Land Use & CEQA

San Luis Obispo County APCD CEQA Tools

CEQA Handbook and Associated Tools: The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was created to ensure that environmental impacts from new development are addressed and adequately mitigated. The District's CEQA Handbook provides information on the District's significance thresholds for determining potential air quality impacts from proposed residential and commercial development and provides recommendations on the level of mitigation necessary to reduce those impacts. Appendix A to the CEQA Handbook outlines the building permit requirements for facilities potentially subject to air district permitting. The CEQA Handbook was last updated on April 2012. The CEQA Handbook and tools listed below are intended to assist with CEQA reviews.

• CEQA Air Quality Handbook - this document includes the linked 2017 Clarification Memo with text indicating changes throughout. 
• 2017 Clarification Memo related to the CEQA Air Quality Handbook
• Updated November 2017: Table 1-1: Operational Screening Criteria for Project Air Quality Analysis
• GHG Thresholds & Supporting Evidence
• Standard Language File - Frequently used language for CEQA review
• Unpaved Road Data - Screening table for vehicle trips that would exceed APCD's CEQA PM 10 threshold
• Construction Activity Management Plan The APCD has developed a guideline to assist with preparation of a CAMP. This guideline is available in Section 4 of the CEQA Handbook (see link above).
• APCD Naturally Occurring Asbestos Map - Screening tool to help you determine if your parcel falls within an area subject to NOA requirements. 

South County Air Quality Forecast Zone Map

• South County Map

CalEEMod Model: The California Emission Estimator Model (CalEEMod) is the emissions estimation model the District recommends using for landuse project. The model is free and available for download from the link below. The most recent verison of the model should be used.

• CalEEMod Model, Users Guide & Tips Sheet

Final GHG Threshold Supporting Documentation

• Greenhouse Gas CEQA Thresholds of Significance Initial Study
• Greenhouse Gas Emission Thresholds for CEQA Board Staff Report
• Board Presentation, March 28, 2012

California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA)

• Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Measures
• Health Risk Assessments for Proposed Land Use Projects
• Model Policies for Greenhouse Gases in General Plans

ARB's Air Quality and Land Use Handbook

ARB's Air Quality and Land Use Handbook: As part of the Air Resources Board's (ARB) Community Health Program, they have developed an Air Quality and Land Use Handbook (Handbook) which is intended to serve as a general reference guide for evaluating and reducing air pollution impacts associated with new projects that go through the land use decision-making process. More 

ADAM Air Quality Data Statistics

ADAM Air Quality Data Statistics allows user to select and view air quality data for various pollutants throughout the State, including trend summaries, days above the standard, daily stats, 24-hour stats, etc.