Jones

A group of concerned citizens (plaintiffs) filed a petition for writ of mandate under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA or Act; Pub. Resources Code, § 21000 et seq.), challenging the certification of an environmental impact report (EIR) by the Board of Regents of the University of California (the Regents) regarding projected development of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (the Lab or LBNL). The trial court ruled partly in favor of plaintiffs and partly in favor of the Regents. Each party has appealed. Based on our de novo review, we reverse in favor of the Regents.

I. BACKGROUND

The Lab is a special research campus operated by the University of California (UC), “but it is owned and financed by the federal government and as such is distinct from the UC-owned Berkeley campus.” The Lab occupies a 202-acre site (main site or hill site) on land owned by the Regents, which is located in the eastern hills of Berkeley and Oakland. The Lab also occupies and uses space on the UC Berkeley campus (campus site), and in various leased locations mostly in Berkeley, Oakland, and Walnut Creek (off-site spaces).

In January 2007, the Regents published a draft EIR…