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NAEP 2025 Schedule

This schedule is subject to change. 

Day 1 | Sunday, April 27

Time (EST) Event 

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Emerald Salon 2 & 3

NEPA Essentials Breakfast (For Workshop Attendees Only)

8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Emerald Salon 2 & 3

NEPA Essentials Workshop (Separate Registration Required)

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Emerald Salon 2 & 3

 NEPA Essentials Workshop Lunch (For Workshop Attendees Only)
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM CANCELLED |  Charleston Tea Garden Tour ($50.00 – Separate Registration)

Day 2 | Monday, April 28

Time (EST) Event

8:30 AM - 7:30 PM

Crystal Promenade

 Registration Desk Open

7:30 AM - 8:00 AM

Emerald Salon 2 & 3

 Advanced NEPA Breakfast 

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Emerald Salon 2 & 3

 Advanced NEPA Workshop

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Emerald Salon 2 & 3

Advanced NEPA Workshop Lunch

1:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Offsite

SCORE Oyster Reef Build (Separate Registration Required)

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Emerald Salon 1

Resume Building Workshop (No Cost - Separate Registration)

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Emerald Salon 1

Speed Career Networking (No Cost - Separate Registration)

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Crystal Ballroom

Opening Reception sponsored by Jacobs Engineering

Day 3 | Tuesday, April 29

Time (EST) Event

7:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Crystal Promenade

 Registration Desk Open

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Crystal Promenade

 Networking Breakfast Buffet

8:00 AM – 9:15 AM

Crystal Ballroom

Welcome Remarks & Opening Keynote | Tom Mullikin

South Carolina's Plan to Address Challenges to Natural Resources

9:15 AM – 9:30 AM

Crystal Promenade

Networking Coffee Break sponsored by ESRI
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM  |  Concurrent Sessions I

Breakout 1

Geospatial

NEPA

Emerald Salon 1

1.1 A | Advancing Permitting Timelines Through Rapid Geospatial and AI Analysis (9:30 – 10:00 AM)

  • Kevin Murphy

1.1 B | Can Deep Learning Identify Disturbed Areas Throughout North Carolina? (10:00 – 10:30 AM)

  • Jordan Bryant
  • Mehmet Secilmis, MS GISP

1.1 C |  Advancing Permitting Excellence - Permitting Council Benefits and Resources for Infrastructure Projects (10:30 – 11:00 AM)

  • Manisha Patel, JD

Breakout 2

Biological Resources

Blue Topaz

 1.2 | Biological Resources Working Group's Regulatory Update- MBTA, ESA, BGEPA, and More (9:30 – 11:00 AM)

  • Nick Morgan (Moderator)
  • Mike Mayer
  • Megan Petraitis
  • Will Ricks

Breakout 3

Cultural Resources

Yellow Topaz

1.3 A  | Staying on Track: Integrating NEPA and Section 106 on Transit Projects (9:30 – 10:30 AM)

  • Lindsey Wallace
  • Jennifer Bring
  • Saleh Miller
  • Kelcie Young

1.3 B  | Location Intelligence Software Streamlines Environmental and Historic Preservation Review Processes (10:30 – 11:00 AM)

  • Ben Browning

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Emerald/Opal Promenade

Poster Sessions and Networking Break sponsored by Sapphos

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Emerald Salon 2 & 3

Effective and Responsible Use of Customized AI Tools to Improve the Efficiency and Outcomes of the NEPA Process - Presented By 2 National Labs and DOE Part One
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM  |  Concurrent Sessions II

Breakout 1

Public Involvement 

NEPA

Emerald Salon 1
 2.1 A | The Power of Presence and the Art of Stakeholder Engagement (11:30 – 12:30 PM)

  • Katherine Amidon, AICP
  • Madeleine Bolick, GISP, PhD

2.1 B  |  Into the Unknown: Defensible NEPA on Uncertain Actions (12:30 – 1:00 PM)

  • Erin J.M. Kouvousis, CHMM, CEA

Breakout 2

Biological Resources

Blue Topaz

2.2 A |  How States Can Inform Sustainability Reporting Through Nature-Based Solutions (11:30 – 12:00 PM)

  • Kevin Tweedy

2.2 B | The Foot: A Community Remembered (12:00 – 1:00 PM)

  • Gary Francis Quigg, MA, RPA
  • Hannah Blad

Breakout 3

Cultural Resources

Yellow Topaz

 2.3 A | Mapping Charleston's Black Burial Grounds Project (11:30 – 12:00 PM)

  • Laurel Fay
  • Amber Horrie

2.3 B | Protecting Civil War Treasures at Gettysburg National Military Park (12:00 – 12:30 PM)

  • Steve Brann

2.3 C | Mussel Memory: Archaeologists and Biologists Collaborating in Texas Rivers (12:30 – 1:00 PM)

  • Mason D. Miller, M.A.

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Crystal Ballroom

Annual Membership Meeting & Awards Ceremony Lunch

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM

Crystal Ballroom

Networking Coffee Break

2:45 PM – 4:15 PM  |  Concurrent Sessions III

Breakout 1

Public Involvement

NEPA

Emerald Salon 1

 3.1 A | Climate-Resilient Communities: A Planning Perspective (2:45 – 3:45 PM)

  • Angie Smith
  • Katherine Amidon, AICP

3.1 B | How to Relocate an Alaskan Airport  (3:45 – 4:15 PM)

  • Kacy Hillman, M.S., PWS

Breakout 2

Biological Resources

Blue Topaz

3.2 A | Challenges with Permitting Subsea Cable Installations: Atlantic Case Studies (2:45 – 3:15 PM)

  • Amy Vargas
  • Kate Melanson, PhD

3.2 B |  Coral Relocation Case Study - USCG Key West (3:15 – 3:45 PM)

  • Kelley Samuels, PWS

3.2 C | Data Visualization and Summation to Interpret Forest Habitat Conditions (3:45 – 4:15 PM)

  • Rachael Reed

Breakout 3

Cultural Resources

Yellow Topaz

3.3 A | Innovative Compliance Archaeology on Duncan Island, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania (2:45 – 3:45 PM)

  • Gary Coppock

2:45 PM - 5:00 PM

Emerald Salon 2 & 3 

Effective and Responsible Use of Customized AI Tools to Improve the Efficiency and Outcomes of the NEPA Process - Presented By 2 National Labs and DOE Part Two

6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Offsite

President's Reception sponsored by HDR (Ticketed Event)

 

Day 4 | Wednesday, April 30

Time (EST) Event

7:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Crystal Promenade

 Registration Desk Open

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Crystal Promenade

 Networking Breakfast Buffet

8:00 AM – 9:15 AM

Crystal Ballroom

 EPR Live! sponsored by Aldoa

9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Crystal Promenade

 Networking Coffee Break sponsored by Stantec
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM  |  Concurrent Sessions IV

Breakout 1

NEPA

(MOVED TO SESSION 8.4) 4.1 | Seven County Infrastructure: A Journey to the Supreme Court (9:30 – 11:00 AM)

Breakout 2

Transportation

Emerald Salon 1

4.2 A | SCDOT Environmental Compliance – Ensuring Environmental Commitment Adherence During Construction (9:30 – 10:30 AM)

  • Chris Neely
  • Ed Smail
  • Lee Williams
4.2 B | I-26: How SCDOT is Handling the "Problem" With Bats (10:30 – 11:00 AM)
  • Trevor Walker
  • Amanda Voges, PWS, CEPSCI

Breakout 3

Brownfields and Remediation

Blue Topaz

4.3 A | PFAS Legislative Updates and Impacts to the Regulated Community (9:30 – 10:30 AM)

  • Nicholas Albergo, P.E., DEE, F. ASCE, D. WRE, F. EWRI

4.3 B | CANCELED (10:00 – 10:30 AM)

4.3 C | Lions, Tigers, and Chicken Fat? Oh My! (10:30 – 11:00 AM)

  • Austin Brenller

Breakout 4

Artificial Intelligence

Yellow Topaz

4.4 A |  AI and Drones for Evaluation of Nature-based Solutions and USACE Permit Compliance (9:30 – 10:00 AM)

  • Amy Kopale

4.4 B |  A New View of Wetlands, Leveraging Lidar and Artificial Intelligence (10:00 – 10:30 AM)

  • Andrew Reicks. GISP, CFM 

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Emerald/Opal Promenade

Poster Sessions and Networking Break sponsored by WSP
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM  |  Concurrent Sessions V

Breakout 1

NEPA

Energy

Emerald Salon 2 & 3

 5.1 A | Upstream and Downstream Analysis in NEPA After Seven Counties (11:30 – 12:00 PM)

  • Rich Walter

5.1 B | Emerging Fuel Technologies: What Environmental Professionals Need to Know (12:00 – 1:00 PM)

  • Sara Bazemore
  • Rona Farley
  • Malia Bassett
  • Leandra Cleveland

Breakout 2

Biological Resources

Emerald Salon 1

 5.2 A | There's Something in the Water: 6PPD-q and NEPA in Washington State (11:30 – 12:30 PM)

  • Lisa Danielski
  • Becky Holloway

5.2 B | Federal Preemption, When and How to Use It (12:30 – 1:00 PM)

  • Andrea Cline

Breakout 3

Energy

Public Involvement

Blue Topaz
 5.3 A | The Public Turns Up the Heat: A Hawaii Geothermal Example (11:30 – 12:00 PM)
  • Michele Lefebvre, B.A. 
  • Shelby White, M.S

5.3 B | Geothermal and Utility Planning and Permitting: Mayo Clinic's Infrastructure (12:00 – 12:30 PM)

  • Jodi Larson
  • Jack Rol

5.3 C | Special Siting Considerations for Small Modular and Advanced Nuclear Reactors (12:30 – 1:00 PM)

  • Kevin Taylor

Breakout 4

Transporation

Yellow Topaz

5.4 A | CANCELED

5.4 B | Whitetail Whispers; North Idaho Wildlife Crossing Study (12:30 – 1:00 PM)

  • Daniel Baker, PE

1:15 PM – 2:30 PM

Crystal Ballroom

Plenary Lunch | Tommy P. Beaudreau, Eric Beightel, Ted Boling, and Horst Greczmiel

Navigating the Future of Environmental Policy

2:30 PM - 2:45 PM

Crystal Promenade

Networking Coffee Break
2:45 PM – 4:15 PM  |  Concurrent Sessions VI

Breakout 1

NEPA

Emerald Salon 2 & 3
6.1 | State-Wide Joint EIR/EIS and the COVID-19 Pandemic - Lessons Learned (2:45 – 3:45 PM)
  • Jason Reynolds
  • Michelle Ogburn

Breakout 2

Climate Change

Emerald Salon 1
 6.2 | AEP Best Practices in Climate Action Planning: Five-Year Review (2:45 PM – 4:15 PM)
  • Michael Hendrix
  • Rich Walter
  • Brian Schuster

Breakout 3

Environmental Justice

Blue Topaz

CANCELED 6.3 A | The Role of Natural Infrastructure in Protecting Cultural Resources in Baltimore, Maryland (2:45 – 3:45 PM)

  • Bria Pope

6.3 B | Incorporating Equity & Environmental Justice in Lead Pipe Replacement Programs (3:45 – 4:15 PM)

  • Amy Kopale

Breakout 4

Artificial Intelligence

Yellow Topaz

6.4 A | AI-enabled Environmental Review via Interactive Clustering of Public Comments (2:45 PM – 3:15 PM)

  • Reilly Raab, PhD

6.4 B | Exploring AI's Potential to Transform Public Engagement in Environmental Planning (3:15 PM – 3:45 PM)

  • Lauren Schramm

6.4 C | Applying Artificial Intelligence to Streamline NEPA Reviews (3:45 PM – 4:15 PM)

  • Krish Vijayaraghavan

6:00 PM  – 8:30 PM

Offsite

Dine Arounds

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Courtyard Lounge

Rain Contingency: Crystal Ballroom

Emerging Professionals Reception

 

Day 5 | Thursday, May 1

Time (EST) Event 

7:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Crystal Promenade

 Registration 

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Crystal Promenade

 Networking Breakfast Buffet
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM  |  Concurrent Sessions VII

Breakout 1

NEPA

Climate Change

Emerald Salon 2 & 3

 7.1 | Recent NEPA Cases 2024 (8:00 – 9:30 AM)

  • Fred Wagner, JD (Moderator)
  • Melanie Hernandez,  Esq., CEP
  • Bilal Harris

Breakout 2

Climate Change

Emerald Salon 1
 7.2 A | Geospatial Modeling of Roadway Vulnerability in Beaufort County, SC (8:00 – 8:30 AM)
  • Katelyn Cline
  • Cameron Weathers
 7.2 B | Implementation of Muted Tide Gates to Mitigate Extreme Tides 
(8:30 – 9:00 AM)
  • Richard Karkowsiki
  • Hillary Aton
  • Joshua Hoke

7.2 C | Building Community Resilience: Lessons from the NC Resilient Coastal Communities Program (9:00 – 9:30 AM)

  • Kasen Wally, Ms.C.
  • Meg Perry, M.E.M.

Breakout 3

Environmental Justice

Blue Topaz

7.3 A | CANCELED (8:00 – 8:30 AM)

7.3 B | Addressing Challenges and Opportunities in Environmental Justice with Location Intelligence (8:30 – 9:00 AM)

  • Diane Reilly
  • Greg Studwell
  • Amber Horrie

7.3 C | An Overview of FHWA Type II Noise Abatement Programs (9:00 –9:30 AM)

  • Scott Noel, AICP, INCE

Breakout 4

Artificial Intelligence

Yellow Topaz
7.4 A | CANCELED | Fire Prevention Focusing on Species Protection in South Carolina Forests (8:00 – 9:00 AM)
  • Hamid Abdi Valikchali

7.4 B | Desktop Environmental Reviews for Broadband Projects Utilizing Location Intelligence Software (9:00 – 9:30 AM)

  • Ben Browning

8:45 AM - 12:15 PM

Offsite
Fort Sumter Field Trip

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Crystal Promenade
Networking Coffee Break
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM  |  Concurrent Sessions VIII

Breakout 1

NEPA

Emerald Salon 2 & 3
8.1 | Federal Funds: Cost-Benefit Analysis for Local Governments (10:00 – 11:30 AM)
  • Aaron Caldwell
  • Courtney Frisch
  • Faye DiMassimo

Breakout 2

Biological Resources

Emerald Salon 1
 8.2 A | Saving Biodiversity: Everglades Tree Island Monitoring and Restoration (10:00 – 10:30 AM)
  • Kristin Vaughan

8.2 B | Batty Bridges, How to Protect Bats Prior to Bridge Demolition (10:30 – 11:00 AM)

  • Liza Colucci

8.2 C | How our Natural Environment Speaks to Us (11:00 – 11:30 AM)

  • James P. Cowan, INCE Board-Certified

Breakout 3

Transportation

Blue Topaz
8.3 A | Urban Rail Noise: Comparison of FTA Methodology with CadnaA Modeling (10:00 – 11:00 AM)
  • Kovid Saxena, AICP, LEED AP, ENV SP (Moderator)
  • Nancy Neuman, Ph.D.

8.3 B | P.E.L. Update: Getting Transportation Infrastructure Right (11:00 – 11:30 AM)

  • Kovid Saxena, AICP, LEED AP, ENV SP
  • Ed Frantz

Breakout 4

NEPA

Yellow Topaz

 

8.4 | Seven County Infrastructure: A Journey to the Supreme Court (10:00 – 11:30 AM)

  • Fred Wagner, JD
  • Jay Johnson, JD
  • Mark Michel 

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Opal Two
NAEP Board Lunch

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Opal Two
NAEP Board Meeting