2026 Virtual Project Management Workshop

Managing NEPA in a Time of Change 

About

The National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) is offering an updated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Project Management workshop to address managing the NEPA process during this unprecedented time of change to NEPA practices. The role of the NEPA project manager, whether with a federal agency, a project sponsor, or a consultant, has never been more important. NEPA project managers need to manage the NEPA process and address the requirements of NEPA while implementing newly revised agency procedures and responding to changing federal direction, often under accelerated timeframes.

The target audience for this training includes agency NEPA specialists and consultants who are familiar with basic NEPA legal requirements and recent regulatory changes, but are new to managing NEPA EAs and EISs, and want to expand their skillset. Unlike NEPA procedures-focused training classes, the goal of this workshop is project management best practices to produce quality NEPA reviews while managing under all circumstances. This workshop will include six 1.5-hour modules (9 hours total). 

Each module will include a combination of presentation, instructor/student interactions, project examples, important elements of project management, and project management responsibilities. 

Meet the Instructors

Dates

Virtual

NEPA Project Management Series | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Eastern / 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Pacific

Registration Will Open Soon

*Meeting Dates via Zoom: June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9, October 7, and November 4

All modules will be recorded and made available to attendees 1-2 business days after each scheduled live module.
*The scheduled dates are subject to change. 

 

Pricing

Workshop Prices

  • NAEP Member / Government NAEP Member: $275
  • Chapter Member Only / Non-Member Government: $350
  • Non-Member: $400

Project Management Series Schedule

*The schedule is subject to change. All modules will be recorded and made available to attendees 1-2 business days after the scheduled live module. 

Session Dates
3:00 – 4:30 PM ET

Topic 1: Introduction and Overview of NEPA Compliance

A facilitated discussion of challenges facing NEPA project managers and student input on project management challenges.

 June 10, 2026

Topic 2: Threshold Determinations, Project Initiation, and Critical Importance of “Pre-NEPA Planning”

  • Appropriate use of categorical exclusions, EAs, and EISs
  • Challenges with EA/EIS development
  • Critical “Pre-NEPA Planning” activities
  • Expedited EA/EIS schedule incorporating critical path actions and concurrent consultation processes
  • Change Management processes and controls
  • Tools: Overview of scheduling tools
  • Is there a role for AI?
 July 8, 2026

Topic 3: AI, GIS, and Technologies to Support NEPA Project Management

  • Technology innovations that new Project Managers need to understand
  • Content Analysis (scoping or comments, for example)
  • Spatial analysis and use of drones/remote sensing
  • GIS spatial and data analytics – tools and data organization and how to coordinate data
 August 12, 2026

Topic 4: Elements of Effective EA/EIS Project Management  

  • Schedule, Budget, and Contract Management (including use of Work Breakdown Structure)
    • Discuss the Critical Path Method
    • Developing and working on the project management plan
    • Scope Management
    • Agency oversight of Applicant-driven EAs/EISs
    • Quality Control Management
    • Records Management
  • Overview of Project Management Tools
  • PM Tools (Jonathan Cain)
  • Critical NEPA Project Manager skills and expectations
 September 9, 2026

Topic 5: Stakeholder and Regulatory Coordination Challenges

Including One Federal Decision, and integrating other regulatory requirements (e.g., NHPA Section 106, CWA Section 404, ESA Section 7), and State review and permitting requirements 

  • Emphasize NEPA’s “umbrella role”
  • Develop a consultation strategy
  • Working with Cooperating and Participating Agencies and Tribes
  • Risk Management in coordinating Regulatory Consultations and One Federal Decision
  • Discuss potential tools, such as large documents
  • Solicit Team input on potential tools
 October 7, 2026

Topic 6: Managing Effective Interdisciplinary Teams 

  • Resource and Team Management
  • Team communication policies
  • Project Management Plans
  • Communications Management and Tools
  • Lead, Cooperating, and Participating Agencies
  • Dispute resolution
  • Records Management/Administrative Record coordination
  • Overview of tools (e.g., Teams and other options)
 November 4, 2026