CEQA Process

The CEQA review is commonplace for any project that might have an impact on the environment in California.  TTC received CEQA exemptions for all of their previous performances in the park.  However, the judge in the lawsuit ordered a CEQA review for any future performances to take place in the park.

If the project being reviewed is expected to have no significant effect on the environment or those impacts can be mitigated, then a full environmental impact review is not required and a simpler Mitigated Negative Declarations(NegDec) review is completed.
It the case of TTC,  the State is following the simpler NegDec review path.

Please reference the links below and follow the NegDec path.

Chart of CEQA Process

https://www.conservation.ca.gov/calgem/CEQA/Documents/CEQA_Process_Flowchart_OPR.pdf

CEQA Basics

https://opr.ca.gov/ceqa/getting-started/

CEQA Process for TTC

https://opr.ca.gov/ceqa/docs/20210809-CEQA_101.pdf

CEQA Checklist

This is the checklist that must be completed for the Negative Declarations.  

https://resources.ca.gov/CNRALegacyFiles/ceqa/docs/ab52/final-approved-appendix-G.pdf

Open Public Comment

CEQA only requires responses to comments on the significant environmental issues raised.

Based on conversations with the State Parks, we believe that only negative comments would affect the outcome of the review.  If considered significant, they may trigger another mitigation or need to be addressed.  CSPRA could make negative comments in this period but they would have to be significant to require review.

We will provide more guidance on the value of providing supportive comments, if any, and the brevity that may be preferred.

Final Steps

Once final public comment is complete and there are no unmitigated significant issues, the State Parks can approved the NegDec and render a decision on the project.  

Since this is also part of the CSPRA lawsuit, there is an extra step where the decision will have to be brought back to the court and the judge will have to approve it.  This is another opportunity for CSPRA to once again object.