Public Resources Code Section 21082 authorizes Inyo County (the "county") to adopt by ordinance, resolution, rule or regulation objectives, criteria and procedures for the evaluation of projects and the preparation of environmental impact reports (EIRs) and negative declarations.
(Ord. 957 § 1, 1995)
A. 
The purpose of these procedures is to implement the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et seq.) and supplement the State CEQA Guidelines (14 California Code Regulatory Sections 15000 et seq.).
B. 
The objectives, criteria and procedures in this chapter have been prepared for use by various agencies within the county, including the board of supervisors and other agencies over which the board of supervisors is the governing board, local agency formation commission (LAFCO), as well as applicants and the public, with definitions, procedures and forms to be used in the implementation of CEQA within the county. These procedures will facilitate the day-to-day evaluation of projects within the unincorporated area of Inyo County.
C. 
It is the intent of the county to:
1. 
Preserve, protect and enhance the natural and human environment of Inyo County;
2. 
Establish procedures within the county to identify, review and evaluate environmental aspects of projects that are under the jurisdiction of the board of supervisors, LAFCO or any of the departments, special districts or commissions that they govern;
3. 
Incorporate environmental constraints and considerations into projects at the earliest possible time, enabling revisions in the project plans as may be necessary and agreed to by the applicant, thereby mitigating adverse impacts before an EIR is prepared and allowing projects to qualify for negative declarations.
(Ord. 957 § 1, 1995)