Wetlands Law and Regulation Syllabus - Summer 2026
Professor Johnson
Professor Johnson
|
|
Attendance: Students must attend all class sessions. Students who miss any class session will be withdrawn from the course per the Law School's policies.
Preparation: Class participation will be considered in grading.
Technology: The abuse of technological devices can be distracting to you, to your classmates, and to me, and can undermine the classroom experience for everyone. To this end, please refrain from displaying wallpaper, screen savers, or other material on your computer screen that may reasonably be expected to offend or distract your classmates. Please refrain from e-mailing, checking email, and messaging during class and limit web surfing to material related to the class. Please let me know if a classmate disregards these rules and is hindering your ability to learn.
Note-taking: Resist the temptation to take down everything that is said in class. Instead, process what is being discussed and be selective. Don’t let note-taking interfere with your thinking about what is being discussed.
Preparation: Class participation will be considered in grading.
Technology: The abuse of technological devices can be distracting to you, to your classmates, and to me, and can undermine the classroom experience for everyone. To this end, please refrain from displaying wallpaper, screen savers, or other material on your computer screen that may reasonably be expected to offend or distract your classmates. Please refrain from e-mailing, checking email, and messaging during class and limit web surfing to material related to the class. Please let me know if a classmate disregards these rules and is hindering your ability to learn.
Note-taking: Resist the temptation to take down everything that is said in class. Instead, process what is being discussed and be selective. Don’t let note-taking interfere with your thinking about what is being discussed.
Assignments:
Prior to May 29:
(1) Complete Administrative Law Introduction Module on Canvas (substitutes for 1 hour class meeting)
(2) Complete Administrative Law Judicial Review Module on Canvas (substitutes for 1 hour class meeting)
(3) Post Introductory Video or Audio Clip to Canvas before the first class meeting per the Assignment instructions on Canvas
Friday, May 29 (1:00-5:30):
1:00 - 2:00: Welcome and Introduction - Guest Speaker - Tom Lautzenheiser - Mass Audubon: Read Pages 1-24, 39-42; CALI Exercise to Review Chapter 1 (Due before class begins)
2:10-3:10: Introduction to the Clean Water Act and Individual Permits: Read Pages 73-78; Skim Pages 83-86; Read Pages 275-286
3:20-4:20: Waters of the United States - Part 1: Read Pages 87-101; Skim Pages 101-113
4:30-5:30: Waters of the United States - Part 2: Read Pages 155-174; CALI Exercise to Review Chapter 4 (Due before class begins)
Saturday, May 30 (10:00 - 3:40):
10:00-11:00: Regulated Activities - Ditching and Draining: Read Pages 176-177, 188-198, 203-210; Skim Pages 198-203
11:10-12:10: Mountaintop Removal Mining: Read Pages 211-230; Watch Videos on Page 230
1:30-2:30: Regulated Activities - Part II: Read Pages 230-255; CALI Exercise to Review Chapter 5 (Due before class begins)
2:40-3:40: Permit Exceptions and General Permits: Read Pages 256-275; Do Problem # 1 in the Research Problems on Page 267; CALI Exercise to Review Chapter 6 Parts 1 and 2 (Due before class begins)
Sunday, May 31 (10:00-12:30):
10:00-11:00: Mitigation: Read Pages 305-322; Skim Pages 323-329; CALI Exercise to Review Chapter 7 (Due before class begins)
11:10-12:10: Role of EPA and States in Wetlands Regulation: Read Pages 330-331, 352-360; Skim Pages 336-348, 363-368
12:15-12:30: Course Wrap-Up
Exam Period:
Sunday, June 7: Take Home Exam Due by 5:00
Prior to May 29:
(1) Complete Administrative Law Introduction Module on Canvas (substitutes for 1 hour class meeting)
(2) Complete Administrative Law Judicial Review Module on Canvas (substitutes for 1 hour class meeting)
(3) Post Introductory Video or Audio Clip to Canvas before the first class meeting per the Assignment instructions on Canvas
Friday, May 29 (1:00-5:30):
1:00 - 2:00: Welcome and Introduction - Guest Speaker - Tom Lautzenheiser - Mass Audubon: Read Pages 1-24, 39-42; CALI Exercise to Review Chapter 1 (Due before class begins)
2:10-3:10: Introduction to the Clean Water Act and Individual Permits: Read Pages 73-78; Skim Pages 83-86; Read Pages 275-286
3:20-4:20: Waters of the United States - Part 1: Read Pages 87-101; Skim Pages 101-113
4:30-5:30: Waters of the United States - Part 2: Read Pages 155-174; CALI Exercise to Review Chapter 4 (Due before class begins)
Saturday, May 30 (10:00 - 3:40):
10:00-11:00: Regulated Activities - Ditching and Draining: Read Pages 176-177, 188-198, 203-210; Skim Pages 198-203
11:10-12:10: Mountaintop Removal Mining: Read Pages 211-230; Watch Videos on Page 230
1:30-2:30: Regulated Activities - Part II: Read Pages 230-255; CALI Exercise to Review Chapter 5 (Due before class begins)
2:40-3:40: Permit Exceptions and General Permits: Read Pages 256-275; Do Problem # 1 in the Research Problems on Page 267; CALI Exercise to Review Chapter 6 Parts 1 and 2 (Due before class begins)
Sunday, May 31 (10:00-12:30):
10:00-11:00: Mitigation: Read Pages 305-322; Skim Pages 323-329; CALI Exercise to Review Chapter 7 (Due before class begins)
11:10-12:10: Role of EPA and States in Wetlands Regulation: Read Pages 330-331, 352-360; Skim Pages 336-348, 363-368
12:15-12:30: Course Wrap-Up
Exam Period:
Sunday, June 7: Take Home Exam Due by 5:00
Course Requirements and Grading: Grading for the course is based on:
Asynchronous Modules: Two class meetings for this course are taught through asynchronous course modules. The modules must be completed before the beginning of the course on May 29th.
Each of the asynchronous modules includes (1) reading assignments; (2) 2 videos to watch; and (3) 2 short CALI exercises to complete.
- an open book final exam - essay format;
- satisfactory completion of all asynchronous modules
- successful completion of CALI exercises and exercises assigned over the weekend.
Asynchronous Modules: Two class meetings for this course are taught through asynchronous course modules. The modules must be completed before the beginning of the course on May 29th.
Each of the asynchronous modules includes (1) reading assignments; (2) 2 videos to watch; and (3) 2 short CALI exercises to complete.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to (1) understand and evaluate the core legal principles and policy considerations relevant to the practice of wetlands law and regulation, including the Constitutional powers, roles, and responsibilities of the federal and state governments in the field of wetlands law and regulation; the role of administrative agencies in developing and implementing wetlands law and policy; the role of citizens in influencing and enforcing wetlands law and policy; the economic, political, ethical, cultural and social forces that affect the development and implementation of wetlands law and policy; and the major federal environmental laws and the key provisions of those laws that address wetland regulation (Legal Literacy; Legal Communication); (2) analyze factual scenarios in accordance with applicable environmental law principles to identify and assess relevant facts, formulate vital questions and problems clearly and precisely, and determine appropriate outcomes in legal proceedings (Problem Identification; Problem Analysis; Critical Thinking); (3) identify applicable environmental law principles and apply them in accordance with the best interests of the client, fairness and equity to all parties, and the rule of law, recognizing the practical and social/policy consequences of the application of those principles (Problem Analysis; Critical Thinking; Forming Professional Identity; Cultural Competency); and (4) communicate effectively and respectfully with others in solving complex problems in environmental law (Interpersonal Skills).
By the end of the course, students should be able to (1) understand and evaluate the core legal principles and policy considerations relevant to the practice of wetlands law and regulation, including the Constitutional powers, roles, and responsibilities of the federal and state governments in the field of wetlands law and regulation; the role of administrative agencies in developing and implementing wetlands law and policy; the role of citizens in influencing and enforcing wetlands law and policy; the economic, political, ethical, cultural and social forces that affect the development and implementation of wetlands law and policy; and the major federal environmental laws and the key provisions of those laws that address wetland regulation (Legal Literacy; Legal Communication); (2) analyze factual scenarios in accordance with applicable environmental law principles to identify and assess relevant facts, formulate vital questions and problems clearly and precisely, and determine appropriate outcomes in legal proceedings (Problem Identification; Problem Analysis; Critical Thinking); (3) identify applicable environmental law principles and apply them in accordance with the best interests of the client, fairness and equity to all parties, and the rule of law, recognizing the practical and social/policy consequences of the application of those principles (Problem Analysis; Critical Thinking; Forming Professional Identity; Cultural Competency); and (4) communicate effectively and respectfully with others in solving complex problems in environmental law (Interpersonal Skills).
Required University Syllabus Statements
**** TBA
AI Use:
If you wish to use AI tools for any aspect of your coursework, you must first obtain written permission from Professor Johnson. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If approved, you will receive specific guidelines for use and required attribution. Unapproved use of AI tools will be treated as plagiarism as defined by the University Honor Code.
**** TBA
AI Use:
If you wish to use AI tools for any aspect of your coursework, you must first obtain written permission from Professor Johnson. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If approved, you will receive specific guidelines for use and required attribution. Unapproved use of AI tools will be treated as plagiarism as defined by the University Honor Code.