Environmental planning encompasses a wide range of activities derived from the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It covers such things as environmental auditing, air/water sampling and analysis, flood/erosion control, solid waste, wastewater treatment, urban planning, environmental assessments and impact studies, natural resources, endangered species, land use, water resources, cultural resources, socioeconomic resources and federal/state/local zoning and permit requirements. You can see by this list of subjects that environmental planning covers many disciplines. While any undertaking requires a consideration of the impact of such undertaking on the environment, major operations such as a housing subdivision development, a roadway thruway, the construction of a high rise building, etc. require a formal environmental impact analysis.
Environmental planning for smaller efforts such as for a camping trip or refurbishing an existing plaza may or may not be mandated by NEPA. In the case of the camping trip, there is no such mandate although there may be local ordinances that address camping site activities regarding the handling of waste by campers. In the case of a plaza do-over, there is a NEPA derivative requirement to perform an environmental assessment to ascertain if a more formal impact analysis is required. Environmental planning is not something to be fearful of. It is something that should become a part of your standard practice when planning a trip, an operation or undertaking. While you need not be fearful, one should respect his environment and prepare for any eventuality. That includes, in the case of camping, the terrain (is it flat or mountainous?), the weather (is it cold or hot, is it wet or dry?), the plants and wildlife of the area (are there poisonous plants and animals in the area, are there vicious wild animals-tigers, lions, bears, alligators in or near the site?), the fire hazard potential of the area (is there a potential for forest fire?), a contaminated area (is the area a former landfill, a former gasoline, oil or fuel site, a former chemical waste area, or a formal radioactively contaminated site?), a mosquito infested area, or an area notorious for attacks by gangs. One should consider these on a routine basis and incorporate them into his/her plans including how to remedy any dangers that might be encountered.
Environmental planning for major operations is addressed more formally by EPA and state and local government agencies under the NEPA. The Act covers the formal investigation process, the analysis, the potential impacts, and the remedies proposed for adverse impacts. The author was a consultant for many years assisting agencies and organizations with the preparation of impact studies, presenting his findings and recommendations to his client as well as the public.
"There is too much to do. My days are very hectic- I'm always on the go." Is that a fair verbal description of your life? Does it impact your ability to lose weight permanently over 40? Stress can be a good thing. Stress hormones put ourselves on the fast track, we are energetic and powerful. Short time stress is good- but being stressed out all the time can make you sick: Heart attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure are related with stress. Even worse: Stress makes you heavy and prevents you from losing weight permanently. If you are stressed out day in and day out, you'll gain weight on your abdomen and your hips: stress fat. When your body demands energy, the stress level increases. When our ancestors had to deal with physical challenges, this energy releasing mechanism was very useful. Unfortunately, today our responses to stressful situations do not need to be physical any more- we do not have to run away from or fight wild animals. Our problem solving mechanisms need to be mental. So the stress fat sits on our bodies and doesn't get burned. Especially for women stress fat increases the risk for heart diseases, higher blood pressure, high cholesterol, strokes, diabetes and cancer. In stressful situations the adrenal gland releases adrenalin. The blood sugar rises and the metabolism slows down so there is more energy available. Under permanent stress you burn fewer calories, preventing you from losing weight permanently. The shifting blood sugar levels will result in feeling hungry- so you'll consume more while burning less calories. When you are under stress, the hormone cortisol is released. It affects your muscles, bones and the immune system. Your risk to get an infectious disease is enhanced, muscle mass reduces and bone density is getting less. Cortisol affects your ability to lose weight permanently in another, serious way. The body's energy storage is filled up when your stress level is reduced. In this situation, Cortisol arouses your appetite and gives you a voracious appetite. That's why you like high-calorie food in stress-reduced, relaxing phases- sweets, chocolate, cookies, ice-cream etc. Fat cells become more sensitive to high cortisol levels when they are longer exposed to cortisol. The amount of fat cells increases because of this process, making it harder for you to lose weight permanently. Constant stress means endless hunger at a decreased metabolism. As we become older typically our duties increase, and with the responsibilities comes stress. To lose weight permanently over 40 you'll need to bring down stress. Particularly for women over 40 it's very difficult to lose weight permanently when the stress level is high. Women over 40 frequently have points of eating not enough, followed by periods of eating too much if they are chronically stressed. This leads to fluctuating weight making it challenging to lose weight permanently for women over 40.
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William C. Harrison has sinced written about articles on various topics from Recreation and Sports, Fishing and Recreation and Sports. AUTHOR: William C. Harrison, a former Army Lieutenant Colonel and Business Executive, has written a number of articles, blogs and RSS Feeds. The founder of WCH EnviroTech Corp, he currently manages several online businesses:. William C. Harrison's top article generates over 720 views. to your Favourites.