Environmental Assessment
ES/RP 444/544, Spring 2009
Instructor: Dr. Brian Tissot, WSU Vancouver ELSB 230M, Tissot@wsu.edu
Course Hrs: M & W 9:10-10:25 plus one-hour conference times
Office Hrs: M & W 1-2 or by appointment 546-9630
TA: Kate Olsen (olsenkate@yahoo.com)
Office Hrs: M 12-1
Website: http://oasis.vancouver.wsu.edu/
Required text:
Layzer, J. A. 2005. Environmental case: translating values into policy. 2nd
edition. CQ
Press, Washington DC.
Reference texts:
Jain, R., L.V. Urban, G.S. Stacey and H. Balbach. 2002. Environmental
Assessment. 2nd
Edition. McGraw-Hill.
Reinke, D. C. &
L.L. Swartz. 1999. The NEPA Reference Guide.
Batelle Press.
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Date |
Topic |
Reading |
Homework |
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1 |
Jan. 12 |
Introduction, course overview |
Jain 1, RS Glossary |
Weiland 1997 |
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2 |
Jan. 14 |
Roots of the environmental crisis |
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Jan. 19 |
HOLIDAY: Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
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3 |
Jan. 21 |
Overview of environment issues & dynamics |
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Discussion: |
Layzer 1: Defining problems |
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4 |
Jan. 26 |
Introduction to integral ecology |
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5 |
Jan. 28 |
IE Tools and examples |
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Discussion: |
Tissot 2005 |
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6 |
Feb. 2 |
Spiral dynamics & conflict resolution |
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Ennegram Test |
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7 |
Feb. 4 |
Ennegrams & group dynamics |
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Start policy brief; Journal due |
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Discussion: |
Open discussion; policy briefs |
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8 |
Feb. 9 |
Introduction to environmental law & policy |
Jain 2 |
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9 |
Feb. 11 |
Analysis of Historical framework |
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Discussion: |
Layzer 2: Clean Air & Water Acts |
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Feb. 16 |
HOLIDAY: President’s Day |
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10 |
Feb. 18 |
Legislative history of NEPA |
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Public Meeting Review Due |
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Discussion: |
Open discussion; case law |
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11 |
Feb. 23 |
Introduction to NEPA |
Jain 3, RS L |
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12 |
Feb. 25 |
Council on Environmental Quality |
Jain 4 & D, RS I, O |
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Discussion: |
Layzer 3: Love Canal |
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Pick next paper |
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Mar. 2 |
Guest lecture: Ben Enticknap, Oceana |
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13 |
Mar. 4 |
Environmental documents & review process |
RS A,M |
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Discussion: |
Student’s Choice: administrative law |
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14 |
Mar. 9 |
Agency implementation of NEPA |
Jain 7 |
Start EA review |
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15 |
Mar. 11 |
NEPA & the Endangered Species Act |
RS O |
Policy paper due |
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Discussion: |
Layzer 8: Spotted Owl |
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Journal due |
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Mar 16-20 |
SPRING BREAK |
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16 |
Mar. 23 |
Reviewing & Preparing EAs and EISs |
Jain 8, C |
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17 |
Mar. 25 |
Environmental assessments |
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Discussion: |
Open discussion |
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19 |
Mar. 30 |
Scoping & public participation |
Jain 11 |
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20 |
Apr. 1 |
No class |
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Discussion: |
Open discussion: Student's Choice |
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21 |
Apr. 6 |
Group work on Makah EA |
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22 |
Apr. 8 |
EA Group discussion & integration |
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EA Review due |
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Discussion: |
Layzer 11: Climate Change |
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23 |
Apr. 13 |
NEPA & environmental justice |
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24 |
Apr. 15 |
Mitigation & Mitigated EAs |
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Policy response due |
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Discussion: |
Layzer 5: Environmental Justice |
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25 |
Apr. 20 |
EISs, SEISs and record of decisions |
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26 |
Apr. 22 |
International EIA & SEPA |
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Discussion: |
Layzer 17: Growth Management |
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Pick next paper |
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27 |
Apr. 27 |
Adaptive management, ethics & policy |
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28 |
Apr. 29 |
Conclusions: Science & Policy |
Layzer 18: |
EIS Review Due |
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Discussion: |
Student’s Choice: ethics |
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May 4-8 |
FINAL’S WEEK |
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Journal due |
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ES/RP 444/544 Grading:
EA review ................................. 10% EIS review ................................. 15% Journal ................................. 15% Discussion involvement .................. 20% Policy paper ................................. 20% Public meeting report..................... 20%
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I use a 90%=A, 80%=B, 70%=C, 60%=D, <50%=F plus/minus grading system
Make-up tests: in order to take a make-up test you must contact the instructor before the test with a valid excuse.
Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is the cornerstone of the university and will be strongly enforced in this course. Any student caught cheating on any assignment will be given an “F” for the course and will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.
Disability Accommodation: Accommodations may be available if you need them in order to fully participate in this class because of a disability. Accommodations may take some time to implement so it is critical that you contact Disability Services as soon as possible. All accommodations must be approved through Disability Services, located in the Student Resource Center on the Lower Level of VSSC. (360) 546-9138.