On May 1, 2017, the Commission’s Energy Division circulated the Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for public review, in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Commission also filed the Draft IS/MND with the State Clearinghouse on this date, initiating a 30-day public review period, which ended May 31, 2017. Additionally, on this date, the Commission circulated a Notice of Intent to adopt the MND for SDG&E’s Permit to Construct. The availability of the Draft IS/MND was announced on the Commission’s website and in local newspapers; copies of the document were made available on the Commission’s website. During the public review period for the Draft IS/MND, the Commission received six (6) comments from one state agency (CalTrans), two tribal governments (Pechanga Band and Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians), one local government agency (Orange County Transportation Authority) and the applicant. Some minor revisions were made to the Draft IS/MND including editorial changes, minor changes to mitigation measures and technical clarifications and corrections. Despite these minor revisions, the Final IS/MND does not identify any new significant environmental impacts, and does not omit any existing mitigation measures from those identified in the Draft IS/MND. 3. Scope of Issues Pursuant to GO 131-D, in order to issue a Permit to Construct, the Commission must find that the project complies with CEQA. CEQA requires the lead agency to conduct a review of the project to identify environmental impacts and ways to avoid or reduce environmental damage. These impacts and mitigating factors are considered in the determination of whether to approve the project or a project alternative. Here, the Commission is the lead agency. If the initial study shows there is no substantial evidence that the proposed project
On May 1, 2017, the Commission’s Energy Division circulated the Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for public review, in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Commission also filed the Draft IS/MND with the State Clearinghouse on this date, initiating a 30-day public review period, which ended May 31, 2017. Additionally, on this date, the Commission circulated a Notice of Intent to adopt the MND for SDG&E’s Permit to Construct. The availability of the Draft IS/MND was announced on the Commission’s website and in local newspapers; copies of the document were made available on the Commission’s website. During the public review period for the Draft IS/MND, the Commission received six (6) comments from one state agency (CalTrans), two tribal governments (Pechanga Band and Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians), one local government agency (Orange County Transportation Authority) and the applicant. Some minor revisions were made to the Draft IS/MND including editorial changes, minor changes to mitigation measures and technical clarifications and corrections. Despite these minor revisions, the Final IS/MND does not identify any new significant environmental impacts, and does not omit any existing mitigation measures from those identified in the Draft IS/MND. 3. Scope of Issues Pursuant to GO 131-D, in order to issue a Permit to Construct, the Commission must find that the project complies with CEQA. CEQA requires the lead agency to conduct a review of the project to identify environmental impacts and ways to avoid or reduce environmental damage. These impacts and mitigating factors are considered in the determination of whether to approve the project or a project alternative. Here, the Commission is the lead agency. If the initial study shows there is no substantial evidence that the proposed project
207393407.docx