Matarazzo Law, APC

CEQA Advice and Counsel

          From the outset of the land use entitlement process, our attorneys assist clients to develop a compliance strategy best suited to the project and its environment, and work with clients and their consultants throughout the environmental review process to address issues thoroughly and efficiently.

We position our clients to:

• Avoid procedural errors and common mistakes
• Streamline the CEQA/NEPA review process
• Reach practical solutions to business and policy challenges
• Minimize litigation risk and increase the likelihood of prevailing if litigation is unavailable

          We work closely with project proponents, public agencies, and environmental consultants to provide strategic advice and steer a wide range of projects through the land use entitlement and CEQA/NEPA process.

CEQA Litigation

          Our attorneys are experienced CEQA litigators and have successfully defended land use entitlements and associated environmental documents, exemptions, and all manner of CEQA/NEPA compliance issues.  Many of our matters are of statewide significance and our work has resulted in important published decisions that provide valuable precedent for other projects.

Examples of published decisions involving our attorneys as lead counsel include:

• Santa Rita Union School District v. City of Salinas (2023) 94 Cal.App.5th 298
• AquAlliance v. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (2018) 287 F.Supp.3d 969 and 312 F.Supp.3d 878
• Saltonstall v. City of Sacramento (2015) 234 Cal.App.4th 549
• Saltonstall v. City of Sacramento (2014) 231 Cal.App.4th 837
• North Coast Rivers Alliance v. Westlands Water District (2014) 227 Cal.App.4th 832

Land Use and Natural Resources

          In addition to processing entitlements for commercial, residential, and industrial developments, our land use expertise and environmental compliance experience involves a variety of project types:

• Water supply, wastewater, flood control
• Traditional and alternative energy and transmission projects
• Civic and entertainment facilities including sports arenas, music venues, parks and recreation plans
• Vineyards, wineries, and other agricultural uses
• Solid waste projects and facilities, hazardous materials and waste management
• Land use and policy plans, including General Plans, Specific Plans, and PUDs
• Natural resources management and habitat conservation plans
• Federal Clean Water Act and wetlands permitting
• Endangered Species Act take negotiations and compliance
• Migratory bird and other protected species conservation planning