Protected: New CEQA Exemption for Nonmotorized Public Access (coming soon)
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In CEQA, What is a “Rare” Species?
What is a “rare” species? In the context of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, this became a central question in the recent court decision, Nassiri v. City of Lafayette, et al., First District Court of Appeals, June 27, 2024. The Section 15380 definition of “Endangered, Rare or Threatened Species” has long been a part of the Guidelines. This section also mandates lead agencies to consider a species endangered, rare, or threatened if it can be shown to meet the qualifying criteria described therein, even when the species is not listed under either the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) or federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). Public agencies serving as a CEQA lead or responsible agency carry the responsibility to consider a species’ qualification as endangered, rare, or threatened under CEQA based on the facts of the project. This responsibility raises important issues for the environmental practitioner.
AB 1757 Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets Released
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) issued a Restoration Management Permit(RMP) to California State Parks in December 2023 for the Mount Diablo State Park Vegetation Treatment Project. The RMP is the first approved for a CalVTP vegetation treatment project. It is part of CDFW’s Cutting the Green Tape program to accelerate the pace and scale of restoration throughout the state. CSP’s CalVTP project qualified for the first RMP because it would create ecological benefits for the covered species, Alameda whipsnake.
New Information and Tools to Support CalVTP Implementation
The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection announces the release of new tools for efficient California Vegetation Treatment Program (CalVTP) implementation and Project-Specific Analysis (PSA) preparation.
Consensus Building for Climate Action Planning –
A Professional Development Webinar
How do you build consensus when facing a challenge as complicated and intersectional as climate change? Check out our free recorded webinar and scenario toolkit to learn how to collaborate with stakeholders to create a climate action plan that meets multiple objectives and benefits.
BAAQMD Releases Updated CEQA Guidelines to Assist Lead Agencies
On April 20, 2023, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) published updated California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidance to assist lead agencies in evaluating air quality and climate impacts from proposed land use projects and plans (referred to as the 2022 CEQA Guidelines).
A Collaborative Approach to Increasing Diversity in the Environmental and Planning Industry
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our workspaces has become an important core value embraced by many organizations in the planning and environmental industry.
Attorney General Releases Guidance for Analyzing Wildfire Impacts of New Development
On October 11, the California Attorney General (AG) released guidance for complying with CEQA when analyzing and mitigating a proposed development project’s impacts on wildfire risk, emergency access, and evacuation.
Bumble Bees Are Endangered? What’s the Buzz?
On May 31, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal determined that four bumble bee species are eligible for California Endangered Species Act listing.
SB 2 Planning Grants Program Provides Technical Assistance to Local Jurisdictions for Planning Efforts
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Senate Bill 2 Planning Grants Program provides technical assistance to local jurisdictions for planning efforts that accelerate housing approvals and increase housing production. As a part of the program, these toolkits.
