Build practical skills for developing clear, organized and legally defensible CEQA documents through a step-by-step approach to preparing environmental review materials. This course focuses on how to organize project information, coordinate technical inputs and write effective environmental analysis sections that support informed agency decision-making.

You’ll learn strategies for drafting concise environmental impact discussions, integrating technical studies into cohesive document sections and developing well-structured administrative records. The course also examines how project managers, technical specialists, authors and editors collaborate throughout the document preparation process—and how improved workflows can increase efficiency and reduce common documentation challenges.

Through applied exercises and real-world examples, you’ll practice outlining environmental documents, drafting environmental analysis sections, tracking technical references and reviewing project start-up materials. The course highlights best practices for producing professional CEQA documents that meet regulatory requirements, support transparent public review and help reduce litigation risk.

Learning Outcomes

• Organize and outline CEQA documents that clearly present project descriptions, environmental settings, impact analysis and mitigation measures
• Apply effective writing techniques to produce clear, concise and technically accurate environmental impact discussions
• Integrate technical studies and consultant input into cohesive environmental analysis sections
• Develop systems for tracking references, technical sources and supporting documentation used in CEQA analysis
• Evaluate the roles of project managers, technical specialists, authors and editors in the CEQA document preparation process
• Apply best practices for preparing environmental documentation that supports public review and defensible agency decisions
• Identify common writing and organizational challenges that increase CEQA litigation risk and implement strategies to avoid them

Skills You’ll Gain      

• Writing clear, concise environmental impact analysis for CEQA documents
• Organizing and structuring professional CEQA environmental review documents
• Integrating technical studies into cohesive environmental analysis sections
• Managing references and supporting documentation for CEQA analyses
• Collaborating with technical specialists and project teams during document preparation
• Identifying and addressing common CEQA documentation issues that increase litigation risk

Course Format and Pacing
This is an online remote learning course delivered through UC Davis CPE’s learning management system, Canvas, with a supplemental live session hosted on Zoom. The course consists of approximately 12 hours of content, combining pre-recorded lectures with a mandatory live Zoom session led by the instructor(s).