California Environmental Quality Control Act (CEQA) Toolbox

Authority Provided by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

CEQA is to be used in conjunction with discretionary powers granted to state and local public agencies by other laws. Where another law grants an agency discretionary powers, CEQA supplements those discretionary powers by authorizing the agency to use the discretionary powers to mitigate or avoid significant effects on the environment when it is feasible to do so with respect to projects subject to the powers of the agency.

The exercise of the discretionary powers may take forms that had not been expected before the enactment of CEQA, but the exercise must be within the scope of the power. The exercise of discretionary powers for environmental protection shall be consistent with express or implied limitations provided by other laws.

References: Title 14 CCR, section 15040

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Last updated: November 25, 2008