Environmental Policy Research Guide
An annotated guide to resources available to UIUC students, featuring

Article databases | UIUC Library Tips
Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, etc. | Journals
Web resources

This guide was developed to help UIUC undergraduate students locate materials on
environmental policy both in the UIUC library system and on the Web

Introduction:

An environmental policy is any policy that affects the environment. Policies may be enacted as laws by governing bodies, or they may be created and enforced by government agencies. Environmental policies may originate with federal, state, local, or foreign governments. They may address an array of issues including (but not limited to) air or water quality, fossil fuel extraction, energy conservation, habitat protection or restoration, pesticide use, storage/disposal of hazardous materials, recycling, and trafficking in endangered species.

Environmental policy is an interdisciplinary topic, and draws together technology, economics, and the natural and social sciences. A term paper on environmental policy can be an unmanageable task unless you narrow your focus. For example, if you are interested in environmental policies affecting public lands (e.g., national parks and forests), you may want to research grazing policies on federally owned land in the western United States. You could narrow it further by specifying a particular habitat (chaparral), or a particular federal agency (Bureau of Land Management). Similarly, if you are interested in pollution, you may want to limit your topic to automobile emissions standards in California, or to emissions policies for coal-fired electric plants.

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Article Databases:

Before searching any database, check out Tips for Searching Databases
for valuable pointers on constructing your search

Almost any article database will contain some material on environmental policy. The specific purpose and topic of your research will determine the best database to use. If you are writing a freshman-level term paper or if you need background information to help select a topic, use a database with general coverage. Here you can find ideas and background information on your topic and articles that address your topic from various perspectives (socio-political, economic, and technical, for example). Also, the articles tend to be easier to read and understand than very technical, scholarly papers. If you need more in-depth information, try the recommended specialized databases.

Two good bets for starters: Both of these databases are good for preliminary research on environmental policies.

If you don't find what you need on the databases above, try these: WilsonSelect Full Text, EBSCOhost - Academic Search Elite, Readers Guide Abstracts (Wilson).

 

Suggested specialized databases: These databases are narrower in scope than those listed above, and will give you access to more technical information. Choose a database whose coverage includes your specific topic.

Environmental Sciences and Pollution Management Abstracts Indexes over 4,000 scientific journals plus conference proceedings and other important sources. Environmental policy coverage is excellent, if somewhat technical. Indexes and provides links to relevant web resources. Click here for quick tips and features. Sample searches: Use advanced search mode: environmental polic* as a keyword AND oil exploration as a keyword finds articles on environmental policies related to oil exploration. Use advanced search mode: environmental polic* as a keyword AND global warming in the title finds articles on global warming that also discuss environmental policies.

CAB (Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux) Abstracts and / or AGRICOLA Both cover environmental policy, primarily as related to agriculture. Both include conference proceedings, and government reports and publications in addition to journal articles.  CAB tends to be more international in scope, while AGRICOLA is a premier source for local-level information within the U.S. (e.g., land use in Champaign County).  Click here for quick tips and features. Sample searches: environmental polic* and (genetically altered or genetically engineered or recombinant) finds articles on environmental policies related to genetically engineered organisms (primarily in agriculture).

MEDLINE (PubMed) A good option for researching human health effects of environmental policies. Items such as letters to the editor in journals are indexed as well as very technical medical research articles (neither of which may be useful to you). Include the keyword "review" in your search to obtain summary articles. Click here for quick tips and features. Sample searches: environmental polic* AND respiratory health AND review finds review articles on respiratory health that mention environmental policies. environmental polic* AND cancer finds articles on cancer that mention environmental policies.

Specialized print indexes are also available.  These may be useful for finding older materials not indexed in the electronic article databases.

Environmental Periodicals Bibliography. Main Library, Stacks: 016.6147 EN89 (1972-1991).

The Environment Index.  Main Library, Stacks:  016.6147 EN81 (1971-1987); Law Library, Stacks: Z5322.E2 E57(1971-1977)

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UIUC Library Tips:

Which library should I use? The UIUC library system is decentralized, and the materials you need may be housed in more than one library. These libraries have good collections of environmental policy materials. For more detailed descriptions of the environment-related collections of these and other libraries, go to the Environmental Studies Virtual Library's Collection Initiatives page.

Library and Location	Type of Coverage
ACES Library 200 ACES Library,Information and Alumni Center, 1101 S. Goodwin Urbana,	Environmental aspects of land and natural resource management, wetlands, watersheds, toxicity, rural economic development, commerce and economics, consumer behavior, natural habitat, biodiversity, land use ecology, pollution, natural resource planning, alternative fuel sources, groundwater quality and hygrology, agriculture, ag chemicals, aquaculture, forestry, and rural sociology.
Biology Library 101 Burrill Hall 407 S. Goodwin, Urbana	Ecological aspects of environmental policy; most materials deal with terrestrial ecosystems.
City Planning Library 203 Mumford Hall 1301 W. Gregory, Urbana	Large collection with broad coverage integrating natural sciences and environmental law, economics, and planning. Covers environmental policies at local levels, sustainable development, environmental and natural resource economics, habitat protection / preservation, pollution prevention, and hazardous waste.
Commerce Library 101 Library 1408 W. Gregory, Urbana	Economic aspects of environmental policy and law, including coverage of environmentally conscious industries, companies, and consumers.
Education & Social Science Library 100 Library 1408 W. Gregory, Urbana	Strong collection with international scope covering political and social aspects of environmental policy.
Government Documents Library 200 Library 1408 W. Gregory, Urbana	Environmental policy collection includes government agency guidelines and handbooks.  NOTE:  Most government documents holdings are kept in the Main Library Stacks, Government Documents section.
Grainger Engineering Library 1301 W. Springfield, Urbana	Large collection covering technological aspects of environmental policy, also some environmental economics. Collection focuses on water and air pollution, air quality, waste management, water treatment, and hazardous materials.
Natural History Survey Library 196 NRB 607 E. Peabody, Champaign	Environmental policy as related to ecology, conservation, habitat restoration, and biodiversity.
Law Library 104 Law Building 504 E. Pennsylvania, Champaign	Environmental law books and journals.

How can I find materials on my topic? Use the online catalog to search for books and journals. You can search for keywords in the title, or you can search by subject heading. Some suggested headings for environmental policy are given in the table below. You can also browse the shelves.

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Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, etc.:

Ashworth, W. The Encyclopedia of Environmental Studies. 1991.
Main Library, Reference; Undergraduate Library, Stacks:  Q. 333.703 AS39E
The author is an environmental activist and librarian as well as writer. Covers terms used by federal agencies in technical documents plus slang and jargon used by agency personnel, scientists and others. Most entries about 1 paragraph in length, includes some illustrations.

Glossary of Terms Related to Health, Exposure, and Risk Assessment. United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Air Risk Information Support Center. 1989.
Main Library Stacks, Government Documents Section: DOC. EP4.2:G51/2
Designed as an educational tool for US-EPA regional offices, and state and local agency personnel for developing and implementing programs to control emissions of toxic air pollutants. Includes brief definitions of terms, with more in-depth coverage of some, plus key references for health, exposure, and risk assessment for toxic air pollutants.

Kemp, D.D. The Environment Dictionary. 1998.
Map & Geography Library, Stacks: 363.7003 K32e
Includes technical and simple descriptive topics along with in-depth examination of selected current issues. Heavily cross-referenced, and very detailed. Selected references for further reading are given for many entries. This could be an excellent source to use for selecting a topic.

King, J.J. The Environmental Dictionary and Regulatory Cross Reference. 1995.
ACES Library, Dictionaries; Undergraduate Library, Reference: 344.7304603K583E1995
Definitions from the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Protection of the Environment (40CFR) as of July 1, 1987, and from the updates in the Federal Register through June 30, 1994. Designed to be a supplement for researching environmental regulations, and to be used in locating regulations that apply to a topic of interest. Entries include the definitions as well as the section numbers of 40CFR or the Federal Register where terms are defined. (Use with 40CFR, available online).  Appendix with outline and brief explanation of 40CFR.

Paehlke, R. Conservation and Environmentalism: an Encyclopedia. 1995
Map & Geography Library, Reference; Uni High, Reference; Undergraduate Library, Stacks: 363.7003C765
Contains over 500 individual entries, with good coverage of regulatory aspects of many environmental issues, including government agencies and legislation and case law. The entries are grouped under 3 main areas: ecology, pollution, and sustainability.

Patton-Hulce, V. Environment and the Law: A Dictionary. 1995.
Uni. High Library, Reference: 344.7304603 P278E
Written for high school, college, and post graduate students, this source offers comprehensive entries on legal concepts, specific environmental problems, biographical information, and historical information on cases of significance.  Includes tables of legal cases, statutes, and regulations, a bibliography, and a very useful subject index.  This would be an excellent source for background information or for selecting a topic.

Soden, D.L. and Steel, B. Handbook of Global Environmental Policy and Administration 1999
Education and Social Science Library, Reference: 363.705 H191
Intended for an expert or upper level student audience. Offers a global, cross-cultural perspective on environmental policies. Contributors for the 39 chapters represent many disciplines and nationalities. Four main sections cover approaches to studying the environment, environmental policy and management in developing and industrialized countries, environmental policy in advanced industrial countries, and international environmental policy and administration issues.

Sullivan, T.FP. Environmental Regulatory Glossary. 1993
Government Documents Library: 550.3 EN891993
Defines terminology needed to implement environmental regulation. Designed as "a resource to identify basic regulatory concepts." Includes definitions and abbreviations/acronyms. Definitions were drafted by the Federal government. Sources of most definitions are given (these are generally the act or code to which they apply). Entries approximately 1 paragraph in length.

Additional resources may be found on the Environmental Studies Virtual Library's Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, and Other Reference Resources page.

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Journals:

Colorado Journal of International Environmental Law and Policy.
Other Title: Colorado journal of international environmental law
UIUC Law Stacks: K3 .O3457

The Environmental Forum.
Law Library, Stacks: K5 .N84X (1982, to date)

E / The Environmental Magazine.
Free full text available from Vol. 8, Issue 2 Mar-Apr 1997 through the current issue. Selected articles available from archives. Keyword search function. Although this magazine is written for an activist audience, and is not a refereed journal, it is a good source for timely topics.

Environmental Policy and Law.
City Planning Library, Periodicals: 301.305 ENP (1994 -1997)
Main Library, Stacks: 301.305 ENP (1976 - 1993)
Law Library, Stacks: K5 .N861X (1976 to date)
Sponsored by the International COuncil of Environmental Law.  "...created to encourage and develop the exchange of information and experience on all legal, administrative and policy matters relevant to the human and natural environment."  International focus.  Covers legal aspects of pollution, protection of flora and fauna, solid waste management, protected areas and land use, development and conservation of the worlds natural resources.

Land Use and Environment Law Review. 
Main L:ibrary, Stacks: 301.3En8941 (1970-1990)
Law Library, Stacks: K12.A348 (1978 to date)
Annual volume with in-depth review articles on selected subjects in environmental policy and law. Browsing recent volumes would be a good way to select a topic of current interest.

For additional environmental journals, see the Environmental Studies Virtual Library's Print and Electronic Journals page.

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Web Resources:

Resource and Source	Description
Code of Federal Regulations - U.S. House of Representatives Internet Law Library	Search by keyword, volume, chapter or sections. NOTE: Title 40 is the part that deals with environmental regulations.
Environmental Routenet, Water Resources Routenet - Cambridge Scientific Abstracts	Resources screened and indexed by Cambridge Scientific Abstracts. Click on desired Routenet from the CSA page.  Policy and Compliance Issues page of Environmental Routenet features a new policy topic each month, with topics archived back to 1997.  Water Resources Routenet links Databases and full text Reference Materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, encyclopedias).
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Homepage -	Search site using keywords, or browse topics from Acid Rain to Wetlands and Watersheds for information on EPA programs.
Environmental Atlas - Resource Renewal Institute	Environmental conditions and policies by country.  Map-based interface.
National Resource Conservation Service - U.S. Department of Agriculture	Lots of policy info, including conservation provisions of the 1996 Farm Bill.  Online Legislative Summaries of Congressional activity affecting resource policy added weekly and archived.
National Response Center - U.S. Coast Guard	Single point of contact for reporting all oil, chemical, biological, radiological and etiological discharges into the environment anywhere in the U.S. and territories.   Searchable database of all oil and chemical spill data with summary statistics on incidents.
NEPAnet: - Council on Environmental Quality	The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. Includes Executive Orders and CEQ Guidance.
OEPA Web Site - Office of Environmental Policy and Assistance, Department of Energy	Check out the latest federal regulatory initiatives.  Provides access to over 1400 documents and Federal Register notices.
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act - Office of Surface Mining, Department of the Interior	Full text of SMCRA, online. Plain text, 183 pp., no links or search capabilities (except for the "edit...find" function of your browser).

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Environmental Studies
Virtual Library

Compiled by Susan Braxton
Last updated 02/26/04
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