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An EIR (Section 21061) is the public document used by the governmental agency <br /> to analyze the significant environmental effects of a proposed project. An EIR is an <br /> informational document which, when its preparation is required, shall be considered by <br /> every public agency prior to its approval or disapproval of a project. An EIR is <br /> intended to provide public agencies and the general public with detailed information <br /> about the effects that a proposed project are likely to have on the environment, to list <br /> ways in which the significant effects might be minimized, and to indicate alternatives to <br /> such a project. <br /> A public agency functioning as a Lead Agency shall have responsibility for <br /> considering the effects, both individual and collective, of all activities involved in a <br /> project. A public agency functioning as a Responsible Agency shall have responsibility <br /> for considering only the effects of those activities involved in a project, that it is <br /> required by law to carry out or approve. <br /> Prior to completing an EIR (Section 21153), every local Lead Agency shall <br /> consult with, and obtain comments from, each Responsible Agency and any public <br /> agency which has jurisdiction by law with respect to the project, and may consult with <br /> any person who has special expertise with respect to any environmental impacts <br /> involved. <br /> The environmental evaluation presented in the EIR (Section 15151) need not be <br /> exhaustive, but it should be prepared with sufficient analysis to provide decision-makers <br /> with information to enable them to make a decision that intelligently takes account of <br /> environmental consequences (impacts). The sufficiency of the EIR is to be reviewed in <br /> the light of what is reasonably feasible. The document should provide adequate and <br /> complete analysis and reflect a good faith effort at full disclosure. <br /> A significant effect, as defined by CEQA (Section 15382), is a "substantial, or <br /> potentially substantial, adverse change in any of the physical conditions within the area <br /> affected by the project." The EIR addresses only environmental issues; social or <br /> economic impacts are not assessed by CEQA. However, social or economic affects may <br /> be considered by the Lead Agency in regard to significance of physical impacts. <br /> CEQA requires decision-makers to balance potential unavoidable impacts of a <br /> project with potential benefits of the project (Section 15093). If the benefits of a <br /> 5 <br />