Act now to save CEQA.

Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 19:22:25 -0400

As the 2012 California Legislative Session speeds to a close on August 31st, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) has again become the currency of the Capitol’s back room traders. Right now, the integrity of CEQA is seemingly being offered up by Democrats seeking Republican votes needed to pass last-minute bills – bills being drafted without public hearings and outside of committee review. SOME POTENTIAL BILLS PERTAIN TO INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS, OTHERS AFFECT WHOLE CLASSES OF PROJECTS, E.G., ALL PROJECTS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH LOCAL GENERAL PLANS REGARDLESS OF HOW OUTDATED THE PLANS ARE.

There are CEQA amendments that have been deliberated thoughtfully by a broad spectrum of groups, including CNPS. But the last-minute, closed-door attacks on CEQA must stop, and we’re asking you to call your State Senator and Assemblymember THIS WEEK, and tell them the following:

1. You value CEQA because it ensures the public our right to know what’s going on in our own communities.

2. As their constituent, you object to and oppose any NEW, LAST-MINUTE attempts to change CEQA between now and the end of Session on August 31st.

3. As their constituent, you want him/her to VOTE NO to last-minute attempts to change CEQA.

CNPS has expressed a willingness to explore ways to strengthen CEQA by bringing together experts and differing opinions to discuss this issue in a public forum, like the CEQA panel at our 2012 Conservation Conference. Only through open, public dialogue can it be possible to make effective changes to CEQA in ways that benefit both Californians and the natural resources of California. But what we’re getting from Sacramento instead is the public’s right-to-know being used as bait, in a last-minute deal involving a privileged few. We MUST do better than this.

The CNPS Conservation Program has prepared a flyer called, “CEQA – What is it really?” We feel these six paragraphs describe what is worth preserving at the very core of CEQA. It might also help you explain the value of this law to others. Click here to download the flyer.

Thank you in advance for taking action to protect this important law.

Sincerely,

Greg Suba
Conservation Program Director, CNPS