Would NEPA application benefit from a practitioner certification program?
Focus Area
NEPA Process
Subcommittee
Environmental Process
Status
Current
Cost
$100k-$249k
Timeframe
Under 1 year
Research Idea Scope
Since its inception 50+ years ago, NEPA has been subject to criticism – takes too long, costs too much, and so on. As a result, many remedies have been put forward. Streamline reviews. OFD. Shorten page lengths. Reduce timeframe allowances. Create programmatic agreements. The list is seemingly endless. YET, NEPA is a process for delivery. A tool so to speak. Many other industries REQUIRE licenses and certifications because they demand a certain minimal level of expertise. NEPA is no different in demanding that expertise. In the right trained hands, would NEPA delivery see substantial improvement? And would a certification program deliver that right training? The research idea would examine the effectiveness of other industry certification programs and from that information, postulate on benefits and drawbacks of such a program applied to NEPA.
Urgency and Payoff
Federal environmental policy is under substantial criticism at a time where politics and policy are heavily influencing the future of our planet. A look in the mirror at our own industry’s expertise could be a telling exercise at what could lead to immediate and beneficial delivery improvements in relation to original intent.
Submitted
06/14/2023