For purposes of these regulations, the following definitions shall apply:
"Approval" means the decision by the department which commits the department to a definite course of action in regard to a project. With respect to activities to be carried out by other agencies or persons, approval occurs when the department contracts or commits to issue a grant, loan, permit, certificate or other entitlement for use of the project.
"Lead Agency" means the public agency which has the principal responsibility for carrying out or approving a project. If the project is to be carried out by a nongovernmental person, the Lead Agency shall be the public agency with the greatest responsibility for supervising or approving the project as a whole. Where the department is Lead Agency, it will prepare the environmental documents for the project, either directly or by contract, except as otherwise provided by department regulations. In the event that the designation of Lead Agency is in dispute, the department and other public agencies should consult with each other to determine who is Lead Agency. Any disputes with another department within the Business and Transportation Agency shall be resolved by the Secretary. If the department cannot agree on Lead Agency with any other public agency, the State Office of Planning and Research will be the final arbiter to resolve the designation of Lead Agency.
"Ministerial Projects" includes activities defined as projects which are undertaken or approved by a decision which an agent of the department makes upon a given state of facts in a prescribed manner pursuant to a legal mandate. A ministerial decision involves only the use of fixed standards or objective measurements without personal judgment.
The following definitions shall have the same meaning as defined in Title 14, California Administrative Code, Chapter 3, Article 4, Sections 15020-15043: "Categorical exemption," "Emergency," "Environment," "Environmental documents," "Draft EIR," "Final EIR," "Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)," "Initial Study (IS)," "Negative Declaration (ND)," "Notice of Determination," "Notice of Exemption," "Notice of Preparation," "Project," "Responsible Agency," and "Significant effect on the environment."
Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 25, § 6950
2. Editorial correction filed 10-19-82 (Register 82, No. 43).
Note: Authority cited: Section 21082, Public Resources Code. Reference: Title 14, CAC, Sections 15020-15043.
2. Editorial correction filed 10-19-82 (Register 82, No. 43).