Process & Timeline
Process Overview
The preparation of The Village of Marble Valley Specific Plan and its associated applications and environmental analysis is a complex process involving agency, stakeholder and public input over several months. The environmental review process, which includes the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), is necessary to identify any impacts associated with the proposed land uses and is essential to the decision-making process for the County of El Dorado. The County cannot make a decision based on the merits of the project until after the conclusion of the environmental analysis, and more importantly, after a series of public hearings to gather community input.
Please visit the El Dorado County Long Range Planning website for information about The Village of Marble Valley Specific Plan and application process.
Environmental Review
The information that follows is a brief overview of the environmental review process as required by the California Environmental Quality Act. For complete information, please visit the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.
What is CEQA?
CEQA stands for the California Environmental Quality Act, a law enacted in 1970 for the protection of environmental resources. It requires California agencies to identify the significant environmental impacts of their actions and describes measures to avoid or mitigate those impacts, if feasible.
What is a Lead Agency?
A Lead Agency is the public agency that has the primary responsibility for approving a project that may have a significant impact upon the environment. The Lead Agency for The Village of Marble Valley Specific Plan is the County of El Dorado.
What is an EIR and why is it prepared?
An EIR (Environmental Impact Report) is a document required by CEQA when a Lead Agency determines that a proposed project may have a significant effect on the environment. The Lead Agency has determined that an EIR is needed for The Village of Marble Valley Specific Plan and the EIR will describe the proposed specific plan project, the existing environmental conditions, the impacts from construction and operation of the proposed project, mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate impacts, alternatives to the proposed project and cumulative impacts.
Information in the Draft EIR (DEIR) enables decision-makers, interested parties and the public to evaluate the proposed project and its environmental effects prior to decision-making, discusses ways to mitigate or avoid environmental impacts and discloses to the public any potentially unavoidable impacts.
How does the public participate in the EIR process?
A Notice of Preparation (NOP) is issued at the beginning of the environmental review process and its purpose is to inform agencies and interested parties of a Lead Agency’s decision to prepare an Environmental Impact Report. The NOP is circulated for a 30-day review period, followed by a public Scoping Meeting. The purpose of the NOP and Scoping Meeting is to solicit input from agencies and interested parties, and identify the scope of the potential environmental impacts. All comments received by the Lead Agency during the NOP/Scoping phase will be considered during the preparation of the DEIR.
Several months after the NOP and Scoping Meeting, the Lead Agency prepares and releases the DEIR in hard copy or electronic format for public review for 45 days (minimum). During this 45-day review period, the public, agencies and other stakeholders may voice their opinions by submitting written comments to the Lead Agency.
What happens to the public comments that are received?
Under CEQA, the Lead Agency must respond to each written comment received during the DEIR review period. Each individual comment is evaluated for relevance to the DEIR and a response is prepared. In some instances, a comment may result in revision to the DEIR. The collection of comments and responses together with the DEIR constitute the Final EIR (FEIR). The FEIR must then be certified by the Lead Agency as adequate and in compliance with CEQA before a project can be approved.
What happens at the conclusion of the Final EIR?
The Final EIR (FEIR) includes all written comments received during the DEIR review period, including the Response to Comments and any revisions made resulting from public input. The FEIR is presented to the Planning Commission, which then votes on a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors to approve or deny the project.
Processing Schedule
Current Project Status
The County and their environmental consultant are preparing the Draft Environmental Impact Report to be released for public review and comment.
Prior Chronology
November 13, 2012
County approves contracts with consultants to prepare the Environment Impact Report (EIR)
November 21, 2012
Marble Valley Company, LLC/Parker Development Company files applications with the County
November 2012 to February 2013
Marble Valley Company, LLC/Parker Development Company hold public outreach meetings prior to beginning the EIR process
February 20, 2013
County issues Notice of Preparation (NOP)
March 6, 2013
Scoping Meeting 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Cameron Park Community Services District, Assembly Hall, 2502 Country Club Drive, Cameron Park, CA 95682
March 22, 2013
Written comments on the NOP due to the County by 5 pm