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Cemex Vernalis Quarry Mining and Reclamation Project was presented to the decision-making body of the lead agency and that the body has reviewed and considered the information contained in the Final EIR prior to approving the project;and (3)the Final EIR reflects the lead agency's independent judgment and analysis(CEQA Guidelines, Section 15090(a); see also Public Resources Code, Section 21082.1(c)(3)). J Before approving a project for which a certified Final EIR has identified significant environmental effects,the lead agency must make one or more specific written findings for each 1 of the identified significant impacts. These findings include and are limited to the following: (1) Changes or alterations have been required in,or incorporated into,the project that — avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the Final EIR. (2) Such changes or alternations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes have been adopted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by such other agency. (3) Specific economic, legal, social,technological or other considerations, including provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers,make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the Final EIR. (See CEQA Guidelines, Section 15091(a)). If there remain significant environmental effects even with the adoption of all feasible mitigation v measures or alternatives,the agency must adopt a"statement of overriding considerations"before it can proceed with the project. The statement of overriding consideration must be supported by substantial evidence in the record(CEQA Guidelines, Sections 15092 and 15093). — These overriding considerations include the economic, legal, social,technological,or other benefits of the proposed project. The lead agency must balance these potential benefits against the project's unavoidable environmental risks when determining whether to approve the project. If the specific economic,legal,social,technological,or other benefits of a proposed project outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects, the lead agency may consider the adverse environmental impacts to be "acceptable"(CEQA Guidelines, Section 15093(a)). These benefits should be set forth in the statement of overriding considerations,and may be based on the Final EIR and/or other information in the record of proceedings (CEQA Guidelines, Section 15093(b)). Notably,the California Supreme Court, reflecting on this multi-step process for considering project impacts and benefits,has stated that, "[tjhe wisdom of approving any development project, a delicate task which requires a balancing of interests, is necessarily left to the sound discretion of the local officials and their constituents who are responsible for such decisions. The law as we interpret and apply it simply requires that those decisions be informed,and therefore balanced."(See Citizens of Goleta Valley v. Board gfSupervisors(1990) 52 Cal.3d 553, 576.) Cemex Vernals Quarry Mining and Reclamation Project 1-2 ESA 1203015 Final Emkonmenial Impact Rel,od June 2008