A Summary of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

(California Public Resources Code, Sections 21000 – 21178, and Title 14 CCR, Section 753, and Chapter 3, Sections 15000 – 15387)

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is California’s broadest environmental law.  CEQA helps to guide the Department during issuance of permits and approval of projects. Courts have interpreted CEQA to afford the fullest protection of the environment within the reasonable scope of the statutes. CEQA applies to all discretionary projects proposed to be conducted or approved by a California public agency, including private projects requiring discretionary government approval.

The purpose of CEQA is to:

  • Disclose to the public the significant environmental effects of a proposed discretionary project, through the preparation of an Initial Study (IS), Negative Declaration (ND), or Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
  • Prevent or minimize damage to the environment through development of project alternatives, mitigation measures, and mitigation monitoring.
  • Disclose to the public the agency decision making process utilized to approve discretionary projects through findings and statements of overriding consideration.
  • Enhance public participation in the environmental review process through scoping meetings, public notice, public review, hearings, and the judicial process. 
  • Improve interagency coordination through early consultations, scoping meetings, notices of preparation, and State Clearinghouse review. 

For more information, please visit CEQA Procedures for Internal CDFW Actions

Section 21092.3 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:

The notices required pursuant to Sections 21080.4 and 21092 for an environmental impact report shall be posted in the office and on the internet website of the county clerk of each county in which the project will be located and shall remain posted for a period of 30 days. The notice required pursuant to Section 21092 for a negative declaration shall be so posted for a period of 20 days, unless otherwise required by law to be posted for 30 days. The county clerk shall post the notices within 24 hours of receipt.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Online Postings

Please click the project title to access the document.

Date
Filed		 Fish/Game
Receipt #		 Lead Agency Type of
Document		 Project Title
04/11/2022 41-04112022-2028 San Mateo Department of Public Works Notice of Exemption Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project in the Fair Oaks Sewer Maintenance District
04/14/2022 41-04142022-2029 City of Half Moon Bay  Negative Declaration 

Construct A New Single-Family Residence/ ADU At 909 Grand View Blvd
04/18/2022 41-04182022-2030 San Mateo-Foster City School District Notice of Exemption  Sunnybrae Elementary School Multi-Purpose Structure
04/19/2022 41-04192022-2031 Public Works Department - City of Brisbane  Notice of Exemption  2022 Sierra Point Parkway Cape Seal Project - Crocker Trail
04/19/2022 41-04192022-2032 City of Foster City  Environmental Impact Report Lincoln Centre Life Sciences Research Campus Project (Phase 2 Modifications)
04/19/2022 41-04192022-2033 City of Redwood City  Notice of Exemption  Community Development Block Grant Program & HOME Investment Partnership Program FY2022-2023
04/20/2022 41-04202022-2034 City of Half Moon Bay  Negative Declaration  Half Moon Bay Corporation Yard Update Project
04/21/2022 41-04212022-2035 Town of Colma-Planning Department  Notice of Exemption Town of Colma Sterling Park Playground Improvement Project
04/22/2022

41-04212022-2036

 Bay Area Air Quality Management District  Notice of Exemption CEQA Thresholds of Significance of Climate Impacts From Land Use Projects and Plans

04/22/2022

41-04212022-2037

 Town of Colma  Notice of Exemption Cypress Lawn Memorial Park Funeral Pavilion Design Review

04/22/2022

41-04212022-2038

 Town of Colma  Notice of Exemption Serramonte Kia Project administrative design review 

04/22/2022

41-04212022-2039

 City of Half Moon Bay  Notice of Exemption Main Street Traffic Safety Project
04/26/2022 41-04262022-2040 City of South San Francisco  Environmental Impact Report 101 Gull Drive Project 
04/26/2022 41-04262022-2041 County of San Mateo Parks Department Notice of Exemption  Seal Cove Stairway Audio Visual Shed And Pole Solar Panel 
04/26/2022 41-04262022-2042 County of San Mateo Parks Department Notice of Exemption  Quarry County Park Parking Lot Extension 
04/27/2022 41-04272022-2043 City of Millbrae Sustainable Communities Environmental Assessment 1100 El Camino Real Project

04/28/2022

 41-04282022-2044 North Coast County Water District  Notice of Exemption  North Coast County Water District Headquarters Upgrade Project

04/28/2022

 41-04282022-2045 City of Pacifica Notice of Exemption  Senate Bill 9 (Interim Guidance, Rules, and Regulations)
04/28/2022 41-04282022-2046 City of Pacifica Notice of Exemption  TBD Talbot Avenue Single-family Residential Project
04/29/2022 41-04292022-2047 West Bay Sanitary District  Notice of Exemption  130 Shawness Pass - Grinder Pump System
04/29/2022 41-04292022-2048 West Bay Sanitary District  Notice of Exemption  Site Improvement Plans for 110 Constitution Drive and 115 Independence Drive 
04/29/2022 41-04292022-2049 West Bay Sanitary District  Notice of Exemption  Site Improvement Plans for 180 & 186 Constitution Drive; and 141 Independence Drive 
04/29/2022 41-04292022-2050 San Mateo Union High School District  Notice of Exemption  Burlingame High School Marquee Sign Replacement Project 
04/29/2022 41-04292022-2051 City of Burlingame  Negative Declaration  Annual Creek and Channel Facility Maintenance Program - 2022 Update 
05/03/2022 41-05032022-2052 City of San Bruno  Notice of Exemption  City of San Bruno Residential Defensible Space Maintenance
05/5/2022 41-05052022-2053 City of East Palo Alto  Environmental Impact Report  University Circle Phase II Office Project
05/6/2022 41-05062022-2054 Bay Area Air Quality Management District Environmental Impact Report Filing of Notice of Determination Pursuant to Section 21152 of the Public Resources Code and CEQA Guidelines section 15094
05/09/2022 41-05092022-2055 County of San Mateo-Parks Dept Environmental Impact Report Two backup generators to existing electrical service of Memorial County Park Water Treatment Plant

 
Other Notices

Please click the title to access the document.

Date
Posted		 Agency Title
04/12/2022 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District  Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Proposed Redwood Cabin Removal Project (SCH# 2021060146)
04/13/2022 North San Mateo County Sanitation District Notice of the Board of Directors 
04/15/2022 City of East Palo Alto  Notice of Preparation - Ravenswood Business District/ 4 Corners Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Specific Plan Update
04/15/2022 Town of Portola Valley  Approved Address Designation for Parking Lot located on APN: 076-350-080
04/22/2022 County of San Mateo, Planning and Building Zoning Hearing Officer Agenda
04/25/2022 San Francisquito Creek Join Powers Authority  Notice of Preparation - Strategy to Advance Flood Protection, Ecosystems and Recreation along San Francisco Bay Project Environmental Impact Repot 
04/26/2022 County of San Mateo, Planning and Building Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report & Scoping Session for North Fair Oaks Rezoning and General Plan Amendment Project
04/27/2022 City of East Palo Alto Community and Interested Parties  University Phase II Project
04/27/2022 North San Mateo County Sanitation District Regular Meeting - Sanitation District Agenda
05/02/2022 Planning & Building Department Coastside Design Review Committee  Notice of Public Hearing - Emerald Lake Hills Design Review Officer Agenda
05/02/2022 Planning & Building Department Coastside Design Review Committee  Notice of Public Hearing - Bayside Design Review Committee Agenda
05/02/2022 Planning & Building Department Coastside Design Review Committee  Notice of Public Hearing - Coastside Design Review Committee Agenda
05/04/2022 County of San Mateo, Planning and Building Department Notice of Intent to Adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration 
05/06/2022 Northern Region Headquarters-Santa Rosa Official Notice of Conformance
05/09/2022 City of South San Francisco Planning Division  Notice of Intent to Adopt a Sustainable Communities Environmental Assessment Initial Study