III. - Environmental Staff

A. The environmental staff appointed by the Planning Director is the planner(s) charged with overseeing the implementation of CEQA Law and has the following power and duties:

1. Preliminary screening of projects to determine which projects are exempt from, and which projects are subject to the requirements of CEQA, and the issuance of environmental documents as appropriate.

2. Conduct initial studies and make determinations as to whether negative declarations will be issued or EIR's required.

3. Review project information and technical reports to determine whether or not a proposed project may have a significant adverse effect on the environment.

4. Review all draft and final EIR's prepared and/or processed by Mono County, determining the adequacy of EIR and the level of environmental impact.

5. Assist and coordinate with other county departments including Public Works, the Energy Department, and Fire Districts in making environmental findings on various projects.

6. Prepare comments for projects where Mono County is a responsible agency.

7. Review and make recommendations to department heads for the selection of EIR consultants as pertains to all County projects requiring such services.

8. Act independently on environmental matters to preserve objectivity and to avoid possible bias.