The SBCTA Board approved important updates to the agency’s environmental review processes at the September Board of Directors Meeting. This action included adopting a policy revision, approving the new SBCTA/SBCOG Environmental Procedures Manual, holding a public hearing to consider an administrative appeal fee, and ultimately adopting a resolution to establish that fee. Together, these steps strengthened SBCTA’s framework for meeting California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements in a consistent and transparent way.
The updates to SBCTA Policy 50100 were designed to clarify approval roles, streamline procedures, and remove outdated elements that no longer align with current CEQA practices. The Board’s approval also formalized a new administrative appeals process for CEQA exemption determinations, giving the public a clear pathway to raise concerns when staff determine that a project is exempt. As required by state law, the Board conducted a public hearing before adopting a flat $300 fee to cover the cost of processing these appeals.
The newly approved Environmental Procedures Manual provides detailed guidance for how SBCTA and SBCOG will carry out environmental reviews. It incorporates recent state requirements, including procedures for evaluating transportation impacts under Senate Bill 743 and steps for engaging Native American tribes in accordance with Assembly Bill 52. The manual also introduces new tools to support transparency and communication, such as an Environmental Notice webpage for CEQA postings and a dedicated email address for intergovernmental environmental review.
By approving these updates, the Board ensured that SBCTA’s environmental processes remain current, efficient, and accessible to the public and partner agencies. The revised policy and new manual will help staff prepare and process CEQA documents with greater consistency while supporting SBCTA’s commitment to responsible project delivery and clear environmental oversight.