Corporate Training By Zack Academy - NEPA / CEQA Integration

Why Should You Take This NEPA / CEQA Integration course?

In this 2-day NEPA / CEQA Integration course, learn the procedural requirements of the NEPA/CEQA process, including how to determine when these processes apply, which documents to prepare, the scope and content of NEPA/CEQA documents, adequate cumulative impacts analysis, and integration of NEPA and CEQA with other laws. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is perhaps the best-known of our Nation's environmental laws. It applies whenever federal agencies propose to take action or when they propose to fund or approve the actions of others, if environmental impacts are likely to result. NEPA opened federal agency decision-making to the public, and promotes decisions with more environmentally responsible values. The procedures and documents required by NEPA may at times form the only administrative record of federal decision-making.

Whether you work for an agency of the Federal Government or the State of California or local agency in California, seek a permit, grant, or approval from one of these agencies, or are otherwise interested in government decision-making, you need to know about NEPA and CEQA. This workshop is designed to serve both as a comprehensive introduction for those new to these statutes and an update for more experienced professionals.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Determine whether a NEPA / CEQA process is necessary
• Determine which process to follow: Categorical Exclusion, Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact / Negative Declaration (or Mitigated Negative Declaration), or Environmental Impact Statement / Environmental Impact Report
• Integrate NEPA and CEQA in a joint process
• Study, develop, and describe appropriate alternatives
• Complete an adequate cumulative impacts assessment
• Prepare an Administrative Record to support agency decisions

Intended Audience:

The workshop is beneficial to agency staff and decision makers, attorneys, consultants, and members of environmental organizations, as well as interested citizens. Updates on recent cases will be valuable to any practitioner. Even those who have worked with NEPA and CEQA their entire careers will stand to learn more about the secrets to successful compliance.

Participants will receive substantial course materials prepared by Owen Schmidt and Richard Grassetti, which include models for compliance, interpretive case citations, and a sample NEPA/CEQA document. 

Topics To Be Covered Include: 

Exemptions and exclusions
All the reasons why an agency would not prepare any NEPA or CEQA document, or follow any NEPA or CEQA process.

Considerations in preparing adequate EAs and EISs
Eight plain-language questions any EA or EIS should readily answer.

Finding of No Significant Impact / Negative Declaration
How to make any "finding" required by law, specifically the Finding of No Significant Impact and/or Negative Declaration

Common problems and solutions in preparing adequate EIS"s / EIR"s
- Setting / Existing Conditions - the baseline or affected environment
- Impacts / Effects - environmental consequences and the methods of deriving them
- Mitigation Measures - mitigation incorporated into the alternatives, and mitigation as an alternative

Timing the NEPA / CEQA process to the decision making process
Understanding the essential markers of agency decision making, and matching them to the essential phases of the NEPA / CEQA process

Alternatives
Alternative places to go, alternative ways to get there

Cumulative Impacts
A model for conducting the "perfect" cumulative impacts analysis - everything necessary, and not one thing more

Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting
After decisions are made and actions are taken

Administrative record
What is required for support for the decisions that are made, and findings that are made

What to Bring to Class:  Pen or pencil, and paper if you do not want to take notes in your manual. Drinks and snacks will be provided each day. Lunch will be on your own.