11/23/2024 4:14:44 PM	NRM 80 Course Outline as of Fall 2024	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  NRM 80	Title:  ENV POLICY
Full Title:  Environmental Policy for Resource Managers
Last Reviewed:1/25/2021

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

A study of major state and federal environmental policies and how they affect natural resource managers. Students will examine the making and implementation of laws and regulations that help frame natural resource management decisions on the local level.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 OR EMLS 100 (formerly ESL 100) or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

A study of major state and federal environmental policies and how they affect natural resource managers. Students will examine the making and implementation of laws and regulations that help frame natural resource management decisions on the local level.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 OR EMLS 100 (formerly ESL 100) or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2015	Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Explain the rationale for environmental policies to manage, protect and/or restore air, water, soil, wildlife, ecosystems, and  human health.

2. Describe major federal and state legislation regarding environmental policy.

3. Develop skills necessary to successfully communicate with legislators, government regulators, wildlife and land managers.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Identify and explain key federal and state laws that implement environmental policy.

2. Describe major federal and state environmental agencies.

3. Explain resource management issues frame policy and vice versa.

4. Develop written and oral communication skills to discuss issues with legislators, government regulators, wildlife and land managers.

5. Develop environmental policies and analyze their potential benefits and costs.

Topics and Scope

I. Introduction to Environmental Policy

    A. Purposes

    B. Types

     C. History

II. Federal and State Regulators

    A. Identify relevant federal and state agencies

         1.  US  Army Corps of Engineers

         2.  US Environmental Protection Agency

         3.  US Fish and Wildlife Service

         4.  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

         5.  Natural Resource Conservation Service

         6.  California Department of Fish and Wildlife

         7.  California Environmental Protection Agency

         8   State Air Resources Board

         9.  State Water Resources Control Board

        10.  Regional Water Quality Control Board

        11.  Department of Pesticides Control

        12.  Coastal Commission

        13.  California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

    B. Key environmental policy laws

         1.  Endangered Species Act (ESA)

         2.  Clean Water Act

         3.  Clean Air Act

         4.  The Farm Bill

         5.  State Porter Cologne Act

         6.  Toxic Substance Control Act

         7.  Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

         8.  AB 32

         9.  Williamson Act

         10.  National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA)

         11.  California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

III. Communication with Key Players in Environmental Policy

    A. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

    B. Press

    C. Public and private partners

    D. Legislators

    E. Courts

IV. Science of Environmental Policy

    A. Endangered Species Act listing and recovery processes

    B. Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report

    C. CEQA/NEPA

V. Water Policy in California

    A. History

    B. Current trends and challenges

    C. Future policy needs

VI. Market Based Environmental Policy

    A. Cap and Trade

    B. Taxes, tax credit

    C. Government investment

    D. Environmental compliance

VII. Future Trends in Environmental Policy

    A. Climate change

    B. Local issues

    C. Research

Assignments:

1. Four to five quizzes

2. Weekly reading (20-30 pages)

3. One simulated environmental policy project

4. Three to five written reports (4-5 pages)

5. One written letter of support or opposition to environmental policy (1-2 pages)

6. One report on local environmental policy meeting (3-4 pages)

7. One final exam

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 40 - 50%
Report on local environmental policy meeting, letter of support or opposition to environmental policy
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 20 - 30%
Simulated environmental policy project
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 20 - 30%
Quizzes and final exam
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 0%
None

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Essentials of Environmental Law and Policy. Nash, Jonathan. Aspen Publshers. 2010 (classic)

Instructor prepared materials

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