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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 March 14, 1998 and April 3, 1998, and those projects for which the AQMD is acting as lead agency pursuant to CEQA.

COMMITTEE:

Mobile Source, April 24, 1998, Received and Filed

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file this report.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Acting Executive Officer

Background

CEQA Document Receipt and Review Logs (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 during the reporting period of March 14, 1998 through April 3, 1998, is contained in Attachment A. 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 for which AQMD staff is continuing to evaluate or prepare comments is included as Attachment B. The column captioned "Public Concerns" indicates whether or not the public has 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.

Consistent with the Board’s Environmental Justice Guiding Principles and Initiative #4, the AQMD has reconstructed its CEQA Intergovernmental Review and commenting function as a responsible/commenting agency. The Intergovernmental Review function of commenting on CEQA documents prepared by other lead agencies has become the responsibility of the Transportation Programs Division. As intended by Initiative #4, the AQMD has begun to pursue a more active role in reviewing CEQA documents prepared by other lead agencies. In particular, staff is reviewing and preparing comments for projects, where the AQMD is a responsible agency, 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.

Transportation Programs received 36 CEQA documents during the period of March 14, 1998 through April 3, 1998. There were 30 documents that were carried over from last month’s reporting period. Of the combined total of 66 documents, 55 sought AQMD comments. A review has been, or will be, conducted for 53 (96%) of these documents. Comments will be provided for 43 (81%) of the 53 documents. Within this current reporting period, 18 comment letters were sent by the AQMD.

Planning and Policy staff, who formerly performed the Intergovernmental Review function, is continuing to prepare CEQA documents for permit projects, as necessary, and other projects where the AQMD is determined to be the lead agency. Further, Planning and Policy staff is continuing its responsibilities for revising and updating the Board-approved CEQA Air Quality Handbook.

AQMD Lead Agency Projects (Attachment C) - Pursuant to CEQA, the AQMD periodically acts as lead agency for stationary source permit projects. Under CEQA, the lead agency is responsible for determining whether an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) or a Negative Declaration is appropriate 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 why 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 the month of March 1998, the AQMD continued working on CEQA documents for four active projects.

To date in 1998, the AQMD, as lead agency, prepared or contracted for the preparation of and certified one CEQA document for stationary source permit projects.

Attachments

A. Incoming CEQA Documents Log

B. Active Projects for Which AQMD Has Submitted or Will Submit Comments

C. Active AQMD Lead Agency Projects

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