An environmental impact report is a document that identifies the environmental implications of an existing project or a proposed project. The report also offers information relating to avoiding and fixing environmental impacts from proposed or existing projects. The agency tasked with reviewing the report may also suggest environmentally-superior alternatives to the one’s already in place or proposed, which could potentially mean the cancellation of a project.
In certain instances, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) must be submitted for the approval of a subdivision of land. The city and state will require environmental impact reports when the subdivision of land might pose a health or environmental risk. The subdivision of land may be denied if:
The subdivision of land poses a significant risk to the environment.
The subdivision of land poses a significant risk to wildlife (fish, grazing animals, etc.).
In instances where there is a possibility that subdivided land may pose a risk to the environment, it is recommended that prior to a tentative map being created, an environmental impact report is to be drafted. If it is believed that there is not a significant risk caused from the subdivision of land, the local government may issue a negative declaration.
A negative declaration in the case of a subdivision of land is a statement indicating that the local government does not believe that there will be a significant risk to the environment as a result of the subdivision of land. If the government issues a negative declaration, an environmental impact report may not be necessary; however, the presence of one drastically reduces the possibility of a denial.
An environmental impact report is a document that identifies the environmental implications of an existing project or a proposed project. The report also offers information relating to avoiding and fixing environmental impacts from proposed or existing projects.
