EIR/EIS Preparation and Review

Online

Many projects are subject to local, state and federal environmental review and noticing requirements. Learn how to increase efficiency and reduce redundancy by addressing the requirements of both CEQA and NEPA with a combined EIR/EIS document. In this hands-on course, you will gain exposure to CEQA and NEPA, as well as methods for meeting the requirements of both with a combined environmental document. Examine the key content requirements and standards for a combined EIR/EIS document. Learn how to ensure the EIR/EIS notice and review process complies with the procedural requirements and how to resolve potential conflicts between the acts. Discover real-world case studies of successful EIR/EIS integration.

Academic Units

CEUs

0.65

Section Number

252PRC209

Instruction Method

Online class

Association Credits

American Planning Assoc (AICP)

6.50 AICP hours

Section Notes

This is an online, remote learning course, which consists of 6.5 hours of content and curriculum that is taught with pre-recorded lectures as well as at least one mandatory live Zoom session with the instructor(s). Pre-recorded lectures and live sessions are accessed via our Canvas learning system and Zoom. This course is the same length as a standard 1 day, in-person course, please be sure to plan your schedule accordingly.

This course is open October 6 – October 10, 2025, with a live session on October 10, 2:00-4:00PM PST.

Attendance of the live session is mandatory to receive credit for this course.

We allow registration through the 12:00 PM PST (noon) on the first day of the course. We cannot extend course access beyond 11:59 PM on last day of class, so students pursuing a late enrollment acknowledge that they will have less time to complete the materials. Please contact the course representative with any questions.

Refund Deadline: September 29, 2025. Refunds and/or enrollment transfers will not be approved after this date.

Refund Deadline CEQA Practitioner Students: 7 Days Before the First Course in the program

Enrollment Policies

Drop requests (withdraw with a refund) will be approved, less a $30 processing fee, if the request is received seven calendar days by the refund deadline 9/29/25. Click here to view complete enrollment policy information including details on withdrawals and transfers.

Refund Deadline CEQA Practitioner Students: 7 Days Before the First Course in the program

Technical Requirements

To ensure your success in this course, please review our technical requirements page at online learning.

Discounts

CAAA Member Discount

Current members of the Cal Aggie Alumni Association (CAAA) and other UC alumni associations receive 10% off the course fee of one course per quarter, not to exceed $100. If you don't have your discount code, contact CAAA at alumni@ucdavis.edu to request it.

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Schedule

Oct 6th, 2025 to Oct 10th, 2025, 12:00am to 12:00am

Fri., Oct 10th, 2025, 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Instructors

Michael Smith

Michael Smith, Ph.D.,

is a nationally-recognized leader in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance with over 29 years of experience in project and program management, technical analysis, policy development, and training/education for a wide range of public and private sector clients. He is currently National Practice Leader for the Environmental Policy and Process group at WSP USA, an arm of one of the world's leading engineering and professional services consulting firms. He has managed and provided compliance review for some of the nation's largest, most complex, and highly controversial projects, including major energy and transportation infrastructure projects, regulation of genetically engineered plants, commercial space transportation operations, and approval of new fuel economy standards for all vehicles operated in the U.S.

Maggie Townsley

Maggie Townsley, M.S., is a vice president at ICF International and specializes in developing streamlining strategies in project delivery under NEPA and CEQA for transportation projects for federal, state and local governments. She has completed hundreds of environmental reviews for a variety of public and private projects throughout California. In addition, she coordinates extensively with federal agencies to secure related environmental permits and approvals, including conformity determinations from the EPA under the Clean Air Act and historic evaluations under the National Historic Preservation Act. Townsley has also provided third-party adequacy reviews of environmental documents and has taught numerous courses in environmental compliance.