Who enforces CEQA? What role does the Resources Agency have in enforcement of CEQA?
CEQA is a self-executing statute. Public agencies are entrusted to comply with CEQA with little or no enforcement. Instead, the public enforces its provisions through litigation, when necessary. While the Resources Agency is charged with the adoption of CEQA Guidelines and often assists public agencies in interpreting the ACT, it is each agency’s duty to determine what is and is not subject to CEQA. As such, the Resources Agency does not review the facts and exercise of discretion by public agencies in individual situations. The Agency does not enforce CEQA, nor does it monitor state and local agency actions that are subject to CEQA compliance.
