audio files of occasional, exceptional presentations at VLS
6/20/06 Hot Topics Lecture by Mike Lee.
Rancher Richard Pombo (R-CA) is behind the current push to radically alter the Endangered Species Act. He draws money and encouragement from a huge fan base in the West, and his efforts to roll back federal resource restrictions span the country. We will discuss his rise to power and how the changing nature of his home district threatens his seat this fall.
6/13/06 Hot Topics Lecture by Martha Judy
When the Supreme Court decided this case, dissenters knew it would pose problems for responsible parties voluntarily cleaning up toxic sites under Superfund. The majority declined to resove this conundrum, leaving the issue for the circuit courts to consider. What is the future of voluntary cleanup under Superfund?
6/6/06 Hot Topics Lecture by Kent McFarland.
Mercury deposition in New England comes from local, regional, and global emissions, with 60% coming from the U.S. Regulations to address mercury emissions have been successful and the U.S. total has declined 40% since 1990. Yet, avian toxicology studies are showing that mercury is lurking in places we never imagined.
