Federalism of Wetlands

This book analyzes the unintended consequences of overlapping state and federal environmental regulations in the United States and has five main objectives. First, the socioeconomic and environmental factors driving individuals to apply for environmental regulatory permits is described and explained. Second, a detailed '¬Spermit applicant'¬"s-eye-view'¬ of the disjointed world of wetland regulation is presented. The author then illustrates previously overlooked ways in which individual state policies can matter in a time of strong federal governance before proposing a model explaining regional inconsistencies in federal environmental regulatory program performance. Finally, he provides context to current political debates about excessive and redundant regulatory oversight.