Environmental protection is a growing concern every year. The laws and regulations surrounding the environment continue to increase and the enforcement of these laws are becoming more and more stringent. It is important to stay well informed of the environmental laws to perform specific paralegal research of legal issues and analyzing documents. Use this class discussion to deepen your understanding of the origins of laws and how these sources play a role in the development of environmental laws and their enforcement. Please respond to the following prompts:
- Identify the five sources of environmental law.
- Which source do you feel is most important? Explain your reasoning.
- How are environmental laws enforced? Which form of enforcement do you believe is most effective and why?
- Do you feel environmental laws should be enforced through criminal law, or only through civil law? Thoughts?
It is important to be familiar with the nature and scope of the environmental laws in your particular jurisdiction. As a paralegal, you may be tasked with researching statutes and regulations, as well as writing case briefs. Use this written assignment to gain practice on both tasks.
To complete this assignment:
- Conduct an Internet search to identify one environmental statute and/or regulation in your home state.Florida)
- Prepare a summary of the important aspects of the statute, including any noted penalties for violations.
- In addition, research the "Friends of Earth, Inc. vs. Laidlaw Environmental Services, Inc. (1999)" case that is mentioned in your textbook. Prepare a brief of the case.