CEQA/NEPA/TRPA
Creating the right balance between
environmental sustainability and development.
Achieving a harmonious balance between economic and community development and environmental sustainability is the goal Ascent seeks in its compliance work with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the code and rules of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). With a strong focus on environmental responsibility, we diligently conduct thorough environmental assessments to identify potential impacts accurately, responsibly, and objectively. Emphasizing efficient and innovative approaches, we identify and implement strategies to streamline the environmental review process, allowing for a more expedited yet comprehensive evaluation. This approach not only supports environmental protection but also facilitates timely project execution, ensuring a positive impact on the community and the natural surroundings.
- CEQA project and program EIRs, Initial Studies/MNDs, NDs, and exemptions
- NEPA EISs, EAs, FONSIs, and CEs
- TRPA EISs, EAs, and IECs
- Opportunities and constraints evaluations
- Environmental compliance strategy assessments
- Supplemental EIRs/MNDs, Addenda, and streamlined environmental analysis and documentation
- Innovative use of program EIRs/”within-the-scope” findings
- Joint CEQA/NEPA and CEQA/NEPA/TRPA documents
- Joint planning and environmental documents
- California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
- California Department of General Services
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- California Air Resources Board
- California State Lands Commission
- University of California, Davis
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Santa Cruz
- California State University, San Jose
- Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
- Cal Poly Humboldt
- California State Parks
- Santa Clara Valley Open Space District
- Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
- East Bay Regional Park District
- California Tahoe Conservancy
- Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
- Tahoe Resource Conservation District
- Tahoe Transportation District
- County of San Diego
- County of Marin
- County of Sacramento
- County of Monterey
- City of Sacramento
- City of San Diego
- Port of Long Beach
- City of Sunnyvale
On October 23, 2024, the California First District Court of Appeal released its decision on People of the State of California Ex Rel. Rob Bonta, Attorney General, et al. v. County of Lake. The ruling addressed the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared for the Guenoc Valley Mixed-Use Planned Development Project, a luxury resort consisting of residential estate villas, hotel units, and related infrastructure on 16,000 acres in an unincorporated and largely undeveloped area of Lake County known as the Guenoc Valley Ranch.
On October 10, 2024, the California Fish and Game Commission accepted a petition to list western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) and designated the species as a candidate species. This decision has triggered a 12-month status review by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). A decision on whether to list this species is expected by spring of 2026; however, as a candidate species, western burrowing owl is afforded the same protections as a listed species under CESA, including prohibition of take of individuals.
AB 2091 was signed by Governor Newsom on September 22, 2024, creating a new CEQA exemption for non-motorized public access. The new exemption applies to park districts and the Great Redwood Trail Agency (GRTA) when providing new nonmotorized public access to existing roads, trails, parking areas, and similar areas owned by the park district or GRTA. To use the new exemption, the lead agency must hold a public meeting to solicit input, consider effects on natural and tribal cultural resources, make required findings, and file a Notice of Exemption.
