US EPA to conduct training on “Preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments”

The training is open for everyone and is design to provide training and guidance to people involved in the planning and development of projects that could affect human health and the environment, especially consultants, government officials, academics and non-governmental organizations.The training which will be held on August 12 to 14, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Koror State Assembly Hall will address key considerations in the Environmental Impact Assessments process, provide guidance on the multi-step process of preparing EIAs and the general methods and tools for predicting and assessing environmental impacts and hands-on exercises reviewing EIA case studies.The United States Environmental Protection Agency is sending two EIA experts, David Schaller and Jeanne Geselbracht to teach the course.The Environmental Quality Protection Board urges everyone to sign up for the training.Current EA preparers, consultants and other individuals or companies interested in EA preparation are highly encouraged to attend.The EQPB is considering establishing minimun requirements for EA preparers and may include this type of training.Participants are required to be present for the entire three-day course and will be tested and will receive a certificate at the end of the course.Each participant will receive a copy of the US EPA guidebook “Principles of Environmental Assessment”, a CD with many useful international EIA resource references, the EQPB Regulations on EA, and the EQPB Guide to Environmental Impact Assessment.The training is limited to only 25 participants and is restricted to participants with either appropriate educational background, work experience in the EIA field.When registering for the course, participants must indicate their educational level and degree or bachelor’s degree in engineering, life science, earth or environmental science, social science or planning and previous work experience.Registration fee will be $50 and deadline for registration is extended until July 11, 2008, Friday.Registration fee is non-refundable and must be paid within three days of the notification of acceptance to the course.Lunch and refreshment will be provided by the EQPB. Stop by at the EQPB office at the Bureau of Public Works building in Koror from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for more details.