NEPA and the APA - Public’s Role: Involve, Collaborate, and Comment

Description

This interactive workshop teaches participants how to structure public involvement under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).  The workshop explores techniques on how to involve the public, collaborate with interest groups and government agencies, and resolve difficult conflicts.  The workshop also teaches best techniques for influencing Federal actions through the commenting process.

Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to do the following:

  • Understand Federal agencies’ requirements for involving the public in their decision-making process under NEPA and the APA, as well as the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ’s) guidance on public involvement.

  • Understand roles and responsibilities of agencies, cooperators, and interest groups in commenting on Federal policies and environmental analyses.

  • Know how to best structure comments to Federal agencies that can influence desired outcomes.

  • Understand techniques for resolving conflict, and when different conflict resolution techniques can be best applied.

Content

The basic format of the interactive workshop includes the following components:

  • Understanding NEPA and the APA and their implementing federal regulation.

  • Recognizing what public participation is - and how it is interpreted for NEPA and the APA

  • Knowing how to structure an effective communication strategy.

  • Determining methods and approaches for NEPA public involvement.

  • Identifying the best uses of a collaborative process.

  • Understanding how to effectively comment on Federal government actions.

  • Recognizing how to resolve conflict, what techniques to use, and when those techniques are best applied.

Audience

Participants for this training generally include: 1) those who are involved in developing public participation strategies for federal agencies, and 2) interest groups and citizens wanting to influence federal agencies as part of the NEPA and APA processes.

Process

This workshop is designed to promote effective collaboration, communication, and resolution of conflicts. It is an interactive training using case studies and group exercises.

This 2 or 3-day workshop consists of a carefully designed combination of the following:

  • 30% Lecture

  • 30% Discussion

  • 40% Exercises and Case Studies

MaterialsParticipants receive the following:

  • Student reference manual

  • Case study handouts