Evaluating EPA
PART 1. Write an essay consisting of at least 500 words addressing all of the following topics (a through e):
a. With regards to the U.S. EPA, describe the process of judicial review of rule-making and regulated negotiation.
b. Discuss the federal Tort Claim Act and under what situations it allows private citizens to sue the federal government, specifically the U.S. EPA.
c. Describe the origin of the Congressional Review Act and how it is used to restrain and/or enhance the power of government agencies.
d. Explain how the leadership of the U.S. EPA has changed over the years. How has the leadership impacted the agency’s enforcement of environmental law?
e. Give an example of how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers interacts with U.S. EPA.
PART 2. Write an essay consisting of at least 500 words addressing all of the following topics (a through f):
a. With regards to the U.S. EPA, describe the differences between formal, informal, and hybrid rule-making.
b. Describes problems associated with rulemaking. Do you think rules that the U.S. EPA makes should take into account how U.S. companies might be negatively financially impacted by pollution control rules? Or, do you feel that a clean environment is more important than industry’s cost concerns? Explain.
c. Have you ever called the U.S. EPA’s safe drinking water hotline at 1-800-426-4791 (p. 90)? Conduct an Internet search on the phone number and provide a summary of your findings. Though we do not necessarily want everyone in the class to call the number, call it if you would like and describe your experiences with the phone call.
d. Do you think that the head of the U.S. EPA should be appointed by the President, and thus, be a political appointee? Explain the pros and cons.
e. Present the history of the U.S. EPA.
f. How many EPA regions exist? Which region (if you live in the U.S.) do you live in? Do you think the regional approach is reasonable? Are there enough regions or too many regions?
All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations.