The EPSD is responsible for the County of Orange compliances with and implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act.

Environmental Planning Services consists of three sections: Private Projects, Public Projects, and Mitigation Monitoring. The following describes the services provided by each section.

Responsibilities

Private Projects
• Prepares and processes environmental impact reports, negative declarations, initial studies, categorical exemptions and other CEQA related documentation for private projects within the unincorporated area.
• Reviews all private project environmental impact reports and coordinates applicant's interface with the public, including noticing, holding meetings, and distributing documentation.
• Provides technical support for environmental issues for PDS.

Public Projects
• Processes environmental (CEQA) requests for public projects initiated by the County
• Coordinates and provides review comments for environmental documents furnished to the County by outside public agencies (i.e., cities, State offices, public utility districts, etc.)
• Acts as a liaison to the California State Coastal Commission on project and planning requirements within the unincorporated Orange County coastal zone.
• Provides technical site planning and engineering support to the department for special project analysis.

Mitigation Monitoring
• Monitors implementation of biological mitigation measures required for development projects in satisfaction of CEQA or conditions of project approval