Revised 7/2012

ENV 227 - Environmental Law and Policy (3 CR.)

Course Description

Introduces and analyzes environmental law and policy, including the history of environmental laws, the National Environment Policy Act; state, regional, and local environmental policy; and policy as it relates to hazardous wastes, endangered species, pollution, and surface mine reclamation. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

Principles of environmental law at the national, regional, and local level are explored using assessments of key laws and case studies of landmark court cases. Furthermore, the course highlights how individuals may be part of the political process to affect changes in environmental policy.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

The student should be able to read and express him/herself both orally and in writing on a college freshman level as measured by a college English competency examination.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:

• Describe the legislative capacity of the government to regulate the environment
• Define key regional policies
• Evaluate environmental law and policy
• Interpret landmark case law
• Assess participation in environmental policy decisions through the public comment process

Major Topics to Be Included

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
• Legislative power of congress through Commerce Clause
• Endangered Species Act (ESA)
• Clean Water Act (CWA)
• Clean Air Act (CAA)
• Takings Clause
• Public land Use regulations
• Regional governance of multi-state watersheds
• Waste Management Act
• Public comment process
• Invasive Species control at local levels