National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Workshops

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About the Advanced NEPA Workshop

CM APA AICP

The National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) has designed the 8-hour Advanced NEPA workshop for emerging and experienced environmental professionals engaged in the preparation of Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements to fulfill federal Lead Agencies responsibilities pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This course is designed to help you understand the requirements, and how to fulfill the spirit and legislative intent of NEPA. The Advanced NEPA Workshop is intended to provide participants with practical tools regarding preparation and review of environmental documents.  The workshop will start a summary of recent changes to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA, and other related procedural updates related to consideration of Waters of the United States, Climate Change, and Environmental Justice and Best Practices for achieving Agency timelines for preparation of environmental impact statements and environmental assessments.  The introductory panel will be followed by subject matter expert detailed presentations on the Clean Water Act,  climate change, environmental justice, the Endangered Species Act, and Section 106 Consultations pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act.  NAEP welcomes you to connect with other environmental professionals by engaging in this learning opportunity.

Public Materials:

About the NEPA Essentials Workshop

The National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) has designed the 8-hour NEPA Essentials workshop for new and emerging environmental professionals engaged in the preparation of Categorical Exclusions and Environmental Assessments to fulfill federal Lead Agencies responsibilities pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, referred to as NEPA. This course is designed to help you understand the basic requirements, and how to fulfill the spirit and legislative intent of NEPA. You will learn what NEPA is, when the NEPA requirements apply to projects, the roles and responsibilities of the federal Lead Agency and Cooperating Agencies and project sponsors within the context of NEPA, about the three different NEPA classes of action, how to determine when each class of action applies, and the different environmental review, documentation, and public involvement requirements, focusing on Categorical Exclusions and Environmental Assessment. The workshop will use a Case Study to illustrate best practices for effective analysis and writing for the required purpose and need statement, consideration of alternatives, characterization of the affected environment, and evaluation of environmental effects. NAEP welcomes you to connect with other environmental professionals by engaging in this learning opportunity.

This workshop will cover National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) basics, including policies, procedures, and environmental documents necessary for successful compliance. It is primarily designed for new and midlevel NEPA practitioners and will inform agency staff, consultants, regulators, applicants, and other interested professionals about best NEPA practices. NEPA is a far-reaching law that applies to virtually all U.S. federal agencies and most activities that affect the environment. Many state, local, and private undertakings must be evaluated pursuant to NEPA if they receive federal funding, require federal permits, or would take place on federal land. The key to successfully implementing NEPA is attaining a working knowledge of the regulations, legal interpretations, and typical federal agency practices. This workshop will cover all of these aspects of NEPA. Workshop topics include:

  • NEPA’s legal and regulatory framework
  • Determining whether NEPA applies to a proposed action
  • Key steps in the NEPA environmental review process
  • Determining which type of NEPA document to prepare
  • Scoping for NEPA analyses
  • Successful integration of NEPA with other environmental laws
  • Direct, indirect, and cumulative impact analysis
  • Determining significance of impacts
  • Developing and evaluating a reasonable range of alternatives
  • Writing adequate and feasible mitigation measures
  • Legal adequacy of NEPA documents and NEPA case law

Meet the Instructors

Thank you to our NEPA Workshop Committee!

Marie Campbell, Michael Drummond, Pam Hudson, Lisa Mahoney, Chuck Nicholson, Michelle Rau, Michael Smith, Laura Thorne, and Fred Wagner 

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 Advanced NEPA Workshops Schedule

In Person

May 9 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Central Time
at the NAEP 2024 Annual Conference & Training Symposium*

*Select "Workshop Only" on the 2024 conference registration form when asked to choose your registration type if you are not attending the full conference.

November 15 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Pacific Time (Bellevue, WA)

SOLD OUT!

Join waitlist here.

HDR Office
929 108th Avenue NE, Lobby
Bellevue, WA 98004

Gold Sponsors

                      

 

Silver Sponsors

  

Virtual

July 17 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Hawaii Time  

September 18 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time 

  

NEPA Essentials Workshops Schedule

In Person

 April 24 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time
at the FAEP 2024 Conference

May 5 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Central Time
at the NAEP 2024 Annual Conference & Training Symposium*

 

November 14 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Pacific Time (Bellevue, WA)

Register Now


HDR Office
929 108th Avenue NE, Lobby
Bellevue, WA 98004

Gold Sponsors

             

Silver Sponsors

 

Virtual

 July 31 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Hawaii Time 

 

 September 17 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time

 

  


Pricing

Workshop Prices

  • NAEP Member / Government NAEP Member: $275
  • Chapter Member Only / Non-Member Government: $325
  • Non-Member: $375

NEPA Workshop Session Outlines

For a general overview of what will be covered in each workshop, please see the sample agenda below. Topic orders/timeframe for each workshop will vary pending speaker availability and will be sent out in the Know Before You Go email. The time will be the same for each workshop and will correspond to the time zone for each workshop. 

*Session outline subject to change based on speaker availability. 

Advanced NEPA Workshop Outline

Session

Time

Welcome/Introductions/Networking Session

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM

Topic 1: CEQ Update and Best Practices for EIS and EA Timelines

8:30 AM – 9:45 AM

Break

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM

Topic 2: CWA 401 and 404 WOTUS Rule  

10:00 AM – 11:15 AM 

Topic 3: Climate Change

11:15 AM – 12:30 PM 

Lunch

12:30 PM – 1:00 PM

Topic 4: NEPA and the Endangered Species Act

1:00 PM – 2:15 PM

Topic 5: Environmental Justice 

2:15 PM – 3:30 PM 

Break/Evaluation

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM

Topic 6: Integrating NHPA, Section 106 Consultation  

3:45 PM – 5:00 PM

 

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Essentials NEPA Workshop Outline

Session

Time

Welcome/Introductions/Networking Session

8:00 AM – 8:15 AM

Topic 1: Three Levels NEPA Documentation and Staying Abreast of Legislation and Guidance

8:15 AM – 10:30 AM

Break

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM

Topic 2: Affected Environment  - ESA, Section 106, Sections 401, 404, and 408 CWA, EJ –Effective Written Communication

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM 

Lunch Break

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Topic 3: Purpose and Need  - ESA, Section 106, Sections 401, 404, and 408 CWA, EJ –Effective Written Communication

1:00 PM – 2:15 PM 

Topic 4: Environmental Effects - ESA, Section 106, Sections 401, 404, and 408 CWA, EJ –Effective Written Communication

2:15 PM – 3:30 PM

Break

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM

Topic 5: Alternatives - ESA, Section 106, Sections 401, 404, and 408 CWA, EJ –Effective Written Communication

3:45 PM – 5:00 PM

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Workshop Materials

Thank you to all who attended our 2023 Advanced NEPA Workshop Series!

Presentation recordings are available for all workshop attendees throughout the 2023 year.

2023 Workshop Materials
(Login Required)

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