Forms and Templates

Please note, we are in the process of updating the SER to reflect recently issued Executive Orders, which rescinded previous Executive Orders relating to several environmental topics, including Environmental Justice and Climate Change. In addition, the NEPA implementing regulations located in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508) have been repealed. The affected chapters, forms, and templates will be updated as soon as possible to reflect these changes.

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Subject Area

• Middle-Mile Broadband Network (MMBN)
• PEAR
• Technical Studies/Guidance
  • Air Quality
  • Biology
  • Community Impact Assessment
  • Cultural Studies
  • Energy
  • Floodplain
  • Noise
  • Paleontology
  • Water Quality
• CEQA
• NEPA and NEPA Assignment
• Annotated Outlines/Re-Validation Form/Samples
• Writing Templates
• Notices
  • CEQA
  • NEPA
• Environmental Commitment Compliance

Middle-Mile Broadband Network (MMBN)

• MMBN CEQA Exemption/NEPA Categorical Exclusion Form (DOCX) (posted 06-20-25)
• MMBN Categorical Exclusion Checklist (DOCX) (posted 04-2-25)
• MMBN BLM Environmental Assessment Template (DOCX) (posted 06-20-25)

PEAR

• PEAR Form (DOCX) (posted 07-07-25)
• Mini-PEAR Form (DOCX) (posted 07-02-20)
• Attachment A - PEAR Environmental Studies Checklist (DOCX) (posted 07-07-25)
• Attachment B - Mitigation and Compliance Cost Estimate (MCCE) (DOCX) (posted (07-02-20)
• Attachment D - Caltrans staff should use the “Bottom Up Tool.” External partners should contact their local Caltrans district office for direction. 

Technical Studies/Guidance

Air Quality

• Air Pollution Standards Table (DOCX) (posted 05-29-20)
• Air Quality Report Annotated Outline (DOCX) (posted 10-16-25)
• Air Quality Conformity Analysis Annotated Outline (DOCX) (posted 06-25-24)
• Air Quality Conformity Analysis Cover Letter (sample) (DOCX) (posted 04-03-23)
• Air Quality Conformity Findings Checklist (DOCX) (posted 02-18-22)
• Air Quality Conformity Public Notice Language (PDF) (posted 06-30-20)
• Conformity Streamlining Exemption Form (DOCX) (posted 05-12-20)
• Ambient Air Quality Standards can be found on the California Air Resources Board website
• FHWA Submittal Package Checklist (DOCX) (posted 06-25-24)

Biology

• Quality Control and Assurance for Biological Technical Documents (PDF) (posted 07-11-23)
• Natural Environment Study (NES) (DOCX) (posted 08-12-22)
• NESMI (DOCX) (posted 08-12-22)
• Guidance for District Submittals for Alternative Natural Environment Study (Minimal Impact) (NES MI) - No Effect (PDF)
• Biological Assessment (BA) (DOCX) (posted 06-25-20)
• USFWS Biological Assessment Checklist (DOCX) (posted 10-28-20) 
• NMFS Biological Assessment Checklist (DOCX) (posted 10-28-20) 

Community Impact Assessment

• Community Impact Assessment (CIA) template (DOCX) (posted 02-21-25) 
• The following forms can be found on the Natural Resources Conservation Service website under FPPA Forms and Resources:
  • Form NRCS-CPA-106 (corridor type projects)
  • Form AD-1006 (non-corridor type projects)

Cultural Studies

• Cultural Resources Compliance Document templates

Energy

• Energy Analysis Report Annotated Outline (DOCX) (posted 09-09-25)
• Energy Analysis Technical Memo (DOCX) (posted 01-31-24)

Floodplain

• Floodplain Forms: Location Hydraulic Study (DOCX) (posted 06-23-20)
  • For Local Assistance projects, please use the form located on the Local Assistance page
• Floodplain Forms: Summary of Floodplain Encroachment Report (DOCX) (posted 06-23-20)
  • For Local Assistance projects, please use the form located on the Local Assistance page

Noise

• Annotated Noise Study Report Outline (DOCX) (posted 04-01-15)
  (to be completed by the Noise Specialist)
  • Figure 5.1 (PDF) (posted 05-21-20)
• Annotated Noise Abatement Decision Report Outline (DOCX) (posted 10-04-12)
  (to be completed by the Project Engineer)

Paleontology

• Paleontological Evaluation Report Template (DOCX) (posted 02-21-25)
• Paleontological Identification Report Template (DOCX) (posted 02-21-25)
• Paleontological Identification Report/Paleontological Evaluation Report Template (DOCX) (posted 02-21-25)

Water Quality

• Water Quality Assessment Report Template (DOCX) (posted 12-15-22)
• Water Quality Scoping Questionnaire (DOCX) (posted (12-15-22)

CEQA

• EIR Certification Form (DOCX) (posted 05-12-20)
• CEQA Checklist (DOCX) (posted 06-19-20)
• Negative Declaration (ND) (DOCX) (posted 03-02-20)
• Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) (DOCX) (posted 03-02-20)
• Statement of Overriding Considerations Form (DOCX) (posted 05-12-20)
• Findings (DOCX) (posted 05-29-20)

NEPA and NEPA Assignment

• CEQA Exemption/NEPA Categorical Exclusion (CE/CE) Form (DOCX) (posted 06-02-22)
• Categorical Exclusion Checklist (DOCX) (posted 02-27-25)
• Internal Quality Certification (DOCX) (posted 1-2-25)
• External Readiness Certification (DOCX) (posted 11-19-21)
• District Quality Control Checklist (PDF) (posted 03-02-20)
• Instructions for Using Uniform Environmental Filing System (PDF)
• Template for Uniform Filing System Tabs (DOCX) (posted 06-24-20)
• Environmental Document Review Checklist (DOCX) (posted 06-19-20) 

Annotated Outlines/Re-Validation Form/Samples

• Environmental Document Annotated Outline (DOCX) (posted 08-14-25)
• 2025 Annotated Outline Update-Summary of Changes (PDF) (posted 06-23-25)
• Climate Change Annotated Outline Capacity Increasing (DOCX) (posted 06-17-24)
• Climate Change Annotated Outline Non-Capacity Increasing (DOCX) (posted 06-17-24)
• Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation (DOCX) (posted 02-08-23)
• NEPA/CEQA Re-Validation Form (DOCX) (posted 08-06-25)
• Draft EIR/EIS Distribution List Sample (DOCX) (posted 04-27-16)
• Final EIR/EIS Distribution List Sample (DOCX) (posted 04-27-16)
• Sample Environmental Study Request (ESR) Form (DOCX) (posted 11-19-20)
• FONSI Sample (DOCX) (posted 06-02-22)
• The Title VI Policy Statements can be found on the Caltrans Title VI website

Writing Templates

• IS/EA Writing Template (DOCX) (posted 06-30-25)
• EIR/EA Writing Template (DOCX) (posted 06-30-25)
• EIR/EIS Writing Template (DOCX) (posted 06-30-25)
• NEPA Only EIS Writing Template (DOCX) (posted 06-30-25)
• NEPA Only EA Writing Template (DOCX) (posted 06-30-25)
• Streamlined EA Writing Template (DOCX) (posted 06-30-25)
• Stand-Alone Appendix Writing Template (DOCX) (posted 02-01-23)

Notices

CEQA

• Notice of Intent to Adopt a ND or MND: Follow the guidance in Chapter 11 and Appendix HH of the PDPM
• Notice of Exemption (NOE) (posted 10-14-24)
• Notice of Completion (NOC) (posted 10-14-24)
• Notice of Preparation (NOP) (posted 10-14-24)
• Notice of Determination (NOD) (posted 10-14-24)

NEPA

• Notice of Availability - FONSI (DOCX) (posted 02-05-20)
• Notice of Intent - EIS Sample (DOCX) (posted 06-29-20)
• Notice of Statute of Limitations on Claims (DOCX) (posted 09-25-25) 

Environmental Commitment Compliance

• PS&E / Ready to List Review Tool (DOCX) (posted 10-06-22)
• Certificate of Environmental Compliance at CCA (MS 600) (DOCX) (posted 10-06-22)
• Certificate of Environmental Compliance at Project Closeout (MS 800) (DOCX) (posted 09-10-24)
• Environmental Certification (DOCX) (posted 08-06-25)
• Environmental Commitments Record (ECR) Form (DOCX) (posted 05-08-23)
• Sample Environmental Commitments Record (ECR) (PDF) (posted 11-12-20)
• Stormwater TBMP Certification M460 (DOCX) (posted 10-06-22)
• Stormwater TBMP Certification M600 (DOCX) (posted 10-06-22)
• Stormwater TBMP Certification M800 (DOCX) (posted 10-06-22)