DSPN Academy 2023 | Knowledge Resource Center

The Decision Support/Planning/NEPA Academy (DSPN Academy) provided an opportunity for decision makers, planning & environmental coordinators, and resource specialists at all skill levels, DSPN Academy Logo Shield to get up to date information and best management practices on the Decision Support, Planning, and NEPA programs at the NTC in April of 2023.

The DSPN Academy sessions were live-streamed and recorded to maximize the number of attendees and to provide a training resource. Course attendees, both virtual and in-person, could share their best management practices and learn tools and tips from other NEPA practitioners from across the BLM.

The DSPN Academy was a three-day training event covering topics specific to the programs within the Division of Decision Support, Planning and NEPA. Most of the presentations were recorded and are provided on this page, along with any handouts or other reference materials. Recognize that all the sessions were based on information and direction that was current at the time of the event. While the majority of these presentations are still current, keep in mind that some things may have changed. If you have any specific questions or concerns, please contact your state or headquarters lead as appropriate for current updates on guidance.

Please help us keep this site a valuable resource to bureau employees. If you discover something that needs to be corrected or clarified, please reach out to the DSPN Academy lead for the presentation via email or Teams and we will work to update the site information.

Sessions

HQ210 Program Overview & DSPN Team Introductions

Presenter: Heather Bernier

Part 1 (of 2): Introducing the Resource Uses, Decisions and Descriptions (RUDD) Framework

Presenters: Russell Slatton Cadre Members: Amy McGowan, Sharisse Flatt

Part 2 (of 2): The Resource Uses, Decisions and Descriptions (RUDD) Framework

Lead: Russell Slatton

Cadre Members: Amy McGowan, Sharisse Flatt

NEPA and CEQ - Regulatory Updates and Actions: New CEQ Regulations

Note: Video is "attorney-client privileged" and is only available to internal sources -- even if someone FOIAs it, it should be withheld as attorney-client privileged."

Lead: Richard Hardt

Cadre Members: Elizabeth Carls

Geographic Names: BLM’s role in name changes and an update on Secretary’s Orders 3404 and 3405

Lead: Pat Mahoney

Cadre Members: Frank Lahm

Strategic Facilitation: When and How

Lead: Marcia deChadenedes

Cadre Members: Sarah Palmer

Environmental Justice Analysis for Every Project: Incorporating EJ into every NEPA analysis

Lead: Victoria Phaneuf

NEPA Cumulative Effects Analysis Case Study: Case Study Review of Effects Analysis

Lead: Chel Ethun

Cadre Members: Travis Haby; Tait Rutherford

RMP Protest Process - Lessons from Experience: Components of the protest resolution process; challenges facing the field; and a tool to help

Lead: Toni Eighmey-Griffin

Best Practices for Collaboration Panel Discussion

Moderator: Marcia deChadenedes

Panelists: Pat Johnston, Nicole Hanna, Matt Magaletti

PowerPoint: Coming soon!

ePlanning Modernization

Lead: Jennifer Montoya

Cadre members: Michael Moore

FAST-41 and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law CXs: How they Apply to BLM and Why you Need to Know

Lead: Ben Gaddis

Cadre Members: Molly Cobbs (OEPC), Chel Ethun (DOT)

Session 1: AIM for Land Use Planning – Analysis of Management Situation and Plan Evaluation – Presentation w/ interactive exercise(s)

Lead: Emily Kachergis

Cadre members: Zoe Davidson, Alex Laurence-Traynor, Janet Miller, Tye Morgan

PowerPoint: Coming soon!

Eastern States Statewide Plan Evaluations and RMP Strategy: Eastern States Plan Evaluations and RMP Strategy project-purpose, methods, results, lessons learned

Lead: Ikumi Doucette

PowerPoint: Coming soon!

Socioeconomics for NEPA and Planning Basics

Lead: Rebecca Moore

Cadre Members: Karsyn Lamb, Hannah Amick

GIS Services Available to NEPA Projects: Existing tools and data, best practices, and examples on how GIS technology and methods can be utilized to support the NEPA process – including scoping, alternative development and description, impact analysis, and public comment.

Lead: Peggy Deaton

Cadre Members: Calvin Deal, Sharisse Flatt, Matthew Fockler, Pat Mahoney

Session 2: AIM for Implementation NEPA – Presentation w/ interactive exercise(s)

Lead: Emily Kachergis

Cadre Members: Zoe Davidson, Alex Laurence-Traynor, Janet Miller, Tye Morgan, Steve Bird

PowerPoint: Coming Soon!

NEPA Case Law: Case Law Overview with the SOL: NEPA decisions, litigation, and settlements

Note: Video is "attorney-client privileged" and is only available to internal sources -- even if someone FOIAs it, it should be withheld as attorney-client privileged."

Lead: Laura Damm

Cadre Members: Elizabeth Carls, Michael Williams, Danielle DiMauro