In Citizens for a Better Eureka v. City of Eureka (2025) __ Cal. App. 5th __, the First District Court of Appeal affirmed a judgment dismissing a CEQA action that…
Subscribe to CEQA Chronicles

Are Your CEQA Thresholds Supported by Substantial Evidence? Fourth District Rules San Diego County’s Thresholds of Significance Used in Transportation Plan Lack Supporting Substantial Evidence
In Cleveland National Forest Foundation v. County of San Diego (2025) 109 Cal. App.5th 1257, the Fourth District Court of Appeal invalidated two thresholds of significance adopted by the County…

Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order Broadening Existing CEQA and Coastal Act Exemptions for Rebuilding in Areas Impacted by Fire and Windstorm Emergency
In the wake of the tragic disaster still unfolding in multiple communities of Southern California, Governor Newsom has issued an executive order (Executive Order N-4-25) intended to “expedite recovery” from…

Sixth District Holds CEQA 30-Day Statute of Limitations Triggered by Local Agency’s Definition of “Final” Approval
In Center for Biological Diversity v. County of San Benito (2024) 104 Cal.App.5th 22, the Court of Appeal held that the statute of limitations for two CEQA challenges did…

CEQA Causes of Action Based on the Subdivision Map Act May be Subject to the Subdivision Map Act’s Statute of Limitations
On October 21st, the Second District Court of Appeal published a decision in Santa Clarita Organization etc. v. County of Los Angeles (2024) 105 Cal.App.5th 1143 that addresses the question…

EIR Certification and Categorical Exemption Upheld for Components of Los Angeles Westside Mobility Plan
In Westside Los Angeles Neighbors Network v. City of Los Angeles (2024) 104 Cal.App.5th 223, the Second District held that the City of Los Angeles Planning Commission (“Commission”) was…

First District Holds that Analysis of Development’s Increased Wildfire Risk is a Necessary Component of Project EIR
In People ex rel. Bonta v. County of Lake (2024) 105 Cal.App.5th 1222, the First District Court of Appeal held that the Final EIR (“FEIR”) and associated errata for a…

Downey Brand Victory: EIR Upheld for Sand and Gravel Mine; Lead Agency Allowed to Recover Administrative Record Costs
In Yolo Land and Water Defense v. the County of Yolo (2024 105 Cal.App.5th 710, the Third District Court of Appeal upheld the County’s EIR for a sand and gravel…

CEQA Legislative Fix For State Capitol Renovation Upheld, All Work Performed Exempt
In Save Our Capitol! v. Dept. of Gen Servs. (2024) 105 Cal.App.5th 828—the third appeal challenging renovations and additions to the State Capitol (Project) under CEQA—the Third District Court of…

Alleged CEQA Abuse not Actionable under RICO Says Ninth Circuit
In Relevant Grp., LLC v. Nourmand (9th Cir. Sep. 5, 2024, No. 23-55574) 2024 U.S. App. LEXIS 22559, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals narrowed the applicability of Racketeer…