Law Commons^™

The Role Of Science And Engineering In Water Regulation Over The Past 100 Years, James R. May, Patrick Clary

James R. May

This article explores how scientific and engineering principles are inexorably linked to the regulation of water. Scientists and engineers first discovered the link between disease and water sources in the mid-19th century. Over the years, scientists and engineers have led the way to identifying water quality problems and their causes. These discoveries have directly contributed to the scope of water regulation in the United States and elsewhere. In addition, changes in water quality regulation have dictated the need for increasingly sophisticated water treatment technologies and engineers have been at the forefront of the development of these water control technologies. This …

Overview Of Environmental Criminal Investigations, Beau James Brock

Beau James Brock

Power point presentation overview of Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Criminal Investigation Division investigative guidelines and procedures.

Are Tenant-Stockholders Entitled To A Charitable Contribution Deduction When A Cooperative Housing Corporation Donates A Preservation Easement?, Martha W. Jordan

Martha W. Jordan

Are Tenant-Stockholders Entitled to a Charitable Contribution Deduction when a Cooperative Housing Corporation Donates a Preservation Easement?

Abstract

Most Tenant-Stockholders of cooperative housing corporations (“CHC”) view themselves as the owners of their apartments, a perception encouraged by the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), which affords them those tax benefits most commonly associated with home ownership. This article explores the question of whether that perception is accurate with respect to the Code’s tax incentives designed to encourage preservation of historic homes. The Code encourages homeowners to protect their historic homes with preservation easements by allowing a charitable contribution deduction equal to the …

Evangelizing Climate Change, Albert Lin

Albert C Lin

Any effective response to climate change must address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from individuals, who are responsible for nearly one-third of total annual emissions. A leading proposal for doing so, developed by Michael Vandenbergh and Anne Steinemann, advocates the disclosure of information about an individual’s emissions, resulting harms, and steps that can be taken to reduce emissions. Providing information on individuals’ contribution to climate change will be important in countering common misconceptions that individual activities do not matter to the environment. Such proposals, however, give insufficient attention to the role of personal values. Values matter to efforts to change individual …

Climate Change And The Political Question Doctrine, James R. May

James R. May

No abstract provided.

The International Tropical Timber Organization And Conservationist Forestry Norms: A Bridge Too Far, Gerry J. Nagtzaam

Gerry J Nagtzaam

This article explores the attempts to create an global tropical timber regime and examines its underlying competing environmental norms of exploitation, conservation and preservation. It outlines a history of forestry exploitation over time and tracks the stilted development of a global tropical timber regime. It further examines the development of the International Tropical Timber Agreement and its concomitant Organisation. Legro’s test of the robustness of a norm is applied to the tropical timber regime to determine when and why, and through whose agency, normative change has not been effected within the International Tropical Timber Organisation where conservationist norms have failed …

From Zebra Mussels To Coqui Frogs: Public Nuisance Liability As A Method To Combat The Introduction Of Invasive Species, Matthew C. Shannon

Matthew C Shannon

Ecological alterations and disturbances caused by non-indigenous invasive species [NIS] deteriorate biodiversity and have a devastating affect on an area's ecology, economy, and human health. Even as the costs, health risks, and environmental damage associated with NIS becomes more apparent and widely accepted, further environmental regulation and/or trade restrictions to prevent NIS introduction may become more politically unacceptable in light of the growing global economy. Although the problem of invasive species introduction has been addressed by various legal regimes, public nuisance tort liability is particularly well suited and should be used to target those who negligently or deliberately introduce invasive …

Give A Hoot, Don’T Pollute: The Roberts Court And The Environment, David A. Schultz

David A Schultz

Analysis and predictions on the jurisprudential direction of the Roberts Court have thus far produced articles examining its possible impact on several areas of law, but so far none have assessed the Court’s treatment of environmental issues in a comprehensive fashion, even though it has decided seven cases in this area in the 2005 and 2006 terms. This Article reviews these seven decisions, concluding that based on them there is no discernable pro-business bias thus far as some had predicted. However, the Court is very divided ideologically on environmental issues, suggesting that the next presidential appointment could have a major …

Freshwater Conservation: A Review Of Oregon Water Law & Policy, Adell L. Amos

Adell L. Amos

In order to more fully understand and enhance freshwater conservation in the State of Oregon, The Nature Conservancy initiated a project to conduct a legal and policy review of Oregon water law. In Oregon, like all western states, water management is based on a combination of statutes, administrative rules, agency policies, and case law. Accordingly, this report identifies and explains relevant provisions of the Oregon Water Code and discusses how the legislature, state administrative agencies, and the courts have interpreted the law. The report also identifies the impacts and implications of legal and policy choices that have been made with …

Cultural Norms As A Source Of Law: The Example Of Bottled Water, Christine A. Klein

Christine A. Klein

As a metaphor for the interaction of law and culture, a crystal-clear bottle of water is striking in its simplicity and purity. Bottled water has spawned a rich subculture of beverage drinkers, united by the truths and myths of bottled water that they embrace. More recently, an equally fertile subculture of bottled water protest has begun to coalesce. Notably, the cultural norms evidenced by supporters and detractors go far beyond mere hydration, touching upon such far-flung notions as health, taste, convenience, status, morality, anti-privatization, sustainability, and truth-telling. In contrast, the legal narrative is surprisingly sparse, overlooking an important opportunity to …

Why Pedestrian-Friendly Street Design Is Not Negligent, Michael E. Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

In recent decades, American state and local highway officials have built wide streets and roads designed primarily to accommodate high-speed automobile traffic. However, such high-speed streets are more dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists than streets with slower traffic, and thus fail to adequately accommodate nondrivers. Government officials design streets for high-speed traffic partially because of their fear of tort liability. An influential street engineering manual, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ “Green Book”, has generally favored the construction of such high-speed streets, and transportation planners fear that if they fail to follow the Green Book’s recommendations, they …

Regulation With Placebo Effects, Anup Malani

Anup Malani

There is a growing body of empirical evidence supporting the existence of placebo effects in medical contexts and is suggestive of nontrivial placebo effects in non-medical contexts. This paper reviews the literature on placebo effects, examines the implications for four fields of law (drug approval, informed consent law, consumer protection law, and torts) and suggests future areas for research on placebo effects. Specifically, it make the case for altering the drug approval process to account for, if not credit, placebo effects. It suggests allowing evidence of placebo effects as a defense in cases alleging violations of informed consent or false …

Constitutional Climate Change In The Courts, James R. May

James R. May

We have entered an interesting constitutional era, one in which a rising sea level will help to buoy a rising tide of climate litigation, the leading edge of which lies constitutional jurisprudence as applied to the political question doctrine, preemption, dormant commerce and compact clauses and standing. In 2007 most of it involves either state action (e.g., to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles or require climate friendly energy production), or state causes of action (e.g., public or private nuisance). In 2007, the trend was toward dismissing climate-tort cases as presenting political questions. Notably, in Mass. v. EPA, …

Engaging Individuals In Climate Change Mitigation, John Dernbach

John C. Dernbach

No abstract provided.

Un Regard Extérieur: Back Impact Of European Union Legislation On American Environmental Regulations, David Wirth

David A. Wirth

No abstract provided.

Navigating The U.S. Transition To Sustainability: Matching National Governance Challenges With Appropriate Legal Tools, John Dernbach

John C. Dernbach

Sustainable development would require the United States to maintain and improve human prosperity while at the same time greatly reducing its consumption of energy, materials, water, and land. The scope of the challenge includes, but is not limited to, climate change. This Article suggests the elements of a legal structure for achieving sustainability.

Because achieving sustainable development is a significant learning experience, the United States will need to employ a form of governance—reflexive governance—that requires constant learning and supportive citizens and stakeholders who are also working to ensure sustainability in their own activities. The two basic problems reflexive governance must …

The Unfinished Agenda Of Environmental Law, Joseph Sax

Joseph L. Sax

No abstract provided.

Achieving Early And Substantial Greenhouse Gas Reductions Under A Post-Kyoto Agreement, John Dernbach

John C. Dernbach

This article explains why policy makers should seriously consider substantial early reductions in greenhouse gas emissions as a part of any post-Kyoto framework, and sets out suggested elements of a framework for early action in a post-Kyoto agreement. Substantial early reductions are needed because of the growing urgency of the climate change science, the precautionary approach identified in the Framework Convention on Climate Change as a decision-making principle, the fact that cost-effective measures are now available, and the significant non-climate benefits (security, economic, social, and environmental) that can be achieved by implementing them. As a practical matter, too, long-term greenhouse …

Harnessing Individual Behavior To Address Climate Change: Options For Congress, John C. Dernbach

John C. Dernbach

No abstract provided.

Using Mandates And Incentives To Promote Sustainable Construction And Green Building Projects In The Private Sector: A Call For More State Land Use Policy Initiatives, Carl J. Circo

Carl J. Circo

Vantage Point, David R. Hodas

David R. Hodas

No abstract provided.

Climate Change, Constitutional Consignment, And The Political Question Doctrine, James R. May

James R. May

Recently states and individuals have turned to federal common law causes of action to provide equitable and legal relief for climate change. Thus far, every federal court to consider these claims has held that they raise non-justiciable political questions consigned to the coordinate branches. These courts reason that federal courts lack jurisdiction over climate cases because climate change is textually committed elsewhere, there are no judicial standards to apply, and the elected branches have yet to render an initial policy determination about the subject. This article concludes that these courts either misapply or misapprehend the doctrine. It concedes that federal …

Keeping The Coast Clear: Lessons About Protecting The Natural Environment By Controlling Industrial Development Under Delaware’S Coastal Zone Act, Kenneth T. Kristl

Kenneth T Kristl

Passed in 1971, Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act was a pioneering law that declared as public policy the prohibition of heavy industry and the regulation of manufacturing within Delaware’s coastal zone because of the environmental threats posed by such development. This article is the first comprehensive scholarly analysis of how the Act has been interpreted and applied to protect Delaware’s coastal environment. It provides an extensive analysis and annotation of how the Act’s terms have been used and the principles of statutory interpretation that inform the Act’s continued application. The article argues that the Act’s prohibitions on heavy industry and bulk …

Of Happy Incidents, Climate, Federalism, And Preemption, James R. May

James R. May

This Article examines the shape of things to come in the overlapping realm of federalism and preemption. It questions whether and to what extent notions of federalism shape how federal law - or the absence of it - preempts states from taking measures to address climate change. A burgeoning body of legal scholarship mulls whether federal law ought to preempt state action. There is yet relatively spare legal scholarship on preemption reflecting recent developments in the courts and at EPA. Part One explains how federalism principles have shaped responses to climate change. It observes how allowing states to take steps …

Federal Climate Change Legislation As If The States Matter, John C. Dernbach, Robert B. Mckinstry,, Thomas D. Peterson

John C. Dernbach

The growing prospect of comprehensive national climate change legislation raises many important questions about the role of state efforts in a national climate change program. This article identifies the key state/federal issues that should be addressed in any comprehensive national comprehensive climate change legislation. It also provides recommendations for resolving these issues. In addition to a cap-and-trade program and uniform national standards for some sectors, federal climate change legislation should adopt and modify the State Implementation Plan model in the Clean Air Act. That is, states should be given responsibility through State Implementation Plans to achieve specified emissions reductions, including …

Constitutional Law: 2008 Annual Report, James R. May

James R. May

No abstract provided.

Developing A Comprehensive Approach To Climate Change Policy In The United States That Fully Integrates Levels Of Government And Economic Sectors, John C. Dernbach, Thomas D. Peterson, Robert B. Mckinstry

John C. Dernbach

The United State Supreme Court's holding in Massachusetts v. EPA that greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act makes it virtually certain that federal climate change legislation will be accomplished by amending that Act. This Article explains and justifies an approach to federal climate legislation that uses and builds on the Act's various tools, including air quality standards, technology-based limitations, and state implementation plans. The Article discusses models for climate response that have emerged from state responses to date and presents the reductions that could be achieved if these were scaled up to the federal level. Federal …

Ecosystem Services, The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, And The Conceptual Difference Between Benefits Provided By Ecosystems And Benefits Provided By People, Ezequiel Lugo

Ezequiel Lugo

While the idea of ecosystem services is crucial to environmental decision-making, usage of the term “ecosystem services” is haphazard at best. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, reflecting the consensus of the largest group of experts ever assembled in the area of ecosystem change, encouraged increased coordination between international environmental agreement regimes and between these regimes and other international organizations. Increased coordination, however, cannot take place because of a lack of uniformity in the adoption of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment’s definition. Moreover, some States discourage the use of “ecosystem services” because its usage in the context of payment for environmental services programs …

Why Pedestrian-Friendly Street Design Is Not Negligent, Michael E. Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

American streets are typically designed for fast automobile traffic. As a result, those streets are often dangerous for pedestrians.

In part, the anti-pedestrian design of American streets is a result of transportation planners' perceptions of American tort law. In negligent street design cases, courts and juries sometimes rely upon guidelines set by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), a national association of government transportation officials. Because AASHTO's street-design rules have historically favored wide streets built to accommodate high-speed traffic, planners sometimes assume that in order to avoid liability, they must do the same.

The purpose of …

Environmental Impact Assessment In Post-Colonial Societies: Reflections On The Expansion Of The Panama Canal, Carmen G. Gonzalez

Carmen G. Gonzalez

Post-colonial societies endowed with abundant natural resources often under-perform economically when these resources are exploited as economic enclaves lacking significant linkages to other sectors of the economy. The Panama Canal, a symbol of Panamanian identity and a reminder of Panama's lengthy colonial history, has historically functioned as an economic enclave akin to the mineral extraction and industrial agriculture enclaves prevalent throughout the developing world. Based on a case study of the contentious decision to expand the Panama Canal, this article examines the ways in which the colonial legacy distorts the development planning process, and discusses strategies that might be deployed …