RES 77066 - Laserfiche WebLink

Sec . Sec. 4.11 it may use an earlier EIR prepared in connection with an earlier project to apply to a later project, if the circum- stances of the projects are essentially the same. It may elect to write EIRs in advance for entire programs or regu- lationS, in order to be prepared for project applications to come. Whenever it chooses to utilize any of these al- ternatives, however, it must find that the environmental effects of the projects are similar enough to warrant the same treatment in an EIR and that the EIR will adequately cover the impacts of any single project. If these tests are not met, it should supplement the EIR it prepares to a program to apply to an individual project. Use of a General Plan EIR with Subsequent Projects. The EIR on a general plan may be used as the foundation document for EIRs subsequently prepared for specific projects within the geographic area covered by the general plan. The sub- sequent EIRs may reference and summarize material in the EIR on the general plan for the description of the general environmental setting and as much of the description of the environmental impacts as applies to the specific project. Detailed information in the EIR on the specific project may be limited to a description of the project, the specific environmental setting and those impacts which are not ade- quately described for the specific project in the EIR on the general plan. When a subsequent EIR refers t6 an EIR on the general plan for part of its description of the en- vironment and the environmental impacts, copies of the on the general plan shall be made available to the public in a number of locations in the community and to any clear- inghouses which will assist in public review of the EIR. The purpose of this section is not to restrict analysis of environmental issues but is to avoid the necessity for repeating detail from a General Plan EIR. Multiple and Phased Projects. Where individual projects are, or a phased project is, to be undertaken and where the total undertaking comprises a project with significant en- vironmental effect, the Lead Agency must prepare a single EIR for the ultimate project. Where an individual project is a necessary precedent for action on a larger project, or commits the Lead Agency to a larger project, with sig- nificant environmental effect, an EIR must address itself to the scope of the larger project. Where one project is one of several similar projects of a public agency, but is not deemed a part of a larger undertaking or a larger pro- Ject, the agency may prepare one EIR for all projects, or one for each project, but shall in either case comment upon the cumulative effect. -14-