Training Descriptions

All of the trainings listed below can be tailored to fit agency needs and requirements.

Accelerating Environmental Reviews with Technology: Tips and Techniques - AERT

This training provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of how technology is being used to make the environmental review process more effective and efficient. The training covers a wide range of topics, including managing project workflow, managing environmental analyses, managing documents (writing, filing, responding to Freedom of Information Act requests, reviews, signatures, publication and notifications, administrative records), managing public information (websites, social media, list serves, and comment analyses) and managing accomplishment reporting and accountability. The course will cover examples of standard technology applications already available as well as examples of agency-specific applications. Participants will share technology they are using in their own environmental reviews. The workshop includes exposure to various technologies, but does not include instruction for specific technologies.

Adaptive Management - AM

The term adaptive management has been applied to many different types of management strategies that allow for experimentation and learning. This workshop provides students with an in-depth understanding of the different types of adaptive strategies. The workshop clarifies how these strategies have been misused and where miscommunication about these different approaches has led to confusion. Specific tools are presented to ensure the right adaptive model is used for the right problem. Four different adaptive models are discussed with specific connections to the requirements of the NEPA: (1) Research, (2) Programmatic, (3) Project, and (4) Environmental Management Systems. Examples for each of the four adaptive models are explored. Case studies are used by students to reinforce the techniques and principles taught in the workshop.

Administrative Record / FOIA and FACA in NEPA Analysis - AR

Participants in this workshop will learn what are records, what is included in the Administrative Record and how to prepare and index records for litigation.  They will learn how to manage e-mails, correspondence, draft materials, working files, privileged and protected information as part of the record.  We also explore the implications of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and the Freedom of Information Act requirements and how these statutes relate to the project and certified administrative records as well as how those statutes can create changes and issues with implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Participates will learn how to respond to requests under the FOIA for documents being developed during the NEPA Analysis. Participants will also learn when discussions and communications with non-government interests may constitute violations of the FACA and how to best cooperate and engage with interest groups to ensure these groups are informed during the NEPA analysis without risk of FACA violations.

Advanced Environmental Cross-Cutter - AECC

Participants in this advanced course will learn how to best integrate requirements of key environmental statutes into the NEPA analysis in order to increase efficiencies and reduce analysis costs. The course will address the NEPA process, including selected regulatory and statutory requirements. The workshop will address compliance requirements of several selected major environmental cross-cutters, including § 404 of the Clean Water Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, § 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act and Coastal Zone Management Act, as well as Environmental Justice and other Executive Orders.

Applying the EIAP/NEPA Process: Air Force Specific - EIAP

Participants learn to conduct the EIAP effectively to fulfill the spirit and letter of NEPA. They also learn to apply the CEQ regulations and 32 CFR 989. They learn planning, analysis, and writing skills, as well as the value and function of AF Form 813 and the DOPAA.

Applying the NEPA Process & Writing Effective NEPA Documents: Dept. of Defense Specific - ANP-DOD

Participants in this highly acclaimed training workshop learn how to fulfill the spirit and letter of NEPA and CEQ in applications specific to the Department of Defense. They also explore how good decision making, analysis, and documentation all must integrate to prepare a legally compliant EIS, EA, FONSI, ROD, or CE/CATEX. For over 20 years, this interactive workshop has been received by thousands of government personnel in both state and federal agencies, and in private industry.

Applying the NEPA Process and Writing Effective NEPA Documents - ANPWEND

Participants in this highly acclaimed training workshop learn how to fulfill the spirit and letter of NEPA and CEQ while preparing documents. Interdisciplinary specialists who carefully manage the NEPA process will generate better NEPA documents that require less preparation time, and that facilitate informed decisions and specific comments. (There are additional writing exercises and practical skills applications in the 4-day workshop)

Applying the NEPA Process for State DOT Assignment Authority - ANP-DOT

This workshop is specifically designed for those state agency employees, consultants, attorneys, and other key participants in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process conducted by State agencies that have been assigned NEPA responsibilities (or expected to obtain the authority in the future) under the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for highway, transit and rail projects. Participants develop an understanding of NEPA and transportation decisionmaking and skills to document decisions and their rationale. You will learn to identify the appropriate form of environmental documentation and the appropriate level of detail. Through practice you will learn to organize and write well-designed, consistent, and analytic EISs/EAs and decision memos for Categorical Exclusions (CEs) that clearly and concisely present managerial information to decisionmakers and the interested public.

Applying the NEPA Process and Writing Effective NEPA Documents for (FAA) Actions - ANP-FAA

Participants in this highly-acclaimed training workshop learn how to fulfill the spirit and letter of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the White House Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA Implementing Regulations, and the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Order 1050.1F Environmental Impacts:  Policies and Procedures while participating in the NEPA process for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) actions. Resource specialists and scientists, project managers, editors, engineers, consultants, attorneys and other key participants in the FAA NEPA process who carefully manage the NEPA process will generate better NEPA documents that require less preparation time, and that facilitate informed decisions and specific comments. Participants will learn to identify the appropriate form of environmental documentation and the appropriate level of detail for NEPA compliance.

Applying the NEPA Process: Native American Tribal Concerns and Participation - ANP-NA

The course will review the following documents for compliance with NEPA, CEQ regulations, and federal agencies’ implementing procedures (with an emphasis on the BIA NEPA regulations): Categorical Exclusions; Environmental Assessments/Findings of No Significant Impacts; and Environmental Impact Statements/Records of Decisions. As part of the course participants will review an EA for compliance and clarity of information. As part of this exercise participants will identify what information is sufficient, what information is missing, and what information is extraneous. As well as what advice would they give for improving the document by redrafting it.

The course will also discuss scoping and public involvement requirements associated with tribal treaty rights, self-government (government-to-government consultation requirements), and BIA requirements for tribal involvement.

The last day of the course will focus on the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 process and how it’s integrated into the NEPA process and Document. Additionally, we will discuss the Endangered Species Act and how it applies to Indian lands for projects funded by federal agencies.

Clean Air Act - Overview - CAA

Participants in this workshop will learn the history of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and how the Act applies to Federal, State, and local governments, as well as private companies and citizens.  Participants will also learn the terminology associated with the Act, and review case law that guided its implementation. In addition, participants will gain an understanding of the relationship between the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) oversight of the Act and the role played by States. Lastly, participants will study important aspects of the Act, such as how the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are determined, when permits are required, and the processes for obtaining permits. 

Clean Water Act - Overview - CWA

Participants in this workshop will learn the history of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and how it applies to Federal, State, and local governments, as well as private companies and citizens. Participants will also learn terminology associated with the Act, the case law that guided implementation, and the relationship between oversight by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and States. Lastly, participants will study important aspects of the Act, such as when 401 and 404 permits are required and the process for obtaining these permits.

Clear Writing for NEPA Practitioners - CWN

Participants in this course learn how to plan/scope the writing process for a NEPA document including how to present technical information and graphics. They also learn review skills to ensure document effectiveness, clarity, and accuracy.

Collaborative Process - CNP

Participants in this highly interactive workshop will learn how cooperating agencies may efficiently participate in Federal land-use planning efforts and how agencies can promote cooperative conservation, with an emphasis on collaborative activity among Federal, State, Local, and Tribal governments.

Conditions Based Management in the Forest Service

This training provides participants with an understanding of Condition Based Management (CBM) as applied within the U.S. Forest Service. The course covers essential aspects of CBM, including its principles, implementation strategies, and the shift from traditional, output-based management to more flexible, condition-based approaches. Participants will explore adaptive management techniques, site-specific management actions, and the importance of achieving desired ecological outcomes. Real-world case studies will illustrate how CBM can improve forest health, resilience, and strategic project planning.

Crafting Impactful Comments: A Guide to Effective NEPA Document Feedback

Participants will learn to identify key areas of concern in NEPA documents, and master the art of writing clear, concise, and persuasive comments. Additionally, attendees will become familiar with the comment submission process and explore opportunities for collaboration and networking to amplify their impact.

Cultural and Natural Resource Compliance - CNRM

Participants learn to identify stewardship responsibilities included in major cultural and natural resource laws and regulations, including the Endangered Species Act and National Historic Preservation Act. They also survey cultural and natural resource legal compliance steps and review how to integrate compliance into the agency mission.

Document Review - DR

A Shipley Group consultant will review environmental documentation required for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance to determine analysis sufficiency, efficiency, and logic flow. The consultant will present findings via a 1-day instructor led webinar (virtual classroom) for up to 35 students. The review will provide rationale as to why environmental information that was included may not be relevant or necessary to the decision being made, as well as why any missing environmental information/rationale may be relevant and important in making findings and decisions.

Effective NEPA Contracting - EEC

Participants develop an understanding of tools and techniques for efficient and effective development and management of contracts for NEPA and NEPA related studies. Those working with NEPA will be able to design and write better Statements of Work (SOW), and establish and manage timelines and budgets for NEPA related contracts.

Environmental Justice - EJ

Participants in this workshop will learn what is meant by "Environmental Justice," techniques for responding to EJ needs, how to develop mitigation in response to EJ issues, and how to address the scope of analysis in NEPA documents.  Participants will explore current guidance to Federal agencies for addressing EJ issues, and some best techniques for mitigating impacts to disadvantaged and minority communities.

Environmental Writing for US Army Corps of Engineers - EW USACE

This workshop is designed to help US Army Corps of Engineer personnel comply with the CEQ and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulations for documenting the NEPA planning process. It describes the legal requirements, suggestions for simplifying the tasks required to fulfill those requirements, and worksheets and checklists to aid you in preparing the actual documents.

Environmental Risk and Public Involvement - RC-ENV

Participants learn the meaning and application of risk communication. They explore the full range of response communication, including developing a communication plan and strategy, standing before an audience, and responding in writing.

Facilitating Meetings in a Hybrid Work Environment - FMHWE

Participants in this workshop will learn how to best work in a flexible work structure where some team members are working remotely and other team members from a central location.  The course provides training for effectively managing team and individual behaviors contributing to desired outcomes for virtual meetings, dialogues, and problem solving in a hybrid work environment. The workshop includes exploring challenges for managing team interactions, remote versus in-person, and how to enhance remote meeting performance.  Behavioral issues of remote group interactions are explored for the various types of meetings and interactions and provides techniques for overcoming those challenges.

Implementing the 8-Step Process for Floodplain Impact Assessment-FLOOD

Participants in this course learn about Executive Order (E.O.) 11988’s procedural requirements, E.O. 13690 and the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS), and coordination with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.  They also explore how to find a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for a property, how to determine the appropriate floodplain for the 8-Step decision-making process, and when Class Reviews and Simplified Evaluation and Review Processes can be used.

Issues Based NEPA - IBNEPA

Concern that compliance with NEPA is too time consuming and results in lengthy environmental documents has been around for decades.  To address this concern, some Federal agencies have begun to develop issued-based NEPA analyses. This workshop is designed to help NEPA practitioners understand how to undertake an issued-based analysis that will help them emphasize important environmental issues, determine reasonable alternatives, and focus technical analyses.  A range of best practices for focusing the analysis includes using scoping to identify issues, integrating issues into the purpose of the action, generating and streamlining alternatives to address issues, and focusing the analyses on issues.  The workshop also evaluates options for organizing NEPA documents around issues. The workshop draws on information from CEQ regulations and guidance, NEPA case law, and additional guidance from agencies and CEQ for developing issue-based analyses.

Making Effective NEPA Categorical Exclusion Determinations - ENCD

This training is designed to equip environmental professionals, planners, and project managers with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Categorical Exclusion (CATEX) process. This course provides an in-depth understanding of the regulatory framework, criteria, and best practices for making accurate and efficient CATEX determinations. Participants will engage in interactive discussions, real-world case studies, and hands-on exercises to master the key elements of the CATEX decision-making process. By the end of this course, attendees will be well-versed in identifying and applying appropriate CATEXs for proposed actions, reviewing actions for potential extraordinary circumstances. ensuring overall compliance with individual agency and the CEQ NEPA regulations, and understanding how proper use of Categorical Exclusions can assisting with streamlining environmental reviews for faster project approvals.

Managing NEPA Projects & Teams - MNPT

Participants learn management of the NEPA process, as opposed to technical competency and skills. The course provides training in managing and reviewing the NEPA process. This includes prototyping the document before writing begins and determining what tasks might best be assigned to contractors.

Managing Dispersed NEPA Teams - MDNT

Participants in this course will learn how to manage dispersed teams (i.e., individuals working remotely) when complying with the analysis requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The training focuses on effectively managing dispersed individuals who contribute expertise to the NEPA analysis and overseeing the dynamics of dispersed teams in accomplishing the process. The course addresses challenges of managing dispersed team interactions and understanding the differences from in-person interactions. The course will also include ideas of how to enhance the performance of dispersed team members and address behavioral issues unique to dispersed teams.  

National Forest Management Act and Planning in the Forest Service

This training offers a comprehensive introduction to the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) and its role in guiding Forest Service land management planning. Participants will explore the NFMA’s requirements for developing planning rules under the principles of the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960, as well as the regulatory framework codified in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 219 and Forest Service directives FSM 1920 and FSH 1909.12.

The training covers essential NFMA components, Forest Service Planning Rules, and implementing directives, with a focus on principles, strategies, and the shift toward desired conditions-based planning. Participants will also review real-world case studies that demonstrate how the Forest Service revises land management plans to address pressing natural resource issues.

Navigating NEPA Changes: Congressional, Regulatory, and Supreme Court Revisions and Rulings - NEPAREGS

Over the past few years, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and its associated implementing regulations, issued by the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), have undergone substantial changes, marking the most transformative period in NEPA's 50+ year history.

Congress amended the NEPA Statute for the first time ever in language added to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 which was signed into law in June, 2023, and CEQ recently finalized additional substantive changes to the implementing regulations for NEPA that went into effect for new NEPA assessments that begin on or after July 1, 2024. These changes include numerous reversals of changes made to the regulations made by previous administration in their 2020 rulemaking, in addition to adding many new requirements for NEPA analysis including for climate change and environmental justice analyses.

In addition to this flurry of statutory and regulatory changes, the U.S. Supreme Court has issued two important rulings in 2024 that have important implications for the implementation of federal environmental laws including NEPA. In their opinion in the case Loper Bright Enterprises. V. Raimondo, the Court overturned so-called Chevron deference that has long been interpreted as federal courts allowing federal agencies fairly wide leeway in setting regulations for federal laws to interpret vague or unclear language and direction from Congress as written in a statute. The second decision – Corner Post, Inc. v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System - involved a decision where the Court greatly expanded the time period in which plaintiffs’ have the ability to challenge a federal agency decision, including rulemakings and approvals based on NEPA reviews. Also, for the first time in many years, the Supreme Court has accepted a petition to hear a NEPA-specific case in the next court term – Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County – that involves important questions about scope requirements for indirect impacts analysis in situations where a federal agency has limited control and responsibility over environmental effects.

Given the scope, complexity, and implications of these changes to the NEPA Statute, CEQ Implementing Regulations, and recent and upcoming Supreme Court decisions, there will be considerable uncertainty and debate about their implications for NEPA practice. This workshop aims to clarify these issues as much as possible, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of these changes to NEPA practice and their implications for practitioners. While some of the changes and implications are straightforward, others require in-depth analysis and discussion, and are likely to continue to generate uncertainty and likely litigation for many years into the future.

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

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.

NEPA Climate Change Analysis and Documentation - NCCA

Participants will receive a brief introduction to this rapidly-growing area of NEPA analysis. After a brief introduction to climate change science, the workshop will cover both climate change impacts in regard to greenhouse gas emissions as well as taking into account the effects of climate change on projects and the resources a project may impact. Participants will learn to use various methods for analyzing these various impacts, and will be exposed to several case studies and examples of NEPA analyses that address climate change. They will receive an update on recent NEPA climate change and cumulative effects litigation, including helpful guidance on how to prepare a legally-adequate climate change impact analysis in their EAs and EISs.

NEPA Cumulative Effects Analysis and Documentation - NEAD

Participants learn how to assess various impact methodologies as to their strengths and weaknesses in supporting the disclosure of cumulative impacts. They learn how to record cumulative impact information in ways that support clear, legally sufficient EAs and EISs.

NEPA Executive Overview - EXECOV

Participants in this course learn about NEPA’s procedural requirements and implementing process. They also explore the steps to preparing a quality Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Environmental Assessment (EA).

NEPA Overview for Indian Health Service - NEPA-IHS

Participants learn how to fulfill the spirit and letter of NEPA and CEQ as they pertain to Indian Health Service issues. Using the IHS NEPA Guide, they explore how good decisionmaking, analysis, and documentation all must integrate to prepare a legally compliant environmental document that require less preparation time, and that facilitate informed decisions.

Overview of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) - OCE

Participants in this highly acclaimed training workshop learn how to fulfill the spirit and letter of NEPA, CEQ, and (California Environmental Quality Act)CEQA. They also explore how good decision making, analysis, and documentation all must integrate to prepare a legally compliant EIS, EA, FONSI, ROD, or CE/CATEX. For over 20 years, this interactive workshop has been received by thousands of government personnel in both state and federal agencies, and in private industry.

Overview of the Coastal Zone Management Act - CZMA

Participants in this workshop will learn the history of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) and how it applies to Federal, State, and local governments, as well as private companies and citizens. Additionally, participants will learn the terminology associated with the Act, the case law that guides implementation, and the relationship between the states and NOAA’s Office of Costal Management (OCM) in the Department of Commerce. The course will also discuss requirements of the Act, and the states’ responsibilities for reviewing Federal consistency determinations and issuing permits for non-point source pollution programs. Since each coastal state has their own Coastal Management Program, we will examine these programs state-by-state.

Overview of the Endangered Species Act - ESA

Participants learn about the requirements and procedures for complying with the Endangered Species Act. The course reviews the history of the law, the listing process, the Section 7 consultation process, and the Section 10 permit process.

Overview of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Magnuson-Stevens Act Consultations - MMPA

This one-day overview workshop focuses primarily on the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), including the goals of the Act, and the consultation process used to obtain Letters of Authorization (LOA) and Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHAs).  In addition, some discussion on how the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the MMPA are integrated. The course will also include a discussion on the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) consisting of defining Essential Fish Habitat (EFH), the types of actions which could adversely affect habitat, and the consultation and compliance requirements of the Act. Finally, the course discusses how to incorporate compliance with both Acts into the NEPA process.

Overview of the National Historic Preservation Act /Section 106 - 106

Participants learn to understand and initiate Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Overview of the NEPA Process - NEPAO

Participants in this course learn about NEPA’s procedural requirements and implementing process. They also explore the steps to preparing a quality Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Environmental Assessment (EA).

Overview of Tribal Sovereignty and Federal Consultation - TSO

This one-day workshop focuses on the Government-to-Government relationship between Federal government agencies and Native American Tribal governments. We will discuss the evolution of Tribal and Federal government relationships, Tribal Sovereignty, and current expectations and requirements for government-to-government consultation.  Participants will learn about the Executive Orders and White House Memorandums imposing expectations for federal agency consultation with Indian tribes , beginning with President Clinton’s 1994 Executive Order through President Biden’s 2022 Presidential Memorandum, and including E.O. 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments.  We will also review best practices for government-to-government consultation as identified by the Working Group of the Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Interagency Coordination and Collaboration for the Protection of Tribal Treaty and Reserved Rights.

Preparing Effective Purpose & Need and Alternatives Sections - PNA

Participants in this intermediate-advanced level two or three-day workshop will learn how to craft clear, effective, and compliant Purpose & Need and Alternatives sections for their NEPA Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). These sections are among the most important to get right in a NEPA analysis, as they serve essentially as the framework for the entire impact analysis. In addition, in recent years there has been an increasing focus in NEPA litigation on challenges to these two sections, many of which have been successful. This workshop will cover how to create effective Purpose, Need, and Proposed Action statements, as well as how to develop a reasonable range of alternatives for a given proposed federal action. Course materials will draw from the NEPA Statute, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing NEPA, key CEQ Guidance documents, NEPA Case Law, and federal agency case studies and example documents. Agency-specific tailored workshops will concentrate on agency-specific NEPA Regulations and their corresponding policies and procedures for Purpose & Need and Alternatives sections.

Preparing Programmatic NEPA Reviews - PPNR

Participants learn what NEPA program documents are, the different types of program documents, how they can be effectively used, and how project-level NEPA documents can be effectively tiered to Programmatic NEPA reviews to reduce analysis requirements at the project level. Students will learn how to best determine what type of program document is most appropriate in different situations and the scope of environmental analysis that is most appropriate.

Preparing Specialist Reports as Part of the NEPA Process - PSRNEPA

To prepare resource specialists (e.g. range specialists, hydrologists, cultural resource specialists) to actively and meaningfully participate in the NEPA process from inception through completion.

Reviewing NEPA Documents - RND

Participants in this course learn how to systematically review the full range of NEPA documents: EISs, RODs, EAs, and FONSIs. They also learn to present clear review findings for NEPA documents, which analyze a range of alternatives and disclose all potential impacts.

Section 4(f) - 4(f)

Participants in this workshop will learn the specific requirements for the analysis of Section 4(f) and how to comply with the Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 as amended (Pub. L. 89-670, 80 Stat. 931) (DTA). They will learn how to conduct the 4(f) analysis by identifying lands and resources subject to the 4(f) requirements, how to conduct the analysis, and to document findings. We also explore how these 4(f) requirements intersect with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the Land and Water Conservation Act (LWCA). 

Storyboarding for NEPA Documents - SND

Participants in this course will learn how to prepare and use storyboarding for projected NEPA documents. The goal of a storyboard is to have a "working" version of your document in place before writers begin to generate text.

Technical Writing and Science Communication - TW

Participants in this course will learn how to ensure that their readers do not miss the main point or spend unnecessary time searching for key information. Although documents are varied and often complex; they must be clear, understandable, and accurate. 100% clarity is the primary goal.

Tools for Efficient NEPA - TEN

Participants in this intermediate-advanced level workshop will learn techniques to improve their efficiency in implementing the NEPA process. As NEPA practitioners are aware, a long-standing and frequent criticism of NEPA is that it, “takes too long, and costs too much.” Measures to address these concerns have included new administration and internal agency policies, and legislative proposals to expedite the NEPA process. The two main focuses of these efforts are implementing timelines to substantially shortening completion of NEPA reviews; and, setting maximum page limits for Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). This workshop begins with a comprehensive review of NEPA basics, followed by techniques and best practices to improve agencies’ efficiency in completing the NEPA process. A range of best practices includes improving project management, scoping, decision making, defining proposal scope and scale, adaptive management, interagency coordination processes, and writing, will be discussed.  We will draw on information from CEQ Regulations and guidance, NEPA case law, and federal agency case studies. Agency-specific tailored workshops will concentrate on the agency’s NEPA policies and procedures and specific techniques to improve efficiencies tied to them.

Understanding the 2023 CEQ NEPA Guidance on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate

On January 9, 2023, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued their interim guidance document National Environmental Policy Act Guidance on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change. The interim guidance was made effectively immediately upon its release, and should be used for any new NEPA reviews starting on or after January 9, 2023. Federal agencies also have the option to use it on NEPA reviews already underway prior to that date. The document updates a previous CEQ guidance document on climate change that was released in 2016, but that was rescinded less than a year later in 2017. While many of the key recommendations made by CEQ on how to approach climate change analysis in NEPA reviews in the 2016 guidance remain in this new version, there are many key revisions, updates, and incorporation of important new information and detail in this January 2023 version.

Understanding and Preparing Preliminary EIAP Documents (DOPAA): Air Force Specific - DOPAA

Participants learn to complete AF Form 813 and write meaningful DOPAAs. A well-written Air Force Form 813 describes the proposed action as well as alternatives, to determine whether environmental issues are serious enough to delay or even stop the proposed project.

Understanding and Preparing Statements of Work and Specifications - SOW

Participants learn a systematic approach to writing and reviewing environmental SOWs. Providing hands-on experience, this course includes case studies and examples that apply to actual environmental projects. Principles taught in this course apply to preparing SOWs for all types of environmental projects.

Comprehensive NEPA Warrant I curriculum (32 Hours) – Course Number – WI 5

This comprehensive training fulfills all of the requirements for the U.S. Coast Guard Warrant I curriculum.

Comprehensive NEPA Warrant II curriculum (40 Hours) – Course Number – WII 6

This comprehensive training fulfills all of the requirements for the U.S. Coast Guard Warrant II curriculum.