Environmental Review Process

What is Environmental Review?  

Environmental review is the evaluation process that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA, pronounced SEEQUA) requires public agencies to conduct before taking action to approve a project. Environmental review is a set of procedures used to identify a project's potential impacts, develop ways to reduce those impacts, and report the results of the analysis to the public.

What is a Negative Declaration?

The term "Negative Declaration" is sometimes misunderstood. A Negative Declaration is a statement that a project will not create significant environmental harm, or that environmental damage has been mitigated to a less-than-significant level.

What is an Environmental Impact Report?

When an Initial Study shows that a project might significantly damage the environment, CEQA requires that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) be prepared. An EIR is an informational document to be used by the public and by decision-makers when making choices about projects.

Environmental Notices, Proposed Negative Declarations, EIRs and other Documents 

Here you'll find summaries of the county's environmental announcements and notices, proposed Negative Declatations, Environmental Impact Reports and other environmental documents. The purpose of this listing is to notify the public of pending actions which may affect the environment in San Luis Obispo County.  View the information here:

Notices, Proposed Negative Declarations, EIRs and Other Environmental Documents

Environmental Resources

Frequently Asked Questions about the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

Policies for Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

 

Biological Resources

This topic includes a broad range of issues relating to biological resources, including the type of landscape vegetation to plant or avoid, how biological consultants should prepare reports, and information about sensitive habitats or endangered species found within the county (e.g., Wetlands, San Joaquin Kit Fox, Oaks).

View Biological Resources

List of Qualified Consultants

We provide a list of individuals the county considers qualified to prepare specialized reports sometimes required as part of project applications. These non-exclusive lists include individuals that are known by the county to be able to prepare objective, professional and high quality reports.  View the list here:

List of Qualified Consultants

 

History and Archaeology

Ninety-five percent of California's cultural history is contained in the archaeological remains of the prehistoric culture.  Read about our archaeology here:

Historic Resources and Archaeology Guide

Geology

View information on the San Simeon Earthquake, and geology report guidelines here:

Geology