Environmental Law

I. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE LAW.

1. The American Legal System: The Source of Environmental Law.


Sources of Law. Classifications of Law. Constitutional Principals Underlying the American Legal System. A Constitutional Right to Environmental Protection? Concluding Remarks. Questions for Review and Discussion. For Further Reading. On the Internet. Notes. Thinking Critically About Issues Related to Environmental Law.

2. The Litigation Process and Other Tools for Resolving Environmental Disputes.


The Adversary System. The U.S. Dual Court System. Primary Actors in the Legal System. Steps in Civil Litigation. The Threshold Issues. Pretrial. The Trial. Appellate Procedure. Alternatives to Civil Litigation. Arbitration. Mediation. Concluding Remarks. Questions for Review and Discussion. For Further Reading. On the Internet. Notes. Thinking Critically About Issues Related to Environmental Law.

3. Administrative Law and Its Impact on the Environment.


Creation of Administrative Agencies. Functions of Administrative Agencies. Administrative Activities. Limitations on Agency Powers. Important Agencies Affecting the Environment. Concluding Remarks. Questions for Review and Discussion. For Further Reading. On the Internet. Notes. Thinking Critically About Issues Related to Environmental Law.

II. THE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

4. An Introduction to Environmental Law and Policy.


The Need for Regulation. Alternative Ways to Control Pollution. Evolution of Our Environmental Policy. National Environmental Policy Act. Pollution Prevention Act of 1990. Concluding Remarks. Questions for Review and Discussion. For Further Reading. On the Internet. Notes. Thinking Critically About Issues Related to Environmental Law.

5. Air Quality Control.


The Major Air Pollutants. Airborne Toxins. Some Significant Air Quality Problems. The Initial Approach to Air Quality Control. The Current Approach to Air Quality Control. The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. Solutions Beyond the Clean Air Act. Concluding Remarks. Questions for Review and Discussion. For Further Reading. On the Internet. Notes. Thinking Critically About Issues Related to Environmental Law.

6. Water Quality Control.


The Major Water Pollutants. Some Significant Water Quality Problems. Protecting Water Through Government Actions. Water Rights. Protecting Waters of the Nation. Protecting Drinking Water. Concluding Remarks. Questions for Review and Discussion. For Further Reading. On the Internet. Notes. Thinking Critically About Issues Related to Environmental Law.

7. Controlling Toxic Substances.


Identification of Potentially Toxic Substances. Federal Regulation of Toxic Substances. International Regulation of Toxic Substances. Toxic Torts. Concluding Remarks. Questions for Review and Discussion. For Further Reading. On the Internet. Notes. Thinking Critically About Issues Related to Environmental Law.

8. Waste Management and Hazardous Releases.


Waste Control Techniques. Municipal Solid Waste. Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984. Hazardous Waste. Enforcement of RCRA. CERCLA: An Overview. Emergency Response Plans and Right to Know. Federal Response to Contaminated Sites. Underground Storage Tank Program. Concluding Remarks. Questions for Review and Discussion. For Further Reading. On the Internet. Notes. Thinking Critically About Issues Related to Environmental Law.

9. Energy.


Energy Policy: A Historical Overview. Energy Consumption and Production. Coal: The Oldest Energy Source. Petroleum and Natural Gas. Nuclear Energy. Renewable Fuels.

10. Natural Resources.


Protecting Public Lands. Wetlands, Estuaries, and Coastal Areas. Protection of the Great Lakes. Wild and Scenic Rivers Program. Endangered Species. Concluding Remarks. Questions for Review and Discussion. For Further Reading. On the Internet. Notes. Thinking Critically About Issues Related to Environmental Law.

11. International Environmental Law.


The Need for International Environmental Law. The Nature of International Law. Sources of International Environmental Law. Institutions That Effectuate and Influence International Environmental Law. Addressing Specific International Environmental Problems. The Future of International Environmental Law. Environmentalism and Trade. Concluding Remarks. Questions for Review and Discussion. For Further Reading. On the Internet. Notes. Thinking Critically About Issues Related to Environmental Law.