California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

Potential environmental impact is an important consideration in all planning and development projects. Review the CEQA process in detail, and its 17 key environmental issue areas. Learn how to determine if an action is a project under CEQA and the level of environmental review required (exemption, negative declaration, EIR). Discuss roles and responsibilities of a lead agency, responsible agency & trustee agency. Study the differences between a Negative Declaration and EIR. Learn how to use an initial study to streamline analysis, and how to determine direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts. Explore the impact of case law on CEQA documents, the role of public participation, and other topics including climate change and water supply. Read case studies that illustrate current CEQA issues. Conduct a review of a project in your community.

Course Number: BUSA-40739   Credit: 2 units