Human Health

  Environment and Human HealthWri’ting As’signmentImportant Dates: 

• December 3, 2024 – Wri’ting As’signment is due by the end of the day. 
• Minimum Requirements: 

  2000 wo’rds minimum.  Wo’rd Count from the intr’oduction to the conc’lusion without counting the list of r’eferences.  
  Your es’say should be ty’ped and do’uble spaced on standard-sized pa’per (8.5″ x 11″), with 1″ margins on all si’des.   
  Fo’nt should be easy to read, such as 11-point Calibri, 11-point A’rial, and 10-point Lu’cida Sa’ns 12-point Ti’mes New Ro’man, 11-point Georgia, 10-point Computer Modern. 
  Use AP’A format.   

• Pap’er Sections: Your es’say should include three major sections 

1. Title Pa’ge
2. Main Bo’dy: Break the main bo’dy in the following sections.

   Int’roduction: Des’cribe the environmental health to’pic you are going to res’earch.  Dis’cuss the importance or significance of the to’pic 
   Environmental Impacts: Disc’uss the Environmental conditions and impacts related to your to’pic: water, air, land impacts.
   Human Impacts: Describe the human health impacts associated with your to’pic. Disc’uss any applicable Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology.
   Local relevance: Discuss the local relevance of the to’pic.  How does it impact Fresno County and the Central Valley?
   Laws and Regulations: Res’earch and discuss the applicable laws and regulations that attempt to mitigate the issues associated with the to’pic.  Who is responsible for implementation?  You may include a discussion about the economic cost of implementing the regulation.   
   Looking forward: What do you con’clude about the adequacy of public policy related to your to’pic.  What future measures may be taken to help address this issue?   

3. 3. Ref’erences 

• Use peer rev’iewed ar’ticles or current publications from government agencies, res’earch organizations, or institutions.

USE THE OU’TLINE PROVIDED BELOW.  

The Environmental Impact of Agriculture on Water Resources in California’s Central Valley

1.
Brief Description of the Topic

1. The environmental impacts of large-scale agriculture in California’s Central Valley, particularly its impact on water resources, are a cause for concern. The Central Valley is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, but its intensive water use has led to critical issues such as groundwater depletion, water pollution, and ecological degradation.

1.
Environmental Impacts

0.
Water Scarcity: Examine the depletion of groundwater and the impact of overpumping during droughts.

0.
Water Pollution: Investigate agricultural runoff containing pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals affecting water quality.

0.
Soil and Ecosystem Health: Discuss how poor water management affects soil salinity, land subsidence, and nearby ecosystems.

0. The focus will primarily be on water-related impacts, both locally and regionally, with some references to the broader national implications due to the Central Valley’s role in U.S. agriculture.

1.
Local Relevance: Fresno, California

0. Fresno is situated in the heart of the Central Valley, making it a critical location for understanding agricultural water use.

0. Resources for local relevance will include data and reports from the California Department of Water Resources, Fresno County Agriculture Department, and Fresno State Library.

0. Specific focus will be on how water issues impact Fresno’s agricultural economy, urban water availability, and community health.

1.
Laws and Regulations

0.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA): Discuss its role in regulating groundwater usage in California.

0.
Clean Water Act: Explore its relevance to controlling agricultural runoff.

0.
California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and
California Water Boards: Analyze their regulatory responsibilities and recent initiatives.

0. Mention local water districts’ regulations and any legal disputes over water rights in the Central Valley.