GEOG/URBS 652

Environmental Impact Assessment

The term “environmental impact assessment” carries multiple meanings in the United States. From a policy perspective, it refers to the public’s right to know about the environmental consequences of government actions. From an administrative perspective, it refers to the process of engaging the public in environmental decision making. From a scientific perspective, it refers to methods of predicting the environmental consequences of proposed projects. Furthermore, the term can refer to both federal policy (the National Environmental Policy Act, NEPA) and state policy (the California Environmental Quality Act, CEQA).

This course is designed to introduce you to all these views of the term, focusing primarily on federal processes under NEPA. As you become familiar with the policy, administration, and science of environmental impact assessment, you’ll be better able to engage the process – as professionals and private citizens – to influence decisions affecting the environment. Indeed, the ultimate purpose of this course is to prepare you to participate in environmental decision making through the impact assessment process.