EM101 Intro to Environmental Management and Policy

EM101 Unit 5

Mid Term Review

Government’s Power to Make Policy

• The source of environmental law

• The meaning of the phrase environmental policy

• The three branches of U.S. government

• The primary functions and responsibilities of each of the three government branches

• The role of each branch in making environmental policy

• The relationship between federal and state governments in carrying out environmental policy

How is Environmental Policy Developed?

• The function of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its state counterparts

• The intent and structure of U.S. environmental acts

The Evolution of The Environmental Movement

• The need for environmental regulation

• The environmental movement in the United States

• A government institution’s role in developing environmental policy

The Battle For Clean Air

• Learn about the Clean Air Act

• Explore climate change and global warming

Branches of Government

• Legislative

• Executive

• Judicial

• Enforces the laws

• Makes laws

• Interprets laws

Branches of Government

• Legislative

• Executive

• Judicial

• Enforces the laws

• Makes laws

• Interprets laws

What is the Source of Authority for most Federal Environmental Laws?

a) Congress

b) 5th Amendment

c) President

d) Commerce Clause

What is the Source of Authority for most Federal Environmental Laws?

a) Congress

b) 5th Amendment

c) President

d)Commerce Clause – with such a broad court interpretation, almost anything can be covered

The Constitution does not state anywhere that we have the right to a clean environment.

The Federal Register is published daily and is where you can find new statutes proposed or finalized by Congress.

• TRUE

• FALSE

The Federal Register is published daily and is where you can find new statutes proposed of finalized by Congress.

• TRUE

• FALSE Where are laws found? What are some examples?

What CAN you find in the Federal Register?

National Environmental Policy Act

NEPA GOALCouncil on Environmental Quality

(CEQ)

• Est. in 1969 by Congress through NEPA

• Oversees the environmental impact assessment (EIS) process

• Ensures federal agencies meet their NEPA obligations

Environmental Impact Statements

• An environmental assessment is performed to determine significant impact and whether a full environmental impact statement needs to be done

• FONSI means no EIS needed

• Just because there is an impact does not mean the project won’t happen. Impacts must just be disclosed and understood.

• EIS must includeA summary of the proposed actionAlternatives to the proposed actionEnvironmental consequences of the proposed action

The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 was highly supported by environmental groups because of its stringent, direct regulations.

• TRUE

• FALSE

The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 was highly supported by environmental groups because of its stringent, direct regulations.

• TRUE

• FALSE

What is wrong with this statement?

What can agencies do?

• Agencies have the authority to…– Make and enforce rules that have the force of laws– Investigate complaints of violations

• Agencies also have the authority to provide info to the public about the things it regulates.– TRUE– FALSE

What can agencies do?

• Agencies have the authority to…– Make and enforce rules that have the force of laws– Investigate complaints of violations

• Agencies also have the authority to provide info to the public about the things it regulates.

–TRUE– FALSE

Courts may declare an EPA regulation void if…

a) EPA did not have the authority to make the rule as outlined in the enabling legislation

b) The regulation is deemed unconstitutional

c) Both b and c

d) Courts can only interpret laws, which means that they have no jurisdiction on agency rules and regulations

Courts may declare an EPA regulation void if…

a) EPA did not have the authority to make the rule as outlined in the enabling legislation

b) The regulation is deemed unconstitutional

c)Both b and c

d) Courts can only interpret laws, which means that they have no jurisdiction on agency rules and regulations

The tragedy of the common. Which of the following are true statements?

① This concept describes a dilemma in which the sharing of a resource that benefits the individual ultimately will be done at the detriment of the group

② Developed by Garrett Hardin

③ Concept focused on the issue of population growth “A finite world can only support a finite population”

The U.S. is the home of 4% of the global population and therefore is responsible for only 4% of the GHG pollution.

• TRUE

• FALSE

The U.S. is the home of 4% of the global population and therefore is responsible for only 4% of the GHG pollution.

• TRUE

• FALSE• The U.S. is responsible for _____% of all greenhouse

gas pollution. [Jeffrey Kluger. 2001. “Special Report/Global Warming.” Time Magazine 157 14: 30.] As summarized in the text.

State Implementation Plans… (which one of the following is NOT a true statement?)

• Describes how states will attain or maintain compliance with NAAQS

• Do not need to be approved by the Federal EPA

• Development and revisions to SIPs are published in the Federal Register

• Are dynamic plans and will need to changes with revisions to NAAQS

State Implementation Plans… (which one of the following is NOT a true statement?)

• Describes how states will attain or maintain compliance with NAAQS

• Do not need to be approved by the Federal EPA

• Development and revisions to SIPs are published in the Federal Register

• Are dynamic plans and will need to changes with revisions to NAAQS

Indoor air pollution is also an issue of concern. A building with poor ventilation is often a cause of “sick building syndrome”

• TRUE

• FALSE

Indoor air pollution is also an issue of concern. A building with poor ventilation is often a cause of “sick building syndrome”

• TRUE

• FALSE

The term "sick building syndrome" (SBS) is used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. The complaints may be localized in a particular room or zone, or may be widespread throughout the building. In contrast, the term "building related illness" (BRI) is used when symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified and can be attributed directly to airborne building contaminants.

Which of the following was an EPA Administrator during the George W. Bush administration?

• Christine Todd Whitman

• Stephen Johnson

• All of the above

• None of the above

Which of the following was an EPA Administrator during the George W. Bush administration?

• Christine Todd Whitman (2001 - 2003)

• Stephen Johnson (2005 - 2009)

• All of the above

• None of the above

There is one more (2003 – 2005) who?

Which of the following was an EPA Administrator during the George W. Bush administration?

• Christine Todd Whitman (2001 - 2003)

• Stephen Johnson (2005 - 2009)

• All of the above

• None of the above

There is one more (2003 – 2005) who?

MIKE LEAVITT

Tips for Exam

• 25 questions

• Read question carefully

• Check answers

• Take your time

• 100 points (10% of your grade!)

Are you ready for UNIT 6?

• Start reading Ch. 6

• Discussion Question

• Quiz

• 2 Lectures

Good Luck on the Exam!

• Any further questions?

• Use your notes and text