EIA Campus

Available Courses

• Principles, Processes and Documentation

  Cost: $75.00

  
  

  This course is focused on various definitions and processes related to cumulative effects (impacts) and their assessment. Suggestions are included on pertinent topics which should be addressed in the documentation of the findings of a CEA study. These themes are presented in three segments. The first segment is directed toward the importance of CEA, relevant definitions, and the development of a fundamental understanding of basic CEA concepts and principles. The second segment is structured around an 11-step process for CEA as promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality in the USA. The final segment highlights various topics which should be addressed in documenting the findings of a CEA study within the overall EIA process. Further, emphasis is given to various placement options within environmental impact statements (EISs) and to communication challenges related to CEA.

  Cost: $75
  

• Addressing Past, Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions

  Cost: $75.00

  
  

  This course highlights the identification and analysis of the contributions of other actions to effects on environmental features which are also anticipated to be changed by the proposed action. Such other actions are typically categorized by time into past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions (RFFAs). As a result, this course is related to Steps 1 through 4, and particularly Step 4, of the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ’s) 11-step CEA process. The information is presented in three segments. The first segment is focused on the need to address other actions, some cautions and practicalities related to their identification, and pertinent information sources. The second segment includes a description of a systematic process which can be used to identify and screen RFFAs for inclusion in a CEA study. The final segment includes information on range of approaches used for addressing RFFAs in six case studies. The studies range from simple site-specific situations to a complex regional-scale example.

  Cost: $75

• Special Considerations Related to Describing the Affected Environment

  Cost: $75.00

  
  

  Describing the affected environment for potentially impacted resources, ecosystems, and human communities can be challenging within a CEA study. Accordingly, this course emphasizes several special challenges, including temporal and spatial considerations, using conceptual models, the selection and use of indicators, delineating historical reference points and trends, and determining the significance of historical and current conditions relative to sustainability. Regarding the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ's) 11-step CEA process, this course includes information related to Steps 2, 3, and 5 through 7. The information is presented in three segments. The first segment contains contextual information followed by a discussion of factors to consider in establishing the spatial and temporal scope of the CEA study. Steps 5 through 7 of the CEQ's process are the subject of the second segment. An example of a conceptual model for understanding freshwater mussels is included, along with information on the selection and use of indicators and environmental indices, and describing "baseline" conditions. Further, examples of information sources are mentioned. The final segment is related to determining the significance of cumulative effects for historical, current, and potential future conditions.

  Cost: $75

• Connecting Actions with Consequences on VECs

  Cost: $75.00

  
  

  This course summarizes various methods which can be used to both identify potential cumulative effects from multiple actions, as well as to quantify (or qualitatively address) the contributions of various actions on valued environmental components (VECs). These topics represent the primary focus of Steps 8 and 9 in the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ's) 11-step CEA process. Three segments are included in Module 4. The first segment provides an overview of a variety of types of methods, and then addresses the use of questionnaire checklists, matrices, and networks for the identifying cumulative effects of multiple actions. Suggestions are also included as to how to adapt existing methods for such purposes, and how to develop new checklists, matrices, or networks. The second segment has a case study on how matrices were developed and utilized to address the cumulative effects of military training activities, other land uses, and infrastructure projects in southwestern Arizona on the endangered Sonoran Pronghorn. The final segment reviews examples of specific prediction methods and their actual usage in CEA studies.

  Cost: $75

• Mitigation, Monitoring and Collaborative Management

  Cost: $75.00

  
  

  The focus of this course is related to management opportunities for identified cumulative effects. To be successful, such opportunities must be planned in consonance with the institutional responsibilities and authorities of the proponent agency and other pertinent agencies. Collaborative efforts should be utilized. Further, "follow-on" tools such as adaptive management (AM) and monitoring could be used. Accordingly, Module 5 is primarily related to Steps 10 and 11 of the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ's) 11-step CEA process. The topical themes are addressed in three segments. The first segment highlights proponent agency mitigation responsibilities, and includes several examples. The second segment provides an overview of the concepts of AM as applied to the EIA process. It also delineates six key elements of AM as well as the inferences associated therewith. The second segment also addresses planning and implementation considerations related to environmental monitoring (one of the six elements). Finally, the third segment emphasizes the benefits and challenges associated with collaborative management, and a case study is included.

  Cost: $75

• Five Course Bundle: CEA

  Cost: $300.00

  Students purchasing this bundled course will receive enrollment in five key Cumulative Effects Assessment Series courses offered at EIA Campus for a discounted rate (20% savings). You will have access to this course for one year from the date of purchase. The courses included in the bundle are:
  
  Principles, Processes and Documentation
  Addressing Past, Present and Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions
  Special Considerations related to Describing the Affected Environment
  Connecting Actions with Consequences on the VECs
  Mitigation, Monitoring and Collaborative Management
  

  Cost: $300 This bundles saves you $75 off the cost of buying all 5 modules.
  

• Emerging Best Practice Principles

  Cost: $75.00

  
  

  This course is focused on Best Practice Principles in Cumulative Effects Assessment. As the practice of conducting Cumulative Effect Assessment Management (CEAM) studies has matured, it is now possible to identify best practice principles based upon sound science and policy compliance. The Best Practice Principles (BPPs) can be valuable in planning and in documenting the procedures used in such studies. They also produce time-efficient and cost-effective CEAM studies.
  

  Cost: $75 - Note this course is not included in the CEA bundle.
  

• NEPA, CEQ Regulations, and Agency Regulations

  Cost: $75.00

  
  

• Impact Study Planning and Scheduling

  Cost: $75.00

  
  

  This course addresses practical considerations in planning an impact study, including scheduling issues, the various roles of a study (project) manager, and selecting and working with an interdisciplinary team. A hypothetical flood control project serves as a reference for addressing various planning considerations. The first segment highlights two planning models; one is from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and the other includes a seven-phase approach developed in the USA. The second segment includes a detailed discussion of a ten-activity model which has been applied in planning both EAs and EISs. Examples of key activities are related to identifying potential impacts, describing the affected environment, accomplishing prediction of impacts and determining their significance, and developing mitigation measures. The final segment of this course addresses the selection of a project manager based upon both professional qualifications and interpersonal skills. Also discussed are the functions of interdisciplinary teams, selection of team members, and overall team management related to individual responsibilities, scheduling, and compliance document preparation.

  Cost: $75

• Integrating a Public Scoping Program with an Agency Scoping Process

  Cost: $75.00

  
  

  Scoping is an important early process in planning an impact study, with its key focus related to establishing the scope of the actions, effects, and alternatives to be addressed in an EIS. The process itself includes both intra-agency activities as well as the conduction of public scoping meetings and the analyses of inputs received. The first segment of this course provides background information on scoping requirements and policies, and summarizes key work to be accomplished during the agency scoping efforts. The second segment is primarily related to planning public scoping meetings and the analyses of public comments and received information. Attention is given to numerous practical topics to be addressed during comprehensive planning; examples include meeting locations, use of mailing lists to invite stakeholders, and developing an agenda and package of informational materials for distribution. Examples of the topical contents of scoping reports are then discussed. Further, the third segment summarizes a case study of continuous scoping utilized in a waterway navigation study in the USA. In addition, several overall lessons learned from scoping are highlighted.
  
  Cost: $75
  

• Methodologies for Environmental Impact Assessment

  Cost: $75.00

  
  

  This course highlights the types of EIA methodologies which have been, and continue to be used by EIA practitioners. Usage of such methodologies and tools demonstrate that both analysis and synthesis was accomplished, and that a "hard look" was taken in the evaluation of a proposed action and alternatives. The first segment includes summary information on 22 "types" of methods, their relative usage, and the emergence of newer tools. The second segment provides more details on two types of useful methods for impact identification; namely, interaction matrices, and questionnaire checklists. Quantitative or descriptive impact prediction techniques comprise the third segment of this course. Examples of such techniques are highlighted in three categories: simple techniques, indices and experimental methods, and mathematical models. Additional brief examples are provided relative to techniques for predicting impacts on air quality, surface water, groundwater, noise, biological conditions, historical and archeological resources, visual quality, and socioeconomic characteristics. Finally, practical observations about various methodologies are included.
  
  Cost: $75
  

• Identification and Evaluation of Alternatives

  Cost: $75.00

  
  

  The identification and evaluation of alternatives within the EIA process is the subject of this course. The first segment introduces the inclusion of alternatives within the EIA (NEPA) process, and draws comparisons with general planning processes which include the formulation of alternatives, their systematic evaluation and comparison, and the selection of the best overall choice. The identification process for "reasonable" alternatives, and the packaging of their various features for meeting identified needs, is described in the second segment. In addition, requirements for an appropriate range of alternatives are also discussed. The third segment is related to the evaluation of the reasonable alternatives. Summary information on the CEQ regulations is included regarding the identification of decision criteria and the conduction of trade-off analyses. Examples of techniques for developing comparison tables are addressed along with summary observations about the advantages and limitations of multi-criteria decision-making based on decision-focused checklists.
  
  Cost: $75
  

• Five Course Bundle - NEPA/EIA

  Cost: $300.00

  
  

  Students purchasing this bundled course will receive enrollment in all five EIA Process (NEPA) Series courses offered at EIA Campus for a discounted rate (20% savings). You will have one year to complete the course from the date of purchase.

  Cost: $300 This bundle saves you $75 off the cost of purchasing the 5 modules independently.
  

• Principles of Technical Writing Applied to the EIA Process

  Cost: $75.00

  
  

  This course is comprised of three segments. The first segment addresses several fundamental principles of technical writing and stresses their application regarding the preparation of EIA compliance documents. A key topic relates to the fact that multiple types of audiences (stakeholder groups) may read entire documents or selected portions thereof; accordingly, attention must be directed to communicating both scientific and policy information to anticipated diverse audiences. The second segment delineates the first two of three phases in the writing process for EAs or EISs: an initial planning phase, typically involving the development of a document outline (contents plan); and a detailed planning phase potentially involving both expansion and potential refinement of the contents plan. The third phase, the actual writing phase, is the subject of the third segment of this module. This segment includes practical suggestions related to organizing relevant information, initiating the writing, developing visual display materials (tables, graphs, maps, etc.), and selection of a referencing system. Finally, it should be noted that focused writing and referencing provides a valid basis for demonstrating that a documented decision process was used.

  Cost: $75

• Special Topical Issues Related to Writing and Reviewing EIA Documents

  Cost: $75.00

  
  

  Five topical issues are addressed in this course. The first one highlights the importance of clearly describing the need for the proposed action, as well as the purposes to be accomplished by the preferred alternative. The "needs and purposes" provide the context for both planning considerations and the preparation of EISs or EAs. The second issue addresses the contents of a summary of an EIA compliance document, along with pragmatic means of developing the summary following completion of a draft EIS or EA. This issue is particularly important since the summary is likely to be the most-widely read section (chapter) in a given EIS or EA. The third issue is focused on the challenges and opportunities associated with interdisciplinary team writing efforts. Challenges are related to coordination, timing, and blending the perspectives of the team leader and members. In contrast, opportunities are associated with the preparation of a higher quality document. The fourth issue deals with the purposes and processes for conduction of intra-agency reviews of draft EISs and EAs. Finally, the fifth issue highlights differences between a final EIS and a draft EIS.
  
  Cost: $75
  

• Two Course Bundle - Technical Writing

  Cost: $135.00

  
  

  Students purchasing this bundled course will receive enrollment in both Technical Writing for EIA (NEPA) Series courses offered at EIA Campus for a discounted rate (10% savings).

  Cost: $135 This saves you $15 off the cost of purchasing each course independently.

• Fundamental Aspects of Planning

  Cost: $75.00

  
  

  This “fundamentals” course is focused on how to integrate adaptive management (AM) into National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements for using environmental impact assessment (EIA) in decision making for specific projects or broader-scale plans. The information is presented in three segments – the first focuses on AM definitions, uncertainties in the NEPA process, the AM model, and the situational context. Concerns and benefits related to AM are also noted. The second segment highlights six elements which are typically associated with AM programs; they include development of management objectives, use of appropriate models, delineation of applicable management choices, focused monitoring and evaluation of outcomes, incorporation of findings into subsequent decisions, and collaboration and communication of results. The final segment is comprised of brief case study referrals, practical suggestions for incorporating AM into NEPA compliance documents, and concluding remarks related to AM and EIA processes.

  Cost: $75

• Case Studies

  Cost: $75.00

  
  

  This course is focused on six case studies wherein AM has been incorporated in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) or specific NEPA compliance documents. The information is presented in three segments – the first focuses on an introduction to the course and is followed by an example related to an Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared on a regulatory permit for commercial sand and gravel dredging in southwestern Pennsylvania. A second case in this segment is an historic example involving a 1980s oil and gas terminal in the Shetland Islands north of Scotland. The second segment is focused on planning an AM program for waterway navigation on the Ohio River; it also includes generic information on planning and implementing the monitoring element within AM. The third segment includes case studies related to natural resources management (elk and vegetation management in the Rocky Mountain National Park), ecological restoration (Napa River salt marshes near San Francisco), and downstream effects of an existing major dam (Glen Canyon dam near Arizona-Utah border). The course concludes by noting several practical lessons derived from the case studies.

  Cost: $75

• Two Course Bundle - Adaptive Management

  Cost: $135.00

  Students purchasing this bundled course will receive enrollment in both Adaptive Management Series courses offered at EIA Campus for a discounted rate (10% savings).

  Cost: $135 This saves $15 off the cost of purchasing each course independently.
  

• Fundamental Aspects of Planning - Segment 1 - Free

  • Teacher: Campus Admin

    

  This “fundamentals” course is focused on how to integrate adaptive management (AM) into National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements for using environmental impact assessment (EIA) in decision making for specific projects or broader-scale plans. This free course segment focuses on AM definitions, uncertainties in the NEPA process, the AM model, and the situational context. Concerns and benefits related to AM are also noted.

• Prediction and Assessment of Groundwater Impacts - Fundamentals

  Cost: $75.00

  
  

  This course stresses terminology and fundamental concepts for groundwater usage and contamination, and for predicting and assessing (interpreting) the impacts of proposed projects, plans, or programs on groundwater resources. The information is presented in three segments. The first one delineates challenges regarding needed information for multiple sources of pollution, institutional laws and regulations, multiple dynamic processes in the subsurface environment, and groundwater withdrawals and associated quality changes. Terminology related to subsurface transport of water and man-made and natural pollutants is provided, along with types of aquifers and groundwater withdrawals for a variety of uses. The second segment provides detailed information on multiple sources of pollution, and a variety of Federal and state laws related to groundwater usage and quality protection. Segment three addresses the concept of wellhead protection areas and their importance in groundwater management. Further, a practical six-step analytical process for predicting and assessing impacts on groundwater resources is described. This course provides information related to groundwater resources and their management. While the addressed laws and regulations are related to the USA, their principles can be applied internationally.

  Cost: $75

• Process for Groundwater Impact Studies

  Cost: $75.00

  This course provides information and examples on how to use a six-step analytical process to predict and interpret the effects of groundwater withdrawals for multiple uses, waste disposal practices, and the associated consequences on groundwater quality. This information is presented in three segments. The first one address two steps – identification of groundwater quantity and quality impacts from proposed projects, plans, or programs; and preparing descriptions of groundwater resources in the selected study area. Such descriptions can include subsurface water-bearing zones, groundwater usage, groundwater-surface water relationships, recharge zones, depth to water-bearing formations, hydrogeological features, groundwater quality, etc. Informational sources are also noted. The second segment is focused on Steps 3 and 4. Step 3 emphasizes the procurement and analysis of pertinent groundwater quality standards and usage limitations. Step 4 includes information on project construction phase impacts, including dewatering and disruptions in recharge areas. Qualitative (descriptive) approaches for addressing impacts, along with the usage of vulnerability indices and groundwater modeling, are also addressed. The final segment describes considerations for impact significance determinations, and the use of impact mitigation measures and groundwater protection programs. The information herein, while focused on USA practice, can also be used internationally.

  Cost: $75

• Two Course Bundle

  Cost: $135.00

  Students purchasing this bundled course will receive enrollment in both Groundwater Series courses offered at EIA Campus for a discounted rate (10% savings).

  Cost: $135 This saves $15 off the cost of purchasing each course independently.
  

• Climate Change within the EIA/NEPA Process

  Cost: $75.00

  Climate Change within the EIA/NEPA Process emphasizes how to incorporate climate change considerations in the NEPA process, development of inventories for greenhouse gas emissions and the climate change effects over time in the vicinity of proposed actions. This practical application course does not address larger questions related to climate change and international concerns and relationships.
  

  $75