education:
environmental law for scientists
spring 2008
Tuesdays and Thursdays 11-12:15, Ecology Seminar Room
ECOL 3520/8720
Tuesdays and Thursdays 11-12:15, Ecology Seminar Room
course objectives
The focus of the course is on how selected federal, state and local laws and policies motivate or inhibit the protection of water and biodiversity at all levels of government (sometimes unintentionally) and how scientists and environmental design professionals can influence environmental policy through research, outreach, and advocacy.
Our readings will include federal and state laws, journal articles and Georgia case studies. Classes will include some lectures by the professor, guest lectures, discussion sessions led by students, and at least one field trip. Students will be graded on two exams and a service-learning project.
faculty
Laurie Fowler, J.D., LL.M.
Room 23, Golley Building (by appointment)
Room 105, Riverbend North Bldg. 2125
706-202-9949 (cell)
lfowler@uga.edu
text
Environmental Law, Fourth Edition (2007)
Steven Ferrey
Aspen Publishers
ISBN 0-7355-4013-6
Selected readings from other texts will also be assigned.
grading
| Exam 1 |
20% |
| Exam 2 |
20% |
| Final Exam |
25% |
| Short assignments (total) |
10% |
| Final project / paper and presentation |
25% |
Grad students will prepare and teach a class.
class schedule (subject to change)
Printable class schedule (PDF) (updated 2/22/08)
| Date |
Topics |
| Tue 1/8 |
- Intro to env'l law themes
- Short assignment: What you know about env'l law, what you hope to know at the end of the semester and how you plan to use this information, how you learn best (2 pp. max)
|
| Thu 1/10 |
Class canceled |
| Tue 1/15 |
Themes in environmental law and overview of court system |
| Thu 1/17 |
Legal research (Travis Trimble) |
| Tue 1/22 |
Common law and criminal sanctions
Reading: pp. 21-37 |
| Thu 1/24 |
No class; read and think about handout, research project topic |
| Tue 1/29 |
Administrative law
Reading: pp. 39-72
|
| Thu 1/31 |
Focus the Nation (attend lecture(s) at Mahler Auditorium, Georgia Center for Continuing Education, particularly the Bodansky lecture, but any lecture will do; be sure to bring attendance form(s)) |
| Tue 2/5 |
National Environmental Policy Act and Freedom of Information Act
Reading: pp. 72-141
Short assignment: Compare and contrast the federal Freedom of Information Act and the Georgia Open Records Act (2 pp. max) |
| Thu 2/7 |
Statutory authority and limitations
Reading: pp. 143-171
**The Story of Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council** (Danny)
Reading: handout
|
| Tue 2/12 |
Exam 1 |
| Thu 2/14 |
Water use law overview
Reading: pp. 279-304 and Georgia code provisions |
| Tue 2/19 |
Federal Clean Water Act overview
Reading: pp. 235-277 |
| Thu 2/21 |
Clean Water Act (continued) / Onsite waste management |
| Tue 2/26 |
TMDLs / Land use regulations
Reading: pp. 453-494
|
| Thu 2/28 |
Wetlands protection
Reading: pp. 495-516 |
| Tue 3/4 |
Georgia's Comprehensive Water Management Plan (Shana Udvardy)
Reading: Georgia Statute |
| Thu 3/6 |
**The Story of SWANCC** (Mandi and Danny)
Reading: handout |
| Tue 3/11 |
SPRING BREAK - NO CLASS |
| Thu 3/13 |
SPRING BREAK - NO CLASS |
| Tue 3/18 |
NO CLASS |
| Thu 3/20 |
Exam 2 |
| Tue 3/25 |
Federal Endangered Species Act (Robin Goodloe)
Reading: pp. 569-586 |
| Thu 3/27 |
Etowah Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan (Tim Carter) |
| Tue 4/1 |
**The Story of TVA v. Hill** (Jimmy and Tammy)
Reading: handout |
| Thu 4/3 |
Clean Air Act (Justine Thompson) |
| Tue 4/8 |
Georgia HSRI and Merging Statutory and Common Law Remedies (Joseph Evans) |
| Thu 4/10 |
More about markets (Jeff Mullen) |
| Tue 4/15 |
Final Exam |
| Thu 4/17 |
Student presentations |
| Tue 4/22 |
Student presentations |
| Thu 4/24 |
Student presentations |
|
