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Purpose of the California TI O N 5

Environmental Quality Act E C

S

The California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) has been in
existence for over four decades.
CEQA requires state and local
agencies to identify any significant
environmental impacts of their
discretionary or legislative actions
and to avoid or mitigate those
impacts, if feasible. The processes
set forth in CEQA are intended to
identify and disclose the effects
of a project on the environment
(biological, public infrastructure,
etc.), affording public agencies the information needed to evaluate and
make a decision on a project. CEQA is a process for disclosure and better
decision-making in consideration of the environment.

Common Types of Documents

In Encinitas, about 90 percent of discretionary projects are found to be exempt
from CEQA. Most projects that are not exempt from CEQA receive a Negative
Declaration determination, with or without mitigation measures. Occasionally
potentially significant impacts are identified and an Environmental Impact
Report is prepared. There are many other types of CEQA documents, but
these are the types typically used in Encinitas.

In Encinitas, about 90 percent of discretionary projects are found

to be exempt from CEQA.

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