to subsection B above. 15160(d) D. Continued Planning Activities. Continued planning activities concerning the proposed project, short of formal approval thereof, may continue during the period set aside for review and comment on the Draft EIR. 15053(b) Section 7.11. Availability of the Draft EIR for Review. and Following the filing of the Notice of Completion or State 15163(a) Clearinghouse cover form as required by Section 7.9, copies of the Draft EIR also shall be made available at the District's office for review or acquisition by members of the general public. Any person requesting a copy of the Draft EIR from the District shall be charged the actual cost of reproducing it. 15085(d)(4) Section 7.12. Public Hearings. and 15165 A. General. From time to time, depending upon the nature and location of a proposed project, the Board, in its discretion, may find it desirable to conduct a public hearing on the environmental impact thereof. In such event the public hearing shall be conducted subsequent to the filing of the Notice of Completion, but in no event sooner than fourteen (14) days thereafter. The Draft EIR shall be used as the basis for discussion during any public hearing that may be held. 43 r B. Notice. Notice of the time and place of the public hearing shall be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the District. If there is no such newspaper, it shall be posted at three public places within the District, one of which shall be at the principal offices of the District. Publication or posting shall be completed at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date set for public hearing. Said notice also shall indicate where the Draft EIR is available for review. C. Public Hearing During Public Meeting. A public hearing may be scheduled to be conducted during the course of a public meeting of the Board. D. Procedures for Conducting Public Hearin_s. The procedures for the manner of conducting the public hearings shall be prescribed by the Board at the time the hearing convenes. Members of the public who attend shall be afforded the opportunity to participate in the hearing process. 15050(c)(8) Section 7.13. Final EIR. 15085(f) A. Preparation. Following the receipt of comments on the Draft EIR pursuant to the procedures described in Sections 7.9 and 7.10, and if a public hearing has been held pursuant to Section 7 .12, following such hearing, comments that have been received shall be evaluated and a Final EIR shall be prepared by District's staff. 15027, B. Contents. The Final EIR shall consist of the 15050(c)(7), Draft EIR or a revised Draft EIR, a section containing a 15085(e), statement of the comments received through the review and 15086, consultation process set forth in Section 7.9 through 15146(a) and Section 7.12, either verbatim or in summary, a list of 15146(b) persons and public agencies commenting on the Draft EIR, and a section containing the responses of the District to the significant environmental points that are raised in the review and consultation process. The response of the District to comments received may take the form of a revision of the Draft EIR or may consist of an attachment to the Draft EIR. The responses shall describe the disposition of significant environmental issues raised (e.g., revisions to the proposed project to mitigate anticipated impacts or objections). In particular, the major issues raised when the District's position is at variance with recommendations and objections raised in the comments must be addressed in detail giving 44 ,iyo reasons why specific comments and suggestions were not accepted. 15086 Where a project report is prepared in the review or budgetary process pertaining to a proposed project and an EIR has been prepared for such project, the Final EIR may be included as a part of the project report. 15050(c)(9), Section 7.14. Certification of Final EIR b Board; Board 15055(b)(1) Approval or Disa roval of Project. Following preparation o and the Final EIR, it shall be presented to the Board for review 15085(g) and consideration. The responsibility of the Board for such review and consideration may not be delegated. If the Board finds the Final EIR to be in order, it shall, at a regular or special meeting, certify that the Final EIR has been completed and in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and the State Guidelines and that the Board has reviewed and considered the information contained in the EIR. Thereupon, but not prior thereto, the Board may proceed immediately to consider the proposed project for purposes of approval or disapproval. Members of the public may appear before the Board and present their views prior to the Board's determination to approve or disapprove the project. 15088, Section 7.15. Required Written Findings. 15055(b)(2) and A. The Board shall not approve a project for which an 15089 EIR has been completed which identifies one or more significant effects of the project unless the Board makes one or more of the following findings for each of such significant effects: (1) Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated, into the project which mitigate or avoid the significant environmental effects thereof as identified in the Final EIR. (2) Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of a public agency other than the District. Such changes have been adopted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by such other agency. (3) Specific economic, social, or other considerations make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the Final EIR. B. The findings made pursuant to subsection A, together with a statement of facts supporting each finding, shall be made and set forth in a resolution adopted by the 45 Board. Such findings shall be supported by substantial evidence in the record of proceedings before the Board. C. The finding in subsection A(2) shall not be made if the District making the finding has concurrent jurisdiction with another agency to deal with identified feasible mitigation measures or alternatives. D. A public agency shall not approve or carry out a project as proposed unless the significant environmental effects have been reduced to an acceptable level. (1) All significant environmental effects that can feasibly be avoided have been eliminated or substantially lessened as determined through findings as described in subsection A, and (2) Any remaining, unavoidable significant effects have been found acceptable under Section 7.19. 15085(h) Section 7.16. Notice of Determination. Following approval of the project, the District shall cause to be prepared a Notice of Determination on a form attached hereto as Exhibit "H" which shall contain the following: A. An identification of the project including its common name where possible and its location; B. A brief description of the project; C. The date when the District approved the project; D. The determination of the District whether the project in its approved form will have a significant effect on the environment; E. A statement that an EIR was prepared and certified pursuant to the provisions of CEQA; F. Whether mitigation measures were made a condition of the approval of the project; G. Whether a Statement of Overriding Considerations was adopted for the Project; H. The address where a copy of the EIR and the record of project approval may ber examined. Said notice shall then be filed with the County Clerk of the county or counties in which the project is located and, 46 ~ yo if the project requires discretionary approval from a State LW agency, with the Secretary for Resources. 15053(a) Section 7.17. Costs. As to projects covered by paragraphs (2) and 3 of Section 2.23A, the person or entity proposing to carry out the project requiring approval by the District shall bear all costs incurred by the District in preparing and filing the EIR, as well as all publication costs incidental thereto. 15166 Section 7.18. Retention of Comments. All written comments received on a Draft EIR through the formal consultation process, as well as all written comments that may be received independently of said process, shall be retained at the District's office for a period of at least one year following approval or disapproval of the project to which they relate. Said comments shall be made available for public inspection at all reasonable times. 15089 and Section 7.19. Statement of Overriding Considerations. 15055(b)(2) Where the approval by the District of the project will permit the occurrence of significant environmental effects which are identified in the Final EIR but are not mitigated, the District Board shall aprove and direct District's staff to file in the District's office, a Statement of Overriding Considerations pertaining to the project. Such statement shall set forth in detail the Board's reasons for approving the project and shall describe information contained in the Final EIR or elsewhere in the record which supported such reasons. ARTICLE VIII - EIRs AND PROJECT SCOPE '15068 and Section 8.1. Use of a Single EIR. 15068.5 A. Two or More Projects. A single EIR may be utilized to describe more than one project when the projects are essentially the same in terms of environmental impacts. Any environmental impacts peculiar to any one of the projects must be separately set forth and explained. B. Later Projects. An EIR on an earlier project may be utilized to apply to a later project if the environmental impacts of the projects are essentially the same. If there are environmental impacts applicable to the later project which were not associated with the earlier project, the earlier EIR must be supplemented to set forth and explain said impacts separately. 47 C. General Plan EIR. The EIR on a general plan may be used as the foundation document for EIRs subsequently prepared for specific projects with the geographic area covered by the general plan. The subsequent EIRs may reference and summarize material in the EIR on the general plan for the description of the general environmental setting and as much of the description of the environmental impacts as applies to the specific project. Detailed information in the EIR on the specific project may be limited to a description of the project, the specific environmental setting and those impacts which are not adequately described for the specific project in the EIR on the general plan. When a subsequent EIR refers to an EIR on the general plan for part of its description of the environment and the environmental impacts, copies of the EIR on the general plan shall be made available to the public in a number of locations in the community and to any clearinghouses which will assist in public review of the EIR. The purpose of this subsection is not to restrict analysis of environmental issues but is to avoid the necessity for repeating detail from an EIR prepared on a general plane "General plan" as used in this subsection means a master plan or program prepared by the District or by a city or county which relates to a geographical area encompassing the site of proposed projects. 15069 Section 8.2. Multiple and Phased Project s A. Phased Projects. Where individual projects are, or a phased project is, to be undertaken and where the total undertaking comprises a project with significant environmental effect, a single EIR must be prepared for the ultimate effect. IB. Interrelated Projects. Where an individual project is a necessary precedent for action on a larger project, or commits the District to a larger project, the EIR must address itself to the scope of the larger project. C. Similar Projects. Where one project is one of several similar projects of the District, but is not deemed a part of a larger undertaking or a larger project, one EIR may be prepared for all projects, one for each project, but should in either case comment upon the combined effect. 15069.5 Section 8.3. Staged EIR. A. General Form. Where a large capital project will require a number of discretionary approvals from governmental agencies and one of the approvals will occur 48 ~o LV more than two years before construction will begin, a staged EIR may be prepared covering the entire project in a general form. The staged EIR shall evaluate the proposed project in light of current and contemplated plans and produce an informed estimate of the environmental consequences of the entire project. The aspect of the project before the public agency for approval shall be discussed with a greater degree of specificity than those aspects of the project not before the public agency. B. Supplement to General Form EIR. When a staged EIR has been prepared, a supplement to the EIR shall be prepared when later approval is required for the project, and the information available at the time of the later approval is such as to permit consideration of additional environmental impacts, mitigation measures, or reasonable alternatives to the project. C. Statutory_ Designation of Lead Agency. Where a statute provides that a specific agency other than the District shall be Lead Agency for a project and requires such agency to prepare an EIR for such project, where the District is a Responsible Agency for the project, where the District or other Responsible Agency for the project must grant approval for the project before the Lead Agency has completed the EIR, the District or such other Responsible Agency may prepare and consider a staged EIR for the project. 15069.7 Section 8.4. Tiering. Tiering of EIRs is encouraged to eliminate repetitive discussions of the same issues and to focus on the actual issues ripe for decision at each level of environmental review. Whenever a broad scope EIR has been prepared on a program, plan, or policy and an environmental document is prepared later on an action included within the program, plan or policy (such as a site specific action) the subsequent environmental document need only summarize the issues discussed in the broad scope or program EIR, incorporate discussions from the broader EIR by reference, and concentrate .on the specific action proposed. The subsequent document shall state where the earlier document is available. Tiering may also be appropriate for different stages of action. 15069.8 Section 8.5. Program EIR. A. A program EIR is one which may be prepared on an integrated series of actions that are related either: (1) Geographically, 49 ")/go r LV (2) As logical parts in the chain of contemplated actions, (3) In connection with issuance of rules, regulations, plans or other general criteria to govern the conduct of a continuing program, or (4) As individual projects carried out under the same authorizing statutory or regulatory authority and having generally similar environmental effects which can be mitigatged in similar ways. B. Use of a Program EIR can: (1) Allow a more exhaustive consideration of effects and alternatives than would be practical in an EIR on an individual action, (2) Ensure consideration of cumulative impacts that might be slighted in a case-by-case analysis, (3) Avoid duplicative reconsideration of basis policy considerations, (4) Allow the lead agency to consider broad policy alternatives and program-wide mitigation measures at an early time when the agency has greater flexibility to deal with basic problems or cumulatiuve impacts. (5) Allow reduction in paperwork. C. Subsequent activities in the program must be examined in the light of the program EIR to determine whether an additional environmental document must be prepared. (1) If a later activity would have effects that were not examined in the program EIR, a new initial study would need to be prepared leading to either an EIR or a Negative Declaration. (2) If the District finds that pursuant to Section 9.1, no new effects could occur or no new mitigtion measurers would be required, the District can approve the activity as being within the scope of the project covered by the program EIR, and no new environmental document would be required. (3) A District shall incorporate feasible mitigation measures and alternatives developed in the program EIR into subsequent actions in the program. 50 /90 (4) Where the subsequent activities involve site specific operations, the District should use a written checklist or similar device to document the evaluation of the site and the activcity to determine whether the environmental effects of the operation were covered in the program EIR. (5) A program EIR will be most helpful in dealing with subsequent activities if it deals with the effects of the program as specifically and comprehensively as possible. With a good and detailed analysis of the program, many subsequent activities could be found to be within the scope of the project described in the program EIR, and no further environmental documents would be required. D. A program EIR can be used to simplify the task of preparing environmental documents on later parts of the program. The program EIR can: (1) Provide the basis in an initial study for determining whether the later activity may have any significant effects. (2) Be incorporated by reference to deal with regional influences, secondary effects, cumulative impacts, broad alternatives, and other factors that apply to the program as a whole. (3) Focus an EIR on a subsequent project to permit discussion solely of new effects which had not been considered before. E. When a law other than CEQA requires public notice when the District later proposes to carry out or approve an activity within the program and to rely on the program EIR for CEQA compliance, the notice for the activity shall include a statement that: (1) This activity is within the scope of the program approved earlier, and (2) The program EIR adequately describes the activity for the purposes of CEQA. ARTICLE IX - SUBSEQUENT ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS 15067 Section 9.1. General Rule. Where an EIR or a Negative Declaration has been prepared for a project, an additional EIR 51 is not required to be prepared for such project unless the District's staff finds that the events described in subsection A, B or C below have occurred. A. Changes in Project. A new EIR is required if subsequent changes are proposed in the project which will require major revisions of the EIR or Negative Declaration previously prepared for the project due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects not considered in a previous EIR. B. Changes in Circumstances. A new EIR is required if substantial changes occur with respect to the circumstances under which the project is undertaken, such as a substantial deterioration in the air quality where the project will be located, which will require important revisions of the EIR or Negative Declaration previously prepared for the project due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects not considered in a previous EIR. C. New Information. A new EIR is required if new information of substantial importance to the project becomes available and the information was not known and could not have been known at the time that the EIR was certified or 'the Negative Declaration was adopted and the new information shows any of the following: (1) the project will have one or more significant effects not discussed in a previous EIR; (2) significant effects examined in a previous EIR will be substantially more severe than shown in such EIR; (3) mitigation measures or alternatives previously found not to be feasible would in fact be feasible and would substantially reduce one or more significant effects of the project; or (4) mitigation measures or alternatives which were not previously considered in an EIR would substantially lessen one or more significant effects on the environment. Section 9.2. Timing for Subsequent EIR. A. Before Project Approval. If District's staff determines, pursuant to Section 9.1, that a subsequent EIR 52 ~ / 90 is required for a project and such project has not yet been approved by the District, then District's staff shall prepare or cause to be prepared a subsequent EIR for the project prior to District approval of the project. B. After Project Approval. If the project was approved by the District prior to the time that it is determined that a subsequent EIR is required for the project, the subsequent EIR shall be prepared by the District or other public agency prior to the next discretionary approval of the project by the District or such other public agency. If the District is a Responsible Agency on a project for which it is determined that a subsequent EIR is required after the Lead Agency has approved the project, the District shall not approve the project as Responsible Agency until such subsequent EIR has been approved. 15067.5 Section 9.3. Supplement to An EIR. A. When Used. The District or Responsible Agency may choose to prepare a supplement to an EIR rather than a subsequent EIR if: (1) Any of the conditions described in Section 9.1 would require the preparation of a subsequent EIR, and (2) Only minor additions or changes would be necessary to make the previous EIR adequately apply to the project in the changed situation. B. Contents. The supplement to the EIR need contain only the information necessary- to make the previous EIR adequate for -the project as revised. C. Notice and Review. A supplement to an EIR shall be given the same kind of notice and public review as is given to a draft EIR under Section 7.10. A supplement to an EIR may be circulated by itself without recirculating the previous draft or final EIR. D. Findings. When the District decides whether to approve the project, the Board shall consider the previous EIR as revised by the supplemental EIR. A finding under Section 7.15 shall be made for each significant effect shown in the previous EIR as revised. 53 ARTICLE X - MISCELLANEOUS Section 10.1. District's Staff Determination. Any determinations or procedures required herein to be made or undertaken by District's staff may be made or undertaken by the Board, if desirable or appropriate. Section 10.2. Partial Invalidity. In the event that any part or provision of these Guidelines shall be determined to be invalid, the remaining portions hereof which can be separated from the invalid unenforceable provisions, shall nevertheless continue in full force and effect. Section 10.3. Headings. Headings preceding the texts of the articles, sections and paragraphs hereof shall be solely for convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning, construction, or effect of such texts. 15014(b) Section 10.4. Effective Date. These Guidelines shall be and effective on Janaury 1, 1978, provided, however, that any Draft 15070(c) EIR which was completed and sent out for public review on or before January 1, 1978, in compliance with District Guidelines theretofore in effect shall be deemed in compliance with these Guidelines. 54 EXHIBIT "A" DISTRICT PRELIMINARY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Name of Project: Location: Entity or Person Undertaking Project: (Check appropriate box) ( ) District ( ) Other: Name Address Staff Determination: The District's staff, having undertaken and completed a preliminary review of this project in accordance with the District's guidelines entitled "Local Guidelines Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act", has concluded that this project does not require further environmental assessment because: ( ) 1. The proposed action does not constitute a project within the meaning of Section 4.2 and Section 2.240 ( ) 2. The project constitutes a feasibility or planning study under Section 4.3. ( ) 3. The project is an Emergency Project under Section 4.4. ( ) 4. The project is a Ministerial Project under Section 4.5. ( ) 5. The project is Categorically Exempt under Section 4.6. Applicable Exemption Class, Local Guidelines Applicable Exemption Class, State Guidelines ( ) 6. The project involves another public agency which constitutes the lead agency. Name of Lead Agency Date: Authorized Person EXHIBIT "B" NOTICE OF EXEMPTION TO: ( ) Secretary for Resources FROM: 1416 Ninth Street, Room 1311 Sacramento, California 95814 ( ) County Clerk County of Project Title roP jec~'Loca ion - Specific Project Location - City Project Location - County Description of Nature, Purpose and Beneficiaries of Project Name of Public Agency Approving Project Name of Person or Agency Carrying Out roiec Exempt Status: (Check One) Ministerial (Section 15073) Declared Emergency (Section 15071(a)) Emergency Project (Section 15071 (b) and (c)) Categorical Exemption. State type and Section number: Reasons why project is exempt: Contact Person Area Code Telephone Extension Vigo If filed by applicant: 1. Attach certified document of exemption finding. 2. Has a notice of exemption been filed by the public agency approving the project: Yes No Signature Title Date Received for Filing ~F ~rr ii 9O EXHIBIT "C" INITIAL STUDY (Prepared pursuant to Article V of the Environmental Guidelines of the District) I. Project Title: II. Full Description of Project: III. Energy Usage of Project: IV. Exact Location of Project (If construction or a similar activity is involved, give street names, addresses or other geographical data sufficient to enable a resident of the District to identify the physical location of all aspects of the project. A metes and bounds description should be avoided if at all possible. A map may be attached in lieu of, or in addition to, the verbal description): V. Public Agencies (List public agencies, if any, other than the District, which must approve, or give a permit for the project): VI. Reason for Project: VII. Compatibility with Zoning and Planning (Discuss whether the project is compatible with existing zoning and plans): VIII6 E6vironmental Settings of Project (This description -should be complete enough to enable a person not familiar with the geography of the District to envision the environmental setting of the project. Any unusual features such as scenic resources, historic buildings, unusual flora or fauna or similar unique qualities of the setting should be noted): ii o IX. Environmental Effects of Project (Complete the following check-list and attach explanations of each "yes" and "maybe" answer. Consider indirect and ultimate results of the project as well as direct impacts of the project and secondary as well as primary effects of the project. If readily available, attach or make reference to relevant scientific, technical, or factual data): Yes Maybe No 1. Earth. Will the proposed project result in. a. Unstable earth conditions? _ b. Changes in geologic substructures? c. Disruptions, displacements, compaction or overcovering of the soil? d. Change in topography or ground surface relief features? e. The destruction, covering or modification of any unique geologic or physical features? f. Any increase in wind or water erosion of soils, either on or off the site? go Changes in deposition or erosion of beach sands, or changes in siltation, deposition or erosion which may modify the channel of a river or stream or the bed of the ocean or any bay, inlet or lake? h. Exposure of people or property to geologic hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, mudslides, ground failure or similar hazards? 2. Air. Will the proposed project result in: a. Substantial air emissions? b. Deterioration of ambient air quality? c. A contribution to an existing or projected air quality violation? 'iii LV d. The creation of objectionable Yes Maybe No odors? e. Alteration of air movement, moisture or temperature, or any change in climate, either locally or regionally? 3. Water. Will the proposed project result in: a. Changes in currents, or the course or direction of water movements, in either marine or fresh waters? b. Changes in absorption rates, drainage patterns, or the rate and amount of surface water runoff? c. Alterations to the course or flow of flood waters? d. Change in the amount of surface water in any water body? e. Discharge into surface waters? f. Alteration of surface water quality, including but not limited to, temperature, dissolved oxygen or turbidity? g. Alteration of the direction or rate of flow of ground waters? h. Change in the quantity of ground waters, either through direct additions or withdrawals, or through interception of an aquifer by cuts or excavations? i. Substantial reduction in the amount of water otherwise available for public water supplies? j. Exposure of people or property to water related hazards, such as flooding or tidal waves? iv G2/go Yes Maybe No 4. Plant Life. Will the proposed project result in: a. Change in the diversity of species, or number of species of any plants (including trees, shrubs, grass, crops and aquatic plants)? b. Reduction of the numbers of any unique, rare or endangered species of plants? c. Introduction of new species of plants into an area, or in a barrier to the normal replenishment of existing species? d. Reduction in acreage of any agricultural crop? 5. Animal Life. Will the proposed project result in: a. Change in the diversity.of species, or numbers of species of any birds, 'land animals, reptiles, fish, shellfish benthic organisms or insects? b. Keduction of the number of any unique, rare or endangered species of birds, land animals, reptiles, fish, shellfish, benthic organisms or insects? c. -Introduction of new species of birds, land animals, reptiles, fish, shellfish, benthic organisms or insects? d. Deterioration to, or reduction of, the habitats of birds, land animals, reptiles, fish, shellfish, benthic organisms or insects? e. Interfere significantly with the movement of any resident or migratory species of birds, land animals, reptiles, fish, shellfish, benthic organisms or insects? V ~/9 U Yes Maybe No 6. Noise. Will the proposed project result in: a. Increases in existing noise levels? b. Exposure of people to severe noise levels? 7. Light and Glare. Will the proposed project produce new light or glare? 8. Land Use. Will the proposed project result in a substantial alteration of the present or planned land use of an area? Will the proposed project conflict with: a. Adopted environmental plans and goals of the community where it 'is located? b., Applicable city or county adopted general plans for the area? 9. Natural Resources.. Will the proposed project result in: a. Increase in the rate of use of any natural resources? _ b, Substantial depletion of any nonrenewable natural resource? 10. Risk of Accident. Does the proposed project involve a risk of an explosion or the release of hazardous substances (including, but not limited to, oil, pesticides, chemicals or radiation) in the event of an accident or upset conditions? 11. Population. a. Will the proposed project alter the location, distribution, density, or growth rate of the human population of an area? vi b. Does the proposed project include Yes Maybe No capacity for a population greater than that now resident in the project area? 12. Housing. Will the proposed project affect existing housing, or create a demand for additional housing? 13. Transportation/Circulation. Will the proposed project result in: a. Generation of substantial additional vehicular movement? b. Effects on existing parking .facilities, or demand for new parking? _ c. Substantial impact upon existing transportation systems? d. Alterations to present patterns of circulation or movement of people and/or goods? e. -Alterations to waterborne, rail or air traffic? f. Increase in traffic hazards to motor vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians? 14. Public Services. 'Will the proposed project have an effect upon, or result in a need for new or altered governmental services? '15. Energy. Will the proposed project either result in or encourage: a. Use of substantial amounts of fuel or energy? b. Substantial increase in demand upon existing sources of energy? _ c. A requirement for the development of new sources of energy? 16. Utilities. Will the proposed project result in a need for new systems of, or substantial alterations to, the vii Yes Maybe No following utilities: a. Power or natural gas? b. Communications systems? c. Water? d. Sewer or septic tanks? e. Storm water drainage? f. Solid waste and disposal? 17. Human Health. Will the proposed project result in: a. Creation of any health hazard or potential health hazard (excluding mental health)? b. Exposure of people to potential health hazards? 18. Aesthetics. Will the proposed project result in: a. The obstruction of any scenic vista or view open to the public? b. The creation of an aesthetically offensive site open to.public view? c. The destruction of a stand of trees, a rock outcropping or other locally recognized desirable aesthetic natural feature? d. Any negative aesthetic effect? 19. Recreation. Will the proposed project .result in an impact upon the quality or quantity of existing recreational opportunities? 20. Archaeological/Historical. Will the proposed project result in an alteration of a significant archaeological, historical, paleontological or cultural site, structure, object or building? _ i viii Yes Maybe No 21. Mandatory Findings of Significance. a. Does the proposed project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? b. Does the proposed project have the potential to achieve short-term, to the disadvantage of long-term, environmental goals? c. Does the proposed project have impacts which are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? (A project may impact on two or more separate resources where the impact on each resource i.s relatively small, but where the effect of the total of those impacts on the environment is significant) d. Does the proposed project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human.beings, either directly or indirectly? X. Mitigation Measures (List by number all effects on the check-list contained under part IX above to which a "yes" or "maybe" answer was given and describe the measures, if any, which can be taken by the District to mitigate adverse impacts, if any, of such effects): LW ix XI. Public Controversy (Describe public controversy, if any, concerning any environmental effects of the project): Dated: By, Authorized Person x EXHIBIT "D" (Prepared by Secretary for Resources) SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS A project will normally have a significant effect on the environment if it will: a. Conflict with adopted environmental plans and goals of the community where it is located; b. Have a substantial, demonstrable negative aesthetic effect; c. Substantially affect a rare or endangered species of animal or plant or the habitat of the species; d. Interfere substantially with the movement of any resident or migratory fish or wildlife species; e. Breach published national, state, or local standards relating to solid waste or litter control; f. Substantially degrade water quality; g. Contaminate a public water supply; h. Substantially degrade or deplete ground water resources; i. Interfere substantially with ground water recharge; j. Disrupt or adversely affect a prehistoric or historic archaeological site or a property of historic or cultural significance to a community or ethnic or social group; or a paleontological site except as a part of a scientific study; k. Induce substantial growth or concentration of population; 1. Cause an increase in traffic which is substantial in relation to the existing traffic load and capacity of the street system; m. Displace a large number of people; n. Encourage activities which result in the use of large amounts of fuel, water or energy; o. Use fuel, water or energy in a wasteful manner; ~iGo p. Increase substantially the ambient noise levels for adjoining areas; q. Cause substantial flooding, erosion or siltation; r. Expose people or structures to major geologic hazards; S. Extend a sewer trunk line with capacity to serve new development; t. Substantially diminish habitat for fish, wildlife or plants; u. Disrupt or divide the physical arrangement of an established community; v. Create a potential public health hazard or involve the use, production or disposal of materials which pose a hazard to people or animal or plant populations in the area affected; w. Conflict with established recreational, educational, religious or scientific uses of the area; X. Violate any ambient air quality standard, contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation, or expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations; y. Convert prime agricultural land to non-agricultural use or impair the agricultural productivity of prime agricultural land; z. Interfere with emergency response plans or emergency evacuation plans. ii EXHIBIT "E" DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Name of Project: Location: Entity or Person Undertaking Project: (check appropriate box) ( ) _ District ( ) Other: Name Address Staff Determination The Distri.ct's staff, having undertaken and completed an initial study of this project in accordance with Article V of the District's guidelines entitled "Local Guidelines Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act"., for the purpose of ascertaining whether the proposed project might have a significant effect on the environment, has reached the following conclusion: ( ) to The project will not have a significant effect on the environment; therefore, a ,Negative Declaration should be prepared. ( ) 2. The project, if modified in accordance with certain mitigation measures set forth in the initial study and enumerated in Exhibit "A" attached hereto and by reference incorporated herein, will not have a significant effect on the environment. Upon completion of such procedures as may be necessary 'to assure such modification., a Negative Declaration should be prepared. ( ) 3. The project may have a significant effect on the environment; therefore, and EIR will be required. Dated: Authorized Person EXHIBIT "F" NEGATIVE DECLARATION ( ) Proposed ( ) Final Name of Project: Location: Entity or Person Undertaking Project: (check appropriate box) ( ) District ( ) Other: Name Address Project Description: , Finding: It is hereby found that the above-named project will not have a significant effect upon the environment. Initial Study: An initial study of this project was undertaken and prepared in accordance with Article V of the District's local environmental guidelines for the purpose of ascertaining whether this project might have a significant effect on the environment. A copy of such initial study is attached hereto and by reference incorporated herein. Such initial study documents reasons to support the above finding. Mitigation Measures: The following mitigation measures have been included in the project to avoid potentially significant effects. a. b. C. d. Dated: Authorized Person EXHIBIT "G" NOTICE OF PROPOSED NEGATIVE DECLARATION Name of Project: Location: Entity or Person Undertaking Project: (check appropriate box) ( ) District ( ) Other: Name Address Project Description: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the District, County, California, proposes to issue a Negative Declaration for the captioned Project. Such Negative Declaration is based upon a finding that the Project will not have a significant effect upon the environment. The reasons to support such finding are documented by an initial study prepared by the District. Copies of such initial study and the proposed Negative Declaration may be obtained from: Name: Title: Address: Dated: Authorized Person 460 Title EXHIBIT "H" NOTICE OF DETERMINATION TO: ( ) Secretary for Resources FROM: 1416 Ninth Street, Room 1311 Sacramento, California 95814 ( ) County Clerk County of SUBJECT: Filing of Notice of Determination in compliance with Section 21108 or 21152 of the Public Resources Code. Project Title (and Common Name, if any State Clearinghouse Number if submitted to State Clearinghouse ontact Person a ep one Number Project Location rr Project Description This is to advise that on the day of 19 , the Lead Agency) approved the above described project an as ma e the following determinations regarding the above described project: 1. The project ( ) will have a significant effect on the environment. ( ) w i l l not 2. ( ) An Environmental Impact Report was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA and was certified as required by 14 California Administration Code Section 15085(g). The following mitigation measures were adopted by the Lead Agency to reduce impacts of the approved project: 1. 2. 3. 4. A copy of the Environmental Impact Report and the record of the project approval may be examined at ~i yo ( ) A Negative Declaration was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA and may be examined at 3. ( ) A Statement of Overriding Consideration ( ) was adopted for this project. ( ) was not Signature Title Date Date Received for Filing ii a~~o EXHIBIT "I" NOTICE OF PREPARATION TO: FROM: Responsible Agency District Address Address SUBJECT: Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report. District will be the Lead Agency and will prepare an environmental impact report for the project identified below. We need to know the views of your agency as to the scope and content of the environmental information which is germane to your agency's statutory responsibilities in conneciton with the proposed project. Your agency will need to use the EIR prepared by our agency when considering your permit or other approval for the project. The project description, location, and the probable environmental effects are contained in the attached materials. A copy of the Initial Study ( )is, ( )is not, attached. Due to the time limits mandated by State law, your response must be sent at the earliest possible date but not later than 45 days after receipt of this notice. Your response at a minimum must identify the significant environmental issues and possible alternatives and mitigation which you will need to have explored in the draft EIR. Please send your response to at the address shown above. We will need the name for a contact person in your agency. PROJECT TITLE: PROJECT APPLICANT, IF ANY: Dated: Signature Title Telephone EXHIBIT "J" (Prepared by Secretary for Resources) ENERGY CONSERVATION I. INTRODUCTION The goal of conserving energy implies the wise and efficient use of energy. The means of achieving this goal include: 1. decreasing overall per capita energy consumption, 2. decreasing reliance on natural gas and oil, and 3. increasing reliance on renewable energy sources. In order to assure that energy implications are considered in project decisions, the California Environmental Quality Act requires that EIRs include a discussion of the potential energy impacts of proposed projects, with particular emphasis on avoiding or reducing inefficient, wasteful and unnecessary consumption of energy. Energy conservation implies that a project's cost effectiveness be reviewed not only in dollars, but also in terms of energy requirements. For many projects, lifetime costs may be determined more by energy efficiency that by initial dollar costs. II. EIR CONTENT Potentially significant energy implications of a project should be considered in an EIR. The following list of energy impact possibilities and potential conservation measures is designed to assist in the preparation of an EIR. In many instances specific items may not apply or additional items may be needed. A. Project Description may include the following items: 1. Energy consuming equipment and processes which will be used during construction, operation and/or removal of the project. If appropriate, this discussion should consider the energy intensiveness of materials and equipment required for the project. 2. Total energy requirements of the project by fuel type and end use. 3. Energy conservation equipment and design features. 4. Initial and life-cycle energy costs or supplies. 460 5. Total estimated daily trips to be generated by the project and the additional energy to be consumed per trip by mode. B. Environmental Setting may include existing energy supplies and energy use patterns in the region and locality. C. Environmental Impacts may include: 1. The project's energy requirements and its energy use efficiencies by amount and fuel type for each stage of the project's life-cycle including construction, operation, maintenance and/or removal. If appropriate, the energy intensiveness of materials may be discussed. 2. The effects of the project on local and regional energy supplies and on requirement for additional capacity. 3. The effects of the project on peak and base period demands for electricity and other forms of energy. 4. The degree to which the project complies with existing energy standards. 5. The effects of the project on energy resources. 6. The project's projected transportation energy use requirements and its overall use of efficient transportation alternatives. D. Mitigation Measures may include: 1. Potential measures to reduce wasteful, inefficient and unnecessary consumption of energy during construction, operation, maintenance and/or removal. The discussion should explain why certain measures were incorporated in the project and why other measures were dismissed. 2. The potential of siting, orientation, and design to minimize energy consumption, including transportation energy. 3. The potential for reducing peak energy demand. 4. Alternate fuels (particularly renewable ones) or energy systems. 5. Energy conservation which could result from recycling efforts. E. Alternatives should be compared in terms of overall energy consumption and in terms of reducing wasteful, inefficient and unnecessary consumption of energy. ii ~i 49 F. Unavoidable Adverse Effects may include wasteful, inefficient and unnecessary consumption of energy during the project construction, operation, maintenance and/or removal that cannot be feasibly mitigated. G. Irreversible Commitment of Resources may include a discussion of how the project preempts future energy development or future energy conservation. H. Short-Term Gains versus Long-Term Impacts can be compared by calculating the energy costs over the lifetime of the project. 1. Growth-Inducing Effects may include the estimated energy consumption of growth induced by the project. b 1 EXHIBIT "K" TO: State of California DATE: The Resources Agency Secretary for Resources 1416 Ninth Street, Room 1311 Sacramento, California 95814 NOTICE OF COMPLETION Project Title State Clearinghouse No. Project Location - Specific Project Location - City Project Location - County Description of Nature, Purpose, and Beneficiaries of Project Lead Agency Division Address Where Copy of EIR is Available Review Period Contact Person Area Code Phone Extension