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What is the purpose of the CEQA compliance?

  1. To regulate building codes in California

  2. To maintain a high-quality environment

  3. To enforce construction permits

  4. To oversee environmental impact assessments

The correct answer is: To maintain a high-quality environment

The purpose of CEQA, or the California Environmental Quality Act, is to maintain a high-quality environment through a systematic process that examines the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects. This involves ensuring that public agencies consider the environmental consequences of their actions before deciding to proceed with projects. By requiring environmental reviews, the act emphasizes the importance of safeguarding California's natural resources and public health, fostering a comprehensive and informed approach to environmental protection. It also encourages the development of alternatives and mitigations to lessen negative impacts, effectively integrating ecological concerns into the planning and decision-making process. While the enforcement of construction permits, oversight of environmental impact assessments, or regulating building codes are related to environmental management, they do not encapsulate the primary goal of CEQA, which is focused specifically on assessing and enhancing environmental quality across the state.