Advanced Environmental Law

Description

This 4-day training explores the intersection of environmental law, policy, and management, with a rotating focus on timely and complex legal frameworks. This offering include three specialized tracks tailored to experienced environmental planners, engineers, andcompliance experts:

1.     Strategic Environmental Planning – An advanced National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementation and environmental impact analysis seminar. The first two days focus on law and policy, while the remaining two days offer hands-on exercises in environmental impact analysis. Key topics include:

  • Planning the proposed action and selecting alternatives

  • Reasonably foreseeableimpact analysis and accepted methodologies

  • Programmatic NEPA strategies and tiering

  • Addressing scientific uncertainty

  • Public involvement

  • Implementing Technology and AI to increase efficiency

  • Updates to recent case law, agency regulations and policy

2.     Coastal and Ocean Resources Law – A focused review of statutes and executive orders governing coastal and ocean activities. Key topics include:

  • NEPA and Executive Order 12114

  • Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act consultation and permitting

  • CZMA and coastal consistency determinations

  • National Marine Sanctuaries, Magnuson-Stevens Act, Sikes Act, and Migratory Bird Treaty Act Survey of Laws

  • Interactive case exercises including a mock coastal zone consistency hearing

  • Participant project presentations on relevant real-world applications

  • Implementing technology initiatives in permitting

3.     International Environmental Law – A legal and policy-focused review of environmental requirements applicable to overseas operations. Topics include:

  • NEPA and EO 12114 in an international context

  • DoD Instructions 4715.05 (overseas compliance) and 4715.08 (remediation)

  • Other Agency Guidance and Regulations

  • Final Governing Standards and host-nation environmental agreements

  • Natural and cultural resource considerations abroad

  • Impact analysis workshop and peer presentations

Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Understand and apply the legal frameworks that govern domestic and international environmental review processes

  • Integrate NEPA law and policy into strategic project planning

  • Evaluate and improve reasonably foreseeableimpact analyses

  • Navigate complex coastal zone and marine resource laws

  • Apply overseas compliance standards and international agreements in project planning

  • Participate effectively in legal hearings and interagency coordination

  • Understand and Apply new initiatives in implementing Technology and AI to increase efficiency

  • Describe emerging case law, agency regulations and policy

Key Topics Covered

  • Strategic NEPA implementation and legal interpretation

  • Advanced reasonably foreseeable impact analysis methodologies

  • Coastal zone consistency, marine resource law, and permitting

  • Environmental compliance in international settings

  • Public engagement, adaptive management, and risk mitigation

  • Emerging case law, agency regulations and policy, and technology initiatives for permitting and planning

Audience

This advanced workshop is designed for experienced NEPA planners, environmental attorneys, engineers, scientists, specialists, and managers across all federal agencies and contractors. It is especially relevant for professionals involved in interdisciplinary NEPA teams, coastal and ocean project review, or overseas installation operations.

Process

These courses are 2-day or  4-day workshops, which  include a balanced mix of instruction and practical application:

  • 50% Lecture

  • 25% Discussion

  • 25% Interactive exercises, mock hearings, or participant presentations (depending on the track)

Materials

Participants receive the following:

  • Comprehensive Workshop Manual

  • Supplemental Reference Materials