Which of the following is a type of agency in the CEQA process that has discretionary approval authority over a project portion?

In the context of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a Responsible Agency refers to an agency that has discretionary approval authority over a specific aspect of a project but does not have overall control or responsibility for the entire project itself. Responsible Agencies rely on the lead agency's Environmental Impact Report (EIR) or negative declaration to fulfill their CEQA obligations for the project.

When a project requires various approvals or permits from multiple agencies, the Responsible Agency's role is crucial as it evaluates how the project impacts its interests and what conditions or mitigations it may impose. This agency must be engaged in the process and can influence project outcomes, particularly regarding environmental safeguards and compliance with relevant regulations applicable to their jurisdiction.

This role is distinguished from other types of agencies involved in the CEQA process, such as the Lead Agency, which assumes primary responsibility for preparing the EIR and coordinating the environmental review process, or Trustee Agencies, which have authority over natural resources that may be affected by the project but do not have discretionary authority over project approval. Commenting Agencies provide input and feedback but do not have decision-making authority regarding project approval. Thus, the definition and functions of the Responsible Agency make it the correct choice in this context.