July 14, 1995
South Coast Air Quality
Management District Board
This report provides for the Governing Board's consideration a listing of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents received by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) during May 1995 and those projects for which the AQMD is acting as lead agency pursuant to CEQA.
EIR and Document Log (Attachment A)
Each month, the AQMD receives numerous CEQA documents from other public agencies on projects which could adversely affect air quality. In the past AQMD staff reviewed many of these documents and commented upon the air quality analysis and possible impacts on the air quality of the district.
Due to staffing constraints, the AQMD is no longer able to routinely comment on the CEQA documents received. The publication of the Board-approved CEQA Air Quality Handbook, however, has provided local governments and other public agencies with the necessary information to prepare appropriate air quality analyses on projects for which they act as lead agency. Monthly listings which are shaded note those CEQA documents for which the AQMD staff has or will prepare and submit comments to the lead agency. As resources permit, staff prepares comments for those projects which may have regional effects (e.g., special event centers, landfills) and those projects for which a lead or responsible agency has specifically requested AQMD review.
AQMD Lead Agency Projects (Attachment B)
Pursuant to CEQA, the AQMD periodically acts as lead agency on stationary source permit projects. Attachment B to this report summarizes the projects for which the AQMD is lead agency and is currently preparing or has prepared environmental documentation.
Under CEQA the lead agency is responsible for determining whether an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) or a Negative Declaration is necessary for any proposal considered to be a "project" as defined by CEQA. An EIR is prepared when the AQMD as lead agency finds substantial evidence that the proposed project may have a significant adverse effect on the environment. A Negative Declaration may be prepared if the AQMD determines that the proposed project will not generate any significant adverse environmental impacts. The Negative Declaration is a written statement describing the reasons a proposed project will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment and, therefore, does not require the preparation of an EIR.
As noted in Attachment B, during May 1995, the AQMD continued working on CEQA documents for two (2) active projects and certified two other projects. During that same period no new requests were received by the AQMD to become lead agency for any stationary source permit projects.
To date in 1995, the AQMD, as lead agency, has prepared or contracted for the preparation of and certified four (4) CEQA documents.
THEREFORE IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOUR BOARD
--Receive and file the attached Report.
Respectfully,
James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer
BRW:JPB:CG:JDN:li
Attachments
(julycqbl)