HTML Preview Process Flow Chart page number 1.
Public Review Period*
State A
g
encies Local A
g
encies State A
g
encies Local A
g
encies
Public Agency determines whether the
activit
y
is a “
p
ro
j
ect”
Public agency evaluates project to determine if there is a
possibility that the project may have a significant effect
on environment
Pro
j
ect
Not Exem
p
t
Public agency determines
if the project is exempt
Notice of
Exemption
ma
y
be filed
No further action
Required under
CEQ
A
Determination of lead agency
where more than one public
agency is involved
LEAD AGENCY
Project is ministerial
Categorical exemption
No possible significant effect
Statutory exemption
Not a Project
Possible si
g
nificant
RESPONSIBLE AGENCY
C
C
E
E
Q
Q
A
A
P
P
r
r
o
o
c
c
e
e
s
s
s
s
F
F
l
l
o
o
w
w
C
C
h
h
a
a
r
r
t
t
Lead a
g
enc
y
p
re
p
ares initial stud
y
Decision on
p
ro
j
ect
Lead agency decision to prepare EIR or
Ne
g
ative Declaration
Lead agency sends Notice of Preparation to
res
p
onsible a
g
enc
y
Findings on feasibility of reducing or avoiding
si
g
nificant environmental effects
Lead a
g
enc
y
p
re
p
ares draft EIR
Consideration and approval of final EIR by
decision-makin
g
bod
y
Lead agency files Notice of Completion and
gives public notice of availability of draft EIR
Lead agency prepares final EIR including
res
p
onses to comments on draft EIR
EIR
Respond to informal
consultation
Consultation
Respond to Notice of
Preparation as to contents
of draft EIR
Consultation
Comments on adequacy of
draft EIR or Negative
Declaration
Consultation
Lead agency gives public
notice of availability of
Ne
g
ative Declaration
Public Review Period*
Decision on
p
ermit
Findings on feasibility of reducing or
avoiding significant environmental
effects
Decision-making body considers
final EIR or Negative Declaration
prepared by lead agency
File Notice of
Determination with
Office of Planning
& Research
File Notice of
Determination with
County Clerk
File Notice of
Determination with
County Clerk
File Notice of
Determination with
Office of Planning
& Research
Ne
g
ative Declaration
Consideration and approval of
Negative Declaration by
decision-making body
Source: California Environmental Resources Evaluation System, http://ceres.ca.gov/topic/env_law/ceqa/flowchart/index.html
* The public review and comment period shall not be less than 30 days and nor should it be longer than 60 days, per the CEQA
Guidelines at http://ceres.ca.gov/topic/env_law/ceqa/guidelines/