EIR Scoping Meetings

Under the law known as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), MTC and ABAG must prepare a "program-level" Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to inform citizens and decision makers of potential environmental impacts that could result from implementing Plan Bay Area 2040. 

Agencies and members of the public were invited to comment on the scope and content of the environmental impact assessment that will be conducted for Plan Bay Area 2040. A Notice of Preparation of the Draft EIR was released in early May 2016, and dates were set for public meetings to discuss the scope of the Draft EIR (see box at right for dates and locations).

A “preferred plan” scenario was adopted by ABAG and MTC in November 2016. This preferred plan will be analyzed in detail in the EIR as the “proposed project.” The EIR will also analyze in lesser detail a range of reasonable alternatives to the proposed project that could feasibly attain most of the Plan’s basic project objectives and would avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant environmental impacts. The three scenarios considered during the scenario analysis phase of the update will be the basis for the initial CEQA alternatives.

Among other issues, MTC and ABAG sought comments on:

  • What environmental issues should be analyzed?
  • Are there alternatives that should be evaluated?
  • What mitigation measures would help avoid or minimize any negative impacts?
  • How can local jurisdictions and other agencies use this EIR?

Oral comments were accepted during three regional scoping meetings. Written comments were accepted at the scoping meetings; via mail to MTC Public Information, 375 Beale Street, Suite 800, San Francisco, CA, 94105; via fax to 510.817.5848 before May 19 (beginning May 23, send fax to 415.536.9800); or via email to eircomments@mtc.ca.gov. Written comments had to have been received at the MTC offices no later than June 15, 2016. For more information, call the MTC Public Information Office at 510.817.5757 before May 19 (beginning May 23, call 415.778.6757). Note: MTC and ABAG have new phone numbers as of May 23, 2016.

Under SB 375, The California Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008, some development assumed as a part of Plan Bay Area 2040 may be eligible to use a streamlined version of the environmental review process. Among other criteria this development must be consistent with the land use designation, density, intensity and policies of Plan Bay Area, and fall within the criteria identified in SB 375.

Below are links to PDFs of the informational and feedback boards on display at each of the Draft EIR Scoping Meetings.

Welcome Station

Welcome

Handout: Your Guide to the EIR Scoping Meeting

California Environmental Quality Act

Intro to CEQA and EIR

What to Expect in 2016 and Beyond

Handout: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Plan Bay Area 2040 Draft EIR Scoping Meeting

Thursday, May 26, 2016

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library

One Washington Square

Room 225

San Jose, California

Plan Bay Area 2040 Draft EIR Scoping Meeting

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

MetroCenter Auditorium

101 8th Street

Oakland, California 

Plan Bay Area 2040 Draft EIR Scoping Meeting

Thursday, June 2, 2016

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Finley Community Center

2060 W. College Avenue

Santa Rosa, California