In this Issue

The Impact Report – Legislative Updates	Industry Trends, News and Tools
Gulf Oil Spill Prompts NEPA Review of Minerals Management Service Californians Asked to Vote on Timing of Climate Change Action Federal Highways Administration Publishes New Traffic Noise Rules Endangered Species Update, May – July 2010	California Takes Climate Change Bull by the Horns Onchorhynchus mykiss, Unbothered by All that Noise Address Climate Change or Create Jobs? Can't be at GovEnergy? Stay in touch! Stay up-to-date as ICF experts discuss GovEnergy 2010 on the new ICF Energy Insights Blog.

The Impact Report

The Impact Report is our way of helping you stay informed of environmental laws and regulations. In this issue:

Gulf Oil Spill Prompts NEPA Review of Minerals Management Service
By Ron Bass, Senior Regulatory Specialist
Californians Asked to Vote on Timing of Climate Change Action
By Rich Walter, Principal
Federal Highways Administration Publishes New Traffic Noise Rules
By Dave Buehler, Principal

UPDATE

Endangered Species Update, May – July 2010
By David Zippin, Ph.D., Principal

Read Past Issues of thinking forward

Q2 2010
Q1 2010
Q4 2009
Q3 2009
Q2 2009

California Takes Climate Change Bull by the Horns

California has proven itself a leader in addressing climate change through the environmental review process. In 2006, it passed AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act, making GHG emissions analysis a hot CEQA topic. In a recent webinar, ICF's experts discussed CEQA's main principles, recent developments, and how CEQA should guide GHG analysis. View the webinar here.

Onchorhynchus mykiss, Unbothered by All that Noise

In-water pile driving, often essential for the retrofit or construction of critical transportation infrastructure, can generate underwater sound that adversely affects listed fish species. A study by ICF's Rick Oestman for the California Department of Transportation evaluated the effects of exposure of juvenile steelhead trout to underwater sound that exceeded interim criteria (set at 206 dB peak, and 187 dB SEL) and found at the exposure levels (194 dB SEL), there was no physical damage to fish tissues. The data will be used in upcoming discussions with resource agencies to better define appropriate criteria. Refined criteria will result in less potential for project delays for port and transportation projects occurring in waters occupied by protected fish species. Check out our poster for more information.

Address Climate Change or Create Jobs? WCI Debunks the False Choice

The Western Climate Initiative (WCI) released their latest economic modeling, which shows that reducing GHG emissions by 15 percent from 2005 to 2020 can result in a net savings of about US$100 billion between 2012 and 2020. Along with reducing GHG emissions, the WCI's regional cap-and-trade program aims to generate development of green jobs and technologies and build a stronger economy. ICF International contributed to this analysis; view the full report and supporting materials here.

Course Name	Location	Dates
Wetlands Regulation and Mitigation	UC Davis Extension, Sacramento, CA	9/1/10
Water Quality Regulation and Permitting	UC Davis Extension, Sacramento, CA	9/15/10
EIR/EIS Preparation and Review	UC Davis Extension, Sacramento, CA	9/23/10
CEQA: A Step by Step Approach	UC Davis Extension, Sacramento, CA	9/29/10
Cultural Resource Protection Under CEQA, NEPA, and Other Mandates	UCLA Extension, Los Angeles, CA	10/1/10
Habitat Restoration: Intensive Two-Day Workshop	UC Davis Extension, Sacramento, CA	10/21/10 - 10/22/10
Habitat Conservation Plan Implementation	UC Davis Extension, Sacramento, CA	12/1/10
CEQA Update: Heading into 2011	UC Irvine Extension, Irvine, CA	12/1/10
Successful CEQA Compliance: Step by Step Approach	UCLA Extension, Los Angeles, CA	12/9/10

Event Name	Location	Dates
CLE CEQA Conference	San Francisco, CA, Speaking	8/19/10 - 8/20/10
Association for Commuter Transportation International Conference	Indian Wells, CA, Speaking	8/29/10 - 9/1/10
CAPCOA Climate Change Forum	San Francisco, CA, Speaking	8/30/10 - 8/31/10
2010 National Hydraulic Engineering Conference	Park City, UT, Presenting	8/31/10 - 9/3/10
SAME Sacramento Post Sustaining Members Annual Forum	Sacramento, CA, Exhibiting	9/9/10
CLE CEQA Conference	Los Angeles, CA, Speaking	9/16/10 - 9/17/10
Great Lakes Wind Collaborative	Cleveland, OH, Speaking + Hosting Workshop	9/19/10 - 9/21/10
American Planning Association, WA Chapter 2010 Conference	Kennewick, WA, Exhibiting	10/5/10 - 10/6/10
American Public Works Association, WA Chapter Fall Conference	Wenatchee, WA, Exhibiting	10/5/10 - 10/8/10
California Invasive Plant Council Symposium	Ventura, CA, Exhibiting	10/14/10 - 10/16/10
Great Basin Archaeological Conference	Layton, UT, Speaking	10/20/10 - 10/23/10
Mobility 21 Transportation Summit 2010	Anaheim, CA, Exhibiting	10/29/10
American Planning Association, CA Chapter 2010 Conference	Carlsbad, CA, Exhibiting	11/1/10 - 11/4/10