When a project is subject to CEQA and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the planning department shall cooperate with the federal lead agency and federal cooperative agencies and prepare joint CEQA/NEPA documents whenever feasible. At the commencement of the CEQA and NEPA processes, whenever feasible, the planning department shall enter into an interagency memorandum of understanding with the federal lead agency establishing roles and responsibilities of both agencies. Specific procedures to be followed for joint CEQA/NEPA processes are contained in the State CEQA Guidelines, Sections 15220 et seq.
(Ord. 957 § 1, 1995)
If a consultant is to be retained to prepare a joint CEQA/NEPA document, the planning department shall follow one of two procedures. The planning department may use the procedures established in Chapter 15.48 of this title, in which case the federal lead agency representative shall be a member of the consultant selection committee, if feasible. Alternatively, the planning department may accept a consultant previously selected by the federal lead agency, in which case the planning department may directly retain an independent consultant to provide independent review of the joint document.
(Ord. 957 § 1, 1995)