Curriculum Guide · Courses

Professor Butler

J.D. Seminar 337 | 3 credit hours

This is an advanced seminar examining various elements of public land and water law, environmental law, and international environmental law. Among the different areas of focus are wildlife law, wilderness and scenic rivers, national parks, agricultural policies, wetlands and coastal zone protection, ocean resources, mining law, mineral leasing, timber and range management law, water law, trade policy, application of natural resources and environmental law to the military, global warming, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Many environmental law subjects are also discussed. The seminar examines the philosophical and economic underpinnings of natural resources and environmental law, the issues of federalism that pervade them, and the administrative law principles influencing them. Also examined are the practical elements of Congressional influence, enforcement policy and practice, and the role of citizen groups and private industry. Some sessions include comparison of U.S. natural resources environmental law with that of other nations. Many environmental and international law subjects are also discussed when relevant. Reading assignments are drawn from current materials selected by the instructor, and are focused on practical current problems and issues reflecting the instructor's 39 years' experience in the field. Every student will be expected to produce a "WR" paper beginning with a detailed outline critiqued by the professor and sometimes by the class. The seminar approach is to mix introductory lectures with class discussions. Sometimes guest experts in the field are invited to attend all or a portion of the class to stimulate discussion.

Prerequisites: Introductory Natural Resources Law courses or with the professor's permission and equivalent professional experience.