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DIVISION 13. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY [21000 - 21189.91]›CHAPTER 2.6. General [21080 - 21098]›§ 21082

§ 21082.2

Public Resources Code §§ 21000–21189.91 — California Environmental Quality Act · 2026 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

21082.2. (a) The lead agency shall determine whether a project may have a significant effect on the environment based on substantial evidence in light of the whole record.

(b) The existence of public controversy over the environmental effects of a project shall not require preparation of an environmental impact report if there is no substantial evidence in light of the whole record before the lead agency that the project may have a significant effect on the environment.

(c) Argument, speculation, unsubstantiated opinion or narrative, evidence which is clearly inaccurate or erroneous, or evidence of social or economic impacts which do not contribute to, or are not caused by, physical impacts on the environment, is not substantial evidence. Substantial evidence shall include facts, reasonable assumptions predicated upon facts, and expert opinion supported by facts.

(d) If there is substantial evidence, in light of the whole record before the lead agency, that a project may have a significant effect on the environment, an environmental impact report shall be prepared.

(e) Statements in an environmental impact report and comments with respect to an environmental impact report shall not be deemed determinative of whether the project may have a significant effect on the environment.

(Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 1131, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 1994.)

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▸ Contents — Public Resources Code §§ 21000–21189.91 — California Environmental Quality Act
Public Resources Code §§ 21000–21189.91 — California Environmental Quality Act
  1. Public Resources Code §§ 21000–21189.91 — California Environme…
  2. ▸ DIVISION 13. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY [21000 - 21189.91]
    Overview
    1. CHAPTER 1. Policy [21000 - 21006]
    2. CHAPTER 2. Short Title [21050- 21050.]
    3. CHAPTER 2.5. Definitions [21060 - 21074]
    4. ▸ CHAPTER 2.6. General [21080 - 21098]
      Overview
      1. § 21080
      2. § 21081
      3. ▸ § 21082
        Overview
        1. § 21082.1
        2. § 21082.2
        3. § 21082.3
        4. § 21082.4
      4. § 21083
      5. § 21084
      6. § 21085
      7. § 21086
      8. § 21087
      9. § 21088
      10. § 21089
      11. § 21090
      12. § 21091
      13. § 21092
      14. § 21093
      15. § 21094
      16. § 21095
      17. § 21096
      18. § 21097
      19. § 21098
    5. CHAPTER 2.7. Modernization of Transportation Analysis for Tran…
    6. CHAPTER 3. State Agencies, Boards and Commissions [21100 - 211…
    7. CHAPTER 4. Local Agencies [21150 - 21154]
    8. CHAPTER 4.2. Implementation of the Sustainable Communities Str…
    9. CHAPTER 4.3. Housing Sustainability Districts [21155.10 - 2115…
    10. CHAPTER 4.5. Streamlined Environmental Review [21156 - 21159.33]
    11. CHAPTER 5. Submission of Information [21160 - 21161]
    12. CHAPTER 5.5. No Place Like Home Projects [21163 - 21163.4]
    13. CHAPTER 6. Limitations [21165 - 21177]
    14. CHAPTER 6.5. Jobs and Economic Improvement Through Environment…
    15. CHAPTER 6.9. Old Town Center Redevelopment in the City of San …
    16. CHAPTER 7. Infrastructure Projects [21189.80 - 21189.91]

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