Site Approval: Phase 1 Environmental Assessment

AB 972 (Calderon) became effective October 13, 2001. This bill changed the Preliminary Endangerment Assessment (PEA) public review and approval process. These changes are not yet reflected on this website. Please contact the SFPD representative assigned to your county, or the DTSC, for more information on the effects of AB 972. This website is being updated to reflect the changes made by AB 972 and AB 1367 (Wiggins). AB 1367 takes effect on January 1, 2002.

Below is some basic information about the Phase 1 Environmental Assessment (Phase 1) process.

• What the Assessment Involves
• What Should Already Be Done
• Who to Hire
• Who Needs an Assessment
• Who Approves the Assessment
• How Long the Process Takes

What the Assessment Involves

The Phase 1 involves:

• Completing the assessment and required documents
• Obtaining Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) approval
• Completing a Preliminary Endangerment Assessment (PEA), if required

What Should Already Be Done

Your school district has:

• Determined its need for new facilities
• Received verification of eligibility for State funding
• Obtained approved financial hardship status, if your district is applying for financial hardship assistance
• Selected its preferred site from those reviewed by the SFPD

Who to Hire

Your school district must hire a qualified environmental assessor to perform the Phase 1.

Who Needs an Assessment

Your school district must perform a Phase 1 of its proposed school construction site if all of the following apply:

• The project is for new construction.
• Your district is planning to apply for State funds.
• The project is not a minor school addition that is eligible for a categorical or statutory exemption from CEQA.

If your district will not be applying for State funds or SFPD approval, it does not need to perform a Phase 1.

For help with determining if the project is a minor addition that is exempt from CEQA, please visit the CEQA website at http://ceres.ca.gov/ceqa.

Who Approves the Assessment

DTSC reviews and approves the Phase 1.

The Education Code requires that the DTSC be involved in the preparation of and evaluation of environmental review documents, including the Phase 1. The DTSC performs the following services:

• Regulates hazardous waste
• Oversees the cleanup of hazardous substance release sites throughout California
• Establishes standards for transport, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste
• Identifies and maintains a list of hazardous substance release sites
• Provides technical oversight for investigation and cleanup of those sites

How Long the Assessment Takes

The SFPD forwards the Phase 1 report to the DTSC within 10 days of receiving the required documents.

The DTSC completes its review within 30 days of receiving the Phase 1 report from the SFPD. If your district submits amendments to the assessment, as requested by the DTSC, the 30-day review period commences with the resubmission.