What is a lead agency?
A lead agency is the public agency that has the principal responsibility for carrying out or approving a project that is subject to CEQA. In general, a local government agency with jurisdiction over general land uses is the preferred public agency serving as lead agency. The lead agency is responsible for determining the appropriate environmental document, as well as its preparation. Under NEPA, the lead agency is a federal agency with a similar role, i.e. is the agency with the primary responsibility for preparing an EIS.
