Exhibit A-3 Guide to Evaluation of Environmental

  1. A brief explanation is required for all answers:
    • Except “Less Than Significant/None” answers that are adequately supported by the information sources cited in the Comments sections.
    • A “Less Than Significant/None” answer is adequately supported if the reference information sources show that the impact simply does not apply to projects like the one involved (e.g. the project falls outside a fault rupture zone).
  2. All answers must take account of the whole action involved, including:
    • Off-site as well as on site
    • Cumulative as well as project-level impact
    • Indirect as well as direct impacts
    • Impacts during construction
    • Operational impacts after construction
    • Impacts caused by the change in organization or reorganization
  3. Once the Lead Agency has determined that a particular physical impact may occur then:
    • The checklist answers must indicate whether the impact is “Potentially Significant” or “Less Than Significant/Mitigated or “Less Than Significant/None”
    • “Potentially Significant” is appropriate if there is substantial evidence that an effect may be significant.
    • If there are one or more “Potentially Significant” entries when the determination is made then an EIR is required.
  4. A Mitigated Negative Declaration applies:
    • Where the incorporation of mitigation measures has reduced an effect to “Less Than Significant/Mitigated”.
    • The Lead Agency must describe the mitigation measures and briefly explain how they reduce the effect to a less than significant level.
  5. Earlier analysis may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EIR or other CEQA process an effect has been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or Negative Declaration. [Section 1506(c)(3)(D)] In this case a discussion should identify the following:
    • Earlier analysis used (Identify and state where they are available for review)
    • Impacts adequately addressed. (Identify which effects from the above checklist were within the scope of and adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards. State whether such effects were addressed mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis.)
    • For effects that are “Less Than Significant/Mitigated” describe the mitigation measures which are incorporated or refined from the earlier document and the extent to which they address the direct site specific conditions for the project and the indirect conditions of the project.
  6. Identify and reference sources for potential impacts.
    • Examples would be such things as General Plans, Specific Plans, Service Plans, Sphere of Influence/Service Review studies, assessments or reports of regulatory agencies, specific requirements of law, etc.
    • Reference to a previously prepared or outside document should, where appropriate, include a page or pages where the statement is substantiated or the like.
  7. A source list for supporting information should be attached and other sources used or individuals contacted should be cited in the discussion.
  8. The explanation of each issue should identify:
    • The significant criteria or threshold used, if any, to identify each question.
    • The mitigation measure identified, if any, to reduce the impact to less than significant.