Opinion ID: 1199813
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The CEQA Review Process

Text: The dispute over the proper interpretation of section 21092.1 cannot be resolved without an understanding of both the purposes and framework of the CEQA review process. (1) We have repeatedly recognized that the EIR is the heart of CEQA. ( Citizens of Goleta Valley v. Board of Supervisors (1990) 52 Cal.3d 553, 564 [276 Cal. Rptr. 410, 801 P.2d 1161] [hereafter Goleta Valley II ]; Laurel Heights I, supra, 47 Cal.3d at p. 392; see also Guidelines, § 15003, subd. (a). [4] ) Its purpose is to inform the public and its responsible officials of the environmental consequences of their decisions before they are made. Thus, the EIR `protects not only the environment but also informed self-government.' ( Laurel Heights [ I ], supra, 47 Cal.3d at p. 392.) ( Goleta Valley II, supra, 52 Cal.3d at p. 564.) To this end, public participation is an essential part of the CEQA process. (Guidelines, § 15201; see also Concerned Citizens of Costa Mesa, Inc. v. 32nd Dist. Agricultural Assn. (1986) 42 Cal.3d 929, 936 [231 Cal. Rptr. 748, 727 P.2d 1029].) With certain limited exceptions, a public agency must prepare an EIR whenever substantial evidence supports a fair argument that a proposed project may have a significant effect on the environment. (§§ 21100, 21151, 21080, 21082.2 [fair argument standard]; Guidelines, §§ 15002, subd. (f)(1), (2), 15063; No Oil, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles (1974) 13 Cal.3d 68, 75 [118 Cal. Rptr. 34, 529 P.2d 66] [fair argument standard of review].) `Significant effect on the environment' means a substantial, or potentially substantial, adverse change in the environment. (§ 21068; see also Guidelines, § 15382.) When an EIR is required, the lead agency initially prepares a draft EIR. Once the draft EIR is completed, a comment period is provided for the public and interested agencies. (§§ 21091, 21092.2, 21104, 21153; Guidelines, §§ 15085, 15086, 15087.) Public hearings to discuss the draft EIR are encouraged, but not required. (Guidelines, § 15087, subd. (g).) [5] The comment period is generally no shorter than 30 days and no longer than 90 days. (§ 21091, subd. (a); Guidelines, § 15087, subd. (c).) In the course of preparing a final EIR, the lead agency must evaluate and respond to comments relating to significant environmental issues. (§ 21092.5, subd. (a); Guidelines, §§ 15088, 15132, subds. (b-d).) In particular, the lead agency must explain in detail its reasons for rejecting suggestions and proceeding with the project despite its environmental effects. (Guidelines, § 15088, subd. (b).) There must be good faith, reasoned analysis in response [to the comments received]. Conclusory statements unsupported by factual information will not suffice. ( Ibid. ) Thus, it is plain that the final EIR will almost always contain information not included in the draft EIR. The final substantive step in the EIR review process is certification of the final EIR. The lead agency is required to certify that the final EIR has been completed in compliance with CEQA, and that it reviewed and considered the information in the final EIR prior to approving the project. (Guidelines, § 15090.) CEQA also requires that, before approving a project, the lead agency find either that the project's significant environmental effects identified in the [final] EIR have been avoided or mitigated or that the unmitigated effects are outweighed by the project's benefits. (§§ 21002, 21002.1 and 21081; Guidelines, §§ 15091-15093.) ( Laurel Heights I, supra, 47 Cal.3d at p. 391.) If the lead agency adds significant new information to the EIR subsequent to the close of the public comment period but prior to certification of the final EIR, CEQA requires that the lead agency provide a new public comment period. (§ 21092.1.) [6] The statutory scheme also provides for an additional public comment period after the certification of a final EIR if: (1) substantial changes in the project are made; (2) substantial changes occur regarding the circumstances under which the project is being undertaken; or (3) new information, which was not known and could not have been known, when the EIR was certified, becomes available. (§ 21166; [7] see also Guidelines, §§ 15162, 15163.) The Guidelines in turn generally define new information as information which shows that the project will have new or more severe significant effects on the environment not disclosed in the prior EIR (Guidelines, § 15162, subd. (a).) [8] A significant effect is further defined in the Guidelines as a substantial, or potentially substantial, adverse change. (Guidelines, § 15382.) [9] With this statutory framework in mind, we address the issues before us.