Duke Environmental Leadership Program

Preparing and Documenting Environmental Impact Analyses

Feb. 17-19 , 2010

Levine Science Research Center, A158
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

Please register by January 27, 2010

Program Description:

This is a course for the more experienced NEPA writer or reviewer. Despite the variety of “how to” courses on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) offered by various organizations nationwide, few are specifically structured to give participants the practical knowledge and hands on experience required to enable them to prepare or review the analyses and documentation required by the Act. The poor quality of many EAs and EISs reflect the need for more practical training in the conduct of good analyses, the efficient preparation of clear, concise documents and what to look for as a reviewer of documents prepared by others.

It addresses the need to teach participants how to prepare, document, coordinate and review, for decision-makers and the public, information required by the National Environmental Policy Act. Extensive practical exercises, in individual and work group format, are included and are designed to make use of realistic case study materials provided by the students themselves.

Rather than focusing on just what is required by regulations, participants will learn practical methods and techniques for applying the various steps of the NEPA process and be able to apply them in work group exercises. Upon completion of the course, the participants can expect to be better able to lead and/or participate in the assembly and analysis of environmental information, and in drafting or reviewing its documentation required by NEPA.

Day 1 · Course introduction; brief NEPA process review; developing the administrative record and what makes a valid administrative record; scope do’s and don’ts; practical exercise in document critique.

Day 2 · Outlining and organizing documents; practical exercises on writing skills; graphic design and document format; initial project and action coordination; managing a schedule and your team.

Day 3 · Course review and group presentations exercise.

Optional Day 3 Writing Workshop · Basic techniques in document production; writing purpose and needs statements; purpose and need exercise.

Course Instructors:

David Mattern is a senior planner from Parametrix with over 22 years experience in environmental studies and NEPA documentation. He has directed the environmental process for major transportation facilities such as the Alaskan Way Viaduct through downtown Seattle; and Cross-Base Highway, a new six-mile four lane limited access roadway. For the Alaskan Way Viaduct project David managed Washington State’s first reader-friendly EIS, using innovative graphic design and clear writing to produce an easy-to-understand and engaging document. The document has won awards from the Society for Technical Communications, National Association of Environmental Professionals, and the American Council of Engineering Companies. Other major projects include siting studies and environmental documentation for airports, landfills and light rail systems.

David is currently a member of working groups sponsored by FHWA, AASHTO, and ACEC developing guidance on legal sufficiency and alternative formats for environmental documents. David received a Masters Degree in Geography from the University of Colorado in 1983 and B.A. in Geography from the University of Washington in 1978.

Ray Clark is the President of The Clark Group, LLC based in Washington, D.C. The Clark Group is a consortium of senior level science and policy professionals specializing in environmental and energy matters. He was formerly the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations and Environment) where he was responsible for all the US Army facilities worldwide and stewardship of 14 million acres. He was responsible for military construction, family housing and all real estate transactions. Mr. Clark was also responsible for base closure and transitioning excess military property to economic development.

Prior to his appointment to this position, Mr. Clark was Associate Director at the White House Council of Environmental Quality where he acted as advisor to the President, the Chairman of CEQ and Senior White House Staff.

Mr. Clark is a past recipient of the prestigious National Environmental Quality Award. He is co-editor of two books on environmental policy. Mr. Clark holds a Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University, where he has been a lead instructor since 1988.

Horst G. Greczmiel joined the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) in December 1999 as the Associate Director for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Oversight. He is responsible for overseeing and implementing the NEPA and CEQ mandates to ensure that federal agencies integrate environmental values into decision-making and serves as the Director of the NEPA Task Force.

Prior to joining CEQ, he worked in the Office of Environmental Law at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., responsible for policy development and litigation involving environmental planning compliance responsibilities under NEPA, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act. Mr. Greczmiel served in the U.S. Army for 15 years, including tours with the Office of The Judge Advocate General’s Environmental Law Division and a detail as environmental advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Environment, Safety and Occupational Health.

Mr. Greczmiel received his B.A. from Lafayette College, Easton, PA; J.D. from Rutgers - Camden School of Law, Camden, NJ; and LL.M. in environmental law from George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

General Information:

Tuition: $925 on or before January 27, 2010 ($1000 after January 27, 2010). Covers registration, instructional materials, light refreshments, evening social event and complimentary shuttle transportation between the hotel and campus each day.

To also attend the optional half-day writing module total tuition is $975 on or before January 27, 2010 ($1050 after January 27, 2010).

Payment: Payment is due upon receipt of invoice or no less than 15 days before the start of the course. If special arrangements must be made for payment due to agency requirements, you must contact our office no less than 15 days prior to the start of the course at del@nicholas.duke.edu to complete and submit a payment due notice form.

Failure to make payment arrangements 15 days prior to the start of the course may result in the forfeit of your seat and you will be held responsible for the full tuition of the course. Future registrations will not be accepted from individuals with unpaid invoices.

Course certificates will not be provided until payment is received. For participants participating in the NEPA Certificate program, the course will not count toward the Certificate requirements until payment is received.

Cancellation & Transfer Policy: All speakers and companies listed have confirmed their participation. If for unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances a speaker cannot attend, instructional time will be filled with comparable instructors. If a course is canceled due to insufficient registrations, tuition will be refunded. Duke cannot be held responsible for travel costs or arrangements made by participants.
Cancellation of registration requires 15 days written notice prior to course start date in order to receive a refund (please submit notification to del@nicholas.duke.edu). Individuals who do not attend and fail to send written notice prior to the deadline will be charged the full tuition. With prior notice (3 business days prior to course start date), you may send a substitute to attend the course in your place (a $50 administrative fee will be assessed for this change). Any cancellation or substitute request must be received in writing.

15 or more days prior to the course start date – Full tuition refund, minus a $50 administrative fee.
Less than 15 days prior to the course start date – Full tuition is assessed and a refund is forfeited.
3 or more business days prior to the course start date, you may request to send a substitute to attend the course in your place - $50 administrative fee.

In order to receive a refund, you must cancel your registration (in writing to del@nicholas.duke.edu) by 5:00 pm on the refund deadline date for the course.

Hotel Accommodations: Participants are responsible for their own overnight accommodations. Participants most commonly stay at the Durham Hilton Hotel (3800 Hillsborough Road, Durham, 919-383-8033). The Hilton provides a special Nicholas School rate when reservations are made within the course room block and four (4) weeks prior to the course start date. The Duke Environmental Leadership Program provides complimentary shuttle transportation between campus and the hotel at the beginning and end of each class day. Information on the hotel room block is provided with the course invoice.

By registering for this course, I confirm that I have read the DEL Program’s Executive Education cancellation and transfer policy, and that I understand and accept the terms of the DEL Program’s Executive Education cancellation and transfer policy. Upon registration for this course, I am responsible for these fees should I transfer or cancel my registration.