Northwest Environmental Training Center presents:

Introduction to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Course ID:
CPOL-302
November 1, 2005, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. (1 Day)

WORKSHOP CANCELED

Sacramento Central Library, Tsakopoulos Library Galleria
828 I Street (9th and I Street), Sacramento, CA

Instructor: Ed Yates, Esq., Cassidy, Shimko, and Dawson

Description: This one-day workshop provides a thorough overview of the National Environmental Protection Act. The course focuses on how NEPA actually works at Federal agencies and provides practical lessons from the field. The real world application of NEPA will be explained by a NEPA veteran who will share the lessons he has learned. Our instructor will also suggest approaches to some of the common problems that occur during EIS preparation.

This workshop is immediately followed by the "Intro to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)" workshop on November 2, 2005. Participants are encouraged to enroll in both courses to gain a thorough understanding of the applicability and differences between the two acts.

Intended Audience: This course is designed for individuals with beginner to intermediate levels of NEPA experience. All those who need a basic understanding of the scope and requirements of NEPA and those wanting a refresher would benefit from this course, especially: staff from government agencies at all levels; environmental consulting firms; law firms and industry.

Course Topics:

I. When Does NEPA Apply to You?
      • Timing the NEPA Process to the Decision-making Process
      • Eight Good Reasons Not to Write an EIS

II. NEPA Intent, Goals, and Policies
      • Types of NEPA Documents
      • Effective Scoping
      • Preparing the Draft Document
      • FONSI or ROD
      • Administrative Record vs. Planning Record

III. Proposed Action
      • Defining the Proposed Action
      • Construction vs. Operation and Maintenance
      • Establishing Project Measures
      • Defining Purpose and Need

IV. Alternatives
      • Reasonable Alternatives, Preferred Alternatives, and "Environmentally Preferred" Alternatives
      • Mitigation as an Alternative
      • When Alternatives Can Be Left Out

V. Combining NEPA with other federal and state laws
      • ESA, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and More
      • Preparing Joint NEPA/CEQA Documents
      • Local Land Use Considerations

VI. Impact Assessment/Mitigation

VII. Findings

VIII. Reviewing NEPA Documents

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

About the Instructor:   Ed Yates is an attorney with the real estate, land use and environmental law firm, Cassidy, Shimko and Dawson. Previously, Mr. Yates worked as Assistant General Counsel for the Presidentıs Council on Environmental Quality and held senior legal and policy positions with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, The Ocean Conservancy and Tetra Tech, Inc. Mr. Yates' practice includes litigation, compliance and permit negotiations under NEPA, the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, California Environmental Quality Act and California land use law. He has advised federal agencies in establishing and implementing their NEPA regulations and has reviewed hundreds of NEPA and CEQA documents for legal adequacy. Mr. Yates has also worked extensively in the international arena, including negotiating protocols to international laws such as the Antarctic Treaty. He negotiated the first environmental impact assessment standards (EIA) at the World Bank, and advised agencies in Mexico, Honduras, Argentina, Cuba, Colombia and the Philippines on EIA, land use, & coastal management. Mr. Yates formerly taught Land Use Regulation at Golden Gate University School of Law and has given seminars for the UC Santa Cruz, Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Aconcagua in Argentina, the National Association of Environmental Professionals, U.S. Army Environmental Center, and the World Bank.

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 nearby restaurants. Beverages and snacks will be provided through the day.

Prerequisites: None.

Credit: 0.7 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Registration: $190. ($150 if registering before October 17, 2005.) Registration includes course proceedings, reference materials, beverages and snacks. Registration may also be completed online via the link below, or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 206-762-1976.

To find out more about NWETC's programs send us email.

Northwest Environmental Training Center
A nonprofit organization serving Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington
650 S. Orcas Street, Suite 220
Seattle, WA 98108
Phone 206-762-1976
Fax 206-762-1979