6. California Environmental Quality Act

The only remaining issue is whether, as the applicants assert, the proposed transfer qualifies for an exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Under CEQA and Rule 2.4, we are required to consider the environmental consequences of projects that are subject to our discretionary approval. (See, Public Resources Code § 21080.)

We acknowledge that in some cases, it is possible that a change of ownership and/or control may alter an approved project, result in new projects, or change facility operations in ways that have an environmental impact. However, the Application demonstrated that Park and Ranchos will continue to operate as they did before the transfer of control.

We conclude that under these circumstances, the proposed project qualifies for an exemption from CEQA pursuant to § 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA guidelines, inasmuch as it can be seen with certainty that the project will have no significant impact upon the environment. Accordingly, the Commission does not have to perform further environmental review of this application.