§ 12005. Evaluating Projects.

The Colorado River Board's major involvement with CEQA arises from its statutory responsibility to protect California's rights and interests in the Colorado River, including water quantity, water quality, and power. In fulfilling this responsibility, the Board is concerned with and comments on salinity aspects of the Colorado River, water rights, water salvage, river and reservoir operation, hydro-electric power production, channelization, underground return flows, augmentation of the Colorado River, and regional water planning.

Both Section 21101 of CEQA and Section 15063 of the Resources Agency Guidelines require state officials responsible for preparing official comments on proposed Federal projects in the state which may have a significant effect on the environment to include in their comments a discussion of certain matters. These matters will also be considered when evaluating EIR's on non-Federal projects. They are:

(a) The environmental impact of the proposed action.

(b) Any adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided if the proposal is implemented.

(c) Mitigation measures proposed to minimize the impact.

(d) Alternatives to the proposed action.

(e) The relationship between local short-term uses of man's environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity.

(f) Any irreversible environmental changes which would be involved in the proposed action should it be implemented.

(g) The growth-inducing impact of the proposed action.

In commenting on proposed projects within the scope of the Colorado River Board's authority, the Board will, to the extent of its competence, discuss each of the above subjects.