tools, assessments, and environmental law

Environmental Needs Assessment (ENA)

survey done to assess environmental problems and concerns in a community

advisory committee

a group of volunteers gathered to assist with and provide input on an environmental project or ENA

Natural Resource Inventory goal

to document the quantity and quality of existing resources in an area or community

Natural Resource Inventory content

variable based on area, but can include land and water resources, forests, biodiversity, mineral and energy resources, and renewable energy resources

Land and Water Suitability Analysis

identifies valuable characteristics of land areas to designate less valuable lands for development

Environmental Quality Analysis

assesses air and water quality to compare to other areas and gauge compliance with Clean Air/Water Act

Environmental Action Plan

plan to address or mitigate environmental concerns in the community, including detailed implementation plan and targets

Environmental Impact Assessment

formal process to evaluate the environmental consequences of a project receiving federal funding

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

1970 Act that established Environmental Impact Assessments

Environmental Assessment

public document created to determine if an EIA is necessary

Finding of No Significant Impact

order issued after an Environmental Assessment if potential environmental impacts are not significant enough to justify an EIA

Comprehensive Sustainability Appraisal

assessment process done to determine the broad sustainability of a policy, project, or proposal, and propose mitigation strategies

Sustainability Indicators

various metrics used in a Comp Sustainability Appraisal

Composite Indicators

sustainability indicators that combine many single indicators to create a larger assessment

Sustainable Seattle

nonprofit (1991) that had a major role in the use of urban sustainability indicators

Form-Based Code

zoning approach that focuses on physical form and “character” rather than land use restrictions; encourages mixed use and pedestrian friendly

Miami, FL

Form-based Code example

Development Path Analysis

a process to assess potential future development paths and their impacts, so that decisionmakers can make informed action plans

Coordinated Resource Management

a process that brings together a variety of interest groups to cooperatively manage the natural resources of an area

Klamath River

example of a robust CRM; focused on balancing the health of the PNW Klamath River ecosystem and agricultural water needs

Climate Action Plan

a climate-focused Environmental Action Plan that generally involves a GHG inventory, vulnerability assessments, adaptation strategies, and implementation and monitoring programs

Greenhouse Gas Inventory

an inventory of greenhouse gases produced by a municipality, with 3 different potential scopes

GHG Inventory Scope 1

Direct emissions aka from sources owned and controlled by the municipality

GHG Inventory Scope 2

Indirect emissions that result from the consumption of purchased electricity, heat, or cooling inside or outside the municipality

GHG Inventory Scope 3

Indirect emissions from all non-city controlled sources inside or outside the municipality, including production/transport of goods, waste emissions, and transportation emissions

ICLEI

organization that helps governments assess their climate emissions

GHG Protocol

widely-used methodology for GHG inventories

ISO 14064

international standard for GHG emissions assessments

Climate Disclosure Standard Board

organization that provides a framework for reporting GHG emissions/inventory

5th Amendment

includes a takings clause that prevents “private property taken for public use without just compensation”

5th Amendment relevance

• government must compensate fairly for taking property via eminent domain

• regulations limiting private property’s land use require compensation

10th Amendment

powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states or “people”

10th amendment relevance

• reinforces state ability to regulate land use/zoning

• local planning must operate within constitutional limits

14th Amendment

equal protection clause and due process (“cannot deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of the law”)

14th Amendment relevance

• prevents zoning laws from discriminating against specific groups of people

• local governments must provide fair procedures before impacting property rights (permits, etc)