Program Environmental Impact Report

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What is an Environmental Impact Report (EIR)? An EIR identifies and examines the likely environmental effects of a proposed project on a variety of resource areas and proposes measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate them.

What is a Program EIR (PEIR)? A Program EIR comprehensively assesses the potential environmental impacts for a set of actions that are related either geographically or as part of a series of activities and can be categorized as one larger project.

The purpose of a PEIR is to provide public agencies and the public with detailed information regarding the potential cumulative environmental impacts of Program activities. The City of Sunnyvale certified a Program EIR, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), that evaluated proposed improvements to the City's Water Pollution Control Plant (Plant), as outlined in the original Master Plan. The Program EIR also evaluated potential impacts of the Santa Clara Valley Water District acquiring purified water from the Plant and using it to supplement future water supplies.

Community involvement is essential to the CEQA process, which provides several opportunities for public participation. The CEQA process for an EIR is made up of three community involvement stages: 1) Scoping 2) Draft EIR review, and 3) Final EIR certification hearing.

EIR Process: Notice of preparation, Draft EIR, Final EIR - Click for the Sunnyvale Cleanwater Program’s EIR Process

Step 1 - Initiate Scoping Process: Public input is solicited on the scope of the EIR.

Step 2 - Prepare Draft EIR: Draft EIR is released for a 45-day public comment period.

Step 3 - Prepare Responses to Comments: Final EIR addresses comments raised during the Draft EIR review.