ENR 5210 discussed the process and components of an Environmental Impact Assessment. The objectives were:
- To discuss the fundamental concepts of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) including the laws, regulations, guidelines, and judicial interpretations that shaped EIA’s implementation in “real world” settings.
- To equip students with the terms and concepts of EIA so they may effectively communicate with other EIA practitioners.
- To prepare students to provide quality information to decision-makers through the use of project alternatives designed to avoid, minimize, and mitigate for negative impacts to the environment.
Case studies of national significance were discussed in class and reviewed using individual and group study to enhance understanding and provide an opportunity for participation and engagement. As a graduate student, I led the group examining the Bureau of Land Management’s Solar Energy Program in Six States.
I had encountered Environmental Impact Assessment in my previous work on issues such as fracking in Wayne National Forest, but I had no idea how big a project an EIA really is or when it is likely to be done. This course will be of enormous value in informing my environmental advocacy work.
The course included two midterms and a final that examined case studies of environmental assessments for the Dakota Access Pipeline and the U.S. Navy’s Undersea Warfare Training Range (pdf).
I also made a presentation on the BLM Solar Project (ppt).