The following are (1) the general topics, their order, and the portions of the Kubasek & Silverman textbook that will be treated in this course.  (2) In addition, the cases along with legal citations listed in connection with each reading assignment are "required" reading for the course. Specific assignments will be made in class, but students are encouraged to read ahead.  [Note the legal (case) citations.  These permit students to find the case either in the HSSE Library in the correct Reporter, or on-line using Lexis-Nexis.  The meaning and use of case citations will be discussed the first day of class.]  (4) Furthermore, relevant statutes are also cited.  While reading any one of these statutes would be burdensome and perhaps confusing, students should note the relevant statutes and the specific statutory provisions that are involved in each of the cases they are assigned to read.  These statutory provisions should be read and students should be about to refer to the wording in these statutes during class discussion, when called on.

N.B.  These assignments are not all the reading assignments for the semester.  Several of the later sections of the course have not been completed.  Rather, this page will be up-dated as the class progresses through the initial assignments.

N.B.  You will notice that most of the cases assigned here are NOT Supreme Court decisions.  That is because a great deal (most) environmental law in this country has been developed in the lower federal courts.  You do need to understand the judicial structure of this country, both in hierarchical terms and in geographic terms.  If you are unfamiliar with these items, consult Daniel Meador, American Courts, 2nd ed. (West Group, 2000).  This is a brief outline of the court system of this country that will clarify any question or problem students have with this issue.

N.B.  The citation to each case on this list may appear confusing or completely foreign.  All citations include the volume of the reporter first, then the reporter, and then the beginning page of the opinion.  Depending on the Reporter, the parenthetical entry indicates at a minimum, the year of the decision.  It may also indicate the court rendering the decision, if the Reporter contains the opinions of more than a single court.  Below, the instructions for retrieving an opinion refer to the "citation."  That Citation ONLY includes the volume, the reporter, and the page number of the opinion.  As an example, the "citation" to the first case below is 340 F.Supp. 532.  This indicates the case can be found in volume 340 of the Federal Supplement beginning at page 532.  If that "citation" is pasted into the search field, the Tanner case "should" be retrieved. The "citation" for purposes of "getting the case" does not include any of the information that is contained in the parenthetical portion of the reference to the case.  Students should also carefully note the following:

United States District Court cases are reported in the Federal Supplement.  This is designated as F.Supp or F.Supp. 2d.  The 2d indicates the second series of the Federal Supplement.  This reporter is commercially published by the West Group.  To get one of these opinions in hard copy will require going to the HSSE Library and acquiring the actual volume of the Reporter from the shelves, turning to the page, and then reading the opinion OR copying it.  The case can also be obtained electronically by using Lexis-Nexis and copying the exact citation into the Citation Field on the very first page of the Lexis-Nexis website.  That will be demonstrated in class on the first day of the course.  You may then read the opinion on the screen OR print off a copy for your own future reference.  The HSSE Library only has hard copies of these opinions from 1988 to the present.  That means, for cases decided before 1988, only the electronic copy from Lexis-Nexis is available on campus.
     You will note that the electronic format of opinions provided by Lexis-Nexis is quite different from the "hardcopy" provided by West.  The West format is the "correct" format, and students should insure that they know that, students should know the correct format, and they "build" their copies of these opinions to correspond to the West Version, even if they get the opinion electronically.
     Students are strongly encouraged to copy court opinions so that these can be consulted and highlighted as the student wishes, during the course of the semester.  Such hardcopies of the opinions are also quite welcome in class during discussion of each case because then students may consult the actual opinion if they need to do that.

United States Courts of Appeals cases are reported in the Federal Reporter.  This is designated in the citation as F., F.2d, or F.3d.  The 2d and 3d merely indicate the second and third series of the Federal Reporter.  You may obtain a copy of opinions from this reporter in the same fashion as from the Federal Supplement.  That is, you can get the opinion either from the HSSE Library or on line using Lexis-Nexis.  The same formatting considerations apply to these Courts of Appeals decisions as for District Court opinions.  The HSSE Library holdings of the Federal Reporter also begin in 1988, so for earlier Courts' of Appeals cases, only the electronic version is available here on campus.

Citations to United States Supreme Court opinions take a slightly different form.  There are three different citations possible to these opinions.  The official one is to the United States Supreme Court Reports.  These are designated as U.S. and these are published by the United States Government.  The citations below to Supreme Court opinions will be to this, official citation.  The HSSE Library has only a limited segment (not a complete set) of these Reports, even though the Library is a Government Depository!  There are two commercial versions, one published by West – the Supreme Court Reporter, designated as S.Ct. –  and the other is published by the Lawyers Cooperative, and is called the Lawyer's Edition, designated as L.Ed. or L.Ed.2d.  The HSSE Library has a complete set of the Lawyer's Edition, in Reference on the First Floor.
     The same formatting issues arise with these reports, and the official formatting is done by the U.S. Reports.  Both the Supreme Court Reporter and the Lawyer's Edition are formatted differently, but they can be converted into the correct format.  The Lexis-Nexis version of the Supreme Court opinions is, just like the lower court opinions, formatted much differently, and must be carefully converted.  However, any one of the three citations to Supreme Court opinions can be used in Lexis-Nexis to pull up the opinion in a case.  The electronic version of these reports require the same, careful copying of the citation into the citation field on the first page of the Lexis-Nexis website as do all the other lower court citations.

There will be several citations to cases decided by state courts in the assignments below.  The first of those is the "famous" Boomer case decided by the New York Court of Appeals in 1970.  See below, under Common Law Remedies.  That opinion can ONLY be obtained electronically since our Library has virtually no state reports.  So copy the citation correctly into the citation field in Lexis-Nexis and Boomer "should" be retrieved.

N.B. The citations to statutes are for your convenience.  However, in several cases the statutes are NOT in one portion of the United States Code.  They are spread out in various portions of the Code depending on the subject matter of the statute.  As a result, it is important for students to pay very close attention to the specific provision of the statute that is involved in the litigation, and refer to that segment of the Code.

 Introduction

CASES:

• Tanner v. Armco Steel Corp., 340 F.Supp. 532 (S.D.Tex. 1972).  Due 15 January 2008

• C&A Carbone v. Town of Clarkstown, 511 U.S. 383 (1994).  Due 17 January 2008

• Sierra Club v. Morton, 405 U.S. 727 (1972).  Due 17 January 2008

• U.S. v. SCRAP, 412 U.S. 669 (1973).  Due 22 January 2008

• Steel Company v. Citizens for a Better Environment, 523 U.S. 83 (1998)  Due 22 January 2008

• Chevron U.S.A. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, 467 U.S. 837 (1984). Due 24 January 2008

• Metropolitan Edison Co. v. People Against Nuclear Energy, 460 U.S. 766 (1983).  Due 24 January 2008

• Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. v. Morton, 458 F. 2d 827 (D.C.Cir. 1972).  Due 24 January 2008

• Massachusetts v. E.P.A., 127 S.Ct. 1438 (2007) Due 29 January 2008.

Statutes:

• Administrative Procedure Act, (APA) 5 U.S.C. §§  551 et seq.

• National Environmental Policy Act, (NEPA) 42 U.S.C. §§ 4332 et seq.

Common Law Remedies, and an Introduction to Environmental Law

CASES:

• Boomer v. Atlantic Cement Co., 309 N.Y.S.2d 312 (N.Y. 1970). Due 29 January 2008.

• Spur Industries Inc. v. Del E. Webb Development Co., 108 Ariz. 178 (Ariz. 1972). Due 29 January 2008.

• New York v. Shore Realty Corp., 759 F.2d 1032 (2d Cir. 1985). Due 31 January 2008.

• Georgia v. Tennessee Copper Co., 206 U.S. 230 (1907); Milwaukee v. Illinois, 451 U.S. 304 (1981); and International Paper Co. v. Ouellette, 479 U.S. 481 (1987). Due 31 January 2008.

Toxic Substance Regulation

CASES:

• Environmental Defense Fund v. Reilly, 909 F.2d 1497 (D.C.Cir. 1990).  Due 5 February 2008.

• Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing v. Browner, 17 F.3d 1453 (D.C.Cir 1994).  Due 5 February 2008.

• Pitts v. Dow Chemical Co., 859 F.Supp. 543 (N.D.Ala.1994).  Due 5 February 2008.

• Ruckelshaus v. Monsanto, 467 U.S. 986 (1984).  Due 7 February 2008.

• Macdonald v. Monsanto Co., 27 F.3d 1021 (5th Cir. 1994).  Due 7 February 2008.

• Bailey Farms Inc. v. Nor-Am Chemical Co., 27 F.3d 188 (6th Cir. 1994).  Due 7 February 2008.

 

Waste Management

(K&B), Ch. 8 Due

 

This subject is divided into two portions.  (1) The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Superfund Act (CERCLA).

 

CASES:

 

• American Mining Congress v. United States E.P.A., 824 F.2d 1177 (D.C.Cir. 1987).  Due 14 February 2008

• Connecticut Coastal Fisherman's Ass'n v. Remington Arms Co., 989 F.2d 1305 (2d Cir. 1993).  Due 14 February 2008

• American Petroleum Inst. v. United States E.P.A., 906 F.2d 729 (D.C.Cir. 1990).  Due 14 February 2008

• In re Consolidated Land Disposal Regulation Litigation, 938 F.2d 1386 (D.C.Cir. 1991).  Due 19 February 2008

• Chemical Waste Management Inc. v. United States E.P.A., 976 F.2d 2 (D.C.Cir. 1992).  Due 19 February 2008

• Vineland Chemical Co. United States E.P.A., 810 F.2d 402 (3d Cir. 1987).  Due 19 February 2008

• United States v. Waste Industry, 734 F.2d 159 (4th Cir. 1984).  Due 19 February 2008

• Apache Powder Co. v U.S., 968 F.2d 66 (D.C.Cir. 1992). DUE 21 February 2008

• United States v. Colorado, 990 F.2d 1565 (10th Cir. 1993).  Due 21 February 2008

• Supporters to Oppose Pollution Inc. v.  Heritage Group, 973 F.2d 1320 (7th Cir. 1992).  Due 21 February 2008

•  E.D.F. Inc. and Nat'l Audubon Society v. E.P.A., 510 F.2d 1292 (D.C. Cir. 1992)  Due 26 February 2008

Statutes:

• Toxic Substance Control Act, (TSCA) 15 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq.
• Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, (FIFRA) 7 U.S.C. §§ 135 et seq.
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq.

Superfund Regulation

CASES:

• City of Stoughton v. E.P.A., 858 F.2d  747 (D.C.Cir.. 1988).  Due 26 February 2008

• U.S. v. Chem-Dyne Corp., 572 F.Supp. 802 (S.D.Ohio 1983).  Due 26 February 2008

• U.S. v. Northeastern Pharmaceutical & Chemical Co. Inc., 810 F.2d. 726 (8th Cir. 1986)  Due 28 February 2008

• State of New York v. Shore Realty corp., 759 F.2d  1032 (2nd Cir. 1985).  Due 28 February 2008

• U.S. v. 150 Acres of Land, 204 F.3d 698 (6th Cir.2000).  Due 28 February 2008

• U.S. Atlantic Research Corp. 127 S.Ct. 2331 (2007) Due 4 March 2008

 

• Kelly ex rel. Michigan Natural Resources Commission v. Arco Industries Corp., 739 F.Supp. 354 (W.D. Mich. 1990).  Due 4 March 2008

• LaSalle National Trust N.A. v. Schaffner, 818 F.Supp. 1161 (N.D. Ill. 1993).  Due  4 March 2008

• Cose v. Getty Oil Co., 4 F.3d 700 (9th Cir. 1993).  Due 6 March 2008

• U.S. v. Alcan Aluminum Corp., 990 F.2d 711 (2d. Cir. 1993).  Due 6 March 2008

Statutes:

• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)  42  U.S.C. §§ 300 et seq.

• Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) 42  U.S.C. §§  9601 et seq.

Water Pollution

CASES:

• Sierra Club v. Peterson, 705 F.2d 1475 (9th Cir. 1983).  Due 18 March 2008

• Gwaltney of Smithfield v. Chesapeake Bay Fnd, 484 U.S. 49 (1987).  Due 18 March 2008

• Baughman v. Bradford Boal Co., 592 F.2d 215 (3rd Cir. 1979).  Due 18 March 2008

• NRDC v. Costel, 568 F.2d 1369 (D.C. Cir. 1977).  Due 20 March 2008

• American Mining Congress v. E.P.A., 965 F.2d 759 (9th Cir. 1992).  Due 20 March 2008

• National Wildlife Federation v. Consumers Power Co., 657 F.Supp. 989 (W.D.Mich. 1987).  Due 20 March 2008

• Sierra Club v. Abston Construction Co., 620 F.2d 41 (5th Cir. 1980).  Due  25 March 2008

• Avoyelles Sportsmen's League, Inc. v. Marsh, 715 F.2d 897 (5th Cir. 1983).  Due 25 March 2008

• U.S. v. Riverside Bayview Homes, 474 U.S. 121 (1985).  Due 25 March 2008

• EDF v. Costle, 657 F.2d 275 275 (D.C. Cir., 1981).  Due 27 March 2008

• Arkansas v. Oklahoma, 503 U.S. 91 (1992).  Due 27 March 2008

• American Paper Inst. v. E.P.A., 660 F.2d 954 (4th Cir. 1981).  Due 27 March 2008

• American Paper Inst. v. E.P.A., 996 F.2d 346 (D.C.Cir. 1993).  Due 1 April 2008

• PUD No. 1 of Jefferson County v. Washington Dept. of Ecology, 511 U.S. 700 (1994).  Due 1 April 2008

• American Meat Inst. v. E.P.A., 526 F.2d 442 (7th Cir. 1975).  Due 1 April 2008

• E.P.A. v. National Crushed Stone Ass'n, 449 U.S. 64 (1980).  Due 1 April 2008

   

• Arco Oil & Gas Co., E.P.A., 14 F.3d  1431 (10th Cir.. 1993).  Due 3 April 2008

• Hickey's Carting, Inc. v. E.P.A., 978 F.2d. 66 (2d Cir. 1992).  Due 3 April 2008

• Pronsolino v. Nastri, 291 F.3d 1123 (9th Cir. 2001).  Due 3 April 2008

Statutes:

• Clean Water Act (CWA)  42 U.S.C. §§   300(g) et seq.

• Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)   U.S.C. §§   et seq.

Air Pollution

CASES:

• NRDC v. Train, 545 F.2d 320 (2d Cir. 1976).   Due 3 April 2008

• EDF v. Thomas, 870 F.2d 892 (2d Cir. 1989).  Due 8 April 2008

• Am. Petroleum Inst. v. Costle, 665 F.2d 1176 (D.C. Cir. 1981).  Due 8 April 2008

• Am. Textiles Mfr's Inst. v. Donovan, 452 U.S. 490 (1981).  Due 8 April 2008

• Baltimore Gas & Elec. Co. v. NRDC, 462 U.S. 87 (1983).  Due 8 April 2008

• Small Refiner Lead Phase-Down Task Force v. E.P.A., 705 F.2d 506 (D.C. Cir. 1983).  Due 10 April 2008

• Lead Industries Ass'n Inc. v. E.P.A., 647 F.2d 1130 (D.C. Cir. 1980).  Due 10 April 2008

• Central Arizona Water Conservation Dist. et al. v. E.P.A., 990 F.2d 1531 (9th Cir. 1993).  Due 10 April 2008

• Gardeski v. Colonial Sand & Stone Co., 501 F.Supp. 1159 (S.D. N.Y.. 1980).  Due 10 April 2008

• EDF v. E.P.A., 797 F.Supp. 194 (E.D. N.Y. 1992).  Due 15 April 2008

• Duquesne Light Co. v. E.P.A., 481 F.2d 1 (3rd Cir. 1973).  Due 15 April 2008

• Bethlehem Steel Corp. v. Gorsuch, 742 F.2d 1028 (7th Cir. 1984).  Due 15 April 2008

• Citizen's Against the Refinery's Effects, Inc. v. E.P.A., 643 F.2d 183 (4th Cir. 1981).  Due 15 April 2008

• Connecticut Fund for the Environment, Inc. v. E.P.A., 672 F.2d 998 (2d Cir. 1982).  Due 15 April 2008

• Coalition for Clean Air v. E.P.A., 971 F.2d 219 (9th Cir. 1992).  Due 17 April 2008

• NRDC v. Reilly, 983 F.2d 259 (D.C. Cir. 1993).  Due 17 April 2008

• Ethyl Corp. v. Browner, 989 F.2d 522 (D.C. Cir. 1993).  Due 17 April 2008

• Whitman v. American Trucking Ass'n Inc., 531 U.S. 457 (2001).  Due 17 April 2008

• Appalachian Power Co. v. E.P.A., 249 F.3d 1032 (D.C. Cir. 2001).  Due 17 April 2008

STATUTES:

Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 7401 et.seq.

Natural Resource Management

CASES:

• Tennessee Valley Authority v. Hill, 437 U.S. 153 (1978). Due 22 April 2008

• United States v. Dion, 476 U.S. 734 (1986). Due 22 April 2008

• Robertson v. Seattle Audubon Society, 503 U.S. 429 (1992). Due 22 April 2008

• Sierra Club v. Clark, 755 F.2d 608 (8th Cir. 1985). Due 22 April 2008

• Nat'l Ass'n of Home Builders v. Defenders of Wildlife, 127 S.Ct. 2518 (2007). Due 24 April 2008

STATUTES:

Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 1531 et.seq.
National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 470 et.seq.