Students are responsible for contacting their assigned interest group to explore all perspectives of the proposal and its impact on the watershed. The impacts of legislative developments such as the Clean Water Act are discussed. The lesson is followed by a field trip to a local industry and a sewage treatment plant where students observe how companies and municipalities control point source pollution. Students are taken to a variety of farms, including dairy, poultry, turf, and organic vegetable operations. Each interest group is allowed to ask questions of other groups to further clarify or enhance important points.
Students then vote in favor of or against the proposal, and discuss the outcome.