Monterey County Municipal Code Ch. 16.70 Monterey County Environmental Quality Act Guidelines

A. California Public Resources Code (PRC), Sections 21000 et seq., of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires that all public agencies adopt by ordinance, resolution, rule or regulation, objectives, criteria and procedures for the evaluation of projects and the preparation of environmental reports and negative declarations (Public Resources Code Section 21083).

B. PRC Section 21082 requires that the objectives, criteria and procedures adopted by the County shall be consistent with the provisions of PRC, Division 13. Environmental Quality, and with the guidelines adopted by the Secretary of the Resources Agency pursuant to PRC Section 21083, as set forth in the California Code or Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, "Guidelines for California Environmental Quality Act."

C. The County of Monterey, when acting as lead agency under the provisions of CEQA, is required to implement its requirements; and

D. The County of Monterey is responsible for processing environmental reviews as a lead, responsible or reviewing agency under the provisions of CEQA.

E. Therefore, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Monterey, finds and declares that the provisions of the California Public Resources Code, +California Environmental Quality Act,(CEQA) at Section 21000 et seq., and the "Guidelines for California Environmental Quality Act", as they may be amended from time to time, are hereby adopted in their entirety.

(Ord. 4087 § 1 (part), 2000)

A. This chapter shall apply in both the Non-Coastal, and Coastal Zone areas within the unincorporated areas of Monterey County.

(Ord. 4087 § 1 (part), 2000)

A. The statutory provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act, (CEQA) as set forth in the California Public Resources Code (PRC), Division 13. Environmental Quality, at Sections 21000 et seq., as they currently exist and as they may be amended from time to time, are hereby adopted in their entirety.

B. The "'Guidelines for California Environmental Quality Act" (CEQA Guidelines) as set forth in the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, Sections 15000 et seq., as they currently exist and as they may be amended from time to time: are hereby adopted in their entirety as the Monterey County CEQA Guidelines.

C. As to matters not specifically addressed by State CEQA Guidelines, the procedures and provisions set forth in the California Public Resources Code (PRC), California Environmental Quality Act, Sections 21000 et seq. as may be amended from time to time, shall prevail.

D. County implementation includes, but is not limited to, assessing County projects, preparing environmental documents, adopting mitigation monitoring and/or reporting programs at the time of project approval pursuant to PRC 21081.6 as may be amended from time to time, mitigation monitoring and enforcement, and assessing and commenting on projects under the jurisdiction of other agencies.

E. This Chapter supersedes the Monterey County CEQA Guidelines adopted by the Board of Supervisors on November 29, 1983. To the extent that any provisions contained in this Chapter are in conflict with the Guidelines adopted November 29, 1983, the provisions of this Chapter shall prevail.

(Ord. 4087 § 1 (part), 2000)