Module 1: Introductions, Course Overview, Project Initiation, and Critical Importance of Pre-NEPA Planning

Curriculum Preparer and Presenter: Steve Pyle, HDR

The workshop’s first module focuses on the importance of “Pre-NEPA Planning” (Project Initiation/Project Development) to completing Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) to meet the new mandatory timeline requirements. The module will share proven NEPA project management concepts and skills and case studies covering the following topics:

• Common challenges with EA/EIS development (e.g., complicated regulatory consultations, mid-project changes, inadequate Team staffing and staff turnover, requests for unnecessary level of detail, delays obtaining Lead Agency decisions).
• Critical Importance of “Pre-NEPA Planning” (Project Initiation/Project Development)
  • Ensure project description, alternatives, and project scope is complete
  • Example: Air Force’s Planning Requirements for the Environmental Impact Analysis Process [PREAIP])
  • Example: DOT Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL)
  • Risk Management in early NEPA planning
• Critical NEPA Project Manager skills and expectations to lead “Pre-NEPA Planning”
• Project Management Plans (including mitigation of mid-project changes)
  • Expedited EA/EIS schedule incorporating critical path actions and concurrent consultation processes (using Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
  • Responsible/Accountable/Consulted/Informed (RACI) chart to map team/stakeholder roles and responsibilities
  • Public Involvement Plan (including ensuring meaningful Public Involvement throughout “Pre-NEPA” and EA/EIS development despite expedited timelines). 
    Use of comment software/AI for addressing comments as a management tool.
• Review of project exercise [project runs through all the modules]

Module 2: Elements of Effective EA/EIS Project Management

Curriculum Preparers and Presenters: Madeline Almodovar and Kristine MacKinnon, Jacobs

Module 2 focuses on the tools, techniques, and best practices of effective Environmental Assessment (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) project management during project planning and execution to avoid costly delays and meet project timelines. The module will share proven NEPA project management concepts and skills and case studies covering the following topics:

• Review of Module 1 exercises
• Schedule, Budget, and Contract Management (including WBS)
  • Scope Management (including advising action proponent/applicant on scope of requirements)
  • Monitoring status of consultation processes, resource and Team Management/SMEs or Media Managers
  • Agency oversight of Applicant-driven EAs/EISs (per FRA)
  • Quality Control Management
  • Records Management
  • Risk Management in EA/EIS Project Management (e.g., scope of NEPA and consultations become mis-aligned)
• Critical NEPA Project Manager skills and expectations to manage EA/EIS schedule, budget, and contract

Module 3: Coordinating Regulatory Consultations and One Federal Decision

Curriculum Preparers and Presenters: Ron Deverman, STV, and Rich Walter, ICF

Module 3 focuses on the tools, techniques, and best practices of coordinating regulatory consultations and applying the One Federal Decision to NEPA reviews. The module will share proven NEPA project management concepts and skills and case studies covering the following topics:

• Review of Module 2 exercises
• Emphasize NEPA’s “umbrella role”
• Develop consultation strategy
  • Agreement on methodology for assessing impacts
  • Agreement on mitigation and monitoring activities
  • Collaborative agency decision-making
• Working with Cooperating Agencies (including Tribes)
• Critical NEPA Project Manager skills and expectations to coordinate Regulatory Consultations
• Risk Management in coordinating Regulatory Consultations and One Federal Decision

Module 4: Managing Effective Interdisciplinary Teams

Curriculum Preparers: Ron Lamb, CEP Emeritus; Julie Zimmerman and Nik Tompkins-Flagg, Department of the Navy

Module 4 focuses on the tools, techniques, and best practices for NEPA Project Managers to pro-actively manage Interdisciplinary Teams to avoid costly delays and meet project timelines. The module will share proven NEPA project management concepts and skills and case studies covering the following topics:

• Review of Module 3 exercises
• Resource and Team Management (including ensuring Team members have sufficient availability and training)
  • Communications Management (including managing team meetings and efficient internal/external commenting processes)
  • Lead, Cooperating, and Participating Agencies
  • Dispute resolution (including recognizing when it’s needed)
  • Ensure QA/QC processes are followed
  • Records Management/Administrative Record coordinator
  • Critical NEPA Project Manager skills and expectations to manage Interdisciplinary Teams
  • Risk Management in effectively managing Interdisciplinary Teams (including Applicants)
• Course Review/Wrap-up