(a) The Resources Agency, in consultation with the Office of Planning and Research, shall develop an amendment to Appendix G of the state guidelines, for adoption pursuant to Section 21083, to provide lead agencies an optional methodology to ensure that significant effects on the environment of agricultural land conversions are quantitatively and consistently considered in the environmental review process.
(b) The Department of Conservation, in consultation with the United States Department of Agriculture pursuant to Section 658.6 of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and in consultation with the Resources Agency and the Office of Planning and Research, shall develop a state model land evaluation and site assessment system, contingent upon the availability of funding from non-General Fund sources. The department shall seek funding for that purpose from non-General Fund sources, including, but not limited to, the United States Department of Agriculture.
(c) In lieu of developing an amendment to Appendix G of the state guidelines pursuant to subdivision (a), the Resources Agency may adopt the state model land evaluation and site assessment system developed pursuant to subdivision (b) as that amendment to Appendix G.
(Added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 812, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1994.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018