| A. Information from Science | What is science? A process of systematic observation and testing
using the scientific method.
Scientific Method:
PROOF IS ELUSIVE! Science does not PROVE theories- it gathers evidence to support a hypothesis, and offer more and more support, or finds evidence which refutes the hypothesis. A hypothesis can be rejected, or ONLY supported and NEVER proven. Supported hypotheses may become theories after withstanding the test of time and, if universally important, will be considered Law. |
| B. Risk Analysis | Analyses of the potential effects of various proposals to a plan. National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); signed by President Nixon, this act
directs three responses:
1. It authorizes the Council on Environmental Quality, the oversight board for general environmental conditions. Now known as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2. It directs federal agencies to take environmental consequences into account during decision-making 3. It requires an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be prepared for every major federal project having an effect on the environment! Every EIS MUST contain/ state: a) the purpose and need of the project, b) ALL alternatives to the proposed plan, including the plan of NO action, c) statements of all positive and negative impacts resulting from the proposed activities. These are broken down into short-term goals and problems, balanced by long-term goals, effects, and problems.. The final document is often hundreds of pages long, and may take six or nine months to prepare. An EIS doesn’t forbid environmentally destructive activities if they comply with relevant laws, but it demands we admit what is being done to the environment. |
| C. Public Education | The primary concern of an EIS (above). |
| D. Political Action | With knowledge comes responsibility. In government, the
struggle exists among competing, unequal interest groups to shape public
policy. The political system manages group conflict by:
1. establishing rules to ensure civil competition- i.e. vendor bids, state contract bids, sealed bids... 2. encouraging compromise and balancing interests- give and take between different branches of govt., different offices... 3. codifying compromises as public policy 4. enforcing laws and rules based on the policy- monitoring agencies such as EPA and enforcement agencies such as Div. of Fish and Game handle enforcement of environmental law. Rational Choice Policy A science-based, utilitarian management plan used for public policy. It follows rational, scientific data combined with cost-benefit analysis; no policy should have a total cost greater than the benefits derived. |
| E. Follow Through | A monitoring organization must be designated to be responsible for compiling and comparing long-term data. |