SITE INFORMATION AND CORRESPONDENCE

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A. THE CEQA PROCESS In 1970 the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was enacted. Guidelines to direct the implementation of CEQA were adopted. Developing and maintaining a high quality environment became state policy. Since that time, as with any law, CEQA has undergone amendments, and the Guidelines have been reviewed and revised. The following discussion of the legislative intent of CEQA along with the general concepts involved with implementing CEQA are presented here at the beginning of this Negative Declaration to orient a reader unfamiliar with the CEQA process. The following information was taken almost verbatim from "CEQA: The California Environmental Quality Act - Law and Guidelines, June, 198611 , prepared by the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) . This information is presented only as an introduction to the CEQA process and thus the reader should refer to the actual document cited above for a more complete explanation. Information on obtaining copies of the "CEQA Statutes Guidelines, 1986" may be obtained by calling the OPR Publications Unit at (916) 322-3784 . The development of CEQA included the following findings and declarations by the California Legislature: (a) The maintenance of a quality environment for the people of this state now and in the future is a matter of statewide concern. (b) It is necessary to provide a high quality environment that is healthful and pleasing to the senses and intellect of man. (c) There is a need to understand the relationship between the maintenance of high quality ecological systems and the general welfare of the people of the state, including their enjoyment of the natural resources of the state. (d) The capacity of the environment is limited, and it is the intent of the Legislature that the government of the state take immediate steps to identify any critical thresholds for the health and safety of the people of the state and take all coordinated actions necessary to prevent such thresholds being reached. (e) Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment. (f) The interrelationship of policies and practices in the management of natural resources and waste disposal requires systematic and concerted efforts by public and private interests to enhance environmental quality and to control environmental pollution.