Environmental Notices          

The County Clerk is responsible for filing environmental reports, such as:

  • Notice of Determination
  • Notice of Exemption
  • Environmental Impact Reports
  • Draft Negative Declaration
  • Proposal to Adopt a Negative Declaration 
Environmental impact documents, agendas, and notices are filed with the Office of the County Clerk and are posted for 30 days.  All notices will be posted within 24 hours of receipt in the County Clerk’s Office (Public Resources Code 21152(c)).
 
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was adopted in 1970 and incorporated in the Public Resources Code Section 21000-21177.  Its basic purposes are to: inform governmental decision-makers and the public about the potentially significant environmental effects of proposed activities; identify ways that environmental damage can be avoided or significantly reduced; require changes in a project through the use of alternatives or mitigation measures when feasible, and disclose to the public the reasons why a project was approved if significant environmental effects are involved.  CEQA applies to projects undertaken, funded, or requiring an issuance of a permit by a public agency.
 
Notice of Determination (NOD) is a notice filed with the County Clerk's Office following project approval which describes a project and identifies expected environmental impacts if any.  The type of determination is specified in the notice (Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration) and indicates if the California Department of Fish and Wildlife fees are required.  A filing of a Notice of Determination starts a 30-day period for a legal challenge.
 
Notice of Exemption (NOE) is a brief notice filed at the County Clerk's office, which states the Lead Agency has approved or will carry out a project that is exempt from the requirements of CEQA.
 
An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is a detailed report about a project's environmental effects, ways to minimize the project's significant environmental effects, and reasonable alternatives to the project.
 
Fish and Wildlife filings are governed by California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 753.5, and Fish and Wildlife Code Collection of Filing Fees
 
How to File an Environmental Impact Document with the County Clerk

Submit an original (must be the original document, no electronic submittals) and two copies of the document, and self-address envelope for return of the document after posting.  Filings (including an original document) should be submitted in-person or mailed to the Office of the County Clerk. 

 
Fees                                           
 
California Department of Fish and Wildlife imposes and collects a filing fee to defray the costs of managing and protecting California’s vast fish and wildlife resources, including, but not limited to, consulting with other public agencies, reviewing environmental documents, recommending mitigation measures, and developing monitoring programs.
 
The County Clerk will collect CEQA filing fees from project applicants at the time the notice of determination (NOD) is filed for an Environmental Impact Report or Negative Declaration.
 
Fees Effective January 1, 2023:

  • Negative Declarations (ND) $2,764.00
  • Mitigated Negative Declarations (MND) $2,764.00
  • Environmental Impact Reports (EIR) $3,839.25
  • Environmental Document pursuant to a Certified Regulatory Program (CRP) $1,303.25
  • Clerk Filing Fee $50.00
There is no charge for posting all other notices (Notice of Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Notice of Availability, etc.).