CEQA / NEPA

Since 1972, RECON has collaborated with clients to successfully navigate the ever-expanding and complex environmental process. Through our long-standing relationships with local agencies and jurisdictions, combined with an in-depth understanding of the needs of our clients, we are efficiently able to negotiate the environmental review process and see projects to successful completion.

Our expertise encompasses numerous disciplines, and our award-winning services are applied to a full range of land development projects including utilities, public infrastructure, solid waste, transportation, residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, recreation, redevelopment, and institutional, as well as general plans, specific plans, master plans, and renewable energy.

We are ready to assist you in all phases of CEQA and NEPA processing, from initial project review to environmental documentation, noticing, public involvement, responses to comments, and public hearings and findings.

Services

  • Environmental Impact Reports (EIR)

  • Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)

  • Mitigated Negative Declarations (MND)

  • Environmental Assessments (EA)

  • Categorical Exemptions and Exclusions

  • Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

  • Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Programs (MMRP)

  • CEQA and NEPA Noticing

  • Third-Party Reviews

  • Administrative Records

New CEQA Reforms Could Expedite Your Project!

Assembly Bill 130 Exemption: 2025 CEQA Reform

Recent amendments to California environmental regulations have created a powerful new CEQA exemption under AB 130 and SB 131 for certain residential, mixed-use, and urban infill projects.

These changes can significantly reduce approval timelines and avoid costly environmental studies—but only if your project meets the exemption’s qualifying criteria.

  • Projects located in urbanized areas that

    • meet infill location and density standards,

    • comply with local zoning and general plan designations,

    • avoid sensitive environmental constraints, and

    • include qualifying housing or mixed-use components.

  • This new statutory exemption (currently referred to as the AB 130 Exemption), along with SB 131’s “Near Miss” provision, were enacted to streamline housing projects and reduce processing timelines.

  • The RECON team offers expert support by

    • prescreening your project for AB 130 eligibility,

    • preparing clear and defensible exemption justifications,

    • coordinating with agencies for a smooth approval path, and

    • addressing “Near Miss” situations under the new flexibility provisions.

Take the Next Step

Contact RECON’s CEQA Director, Lori Spar, to learn more about your project’s eligibility for streamlining under AB 130.

Contact

Lori Spar, CEQA Project Director based in San Diego California, shown smiling with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a light purple shirt, standing outdoors with greenery in the background.

Lori Spar
CEQA Director

Featured Projects

  • Complete Communites Housing Solutions

    Complete Communities: Housing Solutions and Mobility Choices Program Program Environmental Impact Report

    San Diego, California

    RECON prepared a Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the City of San Diego's Complete Communities: Housing Solutions and Mobility Choices program. The PEIR evaluated amendments to the San Diego Municipal Code to incentivize multi-family housing construction and affordability by allowing qualifying development to occur without further discretionary review. The PEIR also addressed implementation of a fee program to fund multi-modal infrastructure improvements and evaluated adoption of a new threshold for evaluating vehicle miles traveled consistent with Senate Bill 743. The PEIR included analysis and assumptions for mobility improvements within road rights-of-way throughout the city.

  • Tall ship docked in harbor with modern cityscape in the background

    Portside Pier Restaurant Redevelopment Project Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

    San Diego, Calfornia

    The Port of San Diego’s Portside Pier Redevelopment Project is located along San Diego’s North Embarcadero. The proposed $13 million, multi-level waterfront project includes several flagship restaurants as well as a public viewing deck and perimeter walkway offering first-rate views of the bay and berths for dock-and-dine experience. The project included the demolition of the existing building, replacement of piles, and construction of new buildings and dock. RECON prepared the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) which addressed aesthetics (particularly lighting and signage), traffic and parking, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, biological resources, noise, land use and coastal access, and sea level rise.

    RECON worked closely with the Port of San Diego's attorney to prepare responses to public and agency comments on the Draft MND. Areas of concern included public/coastal access and lighting from proposed signage, as well as the Port of San Diego's ongoing Port Master Plan Update efforts. Several project description changes occurred following the Draft MND that required a re-analysis of air quality, GHG emissions, and traffic and parking impacts. RECON was able to swiftly update the document in time to file the Final MND by the end of 2016 and within budget.

  • Rady Shell at Jacobs Park in San Diego with boats docked nearby and walkway with banners

    Bayside Performance Park Enhancement Project (The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park) Environmental Impact Report

    San Diego, California

    The new Rady Shell at Jacobs Park venue is located on Marina Park Way along downtown’s South Embarcadero, south of Seaport Village, and replaces the Symphony’s former temporary venue for the Bayside Summer Nights concert series. The complex includes a permanent performance stage and acoustic shell, as well as public access to the bay via the surrounding promenade. RECON prepared the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project along with a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program to mitigate potential impacts to aesthetics, biological resources, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, land use and planning, noise and vibration, recreation, and transportation, circulation, and parking. The Final Environmental Impact Report was completed on time and under budget and was certified by the Board of Port Commissioners.

  • Large green storage tank behind a barbed wire fence with rocky ground in the foreground, covered with yellow and orange wildflowers. Trees and a blue sky in the background.

    Vallecitos Water District Water, Wastewater, and Recycled Water Master Plan Program Environmental Impact Report

    San Diego County, California

    RECON prepared a Supplemental Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) addressing an update to the Vallecitos Water District's Water, Wastewater and Recycled Water Master Plan, including the project-level review of one Capital Improvement Project (CIP), the Diamond Siphon project. The updated Master Plan includes a comprehensive list of CIP projects and provides the Water District with the strategy and capability for meeting projected water supply, wastewater, and recycled water customer service demands in a timely and reliable manner up to the year 2036. Key issues in the Supplemental PEIR included land use and growth projections, water demand, and biological and cultural resources. For the cultural resources study, RECON requested a records search with the South Coastal Information Center and performed an on-site foot survey of one of the capital improvement program projects.

  • Mountain landscape with letter M on hillside

    Moreno Valley (MoVal 2040) General Plan Update Program Environmental Impact Report

    Moreno Valley, California

    RECON prepared existing condition reports and a Program Environmental Impact Report for the City of Moreno Valley Comprehensive General Plan Update, Climate Action Plan (CAP), and Housing Element, which addressed potential impacts of buildout of citywide land use changes and mobility network updates. Proposed General Plan and Climate Action Plan policies were evaluated to identify the extent they would reduce potentially significant impacts. The evaluation included analysis of warehouse and logistics development and potential new city centers. Mitigation frameworks were identified that would allow for tiering and streamlined analysis for future projects consistent with the General Plan.