Environmental Program

For all projects that are anticipated to be funded through a program under the purview of the Commission, full compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is required. Commission action is formally taken with respect to environmental documents completed in accordance with CEQA. When federal requirements are applicable, compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is also required. EPA related documents are coordinated through Caltrans and are not submitted to the Commission for formal action.

The Commission will not allocate funds to projects for design, right of way or construction until the final environmental document is complete and the Commission has approved the environmentally cleared project for consideration of future funding.

• Public Resources Code Sections 21102 and 21150 (PDF)
• Timely Compliance

Lead Agency Responsibility for Document Submission

If the CEQA Lead Agency is a local entity, such as a city, county, transportation authority, etc., the CEQA Lead Agency must contact and work with the Commission directly to ensure that the necessary environmental documents, including the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR), Negative Declaration (ND). Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and any addenda, subsequent, or supplemental environmental documents, are brought forward to the Commission for action.

When the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is the Lead Agency, Caltrans is to bring forward the necessary environmental documents to the Commission for action.

Forms for local Projects

If you are a local CEQA Lead Agency with a project coming to the Commission for action (such as requesting funding allocation), please complete the form below and submit it to Cherry.Zamora@catc.ca.gov with all required documents. The deadline is 8 weeks prior to the Commission meeting.

• Submission Transmittal Form for Final Environmental Documents (Negative Declarations, Mitigated Negative Declarations and Final Environmental Impact Reports) (PDF)   

California Transportation Commission Submission Requirements for Projects Exempt from CEQA

Where the CEQA Lead Agency has made a determination that a project is exempt from the requirements of CEQA, notification of such exemption should be provided to Caltrans prior to, or upon a request for, allocation of funds. Caltrans will then notify the Commission of such exemption through the allocation request on the Commission’s agenda and/or vote box.

Mailing Address

Environmental forms, documentation and notification should be sent to:

Cherry.Zamora@catc.ca.gov

Or

California Transportation Commission
Attention: Cherry Zamora
1120 N Street, MS 52
Sacramento, CA 95814