Report:

Lead Agency Projects and Environmental Documents Received by the AQMD

Synopsis:

This report provides, for the Board’s consideration, a listing of CEQA documents received by the AQMD between February 5, 1997 and March 4, 1997, and those projects for which the AQMD is acting as lead agency pursuant to CEQA.

Committee:

Mobile Source, March 28, 1997, received and filed.

Recommended Action:

Receive and file this report.

James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer

Background

EIR and Document Log (Attachments A and B) - Each month, the AQMD receives numerous CEQA documents from other public agencies on projects which could adversely affect air quality. A listing of all documents received for review during the past month is contained in Attachment A. 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. A list of active projects from previous months for which AQMD staff is continuing to evaluate or prepare comments is included as Attachment B. The column captioned "Public Concerns" identifies parties who have contacted the AQMD with concerns or issues about the proposed project. A notation of 1 in this column indicates the contact was supportive of the project noted. A notation of 2 indicates the party was opposed or expressed concerns about the project. A notation of 3 indicates that no one contacted the AQMD about that project.

In the past, AQMD staff routinely reviewed many of these documents and commented upon the air quality analyses and possible impacts on the air quality of the district. Due to staffing constraints, the AQMD is no longer able to routinely comment on all CEQA documents received. 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. As resources permit, staff evaluates and may prepare comments for projects that may have significant adverse regional air quality impacts (e.g., special event centers, landfills, etc.) and those projects for which a lead or responsible agency has specifically requested AQMD review.

AQMD Lead Agency Projects (Attachment C) - Pursuant to CEQA, the AQMD periodically acts as lead agency on stationary source permit projects. 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 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.

Attachment C to this report summarizes the active projects for which the AQMD is lead agency and is currently preparing or has prepared environmental documentation. As noted in Attachment C, through March 1997, the AQMD continued working on CEQA documents for three (3) active projects. The AQMD has received no new requests to be lead agency for stationary source projects.

In 1996, the AQMD, as lead agency, prepared or contracted for the preparation of and certified five (5) CEQA documents for stationary source permit projects. To date in 1997, no CEQA documents have been certified for non-AQMD projects where the AQMD is the lead agency.

Attachments

Environmental Impact Report and Document Log
Active Projects for Which AQMD Has or Will Submit Comments
Active AQMD Lead Agency Projects

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