A Look At CEQ’s New CE Explorer
technology, blogs Boon Sheridan technology, blogs Boon Sheridan

A Look At CEQ’s New CE Explorer

On June 5th, the CEQ’s Permitting Innovation Center released their first prototype experiment, the Categorical Exclusion Explorer. The Explorer is the first time a collection of cross-agency Categorical Exclusions (CEs) has been transformed into data for experimentation. This is still in the experimental stage, and we applaud the Permitting Innovation Center for releasing early-stage products and experiments. Early and iterative releases are ideal for gathering feedback and improving future releases.

We’ve discussed using existing environmental review data management and sharing as an area ripe for experimentation and innovation.

Read More
The ESA Edit That Could Affect an $800 Million Species Offset Market and Undermine Decades of Tribal Salmon Recovery
blogs, restoration Nicole Stiffarm blogs, restoration Nicole Stiffarm

The ESA Edit That Could Affect an $800 Million Species Offset Market and Undermine Decades of Tribal Salmon Recovery

Last month, EPIC submitted detailed public comments opposing a proposed federal rule that would weaken the Endangered Species Act by removing habitat destruction from the definition of "harm." If the Rule goes through, it has profound implications for the restoration economy and Tribal communities.

Read More
First Look at CEQ’s Permitting Technology Action Plan
blogs, restoration, technology Boon Sheridan blogs, restoration, technology Boon Sheridan

First Look at CEQ’s Permitting Technology Action Plan

This blog is a first look at the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) Permitting Technology Action Plan, which aims to modernize federal permitting processes. The plan includes data standards for interoperability between agencies, service delivery standards for workflow automation and digital documents, and a maturity model for agencies to gauge their progress. Key highlights include implementing data standards, improving document management, and using GitHub for open collaboration. We note the potential for multi-agency procurement and prize competitions and outline potential impacts for agencies, applicants, and vendors. We express cautious optimism due to the plan's technical depth, interoperability focus, and use of existing work but also note concerns about talent gaps and the aggressive initial 90-day implementation timeline.

Read More
Some Myths and Misunderstandings in Biodiversity Credit Markets
blogs, biodiversity, restoration Ryan Sarsfield blogs, biodiversity, restoration Ryan Sarsfield

Some Myths and Misunderstandings in Biodiversity Credit Markets

Biodiversity credit markets are new and unfamiliar to most of us, and misconceptions abound. Because carbon credit markets have attracted so much attention - good, bad, and ugly, there is a (mostly) false impression that carbon markets are, or should be the single model for a biodiversity market, and that couldn’t be farther from the truth. I spoke recently as part of an excellent series on biodiversity credits hosted by the Environmental Leadership Training Initiative, and below I’ve adapted my comments from that event to address some of the myths and doubts often posed by both advocates and skeptics. If others come to mind, go ahead and throw them in the comments below.

Read More