State of California
Pete Wilson, Governor
Governor's Office of Planning and Research
1400 Tenth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-322-2318
Lee Grissom, Director, Office of Planning and Research
Robert Cervantes, Chief, Planning Unit
Antero Rivasplata, Chief, State Clearinghouse
May 1996
The CEQA Technical Advice Series is intended to offer CEQA
practitioners, particularly at the local level, concise information about
some aspect of the California Environmental Quality Act. This series of
occasional papers is part of OPR's public education and training program
for planners, developers, and others.
A print version of this document can be ordered for $3.00 from the above
address. Please make your check or money order payable to the Governor's
Office of Planning and Research.
Acknowledgment
The author thanks Carol Roland of the State Office of Historic Preservation
for substantial help in preparing this advisory paper. Her generous assistance
contributed greatly to the quality of the following document.
Introduction
When a proposed project may adversely affect a historical resource, the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires the Lead Agency to
carefully consider the possible impacts before proceeding (Public Resources
Code Sections 21084 and 21084.1). Revisions to the Act made in 1992, particularly
Chapter 1075 of the Statutes of 1992, have highlighted the importance of
evaluating possible impacts upon historic resources. This advisory paper
discusses how CEQA applies to city and county decisions on proposed projects
which may potentially impact or otherwise involve historic resources.
CEQA exists to ensure that governmental decisionmakers consider the potential
significant environmental effects of proposed projects before taking action.
The Lead Agency is responsible for determining whether a significant adverse
environmental impact may occur and whether it can be mitigated to a level
of insignificance. Where substantial evidence indicates that a significant
adverse effect may occur, the lead decisionmaking agency is required to
prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) which discusses in detail the
potential impact and feasible means of avoiding or reducing it. Where such
an effect may be mitigated to a level of insignificance through changes
in the project or other requirements, a mitigated Negative Declaration should
be prepared rather than an EIR.
CEQA and Historical Resources is advisory only. Although it supplements
the CEQA Guidelines (hereafter referred to as Guidelines)
on this topic, it does not amend or replace the regulations represented
by the Guidelines. All code references herein are to the Public Resources
Code unless otherwise noted.
Next: Background on Historical Resources
Preservation
Appendix 1: Excerpts from the Public
Resources Code
Appendix 2: Historical Resources Information
Centers