What do the decision-makers do with the environmental document?

Environmental documents are used as an informational tool to disclose potential environmental impacts of a proposed project.  As part of the development review process, the final decision-making body on the proposed project will make a decision to adopt a negative declaration (ND) or a mitigated negative declaration (MND) or certify an environmental impact report (EIR) as compliant with all CEQA requirements.  If the CEQA analysis shows a significant and unavoidable impact(s), the decision-makers would need to make findings and a statement of overriding considerations that the specific economic, legal, social, technological or other benefits of the proposed project outweigh the significant and unavoidable impacts before a project can be approved; otherwise the city may deny the project based upon adverse environmental impacts.

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1. What is the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)?
2. What is the purpose of CEQA?
3. What are the different levels of CEQA review?
4. How is the level of review determined?
5. Why is an EIR being prepared for projects in the Bayfront Area when the ConnectMenlo General Plan EIR considered the potential environmental impacts from the land use changes?
6. How can the community get involved in the CEQA process?
7. What do the decision-makers do with the environmental document?
8. What are the steps in the EIR process?