Previous Programs and Events have included:
- CEQA Case Law Update: This case law update designed to help consultants, regulators, applicants, and industry professionals stay current on legal trends and key topics affecting the application of CEQA law and guidelines. Mr. Jim Moose, senior partner at Remy Moose Manley LLP, discussed recent important CEQA legal decisions and their implications on environmental planning practice.
- Local Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Strategies and Implications for CEQA Practitioners -- San Jose: A lunch discussion on on GHG reduction strategies at the local level and their implications for CEQA practitioners. There were three speakers: Cyndy Comerford from the City of San Jose will present on Climate Smart San Jose and the plan’s future implementation; Arielle Romero from Silicon Valley Power will present on how SVP buys and supplies renewable energy to Santa Clara residents and businesses; and Amie Ashton from David J. Powers & Associates, Inc. will give a presentation on community choice energy programs and GHG reduction strategies implications for CEQA. You can find Climate Smart San Jose at http://www.sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/75035.
- NEPA Advanced Workshop: AEP and NAEP held a 2018 NEPA Advanced Training, the training was designed to inform consultants, regulators, applicants, and industry professionals on the advanced aspects of NEPA practice, as well as emerging trends and issues in practice, policy and case law. The curriculum focused on the NEPA decision-making process based on the following topics: Social impacts, Tribal consultation, Public input, Environmental impacts, Economic impacts. As usual AICP, MCLE, and CEP credits were offered for this workshop!
- Protecting the Night Sky: Planning Techniques and Environmental Review: Many consider the night sky as a resource that needs protection. Seeing the heavens from a dark sky area is a treasured experience, but controlling light pollution has many benefits to other resources, as well. We certainly value it on the central coast and also have several observatories that need our help! Come and listen to three speakers present the Why, How, Where, Who, What and When to protect this valuable resource. AEP hosted a dinner event with Pinnacles National Park Ranger Elizabeth Hudick who discussed efforts being undertaken at Pinnacles National Park to become certified as a dark sky park and the importance of maintaining a dark sky. Monterey County Senior Planner Anna Quenga presented on efforts of Monterey County over several decades to control light pollution and what role land use jurisdictions can play in that effort. Jennifer Ban of ICF, a landscape architect with 18 years experience with visual resource analysis (CEQA and NEPA), closed the event with a discussion of how to address this issue in environmental documents.
- NEPA Essentials Workshop: The NEPA Essentials workshop is designed to inform consultants, regulators, applicants, and industry professionals on the basics of NEPA practice as well as emerging trends and issues in practice, policy, and case law.
- Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Dinner: The Monterey Bay Chapter of AEP is hosted a dinner event with a presentation on the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Speakers included Les Girard, Chief Assistant County Counsel for Monterey County; John Ricker, Director of Santa CRuz County Water Resources; and Bassam Kassab, Senior Water Resources Specialist with Santa Clara Valley Water District. The speakers discussed the state of the law, the implications of the legislation and on local agencies and the public, and how environmental professionals should analyze this legislation in environmental documents. Speakers also discussed the status of creating Groundwater Sustainability Agencies in their jurisdiction and which areas are subject to the legislation. The speakers discussed how to address this law during the interim period, prior to the GSPs being adopted, and what should be discussed after GSP adoption.
- Varous Networking Happy Hours: Stay tuned to our website and social media accounts to hear about our various networking happy hour events, meet other environmental professionals in your local community and grab some good food and drink at the same time!
- CEQA Basics Workshop for Students: The Monterey Bay Chapter of AEP will be hosting a half-day workshop focusing on the basics of CEQA. This workshop will be taught by Kent Norton, a leader in the California environmental field with years of experience as a CEQA practitioner. This workshop will provide a basic understanding of the fundamentals of CEQA and features a curriculum developed specially for students who would like to get involved in the environmental review process, including consultants, regulators, applicants, or industry professionals. Careers in the environmental planning field will also be discussed. This class will greatly benefit those new to the CEQA field.
- Pinnacles Hike for Environmental Professionals, Friends, and Family: Come visit the nation’s newest National Park, right in your backyard! Hiking in the Pinnacles is fantastic this time of year. The wildflowers are in bloom, the condors are soaring, and the temperatures haven’t yet become hot. So get caught up with your professional colleagues and become introduced to AEP Monterey chapter members and the AEP organization while hiking some of the best ‘hills’ to be found in this area. For those that don’t know the Pinnacles, this is a fantastic hiking, picnicking, and world-class rock climbing park. We will lead a 4-5 mile (strenuous) hike up to the High Peaks. It is just a little over two miles up, but up is the key word. So you don’t feel overwhelmed, I have hiked it with a three year old walking the entire way. The trail is not too steep; it just keeps going up. At the top are fantastic views, my favorite ‘lunch rock’ and some narrow areas and steep steps. We will also provide you with information on shorter hikes and a 10 miler, if you are interested. Bring clothes for hot or cold and bring waterplenty of it! AEP will provide trail mix.
- Tribal Cultural Resources and CEQA: Come and learn about the new requirements under CEQA and the Government Code related to addressing important tribal cultural resources. Mark your calendars for the evening of Monday, February 1st, for an interesting discussion. Monterey County Planner Craig Spencer will discuss the requirements for CEQA and Ohlone/Coastanoan/Esselen Nation Tribal Chairwoman Louise J. Miranda Ramirez will discuss the importance of these resources to the tribes, the public, and the importance of the cultural analysis in environmental documents.
- Monterey Bay Planning Symposium: The Monterey Bay Chapter of AEP, in coordination with the Northern California Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA), is hosting a one-day planning symposium to educate and inform planning commissioners, elected officials and planning practitioners about current planning practices and trends, with a specific focus on the three-county Monterey Bay region. The morning sessions will focus on planning basics and effective coordination between planners and decision makers. The afternoon sessions will include a panel of elected officials to discuss planning issues facing the Monterey Bay region on critical issues such as water supply, agriculture practices, traffic congestion, and economic development. The Symposium will close with an update on recent case law and future reform efforts to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
- AEP/APA Holiday Party: Mark your calendar for some good food and cheer our yearly holiday parties are not to miss!
- Trivia Night: Showcase your planning geekery, environmental prowess, and knowledge of our historic Monterey Bay in AEP/APA’s first ever Trivia Night on May 12 at Turn 12! Themed questions pertaining to urban planning, cities, the environment, and local history will make this event the ultimate showcase of your talent! Bring your own team or join up with other AEP/APA members at the event and compete for prizes! This is a free event. Appetizers will be provided. No host bar.
- Student Resume Writing Workshop: The AEP Student Chapter at CSUMB conducted their first workshop on February 19, 2014. The workshop was led by a panel of experienced professionals and was attended by 20 AEP student members. The panel members included Susan Alexander (CSUMB Faculty), Thomas Rogers (CSUMB Career Advisor), and Sarah Hardgrave (Independent Consultant). The panelists took turns giving advice about the do's and don'ts of writing resumes, CVs and cover letters. With the variety of experience and background the panelists offered, they were able to provide stylistic critique for many career path opportunities. The last portion of the workshop included groups of students sharing and critiquing each other’s resumes, as the panelists walked around and helped as needed. All the students felt it was extremely beneficial, for both undergraduates and recent graduates. The student club plans to continue with this effort by providing feedback loops to coordinate further comments on reworked resumes.
