CEQA Handbook
The District’s California Legislature enacted the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Handbook describes the existing review process related to the processing of CEQA documents when the District acts as a commenting agency for land use projects located within Placer County. The Handbook contains criteria used by the District to recommend when an air quality analysis should be needed, what types of analysis should be performed, and what kinds of mitigation measures should be identified to reduce overall air quality impacts from proposed land use projects. These criteria include specific methods for calculating emissions with references to applicable models, recommended thresholds for evaluating the level of significance, and mitigation strategies for mitigating a project’s related air quality impacts.
The CEQA Handbook is provided electronically as an entire document and as individual chapter/appendix sections by the following links. The latest update is shown after each chapter or appendix. Contact the District by email or at 530-745-2330 with any questions or concerns.
2017 CEQA Handbook Chapters
- Chapter 1 Project Review and Analysis (PDF)
- Chapter 2 Thresholds of Significance (PDF)
- Chapter 3 Analyzing Construction Emissions (PDF)
- Chapter 4 Analyzing Operational Criteria Pollutant Emissions (PDF)
- Chapter 5 Analyzing Operational Greenhouse Gas Emissions (PDF)
- Chapter 6 Special Circumstances for a Project (PDF)
- Appendix A. PCAPCD Rules and Regulations (PDF)
- Appendix B. PCAPCD Tips for Using CalEEMod (PDF)
- Appendix C. Recommended Construction Mitigation Measures (PDF)
- Appendix D. Recommended Method to Calculate Mobile Source Emissions from EMFAC Model (PDF)
- Appendix E. Recommended Operational Mitigation Measures (PDF)
- Appendix F. Recommended Operational Mitigation Measures for GHGs (PDF)
- Appendix G. Preparing a Health Risk Assessment for Land Use Projects (PDF)
- Appendix H. Glossary (PDF)
Construction-Related Emissions Mitigation
Projects that exceed the short-term construction threshold of 82 pounds per day of ROG, NOx and/or PM must mitigate the air quality impacts. Standard language for construction mitigation is recommended for these projects. Please contact your city or county Planning Department to verify mitigation measures and/or Conditions of Approval addressing air quality impacts relating to your project.
The following tools and procedure assist in determining if the heavy-duty off-road mobile equipment fleet meets the mitigation requirements:
- Use of the Model Equipment List (XLS) to gather fleet information.
- Use of the Construction Mitigation Calculator (XLS) to determine if the fleet meets the emission reductions.
- Submit the completed equipment list and calculator file (pdf files are not accepted for the emission calculator) to the District by email.
- Obtain an endorsement letter and approval of the Dust Control Plan and/or Comprehensive Equipment Inventory the District staff prior to starting construction.
The Dust Control Plan Application can also be submitting by completing the online form.