We review new or modified land use development projects throughout our jurisdictional area and identify any air quality concerns or regulatory requirements. Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), state and local agencies must evaluate and reduce the environmental impacts of their decisions. 

We may serve as a Lead, Responsible, or Commenting Agency under CEQA:

• Lead Agency: The public agency with the greatest responsibility for supervising or approving a proposed project. As Lead Agency, we are responsible for the preparation of the appropriate CEQA document.
• Responsible Agency: A public agency, other than the Lead Agency, that has discretionary approval over the project. When air permits are required, we act as a Responsible Agency (unless no other discretionary approvals are required in which case we may be the Lead Agency). In this role we ensure that air quality impacts are addressed, any adverse impacts are adequately mitigated, and that the document is adequate to fulfill CEQA requirements for any applicable APCD permit actions.
• Commenting Agency: We act as a Commenting Agency for projects with potential air quality impacts but no requirement for an air permit. We provide guidance to the Lead Agency to lessen adverse air quality impacts.

Staff generally focus on reviewing and preparing comments on projects and environmental documents developed by other public agencies:

1. That may have significant adverse regional air quality impacts;
2. That may have localized air quality impacts or toxic impacts;
3. When another public agency in its Lead Agency or Responsible Agency role has specifically requested our review; and/or
4. Projects which may require air permits but another public agency is the Lead Agency.

Our comments typically focus on identifying air quality concerns, recommending mitigation measures or alternatives to reduce air quality impacts, reviewing technical analyses, and identifying any discrepancies that should be addressed by the Lead Agency. Additionally, we provide feedback on whether an air permit is needed, on applicable requirements and prohibitory rules that may apply to the project, and whether more information is required to make these determinations.