The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is the most stringent environmental review law in the nation – far stronger than its federal equivalent, the National Environmental Policy Act. As a California-based project, the Cadiz Water Project has been subject to the full scope of CEQA review, starting in February 2011.
The Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) released the Project’s Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for public review in December 2011, and 200 individuals and local, state and federal agencies participated in the 70-day public comment period. In July 2012, SMWD released the Final EIR and held public hearings, followed by a unanimous vote on July 31 to certify the Final EIR and approve the Project and its groundwater management plan.
To read the Final EIR, please click here.