PERC Policy Series: December 1996

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Environmental Federalism:

Thinking Smaller (No. 8)

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By Terry L. Anderson and Peter J. Hill

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To improve environmental policy, return it to the states, say PERC associates Terry L. Anderson and Peter J. Hill. For years, the national government has increased its control of environmental policy. But this trend has made it difficult for local people to monitor environmental policies, has led to excessive regulation, and has prevented innovation. Environmental federalism -- returning more authority to the states -- would better reflect the wishes of our citizens, say Anderson and Hill.

"Though environmental policy in the past three decades has been mostly dictated from Washington," say Anderson and Hill, "there is a rich history of states' success in solving resource and environmental problems." This paper discusses this history, focusing on four areas: water allocation and water quality, land management, wildlife management, and pesticide controls.

This paper is based on research conducted by PERC Wiegand Scholars and sponsored by t he E.L. Wiegand Foundation of Reno, Nevada. The research will culminate in a 1997 book to be published by Rowman and Littlefield Publishers (Lanham, MD).

"Progress toward improving our environment cannot solely rely on environmental regulations."