Clear Writing for NEPA Practitioners

Description

Participants in this course learn how to plan/scope the writing process for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents, including how to present technical and complex information clearly and effectively. This includes discussions on the use of  graphics to simplify complicated information, techniques to emphasize important information so readers will remember it, and a reminder of the basics for good technical writing. Participants will also review applicable NEPA statutory requirements, agency procedures, and guidance for preparing well-organized, readable, and effective environmental documents.

Objectives

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

  • Identify writing and editing requirements unique to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

  • Practice interdisciplinary team skills as they relate to each phase of the analysis and documentation process.

  • Prepare high-quality, well-edited NEPA documents.

Content

We tailor each workshop to meet the needs of the participants. The basic format of the interactive workshop includes the following components:

  • Presenting technical information that is complex and uncertain.

  • Learning how, as technical specialists, to provide relevant interpretations for NEPA documents that will guide senior policy makers and other governmental figures in their decisionmaking.

  • Using the scoping process to assist in writing and designing quality documents.

  • Learning how to assess their own process for writing to ensure they are producing high-quality documents in the most efficient and timely manner.

  • Making graphics an integral part of NEPA documents to simplify complex information and improve the readability.

  • Discussing applicable NEPA statutory requirements, agency procedures and guidance for the content and format of Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), with an emphasis on clear, concise, and effective writing.

Writing EA/EIS Chapters

This is an intensive writing section that allows participants to write or rewrite their own NEPA document, or a NEPA document provided by the instructor. During this part of the course participants will learn how to:

·      Write effective NEPA chapters.

·      Review documents for their effectiveness and accuracy.

·      Provide constructive oral or written feedback to colleagues on their NEPA documents.

Audience

Participants for this training generally include technical specialists, IDT teams, decision-makers, and reviewers of NEPA documents. Clear Writing for NEPA Practitioners is an interactive workshop designed to build practical skills. This 3-day workshop consists of a carefully designed combination of the following:

·      25% Lecture

·      20% Discussion

·      55% Exercises

Materials

Participants receive the following:

  • Core Principles of Technical Writing (Shipley Group manual)

  • Writing Quality EISs and EAs (Shipley Group manual)

  • Document Strategies for Environmental Writers (Shipley Group Style Guide)

  • Workshop Resources Workbook that includes slides, exercises, and additional reading materials.