What does a Negative Declaration signify in the context of CEQA?

A Negative Declaration in the context of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) indicates that a proposed project has been assessed and it has been determined that there are no significant environmental impacts anticipated from the project as designed. This means that the project may proceed without the need for further environmental review, such as a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

The determination of no significant impacts often follows a thorough examination of the project and its potential effects on the environment, where mitigation measures and alternatives have been considered. This allows the project to continue without additional stipulations, thus facilitating progress while also ensuring that environmental concerns have been considered upfront.

In contrast, other options suggest scenarios that either involve significant consequences, additional reviews, or exemption from CEQA, which do not apply to a Negative Declaration.