Reference no: EM133322351

Question: In this assignment, you and your classmates will discuss a hypothetical scenario related to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). By the end of the discussion, you should have explored all the aspects of NEPA studied in this module and how they apply to this scenario. Although it is only three paragraphs, the scenario is rich enough to stimulate NEPA-related conversation for weeks. In your posts, carefully consider the material we have covered, and provide citations and specific examples from the readings and cases.

Read the scenario (provided below) and then participate in the discussion according to the following guidelines:

For the purposes of this discussion, create a character who has an interest in this drama. You may be a concerned citizen, a highway planner, a government employee, the contractor who created the environmental impact statement (EIS), the mayor of a town bisected by the proposed highway, or any other person who would have a legal interest in the proposal and would be affected by it. (Note that it will make for a better conversation if interesting and diverse characters are chosen.) In an initial post of 100-300 words, describe your character's perspective, the provisions of NEPA that are relevant to the scenario, and how your character thinks the issues he or she raises should be resolved in light of the law.
Post at least two substantive responses to your classmates' posts. You may simply address the legal issues raised, or you may have your character respond to your classmates' characters. (Note that you will be assessed according to how well you explore the legal issues, so it is important to focus on discussing the issues rather than engaging in repartee.)
Hypothetical Scenario
The federal government wants to clear 200 acres of forest and fill in 100 acres of wetlands adjacent to the forest in order to build a 12-lane superhighway in place of an existing 4-lane highway that travels up the coast between Boston, Massachusetts, and Portland, Maine. The federal government believes the highway is necessary due to increased urban sprawl in Boston, increased travel and tourism to Maine, and enormous traffic delays.

The federal government has done a very short EIS concluding that there will be minimal adverse effects on air and water pollution. The EIS discusses two other inland routes for the highway (instead of the existing coastal route) and explains that they are less desirable because they will be more expensive to construct, and they require the displacement of more residents.

Environmentalists and citizens in the community are very concerned about the project and wonder whether there are alternative mass transportation strategies such as trains or high-speed ferry service. They worry that expansion from four to 12 lanes will impact property values, crime, and wildlife and will cause more development and unsightly billboards off the highway.