Environmental Law I
LAW 702 | 2-3 Hours
This course provides a thorough introduction to two basic forms of environmental legislation: the use of environmental planning (environmental impact assessment) as a technique for protecting the environment, and the use of traditional command-and-control regulation as a mechanism for pollution control. Attention is also given to the pros and cons of using effluent taxes and market incentives as additional or alternative regulatory mechanisms. The National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Clean Air Act are analyzed comprehensively. Special attention is given to questions of statutory interpretation, legislative history, judicial review, and enforcement of environmental standards. Also addressed are such topics as pollution prevention, the Endangered Species Act, and the protection of environmentally sensitive ecosystems like wetlands.