(a) The commission is the lead agency for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000)) and, except as provided in this chapter, shall prepare an environmental impact report pursuant to Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000).
(b) The regulatory program that implements this chapter is not a certified regulatory program under Section 21080.5.
(c) The commission may prepare an initial study pursuant to Section 15063 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations to help identify the significant effects of an action taken pursuant to this chapter.