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This overview provides essential starting points for navigating environmental law research. It details key treatises such as the 8-volume "Grad: Treatise on Environmental Law" and Rodgers' 4-volume set, both offering in-depth analyses of relevant statutes and regulations. Access current issues through the Environmental Law Reporter and utilize free legislative updates from organizations like NRDC. Understand federal and state laws, including vital Acts like NEPA and the Endangered Species Act, using platforms such as EPA.gov and HeinOnline for comprehensive legal information.
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Environmental Law Research October 6, 2008
Where to Start • Shorter Overview: Environmental Law in a Nutshell • Grad, Treatise on Environmental Law • 8 volume set, with analysis of statutes and regs. Also available on Lexis (recommended because Hofstra copy is out-of-date) • Rodgers, Environmental Law • 4 volume set, analysis of statutes and regs. Also on Westlaw (ENVLAW) • With such complicated laws, don’t try to figure them out on your own.
Current Issues • Environmental Law Reporter • Comprehensive. Print, online, W: ELR, Lexis. • ID: 100403 PW: pessastro • Environment Reporter • Also daily and subject-specific BNA reporters • Free: NRDC and other groups provide legislative updates • EPA.gov
Federal Law Basics • Popular Name Table (print, Westlaw, free LII version) • USC or USCA is codified by subject—a statute in it may or may not have all of a particular Act and it will be numbered differently. • The public law, in Statutes at Large (print, Hein), will have the whole Act. (public laws also at thomas.loc.gov)
Easy Legislative History • HeinOnline • Lexis/Westlaw
Framework • Federal • Which Acts and Agencies? • State • “Cooperative federalism” • Local • Especially land use restrictions
Federal • If you don’t know the Act involved, or even if you do, start with a treatise or guide categorized by water, air, etc.
Which Agency? • EPA • Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, CERCLA, NEPA, FIFRA, etc. • Endangered Species Act • Dept. Interior: Fish and Wildlife Service; Dept. Commerce: National Marine Fisheries Service; NOAA • Council On Environmental Quality • NEPA
Government Websites • Science.gov (click on environment & environmental quality) • EPA.gov • Publications: • http://www.epa.gov/nscep/ • http://www.epa.gov/nscep/ • Data
State Information • Law.cornell.edu (law about, find by topic) • www.envcap.org (state regulations resource locator) • Environment Reporter • Environmental Law Reporter
New York • Dept. of Environmental Conservation • Environmental Conservation Law (enabling legislation) • Free access to relevant Regs at dec.ny.gov and http://www.dos.state.ny.us/info/nycrr.htm • Data at www.dec.ny.gov
Local • Don’t forget county and other entities • City and town laws at municode.com and generalcode.com