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CEQA

CEQA is the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970. Enacted by the State Legislature, it provides decision makers and the public with useful information about how public and private actions can affect the environment.

CEQA - Environmental Review What is CEQA? CEQA is the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970. Enacted by the State Legislature, it provides decision makers and the public with useful information about how public and private actions can affect the environment. This act declares that it is the State’s policy to “develop and maintain a high-quality environment, now and in the future, and take all action necessary to protect, rehabilitate, and enhance the environmental quality of the State.” The basic purpose of CEQA, as established by the California Code of Regulations (CEQA Guidelines, Section 15002), is to inform decision-makers and the public about potential, significant environmental effects of a proposed project, to identify the ways that environmental damage can be avoided or significantly reduced, and to prevent significant, avoidable damage to the environment by requiring changes to a project through the use of alternatives or mitigation measures. How does Ventura County implement CEQA? CEQA requires the staff agencies of Ventura County to conduct an Environmental Review that identifies the potentially significant impacts of a project on the environment. (See the Ventura County Administrative Supplement to CEQA below for more information.) The purpose of the Environmental Review is to: Inform governmental decision makers and the public of the potential environmental effects of proposed activities. Identify the ways that environmental damage can be avoided or significantly reduced. Prevent environmental degradation resulting from proposed land developments by requiring change in projects through the use of alternatives or mitigation measures when the County finds that the changes are feasible. Disclose to the public the reasons why the County approved the project in the manner chosen if significant environmental effects remain.
► CEQA Public Information Brochure
► Ventura County Administrative Supplement to CEQA
► County of Ventura Initial Study Assessment Guidelines
► FTA Vibration Thresholds Manual
Environmental Documents for Public Review The environmental documents in this link have been prepared and are now available for public review. Click on the link to access environmental documents for projects located in the unincorporated area of Ventura County.
Biological Resource Review Biological resources include plant and animal species and their habitats, plant communities and ecosystems. If biological resources occur or have the potential to occur on or adjacent to a project site proposed for development and a discretionary land use permit is required, then the Planning Division will evaluate the project’s potential impacts to biological resources. Click here to learn more.