Agencies are required to conduct an environmental review of proposed development projects pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Projects are any development proposals that require approval from a local or state agency. The lead agency will conduct an Initial Study (IS) of the project’s environmental effects. If the project will have no effect or less than significant impacts on the environmental factors evaluated, a Negative Declaration (ND) is issued. A finding of “less than significant with mitigation incorporated” triggers a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), and requires that identified mitigation measures be followed to reduce project impacts. If there are any potentially significant impacts for which there is no feasible mitigation, and the project cannot be redesigned to lower all the effects to less than significant, then an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) must be prepared. An EIR reviews the impacts of all reasonable alternatives, including not implementing the project.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to review the environmental effects of any proposed actions they are implementing, funding, or otherwise involved in, including making decisions on permit applications. The environmental review process under NEPA can involve Categorical Exclusion (CE), an Environmental Assessment (EA), or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
California has a complex regulatory environment, and Dr. Christopher understands the challenges you face in navigating project approvals. With well over three decades of professional experience, she can deliver solutions that move your project forward. She has expertise in preparing the following:
- Biological Reports for IS – ND/MND, EIR, and EIS
- Categorical Exemptions
- Biological Assessments
- Avoidance, Minimization & Mitigation Measures
- Categorical Exclusions
- Environmental Assessments
- Natural Environment Studies
- Management Indicator Species Evaluations
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act Evaluations
- Noxious Weed Risk Assessments
