Environmental Justice Element of the Comprehensive Plan
Summary
SCH Number
2026030811
Public Agency
Santa Barbara County
Document Title
Environmental Justice Element of the Comprehensive Plan
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/19/2026
Document Description
Case No. 22GPA-00000-00003 amends the Comprehensive Plan to adopt the
new Environmental Justice Element. Government Code Section 65302 requires the County of Santa Barbara to adopt an Environmental Justice Element (EJE) of the Comprehensive Plan. The EJE includes goals, policies, and objectives to reduce the unique or compounded health risks in disadvantaged communities by means that include, but are not limited to, the reduction of pollution exposure, including the improvement of air quality, and the promotion of public facilities, food access, safe and sanitary homes, and physical activity. The EJE also includes policies and objectives that promote civic engagement in the public decision-making process and prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged communities. The County identified seven disadvantaged communities, referred to as Environmental Justice Communities (EJCs): Cuyama, New Cuyama, Ventucopa, Sisquoc, Casmalia, Los Alamos, and Isla Vista. The proposed amendment does not enable any development.
Contact Information
Name
Zoe Carlson
Agency Name
County of Santa Barbara
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Cuyama, New Cuyama, Ventucopa, Sisquoc, Casmalia, Los Alamos, IV
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Countywide, Unincorporated
Other Location Info
The County identified seven disadvantaged communities, referred to as Environmental Justice Communities (EJCs): Cuyama, New Cuyama, Ventucopa, Sisquoc, Casmalia, Los Alamos, and Isla Vista.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
The EJE is a research, engagement, and policy-based element. The EJE identifies communities that meet the definition of EJC and discusses their needs related to public services and facilities, physical activity, food access, housing quality, and pollution within each EJC. The element includes new policies, objectives, and implementing actions, but not any projects. No physical development is proposed or approved as part of this project, and no changes in land use or zoning regulations are proposed, so no significant environmental impacts would occur as a result of the proposed project. The project is exempt from the provisions of CEOA pursuant to CEOA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), which states that "the activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEOA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEOA."
Any projects to address identified deficiencies or that otherwise occur in furtherance of the goals, policies, and objectives of this element will be subject to compliance with CEOA, if applicable. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that this project may have a significant effect on the environment, and it is not subject to CEOA according to CEOA Guidelines Section 15061(b )(3 ).
County Clerk
Santa Barbara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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