The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was enacted by the state legislature in 1970. CEQA applies to state and local government initiated plans, projects, regulations, and to private projects requiring discretionary approval from a local or state agency. The basic purposes of CEQA are to: 1. Inform government decision-makers and the public about the potential significant environmental impacts of proposed activities. 2. Identify ways that environmental damage can be avoided or significantly reduced. 3. Prevent significant, avoidable damage to the environment by requiring changes in projects through the use of alternatives or mitigation measures when the governmental agency to be feasible. (Governmental agency may also deny a project based on its significant, adverse environmental impacts.) 4. Disclose to the public the reasons why a governmental agency approved the project in the chosen manner if significant environmental affects are involved. State law requires that every lead agency have defined rules or guidelines to implement CEQA. Access this link to see the County of Imperial's Rules and Regulations to Implement the California Environmental Quality Act and CEQA Flowchart. For full CEQA text and additional California environmental-related information, contact -CERES (California Environmental Resources Evaluation System) (www.ceres.ca.gov) -LUPIN (California Land Use Planning Information Network) (www.ceres.ca.gov/planning) -Official California Legislative Information (www.leginfo.ca.gov)