WEDNESDAY, 25 February 2015
WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENT

Guidance on Effective Use of Programmatic NEPA Reviews

National Association of Environmental Professionals

This webinar will review newly released guidance on use of programmatic National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews, agency experience in programmatic NEPA analysis, and practical considerations for conducting programmatic analyses. 

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued its Final guidance on Effective Use of Programmatic National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Reviews in December 2014 (https://ceq.doe.gov/current_developments/docs/Effective_Use_of_Programmatic_NEPA_Reviews_18Dec2014.pdf). The CEQ guidance provides an overview of opportunities for departments and agencies to use programmatic analyses to provide for greater efficiency in their work to comply with the requirements of NEPA. The guidance also reflects the need to integrate environmental reviews into the decision-making process and ensure meaningful public engagement in the decision-making process.  The goal of this guidance is to encourage a more consistent approach to programmatic NEPA reviews. 

Many Federal agencies have benefited from programmatic NEPA reviews (analyses and documents).  The webinar will explore lessons learned from NEPA practitioners experienced in programmatic NEPA reviews and will include a discussion of:  successful programmatic documents, determining whether a proposed action may be suitable for programmatic analysis, scoping and public involvement, alternatives, appropriate level of analysis, tiering, and document lifespan.

Moderator:       
Ronald E. Lamb, CEP, Chair, NAEP NEPA Practice

Speakers:          
Horst Greczmiel, Associate Director for NEPA Oversight, Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)
Eric Cohen, P.E., Unit Leader, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Kathy Pierce, NEPA Compliance Officer, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)
Shannon Stewart, M.S.R.P., Principal Technical Associate, Environmental Science Associates (ESA)

Questions:  Contact Ward Marotti (WK Dickson; president@ncaep.org or  919-368-8043) or Jonathan Carr (Atkins; Jonathan.Carr@atkinsglobal.com or 919-431-5279)