Natural Resources Law and Policy

Environmental law subsumes two major sets of issues. One set of issues, which is the subject of Environmental Law & Policy (Law 2504), focuses on pollution containment (e.g., the Clean Air Act and the Toxic Substances Control Act). This course focuses on societal management of the natural world and natural resources (e.g., energy, water, and living species). Natural resource management presents extremely difficult and contentious issues of law and public policy. Major debates rage over whether farmers should do with less water in order to protect endangered fish species, how to equitably allocate water and energy, and whether federal land agencies should emphasize preservation, recreation, or resource extraction. This course is a survey course and will look at fish and wildlife protection (including the protection of endangered species), freshwater, energy, and public lands. A major goal will be to look at the flaws in current management and how that management can be improved. Class sessions will include both (1) critical examinations of current laws and policy and (2) in-depth discussions of situational case studies that force you to consider how you would address real-life issues. Students are expected to participate actively in class discussions. Elements used in grading: class participation and final exam (open book).