COUNTYWIDE : CSU’s Site-Selection Process Is Rewarded
California State University and its consulting firm, EIP of Sacramento, have received the top award from the Assn. of Environmental Professionals for involving citizens in selecting a site for a new campus in Ventura County.
The university hired EIP and expanded citizen participation after being successfully sued by the Environmental Coalition of Ventura County for conducting an inadequate environmental review of the proposed Taylor Ranch site in western Ventura.
Since then, the university and EIP have resumed looking for a site. They are conducting an environmental review at four locations.
“If the award was presented for what the university has done since the Taylor Ranch lawsuit, then it is well-deserved,” said Pat Baggerly a leader of the Environmental Coalition. “They have really done a good job in opening up the process.”
The award was presented by a statewide organization of planners and consultants who prepare and evaluate environmental reports. The Certificate in Recognition of an Outstanding Involvement/Education Program recognizes the university’s work with 35 community, governmental and environmental representatives to find a site for a 15,000-student campus.
“We wanted to do more than inform the public about our search for a campus. We wanted to involve them fully in the process, and I believe we succeeded,” said Dr. James Smart, CSU chancellor for academic affairs.
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