Module+3

PAF 101—MODULE 3 GRADE SHEET
** BASED ON CHAPTERS 5 & 6 revised 7/23/10  ** Name: Kim Snyder Societal Category: Phosphate levels in waterways Group #: __MAXIMUM__ __YOUR__ __EXERCISE__ __POINTS__ __SCORE__ __COMMENTS__ 5.1 8 ______   5.2 21 ______    5.3 12 ______    5.4 8 ______    5.5 6 ______    5.6 6 ______    6.1 6 ______    6.2 33 ______    6.3 10 ______    6.4 10 ______    __Subtotal for Paper__ 120 ______ Points Deducted: Late Paper _____ Writing _____ Organization _____ Participation _____ __Total Points Deducted__ ______ Extra Credit Points: Competitions _____ Speakers _____ __Total Extra Credit Points__ ? ______ =     = =   TOTAL GRADE   = ** MODULE THREE ** 120 ______ #____

** PAF 101 EXERCISES: MODULE THREE  ** ** BASED ON CHAPTERS 5 & 6  ** ** ** Whenever you use a source in your answer, including all quotes, you must provide an APA-style internal citation and a full APA-style reference in the References page exercise. HINT: Most of these exercises require citations. ** **  ** Only attach an article if required by exercise directions. Whenever you attach an article, it must be directly behind the exercise in which it appears, and it must be clearly labeled with the exercise number and letter to which it pertains. Attach only the first page of the article unless otherwise stated. **  Exercise 5.1: Describing the Societal Problem and its Geographic Location Your Total Score:_____ (Maximum: 8 points) A. Briefly state your societal problem and which local area of the country it applies to (i.e. town, city, county, school district). For this module, your geographic level must be local. (2 points) Part A score:_____ B. Clearly describe two of the most important negative effects of the problem. Each description should be no longer than two sentences (6 points) Part B score:_____
 * ** State your societal problem here: **High levels of phosphorus in stream runoffs.
 * ** State the specific geographic area (including the state) you will be focusing on here: **Westchester, NY.
 *  ** Describe the first negative effect here: **Toxins and synthetic particles from soaps and fertilizers build up in water supply systems and raise the costs of effective water treatment.
 *  ** Describe the second negative effect here: **M any detergents and fertilizers contain phosphate which causes algae and phytoplankton blooms that can choke out other aquatic species.

Exercise 5.2: Providing Evidence of a Societal Problem within the County of your Choosing Your Total Score:_____ (Maximum: 21 points) Provide three different forms of clear and convincing evidence of the societal problem identified in Exercise 5.1. Specify the geographic locality that each piece of evidence is from, which should be the same locality as you identified in 5.1. If it is not, you must specify how the evidence you find is relevant to the locality that you specified in 5.1. Write up to 4 sentences describing each piece of evidence. Label graphs and tables to conform to the example given on page 61 of the // Maxwell Manual //. Make sure your graph has a title, labeled axes and a source. A. Write up to 4 sentences providing evidence of your societal problem and support this evidence by including a trend line graph. (Note: graph must be generated electronically and may not be hand drawn. Needs to have at least 3 points and ** at least one point must be factual **). (7 points) Part A score:_____ B. Write up to 4 sentences providing evidence based on a quote from a player, stakeholder, or expert you interviewed (include the direct quote that supports the evidence). (7 points) Part B score:_____
 * ** Evidence described by graph: **Phosphate production and use in agriculture has been gradually rising over the last 60 years. Much of this has been imported from foreign sources at great costs. The majority of this phosphate is applied to crops and gets washed off into watersheds and seeps into ground water, dissolving into the water system.
 * Insert Graph Here:  **

> >  C. Write up to 4 sentences providing evidence by citing a print or electronic source. (7 points) Part C score:_____  · ** Evidence from a print or electronic source:  **Phosphorus going into the State's water has been linked to: reductions in oxygen in water-bodies necessary for fish to breathe; algae that turn water bodies green; and algae and algae by-products that degrade drinking water. //Detergents and lawn fertilizer can have unnecessary phosphorus. // New York took action to reduce phosphorus in most household products in the early 1970's, eliminating its use in hand dish soap and laundry detergents but exempted dishwasher detergent, which was not very common at the time. Fertilizers contain phosphorus to help spur plant growth…Phosphorus from dishwasher detergents and lawn fertilizer has the potential to significantly impact the quality of New York State's water resources.
 * ** Evidence from a player, stakeholder, or expert: **“The suds that you see in Bailey Brook are from phosphorus containing soaps. The foam in rivers and lakes that you see isn’t natural. It’s all runoff from industries and households that use these soaps. They all run into Teatown Lake than out Bailey Brook and continue downstream.” – Mr. John Madden, stakeholder.

Exercise 5.3: Identifying Underlying Causes of the Problem Your Total Score:_____ (Maximum: 12 points) Describe and provide sources for the four most significant causes that contribute to the existence of the societal problem which you are studying. (NOTE: the causes and sources used can be general & not specific to the local area.) The causes should not overlap or be redundant.  · ** Write and briefly describe the second cause here: **Government bans on phosphorus use focus only on sources from turf-grass which do not amount to a major portion of runoff. “ The logical conclusion is that runoff water P loads from turf-grass are generally greater than for forests, do not differ significantly from native vegetated areas such as prairies, and on average are one-third or less than those from agricultural land.” ( [|Wayne Kussow] ) 
 * One source may be used for several or all of the causes, and at least one of the four must be based on a quote from a player, stakeholder, or expert you have interviewed (7 points will be deducted if you do not do this).
 * 3 points will be deducted if a major cause is not discussed and full credit will be assigned only if reasonable causes are included and the discussion is clearly and precisely written.
 * ** Write and briefly describe the first cause here: **Excess use of phosphate as fertilizer in farming leads to an excess amount of it in the runoff from these areas that enter water supplies.
 * ** Write and briefly describe the third cause here: **High concentrations of phosphorus in laundry and dish detergents used in households that enters the watershed directly via sewage.
 * ** Write and briefly describe the fourth cause here: **Deforestation and soil disturbance of areas containing soil with high phosphorus concentrations or sources leading to more erosion and runoff.

Exercise 5.4: Describing the Current Policy Your Total Score:_____ (Maximum: 8 points) A. Describe one current policy now in effect in the locality you specified in 5.1 to remedy the problem described in 5.1. The policy can originate at a local, state, or national level but must be operating in all or part of the locality you have chosen. Be clear where it originates. (2 points) Part A score: _____ B. Identify the local administrative unit primarily responsible for implementing the policy. (2 points) Part B score:_____ C. Identify the legislative body that is the original source of this policy. (2 points) Part C score:_____ D. Describe how a court at any level (local, state, federal) could be involved in the application of the policy. (2 points) Part D score:_____
 * ** Describe the policy here: **Government regulations for phosphorus runoff from turf-grass and home lawns range from county to state-wide coverage and limit the amount of P runoff to less than .7 lbs per acre.
 * ** Write the specific geographic location the policy originated in here: **The policy was first introduced in Minnesota after state-wide studies examined turf-grass P runoff loads.
 *  ** Identify the local administrative unit here: **The policy is regulated by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection.
 *  ** State the geographic location over which they have the authority to act: **EPA Region 5: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin.
 *  ** Identify the legislative body here: **The State senate of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and/or Wisconsin.
 *  ** State the geographic location over which they have the authority to act: **Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
 *  ** Describe how a court could be involved here: **If phosphorus pollution from an industry plant or runoff from a household causes problems by exceeding the regulation’s amount, the courts would be responsible for hearing the case, punishing the guilty party and making reparations.
 *  ** State the geographic location over which they have the authority to act: **Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Exercise 5.5: Describing the Role of Business and Non‑Profit Organizations Your Total Score:_____ (Maximum: 6 points) A. Identify a business corporation and describe an action it takes to reduce the societal problem you are studying at any geographic level, not necessarily your chosen locality. (3 points) Part A score: _____ === · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">In one sentence, indicate the action this corporation takes to reduce the societal problem by quoting a statement either from the company itself or another source here:  <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Neither Tide nor Proctor & Gamble has not issued a statement regarding environmental protection. “More cleaning ingredients. Less water.*” <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> === B. Identify a non-profit organization and describe an action it takes to reduce the societal problem you are studying at any geographic level, not necessarily your chosen locality. (3 points) Part B score: _____ 2   The Waterkeeper Alliance. ** 17 Battery Place; Ste. 1329; New York, NY 10004 ****. **   ** “ **We are working with farmers, environmentalists and political leaders to support real alternatives to factory-raised food.” (factory-raised food contributes to phosphorous run-off) []
 * ** Write the name and location of the corporate headquarters of the business here: **Tide Detergent (by Procter & Gamble), Cincinnati, Ohio
 * ** Write the name and location of the local or national headquarters of the non-profit organization here:   **
 * ** In one sentence, describe the organization takes to reduce the societal problem by quoting a statement either from the organization or another source here:  **

Exercise 5.6: Examining the News Media's Discussion of Societal Problems Your Total Score: _____ (Maximum: 6 points) Select and evaluate an editorial, op-ed, or letter to the editor published within the last 6 months from any newspaper that discusses your societal problem at any governmental level or location. Do not summarize the article. Attach a copy of the entire article directly behind this exercise. The author uses research to support the prevalence of the problem and examines the societal causes and costs of the problem. But they also recognize the importance of phosphorus in farming methods and much-needed food production. “The… overuse of fertilizer, particularly in China, where chemical fertilizers are heavily subsidized, is generating large amounts of air pollution, including the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, and big water pollution problems. Among other findings, the authors said that fertilizer use on corn in northern China could be cut in half with no loss of production.”
 * <span style="0in line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo12; tab-stops: list .5in;">** Evaluate how well the author presents the “societal problem,” “evidence of the problem,” and “causes of the problem,” and quote at least one sentence or part of it from the article here:   **

Exercise 6.1: Evaluating the Grading Exercise and Increasing Learning Your Total Score:_____ (Maximum: 6 points) Identify and justify in one sentence which of the three grading alternatives would be most ** feasible ** in future PAF 101 classes. In another sentence, identify and justify which of the three grading alternatives would be most ** effective ** in future PAF 101 classes to increase learning.
 * ** Write one sentence for which alternative would be most feasible here: ** The most feasible alternative would be the radical model that allows more people to succeed with less effort on their part.
 * ** Write one sentence for which alternative would be most effective here: ** The most effective alternative would be the conservative model where students still have to work to achieve a passing grade and have a greater chance of failing.

Exercise 6.2: Developing Public Policy Alternatives Your Total Score:_____ (Maximum: 33 points) A. Using ** information from a book, website, or article **, describe a public policy alternative to the existing policy to deal with the societal problem identified in Exercise 5.1. The information can refer to any geographic area or governmental level. Part A score:_____ <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Description of Policy Alternative #1 and the local government agency responsible for implementation here: ** Chemical treatment of affected waterways to remove dissolved P. Chemical precipitation is achieved using compounds of calcium, aluminum and iron. Implemented by sanitation department and state DEC. <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list .5in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · **  Identify your source of information and explain how it helped you formulate your policy here:  ** [|//http://www.water.rutgers.edu/Projects/trading/p-trt-lit-rev-2a.pdf//] This article discusses experiments conducted on the treatment of dissolved P and the results that have been produced. <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Rate Policy Alternative #1 Effectiveness here: ** Medium. <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 45.6pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list 48.45pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Justification: ** Tests have showed promising results but have only been conducted in laboratory pure-chemical experiments which do not take environmental factors into account. <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Rate Policy Alternative #1 Feasibility here: ** Low. Treatment is still in the research and developmental stage. High cost, unknown side effects. <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 45.6pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list 45.6pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Justification: ** The treatment has not been fully tested in full-scale systems. Treatment produces chemical sludge. B. Using ** information you received through an interview with a player, stakeholder, or expert **, describe a public policy alternative to the existing policy to deal with the societal problem identified in Exercise 5.1. The information can refer to any geographic area or governmental level. <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo19; tab-stops: 0in list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Follow the instructions from Part A. (8 points) Part B score:_____ <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Description of Policy Alternative #2 and the local government agency responsible for implementation here: ** Government mandates of maximum allowable phosphate levels in various products such as fertilizers and detergents. The mandate would be issued by the local EPA. <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list .5in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · **  Identify your source of information and explain how it helped you formulate your policy here:  ** Stakeholder, Bill Snyder, mechanical engineer for Fuel Cell energy. Fuel cells release no emissions or harmful by-products and were first developed because of the government mandates on carbon emissions. <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Rate Policy Alternative #2 Effectiveness here: ** High <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 45.6pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list 45.6pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Justification: ** Will reduce effects because lower concentrations will be applied and less will runoff into the environment. <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Rate Policy Alternative #2 Feasibility here: ** Medium <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 45.6pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list 45.6pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Justification: ** Soap and fertilizers may be less effective due to the reduction in phosphate levels. C. Using ** any source of information **, describe a public policy alternative to the existing policy to deal with the societal problem identified in Exercise 5.1. The information can refer to any geographic area or governmental level. Part C score:_____ <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Description of Policy Alternative #3 and the local government agency responsible for implementation here: ** Tax fertilizers/soaps with a high level of phosphates to reduce use. Implemented by DEC/DEP and NY legislature. <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list .5in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · **  Identify your source of information and explain how it helped you formulate your policy here:  ** [|//http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/pubs/phosph.pdf//] A study conducted by Easter in 1999 found that taxing phosphate fertilizers had low transaction costs and alleviated the problem. <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Rate Policy Alternative #3 Effectiveness here: ** High. <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 45.6pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list 42.75pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Justification: ** If the price of phosphate products is high, less will be bought and people will be more careful in how they use them. <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Rate Policy Alternative #3 Feasibility here: ** Medium. <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 45.6pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 17.1pt list 42.75pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Justification: ** Resistance will come from farmers and industries that produce fertilizers. D. Using only your ratings and justifications in Parts A-C, summarize your preferred policy alternative clearly and coherently in no more than 5 sentences. (9 points) Part D score:_____ I prefer the policy of taxing fertilizers and soaps that are high in phosphates. This policy has been shown to have high effectiveness and medium feasibility. It would be better than a government mandate on phosphate levels because it offers incentives for eliminating the problem not just easing it. This policy is tested and has been proven effective and cheap to implement. The only problems would be resistance to the new taxes.
 * The policy must be at the local level and be reasonable in terms of the criteria discussed in Step 2 on pp. 73-74 of the // Maxwell Manual //.
 * To receive credit for this exercise, the alternative must be able to be implemented by one or more agencies that have direct authority in the geographic location your policy targets.
 * Rate the feasibility and effectiveness of your alternative using the terms “high,” “medium,” or “low,” and justify your rating. (8 points)
 * Internal citation needed for all policy alternatives.
 * <span style="0in line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l21 level1 lfo20; tab-stops: list .5in;"> Follow the instructions from Part A. (8 points)
 * ** In no more than 5 sentences, state your preferred policy and explain why it is superior to the other two alternatives by comparing the feasibility and effectiveness of each here:  **

Exercise 6.3: Finding Legislation on Your Topic Your Total Score:_____ (Maximum: 10 points) <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l19 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 17.1pt; text-indent: 0.9pt;"> A. Using the Congressional Information Service (CIS Index) reference material or the web address, ** http://thomas.loc.gov **, find a piece of federal legislation related to your topic area (not necessarily your proposed policy). Attach a copy of the first page of the legislation. (5 points) Part A score:_____ <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: 17.1pt list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Record the full search statement you used here: “ **Water Pollution” (111th Congress) [] <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: 17.1pt list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Write one complete sentence on how the bill is related to your topic here: **This legislation promotes education and publically available information on the health of the watershed. <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l19 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 17.1pt; text-indent: 0.9pt;"> B. Using the New York State web address (** www.state.ny.us **) or the New York State Assembly or Senate home pages (** http://assembly.state.ny.us **or ** http://senate.state.ny.us **), find a piece of legislation related to your topic area (not necessarily your proposed policy). Attach a copy of the first page of the legislation. (5 points) Part B score:_____ <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: 17.1pt list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Record the full search statement you used here: **Water Quality [] <span style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: 17.1pt list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Write one complete sentence on how the bill is related to your topic here: **This proposal add feasible water quality enhancement projects to the state budget for approval.

Exercise 6.4: References Your Total Score:_____ (Maximum: 10 points) <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo18; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · ** Start References on the next line or on the next page:  ** The Oil Drum. Sept, 2008. // Peak Phosphate //. Retrieved December 15, 2010 from: [] New York State, Department of Environmental Conservation (2010, July 26,). // Dishwasher Detergent and Nutrient Runoff Law. // Retrieved December 15, 2010 from: [] <span style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"> [|Kussow],  Wayne. (2009, Feb 1). // Phosphorus Bans Ignore Problem’s Real Causes //. Environment & Climate News. Retrieved December 15, 2010 from: [] Sowles, Marisa. (2005, May). // Assessing Phosphorus Transportation and the High Risk Runoff Areas  //. Retrieved December 15, 2010 from: [] Strom, Peter F. // Technologies to Remove Phosphorus from Wastewater //. Rutgers University. August 2006. [] Helland, John. // The Continuing Concern Over Phosphorus. // House Research Department. February 2004. [] Revkin, Andrew C. “Fertilizer Divide: Too Much, Not Enough.” __The New York Times__ 19 June 2009. Accessed on 19 Jan. 2011. ** []  **
 * Prepare a list of references that includes all sources for this module.
 * Follow the APA format.
 * Include all sources used in the exercises.