Environmental Impact Assessment & CEQA Training in Oakland, California

Northwest Environmental Training Center presents

Environmental Impact Assessment & CEQA: Getting It Right
Course ID: CPOL-401
May 2 - 4, 2006, 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. (3 Days)

The Washington Inn (Banquet Hall)
495 Tenth Street, Oakland, CA, 94607

Instructor: Richard Grassetti, Principal, GECo

Description: This workshop provides an applied overview of the California Environmental Quality Act's process and technical requirements for environmental impact assessment. Starting with a brief background of environmental impact assessment in the U.S. and a review of CEQA's regulatory context, the course will discuss the various approaches used in scoping and preparing environmental impact assessments under CEQA. The documents and process required under CEQA will be examined and the roles of key players explored. The course will address some of the methods for assessing the environmental effects of various resource topics typically included in CEQA documents (including physical, biological, cultural, and social impacts). Emphasis will be placed on determining the adequacy of CEQA documents in terms of environmental settings, impact assessment, mitigation development, significance thresholds, key regulatory agencies, and data sources. At appropriate points, the documents and process for projects that are also regulated by the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) will be explained and discussed. The workshop will include a participatory exercise to examine the diverse roles and perspectives of stakeholders in the environmental impact assessment process.

Intended Audience: This course is designed for professionals who deal with CEQA as part of their work and who are seeking greater knowledge and skills in working with projects subject to CEQA to achieve publicly acceptable and legally defensible results. All environmental professionals, planners, engineers, consultants, public officials, decision-makers, and others faced with the task of understanding and interpreting the adequacy of environmental impact reports and studies required under CEQA will benefit. Members of citizen's organizations who want to develop technical skills in the review of CEQA documents and gain an in-depth understanding of the CEQA process would also benefit from this workshop.

Prerequisites: A basic understanding of the CEQA statute is needed. Some experience working with an aspect of CEQA documents or public process will be valuable.

Course Topics (order of topics may be adjusted):

Review of CEQA Basics History of CEQA Walk-through of CEQA process How/when NEPA fits in		CEQA's Environmental Impact Assessment Process Identifying the Project Under CEQA Scoping Determining Significance Screening Public Review of the Draft EIR Preparation of the Final EIR EIR Certification, Findings, and Project Approval Under CEQA Post-Decision Monitoring CEQA Time Limits Summary of Major Differences Between CEQA & NEPA processes Citizens' Remedies
CEQA documents - hands-on examination and discussion Initial Study and Environmental Assessment Negative Declarations, Mitigated Negative Declarations, and Findings of No Significant Impact Draft Environmental Impact Reports Final Environmental Impact Reports The CEQA Findings Relevant NEPA documents
Overview of the Analytical Process for Environmental Impact Assessment Identifying: Setting Impacts Mitigations Alternatives		Key Players in the CEQA Process Public Agencies Environmental Consultants and Other Experts Political Players The Public Interacting with The Players Successful project management strategies
California Land Use Regulations and Other Common Permits - and their relationship to CEQA (and NEPA)		Critical Review of CEQA Documents Reviewing documents for content and regulatory compliance Identifying deficiencies in environmental impact documents Lessons learned from CEQA case law
Resources involved in Environmental Impact Assessments (brief overview, with greater emphasis on 3 or 4 resources based on participants' interests)		Stakeholders Exercise (role-playing)
Biological Resources Water Resources/Hydrology Geology and Soils Air Quality Noise Health and Safety Cultural Resources	Land Use and Planning Transportation Visual Resources Socioeconomic Resources Public Services and Utilities	Common Environmental Impact Review Deficiencies

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

About the Instructor: Richard Grassetti is an environmental planner with over 22 years experience in environmental impact analysis, hydrologic and geologic assessments, project management, and regulatory compliance. He is a recognized expert on the CEQA process, and has served as an expert witness on CEQA and planning issues in California. Through his firm, Grassetti Environmental Consulting (GECo), he manages the preparation of CEQA and NEPA documents, as well as numerous local agency planning and permitting documents. In addition to his consulting practice, Mr. Grassetti serves as adjunct faculty in environmental studies, and instructs courses on impact assessment and urban planning at California State University, East Bay. He is past Director of the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the Association of Environmental Professionals, and has presented numerous papers on environmental impact assessment at statewide and international conferences.

Additional guest speakers will be involved during this 3-day workshop, especially during the role-playing exercise. Biographical information will be posted as speakers are confirmed.

What to Bring: Pen or pencil and a water bottle (to reduce waste). Please wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the prevailing weather. Lunch will be on your own at The Washington Inn's Twist Restaurant, the Pacific Coast Brewing Company Restaurant around the corner, or the large number of nearby restaurants in Oakland's City Center and central downtown area.

Credit: 2.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Registration: $545 ($495 if registering before April 15, 2006). Registration includes proceedings, tutorials, and reference materials. Also includes a light continental breakfast, coffee, drinks, and afternoon snack each day.


Training Programs	Business & Government Partners	Technical Resources	Financial Assistance	Other Programs	Employment & Volunteer Opportunities