Opinion ID: 2585012
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Lack of Finding for Streambed Alteration Agreement

Text: EPIC also contends that the lack of any findings related to the Streambed Alteration Agreement makes that agreement invalid. DFG and Pacific Lumber respond that no findings are required. We agree. Findings are required in support of administrative decisions when such decisions are reviewable under Code of Civil Procedure section 1094.5 (see Topanga, supra, 11 Cal.3d at pp. 514-515) or are otherwise required by statute or regulation. Code of Civil Procedure section 1094.5, subdivision (a), provides administrative mandamus is available to review a decision made by an agency as a result of a proceeding in which by law (1) a hearing is required to be given, (2) evidence is required to be taken, and (3) discretion in determining the facts is vested in the agency. The hearing and evidence requirements are met when a statute or regulation provides an opportunity for public input and requires a public agency to respond to that input, such as is the case with an EIR or THP. ( Friends of the Old Trees v. Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (1997) 52 Cal.App.4th 1383, 1391-1392 [61 Cal.Rptr.2d 297].) On the other hand, an administrative decision that does not require a hearing or a response to public input is generally not reviewable under Code of Civil Procedure section 1094.5 but by traditional mandamus pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 1085, under an abuse of discretion standard, and no findings are required. (See Association for Protection etc. Values v. City of Ukiah (1991) 2 Cal.App.4th 720, 730-732 [3 Cal.Rptr.2d 488].) (20) We conclude that a Streambed Alteration Agreement under section 1603 did not require findings, because the statute did not require that a hearing be held or public input be taken. Nor did any implementing regulation impose a findings requirement. On the other hand, an activity or project that necessitates a Streambed Alteration Agreement may require environmental review under CEQA. (See DFG, Lake and Streambed Alteration Program, Questions and Answers, No. 4, [as of July 17, 2008] [The Department must comply with ... CEQA ... before it may issue a final Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement. (Italics added.)].) CEQA requires findings under certain circumstances. (Pub. Resources Code, ง 21081.) EPIC's challenge to the final EIS/EIR's CEQA findings are discussed below. We therefore conclude that the lack of separate findings supporting the present Streambed Alteration Agreement was not error.