Training

See also: Permitology, Sustainable Human Systems

Description

This one-day workshop trained participants in how to better plan for the permitting and environmental review processes in California’s coastal zone, particularly those associated with wetland management, restoration, and mitigation projects. The event drew on the combined regulatory compliance and project management expertise of the presenters and their successful experience permitting and managing restoration and infrastructure improvement projects in the San Francisco Bay and central coast of California. The course offered an overview and discussion of natural resource laws typical of California’s coastal and inland environments, as well as a discussion of how to efficiently integrate and coordinate multiple environmental review processes.

Workshop Format

This workshop consisted of indoor lectures, case studies, and group discussion.  Format included:

• Lectures led by April Zohn with assistance by Jim Robins.  April Zohn is a regulatory compliance specialist with 15 years of experience in environmental review and permitting. Jim Robins is an experienced environmental restoration practitioner with particular insight into both the process and utility of programmatic permitting for restoration-based projects. 
• Case study review focusing on project design, contrasting a "build-in" vs. "buy-in" approach with regulatory agency staff and improved integration of the laws and regulations that apply to projects along the Central Coast, as well as programmatic mechanisms recently available to restoration practitioners. 
• Facilitated group discussion designed to answer participant questions on the material. 

All activities took place at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training provided lunch.

Workshop Objectives

By attending the course, participants improved their understanding of:

• natural resource laws that apply to projects in California’s coastal zone;
• integration of environmental review and permit processes;
• strategies for completing a successful permitting effort, and;
• programmatic mechanisms available to projects in general and restoration projects in particular.

Topics Discussed

General overview (i.e., trigger, responsible agency, and process overview) ofnatural resource laws, including:

• California coastal resource management;
• wetlands and water quality;
• special-status species and habitats;
• cultural resources; and
• CEQA / NEPA.

Integrating and coordinating the environmental review and permitting process, including:

• objectives of integration;
• integration opportunities; and
• overcoming common problems.

Strategies for completing a successful permitting effort, including:

• project design;
• timing and schedule;
• project management/coordination; and
• building and maintaining key relationships (build-in vs buy-in).