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constitutes a project, the second step in the process is to determine if the activity is adequately exempt under CEQA or categorically excluded under NEPA, and its eligibility to qualify under the exemption or exclusion. <br />Initial Study / Environmental Assessment <br />Where a project is not categorically exempt or categorically excluded, the third step in the environmental process is <br />to determine the appropriate environmental document to be prepared to support the lead agency decision -making <br />process. The Initial Study is the tool used under CEQA to assess the potential for a project to result in significant <br />impacts requiring the consideration of mitigation measures, or the potential for significant impacts that may not be <br />r able to be reduced below the level of significance thereby requiring the consideration of alternatives. The <br />Environmental Assessment is the comparable assessment tool under NEPA. Under CEQA, a project with no <br />significant impacts can be addressed in a Negative Declaration (ND), a project where impacts can be reduced below <br />the level of significance with mitigation measures may be addressed in a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), <br />projects with the potential for impacts that may not be able to be reduced below the level of significance require <br />preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Under NEPA, a project with no significant impacts may be <br />addressed in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), a project where impacts can be re <br />duced educed to below the level <br />of significance with mitigation measures can be addressed in a Mitigated Finding of No Significant Impact, projects <br />where impacts may not be able to be reduced to below the level of significance require preparation of an <br />Environmental Impact Statement. <br />Sapphos Environmental, Inc. will prepare an Initial Study (IS) on that responds to the Environmental Checklist Form <br />consistent with the State CEQA Guidelines. The IS will address the 16 areas of analysis identified in Appendix G of <br />the State CEQA Guidelines. Sapphos Environmental, Inc. would then submit a Screen Check Draft IS to appropriate <br />internal commenting parties for review and comment. The City will provide one composite set of comments on the <br />Screen Check Draft IS. <br />As with the IS, an Environmental Assessment (EA) will be prepared for projects requiring federal discretionary <br />permits, entitlements, authorization, federal funding or occurring on federal land. As required by NEPA regulations <br />(40 CFR 1508.9), the EA will include a description of and the need for the proposed project; alternatives, the <br />environmental impacts of the proposed project and alternatives, and a listing of agencies and persons consulted or <br />coordinated with during the preparation of the EA. Sapphos Environmental, Inc. would then submit a Screen Check <br />Draft EA to appropriate internal commenting parties for review and comment. The City will provide one composite <br />set of comments on the Screen Check Draft EA. <br />Sapphos Environmental, Inc. will respond to the comments provided by the City and prepare the IS / EA for public <br />distribution and review. Sapphos Environmental, Inc. will conduct a galley proof meeting of the IS / EA with the City <br />to ensure that their comments have been adequately addressed. <br />Notice of Preparation / Notice of Intent <br />Sapphos Environmental, Inc. will also prepare a Notice of Preparation (NOP) or Notice of Intent (NOI) of an EIR or <br />Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that fulfills the City's responsibilities as the Lead Agency pursuant to CEQA or <br />NEPA, respectively. The NOP / NOI will include a brief description of the proposed project that the City expects to <br />carry forward for detailed consideration. It will identify potentially significant environmental impacts associated with <br />the proposed project that are expected to require the consideration of mitigation measures (as required). As with the <br />IS / EA, Sapphos Environmental, Inc. will provide the City with one Screen Check Draft NOP / NOI and for review <br />and comment and address any comments that the City may have. Sapphos Environmental, Inc. will review the NOP / <br />NOI with the City during the same galley proof for the IS / EA to ensure that their comments have been adequately <br />addressed. <br />Sapphos Environmental, Inc. will be responsible for distribution of a Notice of Availability (NOA) of the NOP to local <br />organizations, interested parties, and adjacent property owners within the vicinity of the proposed project site. <br />Sapphos Environmental, Inc. also recommends that site posting and posting at one other location be performed to <br />ensure maximum visibility of the NOP and encourage public participation in all City projects. <br />APRIL 1 1. 2008 <br />M:\QUALS\2008\Q 147 1 -003\SECTION 2\2A -SCOPE. DOC SAPPHOS ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. <br />PAGE 2-2 <br />