Principles for Local Environmental Management

Broad environmental concerns have prompted the development of national policy and governmental responsibilities for responding to these issues. Amid a pluralism of goals and aspirations, the public sector is attempting to solve problems associated with the consumption of scarce natural resources, the generation of environmental impacts, and the constant need for improved environmental quality. This book is written to assist government and community leaders with environmental management from a local perspective. An interdisciplinary approach to problem solving, it combines elements of environmental science, economics, law, planning and political science to establish principles for environmental decision making. It compiles information, methods and techniques, identifying the nature of the problems facing the policymaker and offering straightforward and practical approaches to many of the technical tasks involved in local environmental management.

Contents

List of Tables
List of Figures
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Fundamental Issues in Environmental Management
Introduction
The Demand for Environmental Quality
The Demand and Supply for Environmental Quality: Costs and Benefits
Achieving the Social Optimum
The Information Gap
Summary
Chapter 3: Natural Environmental Considerations in Environmental Decisionmaking
Introduction
The Idea of Natural Environmental Carrying Capacity as a Critical Concept in Environmental Management
The Determination of Natural Environmental Carrying Capacity
The Practical Application of the Carrying Capacity Concept to Environmental Management
Summary
Chapter 4: The Evolution of Public Sector Activity in Environmental Management
Introduction
Private Property Rights and the Founding of a New Government
The Early Role of the Courts in Defining Property Rights
The Twentieth Century Brings Accelerating Governmental Involvement in Land Use Regulation
A New Look at Regional Planning Commissions: Possible Contenders for the Major Planning Role
Chapter 5: Legislating Environmental Management: A Summary of Recent Environmental Laws
Introduction
The National Environmental Policy Act
The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970
Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972: Water Quality Aspects
Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972: Dredge and Fill Jurisdiction
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972
Flood Plain and Disaster Relief Legislation
Section 701 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974
Conclusion
Postscript
Chapter 6: Institutional Arrangements for Environmental Management
Introduction
The Task of Environmental Management
Reassessing the Role of Local Government
Chapter 7: Aspects of Local Response to Current Legislative Requirements and Options
Introduction
Baseline Information
Population and Land Use Projection
Environmental Performance Standards and Impact Assessment
Social and Economic Impact Assessment
Management Strategies
Local Government Participation in Current Planning Activities
Summary
Chapter 8: Conclusions
Introduction
Suggested Roles for Governments
Guidelines for Local Government Participation
Appendixes
A – Chapter References and Suggested Readings
B – Documentation for Chapter 3 Case Study
Index
About the Authors

John Mixon, Barton A. Smith, James B. Blackburn, Jr., Glenda L. Callaway, Joel L. Gevirtz

Ballinger Publishing Company, 1978