Environmental Impact Statement - Sonoma Land Trust

California Department of Fish and Game
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Chapter 5. Public Involvement
response to comments. USFWS, CDFG, and SLT have taken this approach in
preparing the Final EIR/EIS.
NEPA and CEQA Process
The intent of the EIR/EIS is to disclose to the public the environmental impacts
associated with the proposed restoration project. The EIR/EIS will be used by the
lead agencies when considering approval of the restoration project.
Final EIR/EIS
As described above, the Final EIR/EIS consists of the revised Draft EIR/EIS,
comments, and comment responses. The Final EIR/EIS includes additional
information that was not included in the Draft EIR/EIS but that information
clarifies, amplifies or makes insignificant modification to the information
contained in the Draft EIR/EIS. An NOA for the Final EIR/EIS will be published
in the Federal Register and in local newspapers, and the Final EIR/EIS will be
filed with the USEPA as required by NEPA. USFWS, CDFG, and SLT will
provide notices of the Final EIR/EIS to all who commented on the Draft
EIR/EIS.
USFWS will wait 30 days before making a decision on the project. Any
comments received during this 30-day wait period will be considered in the
decision making process. Under CEQA Guidelines, CDFG will send responses to
comments to other state agencies prior to certification of the EIR.
Record of Decision
The final step in the NEPA process is the preparation of the Record of Decision
(ROD), which presents a concise summary of the decision made by USFWS. At
the conclusion of the 30-day waiting period on the Final EIR/EIS, USFWS will
prepare and sign the ROD regarding the proposed restoration. The ROD will
summarize the proposed action and alternatives considered in the EIR/EIS;
identify and discuss factors considered in the federal lead agency’s decisions; and
state how these considerations entered into the final decision. If appropriate, the
ROD will state how the proposed restoration project will be implemented and
describe any associated mitigation measures.
EIR Certification
The final step in the CEQA process is certification of the EIR, which includes
preparation of a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, adoption of
findings, and potentially preparation of a Statement of Overriding Considerations
(if required) should the Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration Project
be approved. A certified EIR indicates the following:
• the document complies with CEQA;
Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration
Project Final Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Impact Statement
5-4
April 2012