California Government Policy Acts and Reports
1) Environmental Impact Report and California Environmental Quality Act
The decision to prepare an EIR will be made either during preliminary review or at the conclusion of the Initial Study. An EIR shall be prepared if there is substantial evidence that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. The determination of whether a project may have a significant effect on the environment calls for careful judgment, based to the extent possible on scientific and factual data. In cases where it is not clear whether there is substantial evidence that a project may have a significant effect on the environment, an EIR shall be prepared when there is serious public controversy concerning the environmental effect of a project (CEQA Guidelines, Section 15064).
When any of the following conditions occur the lead agency shall find that a project may have a significant effect on the environment which will require a Mandatory Finding of Significance. Such a finding shall require an EIR to be prepared (CEQA Guidelines Section 15065):
- When a project has the potential to substantially 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 an endangered, rare or threatened species, or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory;
- When a project has the potential to achieve short-term goals to the disadvantage of long-term environmental goals;
- When a project has possible environmental effects which are individually limited but cumulatively considerable;
- When the environmental effects of a project will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly.
For any questions please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/habcon/CEQA
2) Air Quality Management District and National Environmental Policy Act
The AQMD typically acts as lead agency for its own projects (e.g., adoption of rules, regulations, or plans) or permit projects filed with the AQMD where the AQMD has primary approval authority over the project and the project has not previously undergone a CEQA analysis.
As a responsible agency, the AQMD is available to the lead agency and project proponent for early consultation on a project to apprise them of applicable rules and regulations, and provides guidance on applicable air quality analysis methodologies or other air quality-related issues. For example, the power needed to lift each firework into the air is provided by the highly exothermic combustion of black powder, a slow-burning combination of 75% potassium nitrate, 15% charcoal, and 10% sulfur. The colors of the fireworks are produced by the heating of metal salts. The atoms of each element absorb energy and release it as light of specific colors.
The AQMD, for example, is the sole and exclusive local agency in the district with the responsibility for comprehensive air pollution control, and therefore reviews and comments on the air quality analysis in environmental documents submitted to the AQMD. AQMD Air Quality Analysis Guidance Handbook
NEPA directs all federal agencies to give appropriate consideration to the environmental effects of their decision making and to prepare detailed environmental impact statements (EIS) on recommendations or reports on proposals for legislation and other major federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the environment. NEPA is divided into two titles. Title I outlines a basic national charter for protection of the environment.
Title II establishes the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) which monitors the progress made toward achieving NEPA goals, advises the president on environmental issues and provides guidance to other federal agencies on compliance with NEPA. Under NEPA, the federal agency that plays a role similar to the responsible agency under CEQA is called a cooperating agency. NEPA/EMS Guide
As part of the permit requirements, onsite stand-by and inspection services may be required due to the size, complexity and/or unique safety issues regarding the activities associated with the proposed event.
3) More Resources:
CEQA The California Environmental Quality Act
CEQA Process Flow Chart