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This workshop provides an applied overview of the California Environmental Quality Act, with an emphasis on the process and technical requirements of environmental impact assessment. The course will begin with a brief background on environmental impact assessment in the U.S. and of CEQA's regulatory context, followed by an overview of various approaches used in scoping and preparing environmental impact assessments under CEQA. Students will examine the documents required under CEQA and the roles of key players involved. Students will also determine the adequacy of CEQA documents as they relate to environmental settings, impact assessment, mitigation development, significance thresholds, and data sources. Lastly, the course will include a discussion of the documents and processes for projects regulated by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand and participate in CEQA evaluations
- Integrate CEQA environmental review into project approval processes
- Explain the environmental impact assessment requirements of CEQA
- Effectively review and comment on CEQA documents
- Identify and work with the various players in resolving CEQA issues
Intended Audience:This course is designed for professionals seeking a greater understanding of CEQA in order to form publicly acceptable and legally defensible conclusions. Environmental professionals, planners, engineers, consultants, public officials, decision-makers, and others responsible for interpreting the adequacy of environmental impact reports and studies required under CEQA will benefit from this course, as will members of citizen's organizations who want to gain an in-depth understanding of the CEQA process and develop technical skills in the reviewing of CEQA documents.
Course Materials: Participants will receive course proceedings, tutorials, reference materials, and a copy of Understanding Environmental Impact Assessment - A Layperson's Guide to Environmental Impact Documents and Processes, a 147 page reference book by Richard Grassetti, 2003.
 CM 15 LAW
AICP members can earn 1.5 Certification Maintenance (CM) credits for this activity [or many activities at this event]. For more information about AICP's CM program can be found at www.planning.org/cm.
Continuing Education Units: 1.3 CEU's
Registration: (*reduced tuition is available to employees of Native American tribes, government agencies, and nonprofits; students; and NAEP members). You may register via the link above or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 425-270-3274.
Please wait to receive a course confirmation email, roughly one month prior to the class, before making any travel arrangements.
Review of CEQA Basics
• History of CEQA
• Walk-through of CEQA process
• How/when NEPA fits in
CEQA Documents - hands-on examination and discussion
• Initial study and environmental assessment
• Negative Declarations, Mitigated Negative Declarations, and Exemptions
• 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, mitigation, alternatives
California Land Use Regulations and Other Common Permits - and their relationship to CEQA (and NEPA)
• General plan
• Zoning
• Other entitlements
Common Environmental Impact Review Deficiencies |
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
Key Players and their Roles in the CEQA Process
• Public agencies
• Environmental consultants and other experts
• Political players
• The public
• Interacting with the players
• Successful project management strategies
Critical Review of CEQA Documents
• Reviewing documents for content and regulatory compliance
• Identifying deficiencies in environmental impact documents
• Lessons learned from CEQA case law |
 Richard Grassetti is an environmental planner with over 23 years experience in environmental impact analysis and regulatory compliance. He is a recognized expert in 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 the numerous local agency planning and permitting documents. In addition to his consulting practice, Mr. Grassetti serves as adjunct faculty in environmental studies at California State University, East Bay. He has presented numerous papers on environmental impact assessment at statewide and international conferences.
Pencil or pen, coffee mug and water bottle (to reduce waste). Please wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the prevailing weather. Coffee, tea and light snacks will be provided. You will be on our own for lunch. Cancellation Policy:
- 31 days prior to training -> 100% refund
- 30-16 days prior to training -> 50% refund
- 15 - start of course -> No refund available
Attendee replacement acceptable at anytime.
Course registration fees and cancellation policy are subject to change without notice.
Disability Accommodations:
To request disability accommodations, please contact us at info@nwetc.org or (425) 270-3274 at least 30 days prior to the event.
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