Thresholds of Significance in Environmental Planning
Determining the significance of environmental impacts under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is one of the most difficult and important decisions agencies must make. Yet many agencies have not developed a consistent approach to judging significance and agonize over this issue on a project-by-project basis. Thresholds of significance are a proven method of streamlining the CEQA process. Learn about significance thresholds, the process for developing them and success stories. Topics include:
- Why the concept of "significance" is under CEQA
- The definition of environmental thresholds
- Advantages and disadvantages of developing thresholds
- Criteria for determining significance
- Reliance on other agencies' regulatory standards
- Adopted thresholds
- Legal problems
- Office of Planning and Research technical advice on developing thresholds
- Developing thresholds for any impact discipline
- The relationship between thresholds and planning policies and standards
Instructor(s):
Antero Rivasplata
is a senior environmental planner with ICF Jones & Stokes in Sacramento. Prior to assuming that position, he was the chief of the state clearinghouse in the governor's Office of Planning and Research in Sacramento. He has extensive experience with CEQA and state planning law.Maggie Townsley is a senior project manager and environmental planning team leader at ICF Jones & Stokes, a leading 300-person environmental planning and natural resources management firm headquartered in Sacramento.
When:
Jan. 27: Wed., 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Where:
Sutter Square Galleria, 2901 K St, Sacramento, CA
Directions:
Fee:
$290.00 Includes course material.
Special Discount fee:
$261.00 for organizations enrolling three or more people at the same time in the same course. All registrations must be submitted at the same time and fees paid with one check, credit card or purchase order.
Credit:
6 MCLE CEUs, 6 AICP Hours, .6 CEU
Section:
093NAT210
