Team Semester Project: Skeleton EIS/EIR

       

      Scope of Work

      I will offer a choice of proposed projects in class, and your team will pick one.  As your semester project, your team will prepare a skeleton EIS/EIR.  This document is the outline of an environmental impact assessment report that follows the combined requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). 

      Your document will follow the required format of both laws, and will clearly indicate sections that are subject to different requirements, i.e., any section, analysis or element that is needed either only under CEQA or only under NEPA.  The structure of the document will cover ALL the points that would be found in the full-fledged Draft EIS/EIR. 

      Sections that present and discuss technical material that is currently unavailable but would be needed in the Draft EIS/EIR may be left sketchy, presenting all the currently available information and outlining what additional information is needed and/or expected. 

      Crucial sections of the environmental impact assessment process that showcase the preparers' understanding, reasoning ability, and analytical efforts will be developed as far as reasonably feasible.  These include, in particular, the sections covering the project description, environmental setting, development of alternatives, establishment of thresholds of significance, identification of significant impacts, evaluation of alternatives, discussion of mitigation measures, monitoring requirements, and recommendations. 
       

      Preparation of the Document

      All the assignments from now on will be tied in some way to the team project.  Many will be group assignments concentrating on specific sections of the skeleton EIS/EIR.  Think of them as progress reports to your supervisor.  This does not mean that you should wait until the assignment covering a particular point comes around (for example, development of alternatives) before devoting attention to that topic.  Instead, you should start planning early and view the due dates for particular assignments as project milestones.  This sequence will give you a chance to receive feedback on your work without waiting for the final report to find out whether you're on the right track. 

      As you advance through your project, you should keep in mind some details that are too often left for the last minute.  Agree on a report format, including font and paragraph format, headings, graph and table style, captions, headers and footers; verify that everyone on your team is "electronically compatible".  Create a bank of useful graphs, maps, figures, photographs, and other illustrations.  Keep notes on your bibliographic references, include Internet sources, GIS databases, CD-ROMs and other electronic sources, books, journals, conference proceedings, government documents, etc.  If you wait until the last week to address those aspects, you will become overwhelmed, not to mention irritated, and some mistakes will inevitable slip by. 

      You should end up with a good introductory section, a core section that covers all the necessary points but is sketchy in technical areas, and good critical conclusions and recommendations. 
       

      Contents

      Since you must meet the requirements of both NEPA and CEQA, choose the most stringent whenever there is a difference between the two laws.  Refer to the requirements on contents: 40 CFR 1502.10-18 (NEPA), CEQA Sec. 21100, and CEQA Guidelines Sec. 15120-15131.  Do include:
       
      • project description, including need and purpose
      • description of the environmental setting
      • agencies and organizations consulted
      • list of required permits
      • description of method(s) used to evaluate impacts
      • description of the alternatives, clearly indicating the no-project/no-action alternative, the preferred alternative, and the environmentally superior alternative.
      • description of significant impacts of each alternative, including socioeconomic impacts (required under NEPA only), significant irreversible impacts, and growth-inducing impacts
      • areas of known environmental controversy
      • description of method(s) used to evaluate alternatives, including cost-benefit analysis if appropriate
      • description of mitigation measures
      • conclusions
      • recommendations
      • supporting appendices


      This is obviously not an exhaustive list, but a minimum.  This means points will be deducted if you don't include these elements or a clear explanation of why they were not appropriate.
       

      Format and Style

      Your document should be printed with 1.5 line spacing in a reasonable 10 to 12 pts font.  Be clear, concise, and specific.  Style, grammar, spelling, and punctuation will be important.  The format should meet the requirements of both NEPA and CEQA documentation.  Make sure that the presentation is consistent, as well as attractive. 

      You must include at least: 
       

      • cover
      • title page
      • executive summary
      • table of contents
      • list of required appendices, including supporting studies, models and calculations that you will not actually prepare but would be needed in the final document
      • list of tables
      • list of figures
      • list of abbreviations and symbols
      • glossary or list of technical terms, if appropriate
      • list of preparers and their respective responsibilities in the preparation of the report
      • list of references
      • identifying headers and footers, including page numbers
      • appropriate tables, graphs, figures, maps, and other visual support

      Deliverables

      Report

      You will turn in a report in the form of a draft EIS/EIR.  This is a team assignment.  Turn in one copy of your report for the entire team, listing all team members (preparers).  Be sure to keep a duplicate for yourself. 

      Due date: Friday, May 14 (last day of finals) by 5:00 PM (in hand or in my box, House 18). 
       

      Oral Presentation

      You will also have to give an oral presentation on the last week of class during regular class hours (May 3, 5 and 7).  Every member of the team must participate in this presentation.  In addition, attendance is mandatory for other teams' presentation; attendance will be verified and people who miss their classmates' presentations without evidence of a serious and compelling reason will see points deducted from their own grade. 

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