The California Environmental Quality Act: Alternative Site Analysis Requirements in Environmental Impact Reports

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was promulgated for the purpose of protecting the environment through the reporting and disclosure of environmental impacts. The reporting process requires the consideration of alternative project sites. Local agencies and project developers determine which alternative sites will be reviewed to meet this requirement. This Comment addresses whether a sufficient range of alternative sites are being considered under CEQA and which parties should be involved in the choice. The author recommends that CEQA be amended to allow direct public participation in the selection of alternatives addresses in Environmental Impact Reports. She argues that direct public participation would have tangible benefits upon land-use decisions