Environmental Planning
Environmental Planning is responsible for assuring campus compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
CEQA is the basis of environmental law and policy for the state of California. It requires multi-disciplinary review of environmental impacts and identification of possible measures to reduce or mitigate impacts. Consideration of these impacts and mitigation measures are required prior to approval of projects by UCR and/or University of California Board of Regents.
In addition to advising campus units during project design to determine the appropriate level of environmental documentation, Environmental Planning also leads and manages the preparation of environmental documents (Initial Studies, Environmental Impact Reports, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Programs) in accordance with CEQA, and NEPA when federal funding is involved, to inform the decision makers (UC Regents or UCR Chancellor) of the environmental consequences of project approval.
Environmental Planning is responsible for mitigation monitoring and reporting programs, as well as specialized environmental studies required for campus actions that may affect the physical environment, and prepares or manages the preparation of documentation and applications for environmental permits for campus activities requiring consultations and agreements with other agencies, including the California Department of Fish & Game, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Environmental Planning works cooperatively with campus affinity units to advance campus projects in a way that minimizes environmental impacts and maintains UCR’s unique natural resources and setting.