Association of Environmental Professionals



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Call for Presentations
 
The Central Chapter will host the 2022 AEP Conference at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, April 10-13, 2022! The theme of this conference is "Strong Foundations to New Elevations." As in the past, the 2022 Conference will provide an opportunity for CEQA practitioners and technical experts to meet and discuss important topics of the day, with an emphasis on expanding our knowledge and delving deeper into how our profession can improve the environments we live in.

Session Tracks

Yosemite Falls – 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.

El Capitan – 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.

Valley Loop – 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 or State level may impact the environment and influence environmental analysis will also be provided.

Glacier Point – Panels focused on emerging topics in the field of land-based resources including aesthetics, biological and cultural resources, environmental justice, disaster or wildfire-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.

Clouds Rest – Panels include discussions on Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas Analysis, and Climate Change. This track 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 or health risk. Discussion on how to refine mitigation measures and develop applicable mitigation measures should also be provided. Greenhouse gas emissions policy and emission calculation methods could also be discussed. Panels can also include discussion of sea level rise, coastal erosion, and climate change adaptation; and outcomes and application of recent case law.

**New this year!** Young Professional & Student Series - The 2022 conference agenda will identify those sessions appropriate for Young Professionals and/or Students. Therefore, sessions from each track that are geared towards general CEQA knowledge and practical skills for the new professional are encouraged.

Session Details

Conference panel sessions will be 90 minutes in length. Session rooms will be equipped with a speaker’s podium, laptop, projector, extension cords, and screen. Additional A/V or other equipment requirements should be noted in abstract submissions. Discounted registration rates are available to those speakers interested in attending meal functions, networking events, or presentation sessions other than their own.

Submittal Instructions

Submittals should include a brief description of the presentation and are limited to 300 words. Please be prepared to provide the name, biography, and contact information for each session moderator and/or panelist. All abstracts are due online by Friday, October 29, 2021. Only online abstracts submissions will be accepted. Please note that if your abstract is accepted, no changes can be made except for additions/changes to speakers/speaker bios, so please ensure that your submission is complete.

Abstract Evaluation

Abstracts will be evaluated by the Program Committee for relevance to the conference theme and session tracks, quality of the proposed presentation topic or panel, level of audience participation, transferability of the strategies and solutions presented, relevance to current trends and issues, and consistency with AEP’s Mission Statement.

Questions

Please contact Amy Fischer, 2022 Programs Chair.

Submissions accepted from 12:00am EST on 08/28/2021 to 11:59pm EST on 11/07/2021