5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States Unit 5: Economics, Policy and the Future

5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States Objectives Foldable Using the objectives handout, trim the paper along the top, right side and bottom of the outside box to fit the notebook Cut the lines between each box to make a flap Tape or glue the left side of this contraption into your ISN (this allows you to fold the objectives back later) Later, you will write down the objectives once you’ve learned them L 5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States

5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States Getting started… Imagine that you live within 25 miles of a national park (…shouldn’t be hard…’cause you do…) Biologists have recommended expanding the boundaries of the park to preserve certain wildlife species. However, local industries that currently use these lands would have to move or stop operations if the boundaries were expanded. Who should decide the fate of the land: federal, state or local government? Defend your answer. R 5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States

History of U.S. Environmental Policy During the 1800s, people in the United States made use of the country’s vast resources by turning prairies into cropland, cutting down ancient forests, and hunting several species of animals to extinction. By the 1900s, however, citizens began to realize the consequences of these actions and their attitudes began to change. L End of slide 5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States

History of U.S. Environmental Policy Leaders such as President Theodore Roosevelt and conservationist John Muir called for increased protection and management of the nation’s resources. Many national forests and parks, and agencies to manage them, were established around the early 1900s. L End of slide 5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States

Environmental Agencies and Laws Throughout the 1900s, U.S. citizens became more aware of environmental problems. The first Earth Day, celebrated around the world in 1970, was a sign of widespread environmental awareness. In the same year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created. U.S. lawmakers have created many policies and federal agencies to manage environmental affairs. L End of slide 5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States

5.1 Economics and International Cooperation

Environmental Impact Statements An Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) is an assessment of the effect of a proposed project of law on the environment. Proposals for the construction of dams, highways, airports, and other projects that the federal government controls or funds must be evaluated with an EIS. L End of slide 5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States

Environmental Impact Statements An EIS states the need for a project, its impact on the environment, and how any negative impact can be minimized. Although public comment rarely stops a project, the public can comment on an EIS. The feedback, however, may cause changes in the project’s plans. Federal agencies may also conduct an EIS when they plan changes in the regulation of public resources. L End of slide 5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States

Unfunded Mandates and Economic Impacts In 1995, Congress passed a law to prevent unfunded mandates, which are federal regulations that do not provide funds for state or local governments to implement the regulations. These limits reduce the federal government’s power to pass environmental laws. L End of slide 5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States

Unfunded Mandates and Economic Impacts The federal government must now provide funding for any new laws that will cost more than 50 million dollars to implement. Another limit placed on federal agencies requires them to evaluate both the economic and environmental impacts of their policies. L End of slide 5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States

Influencing Environmental Policy You can have more influence on environmental policy than you may realize. For example, as a citizen, you can contact your elected representatives to tell them your opinion on issues. There are also many other ways that consumers, businesses, the media, and organizations can influence policy at all levels of government. L End of slide 5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States

5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States Local Governments Local government is more responsive to citizen input than state or federal government is. Local governments can decide: how land may be used and developed, where businesses and housing may be located, create plans for public facilities, for waste disposal and recycling, and for many other facets of local life. L End of slide 5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States

5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States State Governments Individual states are usually free to create laws with higher standards than the minimum standards set by the federal government. For example, California’s vehicle emission standards are higher than the federal standards because the state wants to control its problems with air pollution caused by traffic. States have a lot of independent control over how to implement laws and manage public resources. L End of slide 5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States

5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States Lobbying Lobbying is an organized attempt to influence the decisions of lawmakers. Both environmental and industry groups hire lobbyists to provide information to lawmakers and urge them to vote a certain way. Lawmakers are heavily influenced by lobbying on many sides of issues. One way to influence policy is to support an organization that lobbies for the policies you agree with. L End of slide 5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States

The Media and Sources of Information The media, especially television news, is the main source of information about environmental topics for most of us. If you want to understand environmental problems, you will want to find information from sources other than popular media. Many other sources are available, and you should evaluate all sources for bias and accuracy. L End of slide 5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States

5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States Summing things up… Choose one of the following: Mini Quiz: What is lobbying, and who does it? In what way is Congress limited in passing new laws such as the Clean Water Act? Create an advertisement that explains ho individuals their age can influence policy. Go back and fill out the objectives at the beginning of the section. R L 5.2 Environmental Policies in the United States