Water Laws, Rules and Policy

Catalog description

This course provides an introduction to local, state, and federal rules and regulations relevant to water. Students will receive an introduction to the history and function of water laws, rules, and policies and how they are created, including the roles of the three branches of government and the public. Relevant U.S. and Texas laws, rules, and policies governing water resources will be reviewed and evaluated in detail, including the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. Students will examine federal, state and local approaches to water allocation, pollution control, and resource management on private and public lands, public waters, for groundwater, and for other beneficial uses serving society. Students will explore the challenges of law making and regulatory processes and discuss alternative strategies for water pollution control and resources management, including sustainability models, voluntary approaches, real-time information feedback, and new technology applications, sanctions, and economic incentives and other market-based mechanisms. The student will become familiar with the political environment within which water laws and public policy are created, including the roles of science, opinion, and influence.