Northwest Environmental Training Center presents:

Introduction to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Course ID: CAPOL-301
January 30 - 31, 2007, 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. (2 Days)

Courtyard Marriott - Old Pasadena
180 North Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103

This class is full as of January 26, 2007.

Instructor: Richard Grassetti, Principal, GECo

Description: This workshop provides an applied overview of the California Environmental Quality Act with an emphasis on the 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 required under CEQA will be examined and the roles of key players explored. Emphasis will also be placed on determining the adequacy of CEQA documents in terms of environmental settings, impact assessment, mitigation development, significance thresholds, and data sources. The documents and process for projects regulated by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) will also be briefly explained and discussed.

Intended Audience: This course is designed for professionals seeking a greater understanding of CEQA to achieve publicly acceptable and legally defensible results. 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 will also benefit from this workshop.

Prerequisites: Some experience working with CEQA documents or public process will be helpful, but is not required.

Course Topics:

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 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 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

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

What to Bring:  Pen or pencil, coffee mug, and a water bottle (to reduce waste). Please wear comfortable clothes appropriate for the prevailing weather. Lunch will be on your own. There are numerous restaurants within walking distance. Drinks and snacks will be provided each day.

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.

Credit:  1.3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Registration:  This class is full as of January 26, 2007. $355 ($295 for Native American Tribes; nonprofits; government employees; students; and NAEP, NEBC, and NWAEP members). You may register via the links below or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at (206)762-1976.

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