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collaboration with our technical team, will assure a comprehensive Draft Initial Study is conducted, and <br />potential issues are identified upfront, as well as opportunities to avoid such issues through project design <br />refinements. The Draft Initial Study will be based on the most current CEQA requirements and checklist per <br />the State CEQA Guidelines, combined with any local amendments made by city staff. EPD will advise the <br />City early on if the project involves a Federal nexus and requires NEPA documentation, in which case, an <br />environmental assessment will be prepared. <br />Task 3. Draft ND, MND or EIR <br />EPD will initiate preparation of the draft CEQA documentation, as applicable, upon completion of the Draft <br />Initial Study and will prepare all notices and distribute copies of the document to public agencies per the <br />CEQA Guidelines. During the preparation of the environmental documents, EPD will maintain regular <br />communication with the City as lead agency as well as with any responsible agencies (e.g., Caltrans, <br />Department of Fish and Wildlife, etc.). As part of the environmental documentation task, EPD will prescribe <br />avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures, as needed, that are effective while also being feasible. <br />To expedite the process, we prepare a complete screen check document for review and comment, which is <br />more efficient than submittal of selected sections on an incremental basis. Adequate time will be provided in <br />the project schedule for the City's review of the screen check and final drafts. Additionally, EPD will prepare <br />and distribute all required notices and mailings including, but not limited to, the Notice of Completion, Notice <br />of Availability (for EIRs), and the Notice of Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration, as necessary. If the <br />project requires NEPA, EPD will prepare and distribute the finding of no significant impact (FONSI) or <br />Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), as needed. <br />Task 4. Response to Comments and Final MND or EIR <br />The public review period and response to comments are dependent on the level of CEQA document <br />prepared. For example, an Addendum and an Exemption require no public review period, a Negative <br />Declaration or MND require a 20- or 30-day review period (with the longer period required if State <br />agencies are noticed through the State Clearinghouse), and an EIR requires a 45-day public review period. <br />Following the close of the public comment period, if required, EPD will review any comments regarding the <br />contents of the environmental document. A strategy meeting will be held with the City to discuss the comments, <br />the City's preferred format for the responses, and to identify any information or data needs from city staff <br />or the applicant team to address the comments. EPD will prepare a draft Response to Comments document, <br />coordinating with the City for assistance, as necessary. If necessary, the draft environmental document will <br />be revised to reflect any substantial changes made in Response to Comments. If the project requires an EIS, <br />Response to Comments/Final EIS will be prepared. A Record of Decision will be filed as well. EPD will <br />coordinate all required EPA filings, Federal Register notices, and agency and public review processes. <br />Task 5. Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) <br />An MMRP will be prepared pursuant to Section 21081.6 of the Public Resources Code. It will be presented <br />in standard city format and will identify the significant impacts that would result from the project, mitigation <br />measures for each impact, the time at which each measure will need to be conducted, the entity responsible <br />for implementing the mitigation measure,and the Planning Division or other agency responsible 'for <br />monitoring the mitigation effort and ensuring its success. <br />Task 6. Findings <br />For adoption of CEQA documentation, EPD will prepare all necessary CEQA findings with the city. A strategy <br />meeting will be held with the city to discuss the findings, the city's preferred format for the findings, and to <br />identify any information or data needs from city staff or the applicant team to address in the findings. <br />Environmental and Planning Services RFQ #20-100 7 <br />EPD Solutions, Inc. <br />