Association for a Cleaner Environment v. Yosemite Community College District

An association of citizens appeals the denial of its petition for a writ of mandate and contends that a community college violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) when it failed to perform an initial environmental study in connection with its decision to close and remove a campus shooting range and transfer certain classes to a range off campus. The community college argues (1) its decision and actions were not a “project” subject to CEQA, (2) if a project existed, it was exempt from CEQA, and (3) the matter is moot because the decisions have been implemented.

We conclude the whole of the community college’s action constitutes a project for purposes of CEQA, the project is not exempt, and the matter is not moot. Accordingly, we reverse and remand to the superior court with direction to issue a writ of mandate requiring that an initial environmental study be conducted.

FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

Appellant Association for a Cleaner Environment (ACE) is a nonprofit organization and alleges that it represents citizens who (1) object to the destruction of an all-weather shooting range at Modesto Junior College (MJC Range) and (2) are concerned with the failure of…