Draft an Initial Study for your CEQA parcel

Perminal is a research and drafting tool for California CEQA teams. The screen and cited setting draft come back in seconds.

Get Started

Keep everybody on the same page

Analyst

Start with every source already screened.

Every required source is already checked and recorded. You spend your time on the parcel, the exceptions, and the setting — not on reopening portals.

Senior reviewer

Open the source behind any sentence.

Each sentence in the draft carries its source. You open the record behind the sentence instead of re-running the screen.

Practice lead

Catch hidden scope before it bills you.

Licensed sources, agency letters, and specialist work surface while there is still time to staff or price them.

Trace every claim from source to final draft

01

Analyst screens the parcel

Public sources return records, map clips, versions, and retrieval times. Licensed data and agency letters join the same evidence set.

Evidence card · EnviroStor

No open cleanup site within 402.336 m of the parcel.

EnviroStor public map · Retrieved 2026-09-08

02

Analyst drafts the setting

The draft draws only from the evidence set. Every sentence cites the record or statute behind it.

Setting draft

“One former leaking underground storage tank case is located approximately 640 feet northeast of the site; the Regional Water Quality Control Board closed the case in 2014.” [2]

[2] GeoTracker Sites · GLOBAL_ID T060xxxxxxx · Retrieved 2026-09-08

03

Reviewer cross-checks with records

The reviewer follows any sentence to its source, checks it against the project footprint, and routes exceptions to the right specialist.

Review note

“…the Regional Water Quality Control Board closed the case in 2014.” [2]

[2] GeoTracker · GLOBAL_ID T060xxxxxxx · “Completed – Case Closed” · 640 ft NE of the parcel

04

Practice lead keeps up with changes

Active projects re-screen nightly. New or changed records surface as diffs before the next draft or decision.

Change notice · CAL FIRE FHSZ

Layer version updated since the last screen.

Affected projects flagged for review

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Perminal replace the analyst?

No. You review the record, revise the draft, and stay the author. Perminal drafts only from the evidence set.

Which sources does Perminal screen?

EnviroStor, GeoTracker, CAL FIRE, and the Cortese List, with licensed and manual sources tracked in the same record.

Does Perminal export to our Word template?

Yes. The setting draft and the evidence appendix export to .docx in your firm’s house style.

What does getting started involve?

We’re building the first version with design partners. Create an account to explore the tool; we’ll ask what works, what’s missing, and what would make it useful in your work.