Chapter 24 Environmental Policy, Law, and Planning

1. Chapter 24 Environmental Policy, Law, and Planning

2. 24.1 Basic Concepts In Policy • Basic principles guide policy • Policy formation follows predictable steps

3. 24.2 Major Environmental Laws • NEPA (1969) establishes public oversight • The Clean Air Act (1970) regulates air emissions • The Clean Water Act (1972) protects surface water • The Endangered Species Act (1973) protects wildlife • The Superfund Act (1980) lists hazardous sites • What’s the Proper Role for Government?

4. 24.3 How Policies Are Made • Public awareness influences policy • Statutory laws are passed by a legislative body • The judicial branch decides case law • Case Law is British/American • What does “Free Speech” mean? • French System: Extremely Explicit Laws • Executive rules are administrative laws • Laws Creating Agencies Give Them Authority to Make Regulations

5. 24.4 International Treaties And Conventions • New approaches can make treaties effective • International governance has been controversial • Will globalization bring better environmental governance?

6. 24.5 Dispute Resolution And Planning • Adaptive management introduces science to planning • Resilience is important in ecosystems and institutions • Arbitration and mediation can help settle disputes • Community-based planning can help solve environmental problems • Some nations have developed green plans • Data Analysis: Examine Your Environmental Laws

7. General Observations on Policy • Every Regulation or Movement is a Reaction to an Abuse • The Problem in Politics is Everyone is Telling the Truth About the Opposition • Ignore a Problem, it Will Go Away. Then it Will Come Up Behind You and Have You for Lunch • If You Don’t Address a Problem, Someone Will Address it for You • There is no Right to an Uninformed Opinion • Facts Are Not Democratic