Time Schedule:
David A Tetta
TEST 333
Tacoma Campus
Covers practical environmental regulatory compliance. Develops an understanding of the systems, procedures, and forms required for routine environmental compliance. Explores how business, government, and the private citizen interact with environmental regulation.
Class description
Note - See class web site at:http://faculty.washington.edu/dtetta/test333/ for a more complete description.
The dynamics of the environmental movement over the past four decades is largely reflected in the structure and application of today’s environmental laws. These offer a perspective through with you can better understand: 1) the evolution of legal principles, scientific reasoning and public input in resolving environmental issues; 2) the strengths and limits of the multi-jurisdictional arena in which these laws are administered; 3) the growth of public participation, consensus building and conflict resolution in today’s environmental decision making; and 4) the increasing importance of Tribal governments as key players in these decisions.
This class will help you explore these concepts via a focus on practical applications of environmental law to current issues in the Northwest. We will spend about half of the sessions covering the principle environmental laws and administrative processes (i.e. permitting, enforcement), with the remaining half divided between scientific approaches to environmental standards setting and public involvement/conflict resolution methods.
Student learning goals
* Be able to articulate a general understanding of the major environmental laws and administrative/legal processes used to administer them.
* Understand the basic scientific methods that are used to establish environmental standards.
* Understand the skills, knowledge, experience and preparation needed to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders to implement these laws and regulations and to negotiate environmental disputes.
* Know how to access various information sources, such as the internet, for environmental management research, and how to use these sources for promoting an understanding of environmental regulation.
General method of instruction
Classes will include a mix of presentation by the instructor, guest speaker presentations, and student discussions of case studies. There will also be a session in which students will work through a negotiation simulation on watershed planning, and portions of various classes where students will have the opportunity to work with on-line tools for permitting and environmental analysis.
Recommended preparation
Students should have some familiarity with environmental issues.
Class assignments and grading
The main assignments include active partticipation in class discussions, postings to the class discussion board, and two speciic assignments. One of these will require students to attend a public meeting on an environmental issue and prepare a 7-8 page analysis of that meeting. The other reqires students to work in teams to present an analysis of an ongoing environmental issue affecting the Puget Sound region.
Grading will based on the following one written paper, one group presentation, participation in class and postings to the class discussion board
Grading criteria will consist of: 1) quality of reasoning and analysis as demonstrated in written and oral work, 2) clarity and organization of written paper and in-class presentation, and 3) demonstrated knowledge of class readings.
