It is the purpose of this chapter to establish procedures and guidelines for the County to implement the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, as amended and interpreted, and the Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 adopted by the Secretary for Resources of the state.
(SCC 116 § 2, 1973)
This chapter shall apply to each department, agency, commission, board or office of the County which is responsible for the initiation, processing, review or approval of environmental impact reports as the same is defined in the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970.
(SCC 116 § 2, 1973)
The Board of Supervisors shall, by resolution, adopt the procedures necessary to carry out the purpose of this chapter. The procedures shall be consistent with the guidelines established by the Secretary for Resources, and shall provide for, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:
a. 
The preparation, review and approval of environmental impact reports for County initiated projects;
b. 
The review and comment on environmental impact reports or statements from other governmental agencies;
c. 
The preparation, review and approval of environmental impact reports for private development on privately owned land for which a permit, lease, license, funding or other entitlement of use is required from the County;
d. 
The reasonable opportunity for anyone interested in any project to review and comment upon environmental impact reports prepared by the County;
e. 
Exemptions of various projects from the requirement of preparation of environmental impact reports;
f. 
The preparation, notice of and filing of negative declarations.
(SCC 116 § 2, 1973)
The provisions of this chapter and the provisions of any resolution implementing this chapter shall be construed so that in the event there is conflict or ambiguity between the provisions of this chapter and the provisions of any code or ordinance or regulations of the County, the provisions of this chapter and the provisions of any implementing resolution shall govern.
(SCC 116 § 2, 1973)
Any hearing body authorized to take any action on environmental documents pursuant to procedures adopted under authority of Section 20.01.020 may extend any period of time prescribed by the procedures for processing such environmental documents provided that compelling circumstances justify additional processing time and the project applicant consents in writing to the extension in time.
(SCC 328 § 1, 1978)