2002-142 Council Resolution - Laserfiche WebLink

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Briefly, the project proposer submits information for the EAW. The City then reviews the submitted information for accuracy and completeness. Then the EAW is distributed and made available for public review. A public comment period of 30 days follows. Approving the EAW for distribution means that the City is comfortable that the document is accurate and complete to the best of its knowledge. There is no other commitment or hidden implication regarding approval of the project in making the decision to distribute the document. Approving the EAW for distribution does not mean that the City is approving the project. On the contrary, once the EAW process has been initiated, the project cannot be started and no governmental entity can make a final decision on the project until the environmental review process is completed. After the public comment period, the City decides if it has enough information to determine if the project will cause significant environmental effects. If it will not cause such effects, the City makes a "negative declaration" meaning that an EIS is not necessary. If the review process reveals, in the judgement of the City, that the project will cause significant environmental effects, the City makes a "positive declaration" meaning an EIS is necessary. An EIS is a very large, very expensive study. It is not unusual for an EIS cost a million dollars and typically takes several years to complete. A step-by-step summary of the process follows. Project proposer submits data. • Normally, the developer completes the EAW form and the City reviews and amends it. • It is the City's document and the City has a responsibility to ensure, to the best of its ability, that it is complete and accurate. 2. City approves the EAW for distribution. 3. There is a list of agencies to which the EAW must be distributed. The project proposer will make all the necessary copies and distribute them to the required agencies. We will have a copy available in the library in City Hall. 4. Availability of the EAW is published in the EQB Monitor. City provides press release to newspaper. 5. Thirty -day public comment period begins on day of publication in EQB Monitor. 6. After comment period closes, City determines if it has enough information to make a determination. • If not, it can postpone the decision for 30 more days to gather information.