![NEPA
In addition to the impact statement, NEPA
(PL 91-190 §102 2[a]), required the
federal agencies to:
“utilize a systematic, interdisciplinary approach
which will insure the integrated use of the
natural and social sciences, and the
environmental design arts in planning and in
decision making which may have an impact on
man’s environment.”
The agencies were also required to give
appropriate consideration to unquantified
environmental amenities and values.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/january10th-esp179lecture-classintroandeiabasics-130109113512-phpapp01/85/January-8th-esp-179-lecture-class-intro-and-eia-basics-18-320.jpg)
![CEQA
Prevent significant avoidable damage to
the environment by requiring changes in
the project through the use of feasible
alternatives and mitigation
Disclose to the public the reason that an
agency approved a project
notwithstanding its unavoidable,
significant environmental impacts
[Decisions made in the light of day]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/january10th-esp179lecture-classintroandeiabasics-130109113512-phpapp01/85/January-8th-esp-179-lecture-class-intro-and-eia-basics-21-320.jpg)
January 8th esp 179 lecture- class intro and eia basics
- 1. ESP 179- Winter 2013 Environmental Impact Assessment Instructor: Trevor Macenski Teaching Assistant: Kevin Fang
- 2. Waitlisted Students Capacity for 85 students in class. Come see me after class to add. CONTACT: Melissa Whaley for PTA Numbers Student Affairs Officer Environmental Science & Policy 2134 Wickson Hall - 530-752-7183
- 3. Introductions Trevor Macenski B.S. Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning- UC Davis M.Sc. Environmental Science- Johns Hopkins University Board of Directors- Association of Environmental Professionals Education Group: Teach CEQA Basics, Advanced CEQA, Etc Immerging Issues Committee Ag and Land Use Committee Certified Wetland Delineator Director of Environmental Services, FirstCarbon Solutions
- 4. Introductions Kevin Fang B.A. Integrative Biology- UC Berkeley M.S. City and Regional Planning- CalPoly M.S. Transportation Engineering- CalPoly Phd Candidate-Transportation Technology and Policy- UC Davis
- 5. Course Objectives Develop an understanding of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Provide practical skill set for preparing CEQA documents Introduce EIA Methodologies related to CEQA/NEPA Teach you skills that will help you get a job. “The objective of the course is for students to acquire a understanding of the California Environmental Quality Act and the Environmental Impact Assessment methodologies that are used with respect to law, policy, and practice.”
- 6. How it will work ? The quarter divided into two parts: 1) Introduction to theories, concepts, and methods 2) Development of practical skills and impact assessment methodologies with CEQA.
- 7. Rules of the game… Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/UC-Davis-ESP-179-Winter-2013/30 Questions will be posted for discussion Articles and websites Assumptions: Land Use and Planning Concepts General Environmental Understanding Strong writing skills Syllabus: Read the websites and articles Yes you have to read the course reader Class and Discussion: Take notes or not your call I will provide the lectures usually 2-3 days after the class Ask questions and get involved
- 8. Assignments and Grading The approximate breakdown of the grading evaluation is as follows: EIR/EIS Analysis Paper 10% Threshold Identification Matrix 5% Mid-Term Exam 20% CEQA Document/Presentation 30% Final Exam 30% Class Participation 5% Small extra credit assignments will be provided during the lectures….
- 9. Questions
- 10. Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment
- 11. Environmental Impact Assessment EIA- An environmental impact assessment is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impacts that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects.
- 12. EIA Purpose Ensure that decision makers consider the potential environmental impacts when deciding whether to proceed with a project. Requires decision makers to account for environmental values.
- 13. Origins of EIA Public Health Policy had long been concerned with cause- effect relationships, but, other than sanitary protection from infectious disease, medical diagnosis tended to regard the environment as largely neutral. Going to War After World War II, direct and indirect consequences of new and unfamiliar industrial and biomedical technologies stimulated research into their impacts upon individuals, societies, and nature.
- 14. Origins of EIA Cost-benefit Analysis Cost-benefit analysis had been used to establish an appropriate balance between the monetary costs of a project and its alleged benefits. Technique has frequently fallen short of real impact analysis. Costs and benefits have often been narrowly construed and monetized— whatever couldn’t be measured and priced being omitted from the calculations. It has been relatively easy to skew the inputs and outputs to obtain a “politically preferred” ratio.
- 15. Origins of EIA Blame it all on NEPA The development of environmental impact analysis and assessment pursuant to NEPA greatly expanded the scope and content of cause-effect analysis. Other analytic techniques such as technology assessment and risk assessment were developed to inform—but not necessarily to determine—policy. Environmental impact assessment mandated by NEPA was specifically intended to influence policy and to force action on the principles enumerated under Title I of the Act. It was intended to bring ecological rationality to the policy process
- 16. EIA in the US at the Federal Level 1960- Environmental Enlightenment Resulted in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. NEPA’s purpose: "To declare a national policy which will encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment; to promote efforts which will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere and stimulate the health and welfare of man; to enrich the understanding of the ecological systems and natural resources important to the Nation; and to establish a Council on Environmental Quality."
- 17. NEPA First national statute to mandate an assessment of the environmental impact of proposals for legislation and other major governmental action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. Provisions: The environmental impact of the proposed action Any adverse effects which could not be avoided should the project be implemented. Alternatives to the proposed action The relationship between local short-term uses of man’s environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long- term productivity, and Any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources which would be involved in the proposed action should it be implemented.
- 18. NEPA In addition to the impact statement, NEPA (PL 91-190 §102 2[a]), required the federal agencies to: “utilize a systematic, interdisciplinary approach which will insure the integrated use of the natural and social sciences, and the environmental design arts in planning and in decision making which may have an impact on man’s environment.” The agencies were also required to give appropriate consideration to unquantified environmental amenities and values.
- 19. CEQA NEPA passed shortly after the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) passed in 1970 CEQA’s Purpose: “To institute a statewide policy of environmental protection. CEQA does not directly regulate land uses, but instead requires state and local agencies within California to follow a protocol of analysis and public disclosure of environmental impacts of proposed projects and adopt all feasible measures to mitigate those impacts. Because CEQA makes environmental protection a mandatory part of every California state and local agency's decision making process, it has become a model for environmental protection laws in other states. It has also become the basis for numerous lawsuits concerning public and private projects”
- 20. CEQA Inform government decision makers and the public about the potential significant environmental impacts of proposed activities Identify ways that environmental impact(s) can be avoided or significantly reduced
- 21. CEQA Prevent significant avoidable damage to the environment by requiring changes in the project through the use of feasible alternatives and mitigation Disclose to the public the reason that an agency approved a project notwithstanding its unavoidable, significant environmental impacts [Decisions made in the light of day]
- 22. Overview: CEQA & Entitlement CEQA- 1970 Checks and balances for land-use development and management. Revolves around a EIA document called and Environmental Impact Report or EIR. Other laws matter Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Permit Streamlining Act, ETC. Cities and Counties Regulate by planning, zoning, and subdivision controls. State Agencies Regulate the private use of state land, resources, and certain activities Federal Agencies Have authority over activities on federal lands and over certain resources
- 23. A Global Perspective Australia Environment Protection Act 1974 which was superceded by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act of 1999 Canada Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 1995 China Environmental Impact Assessment Law since 1972 but adopted in 2006 Egypt Law 4/1994 for the Protection of Environment, the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency 1982
- 24. A Global Perspective European Union European Uniuon Directive (85/337/EEC) on Environmental Impact Assessments of 1987 The Netherlands Wet mileubeheer, Dutch legislation 1987 Hong Kong Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance 1997 India Resouce Specific Laws (Water Act, Wildlife, etc.) Malaysia Section 34A Environmental Quality Act 1974
- 25. Sample Flowcharts City of Woodland Example: http://www.ci.woodland.ca.us/civica/filebank/b =2540
- 26. Reading Assignments http://ceres.ca.gov/ceqa/guidelines/intro.html http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_a