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CEOA UPDATE March 2002 TO: PROJECT 5 (CEQA GUIDELINES) CLIENTS FROM: BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP RE: YEAR 2002 UPDATE TO LOCAL GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT ("CEQA") INTRODUCTION We have prepared your annual update to Local Guidelines for Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act ("Local Guidelines") for 2002. Due to the extent of the changes we are providing a complete hard copy for you to insert in your binder. Like previous years, we have also provided your guidelines on computer diskette for easy reproduction and access to forms. This memorandum summarizes the 2001 legislation and changes to the Local Guidelines and also discusses 2001 court decisions which are noteworthy but which, in our opinion, do not make substantive changes to the law. The Local Guidelines are designed to assist you in assessing the environmental implications of project prior to approval, as mandated by CEQA. We still recommend, however, that you consult with a lawyer when you have specific questions on major, controversial, or an unusual project. 2001 CEQA LEGISLATION During the 2001 legislative session, several bills were signed into law by the Governor which affect CEQA in some way. However, only three of them warrant substantive discussion in this memorandum and changes to your Guidelines. Assembly Bill 1532 (Pavley, Chapter 867) requires public agencies to conduct scoping for projects of statewide, regional or areawide significance. Senate Bill 221 (Kuehl, Chapter 642) prohibits public agencies from approving tentative maps, certain parcel maps, or development agreements for subdivisions of more than 500 dwellings unless the approving agency provides written verification from the applicable public water system that sufficient water supply is or will be available prior to the completion of the project. Senate Bill 610 (Costa, Chapter 643) requires a city or county that determines a project is subject to CEQA to identify any public water system that may supply water for the project and to request the public water system to prepare a specified water supply assessment. If unable to identify any public water system that may supply water for the project, the city is required to prepare the water supply assessment. RVPUB,C1TY.625913