Association of Environmental Professionals



2020 Conference Logo

2020 AEP Conference Call for Presentations
 
The 2020 AEP Conference will be hosted by the Central Chapter in beautiful Yosemite. The theme of this conference is "Planting the Seeds of Knowledge." As with past conferences, the 2020 conference will provide an opportunity for CEQA practitioners and technical experts to meet and discuss the most pressing topics in the environmental field.

Session Tracks

A River Runs Through It – panels focused on water-related topics, including water supply and new sources of water (e.g, desalination, recycled water/pure water, storm water); flood control, drought response and conservation; Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Compliance; and water banking.

Cultivating Knowledge – panels focused on forming and expanding practitioners’ CEQA foundation. These “CEQA-nerd” panels will address nuts and bolts, best practices, and emerging topics - from writing the perfect mitigation measure to tiering and streamlining. Panels on this track may also discuss the nuances of project permitting requirements, and how they relate to the CEQA/NEPA process (e.g., the relationship between mitigation and agency permit requirements, or evolving wetland regulations), and the importance of the administrative record.

Building the Future – Panels discussing environmental, regulatory, and political changes with a focus on how to effectively respond as an industry. Topics will include changes to the CEQA guidelines and CEQA streamlining for in-fill development. Panels that address the current administration and how policy changes at the federal level may impact the environment and influence environmental analysis will also be provided.

Changing Landscapes – panels focused on land-based resources including aesthetics, biological and cultural resources, disaster-related planning, agriculture, and housing. Sessions in this track will also discuss finding a balance between permit streamlining and environmental protection; the intersection of technology and the environment; transportation (including a shift to VMT metrics, roundabouts, and self-driven cars); and opportunities for industry growth and environmental stewardship. Panels can also include discussion of sea level rise, coastal erosion, and climate change adaptation; and outcomes and application of recent case law.

Clearing the Air – panels include discussions on Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas Analysis, and Climate change. This panel will also include candid discussions on sensitive issues that arise during the preparation of environmental documents. Panels should include issues such as controversial environmental topics, air quality, health risk, and environmental justice. Discussion on how to refine mitigation measures and develop applicable mitigation measures should also be provided. Greenhouse gas emissions policy and emission calculation methods should also be discussed.

Submissions accepted from 12:00am EST on 05/20/2019 to 11:59pm EST on 09/18/2019