Terry Trumbull

Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m.

Course Description: In concept, protecting our natural resources and improving our environment are agreed upon throughout American society. But, how are they handled in reality by local, state, and federal governments?

In Environmental Law, students become acquainted with the role of law and government on environmental issues. After an introduction to legislation, regulation, and the courts, students will learn the framework of environmental protection and resource management.

Course Goals:

To learn:

- how environmental issues are handled by elected officials, regulators, and the courts

- how the federal Constitution is used to support and oppose environmental regulation

- the names and responsibilities of key state and federal environmental, land use, and natural resource management agencies

- how international treaties protect the environment; and

- the ways that California handles environmental issues differently from the approach of the federal government.

Course Information

Instructor: Terry Trumbull Phone: 650-321-7538

Office: ESI office, 874 Lafayette, Santa Clara

E-mail: terryt1011@aol.com

Office Hours: Tuesdays, 2:30-4 p.m. at Benson (call to let me know to meet you)

Classroom: Alumni Science Bldg., #220.

Textbook: Environmental Law, Kubasek and Silverman, any edition, Prentice Hall

ES 120, Spring 2011

Grading:

Glossary 20%

Quizzes (6 @ 5% each) 30%

Appellate Case Evaluation 5%

Final 30%

Class Participation 9%

Governmental Meeting 1%

Notes on grading:

Glossary:

The glossary is a list of about 200 commonly used environmental terms and acronyms. It is due by the start of the April 26 class. If you turn it in earlier, you get one extra point per class(maximum of 5). If you turn it in late, a point is deducted for each week that it is late. You are allowed to work with others to prepare your glossary, but you must be the person that writes every single word in the glossary that you submit.

Class participation/Environmental articles:

For each class meeting, students are expected to bring a printed article on the subject of the class from a recent publication. Your article shall be turned in before the start of class. You should expect to discuss your article with the class. Students are not expected to explain the underlying legal issues, but should be prepared to summarize the facts in the article. Discussion in class of your article, or in any other way, gives you a point in class participation. For the courthouse tour, bring a question for one of the judges.

Academic Integrity:

The penalty for cheating or plagiarism is a failing grade for the course, and the University may take further disciplinary action. Plagiarism means representing the work or ideas of others as one’s own without giving proper acknowledgment. The University policy concerning academic integrity can be viewed at

Disability Accommodation Policy:

To request academic accommodations for a disability, students must contact Disability Resources located in the Drahmann Center in Benson, Room 214, (408) 554-5445. Students must provide documentation of a disability to Disability Resources prior to receiving accommodations.

Class website: The class website is http://sites.google.com/site/envslaw/Home.

The site includes my lecture notes, a sample quiz, the glossary terms, suggestions on writing for the class, the two final study sheets, directions to the federal courthouse, and other things helpful for the class. I also post announcements that have come since the last class session.

Course Schedule

Class Date Topic Reading Notes

1 Mar. 29 Overview of class; Self introduction; Ch.1

Federal Constitution; Discussion with retired federal judge

2 April 5 Environmental torts/ Env. agencies Ch. 2 App. Case due

3 April 12 Land use/Environmental Impact Analysis Ch. 3&4 Quiz 1

4 April 19 Intergovernmental model/Air Ch. 5 Quiz 2 pollution

5 April 26 Water pollution Ch. 6 Glossary due 6 May 3 Ground pollution Ch. 7&8 Quiz 3

7 May 9 Coyote Ridge tour

May 10- No class

8 May 17 Energy Ch. 9 Quiz 4

9 May 24 Resources-Water; Forests; Public Lands Ch. 10 Quiz 5

10 May 31 Population; International Env. law; Ch. 11 Quiz 6

Review for final

Final Alumni Science Bldg., #220