Program Overview

Overview of the Water Resources Law Course

The Water Resources Law course is a survey course that examines the legal and policy issues governing water quality and resource allocation in the United States. Students will be introduced to both the Prior Appropriation systems of the western United States and the Reasonable Use systems dominating the eastern states.

Course Description

This course studies the legal and policy issues governing water resource allocation in the United States. Students will be introduced to both the Prior Appropriation systems of the western United States and the Reasonable Use systems dominating the eastern states. The course will cover key laws that affect water quality and quantity, including the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Students will also explore emerging issues in water policy, including the regulation of "forever chemicals," protection of wetlands, and mitigation of and adaptation to climate change.

Course Areas of Practice

• Administrative and Regulatory Law
• Environmental Law
• Law, Democracy, and Society

Evaluation Methods

• Research paper, 25+ pages

Degree Requirements

• JD SRWP with add-on credit
• JD elective
• IntlLLM-SJD-EXC elective
• IntlLLM writing
• IntlLLM Environ Cert
• PIPS elective

Course Type

• Lecture

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge and understanding of substantive and procedural law

Sample Syllabi

• 320-01-Spring2024-syllabus.pdf (179.59 KB)

Course Offerings by Semester

Spring 2026

• Course Number: 320.01
• Course Credits: 2
• Evaluation Method: Research paper, 25+ pages
• Instructor: Ryke Longest

Spring 2025

• Course Number: 320.01
• Course Credits: 2
• Evaluation Method: Research paper, 25+ pages
• Instructor: Nancy Lauer, Ryke Longest

Spring 2024

• Course Number: 320.01
• Course Credits: 2
• Evaluation Method: Research paper, 25+ pages
• Instructor: Blakely Hildebrand, Nancy Lauer

Spring 2023

• Course Number: 320.01
• Course Credits: 2
• Evaluation Method: Research paper, 25+ pages
• Instructor: Nancy Lauer

Spring 2022

• Course Number: 320.01
• Course Credits: 2
• Evaluation Method: Research paper, 25+ pages
• Instructor: Ryke Longest

Spring 2021

• Course Number: 320.01
• Course Credits: 2
• Evaluation Method: Research paper, 25+ pages
• Instructor: Ryke Longest

Spring 2020

• Course Number: 320.01
• Course Credits: 2
• Evaluation Method: Research paper, 25+ pages
• Instructor: Ryke Longest

Spring 2019

• Course Number: 320.01
• Course Credits: 2
• Evaluation Method: Research paper, 25+ pages
• Instructor: Ryke Longest

Spring 2018

• Course Number: 320.01
• Course Credits: 2
• Evaluation Method: Research paper, 25+ pages
• Instructor: Ryke Longest

Spring 2017

• Course Number: 320.01
• Course Credits: 2
• Evaluation Method: Research paper, 25+ pages
• Instructor: Ryke Longest

Spring 2016

• Course Number: 320.01
• Course Credits: 2
• Evaluation Method: Paper
• Instructor: Ryke Longest

Additional Information

Please note that this information is for planning purposes only, and should not be relied upon for the schedule for a given semester. Faculty leaves and sabbaticals, as well as other curriculum considerations, will sometimes affect when a course may be offered.