ELR Citation: ELR 20340
No(s). C-39215 (Cal. Super. Ct. Oct 20, 1972)

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), patterned after NEPA, applies to a city's project to acquire land for the proposed Palmdale airport, even though acquisition was instituted prior to passage of the Act. Acquisition may continue, but demolition and construction cannot begin until the city submits an environmental impact statement. The city can prepare an impact statement that objectively evaluates the proposed airport, despite its continuing economic involvement in the project. The following excerpt from pp. 160-77 of the trial transcript is the court's ruling from the bench.

Counsel for Plaintiffs
John R. Phillips
Mary D. Nichols
Brent N. Rushforth
Carlyle W. Hall
Frederic P. Sutherland
Center for Law in the Public Interest
10203 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90067.

Counsel for Defendant
Roger Arnebergh City Attorney
Milton N. Sherman Principal Assistant City Attorney
Ronald J. Einboden
Deputy City Attorney
No. 1 World Way
Los Angeles, CA 90009