Public scoping is a vital component of the California Environmental Policy Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes. NEPA regulations define scoping as "an early and open process for determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying the significant issues related to the proposed action." Similarly, CEQA Guidelines define scoping as "the process of early consultation with the public and agencies during the initial stage of EIR preparation."

Public scoping involves agencies, stakeholders, and interested public in the decision-making early in the environmental review process. Scoping meetings assist the State and Federal agencies in obtaining information that will focus the EIR/EIS. Public scoping allows suggestion of resources to be evaluated, issues that may require environmental review, alternatives to be considered, and potential mitigation measures (ways to reduce or avoid environmental impacts) if significant adverse effects are identified. Scoping also provides decision makers with insight on the analyses that agencies, stakeholders, and interested public believes should be considered as part of the environmental review process.

Below you will find additional information from the 2008 and 2009 scoping meetings. Use the links to access all the materials that were presented at each meeting.

2009 Scoping
Twelve scoping meetings were held throughout California to share the BDCP environmental review process and to solicit comments about the scope of the Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Impact Statement. The public comment period ended May 14, 2009.

Read the full 2009 scoping report. NEW!

2008 Scoping

A series of scoping meetings were held from April 28 - May 14, 2008 throughout the state.