Three planning practitioners (with the assistance of a moderator) will discuss and debate the proposed legislative changes to the Californian Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as well as the need, if any, for changes. In 2012, California saw much activity regarding CEQA reform. These activities culminated in the proposed Senate Bill 317 (Rubio, D-Bakersfield), which would have added the Sustainable Environmental Protection Act to the CA Public Resources Code, substantially altering the practice of CEQA. While Senate Bill 317 was ultimately withdrawn, CEQA reform was set as a priority for the 2013 legislative session.

Every planner in California, regardless of whether they focus on land use/environmental planning issues, addresses issues related to CEQA. As such, being aware of proposed changes to CEQA is important to maintaining an up-to-date understanding of planning-related law. Part of this discussion will necessarily involve the planning issues that drive the recent push for CEQA reform and the reforms that are likely to be proposed in 2013.

This event meets the training objective by presenting multiple views on the need for CEQA reform. Potential questions that will be posed for the panelists may include: Is CEQA accomplishing its goals? Are major changes needed or will minor adjustments suffice? Are changes needed at all?

We want attendees to understand why there is a movement to reform CEQA in the first place and the merits of different positions among planners to move toward such reforms.

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Instructors:

William Abbott

Gary Jakobs

Bruce Reznik

(6 Ratings)