As we have discussed in other articles over time, sometimes public goods are protected explicitly, and sometimes they are protected by process.  When a protected public good is threatened explicitly, it is important to understand the specific laws that protect it.  When a public good is protected by process, then it is important to understand the process and the laws that protect the process. Most government agencies exist at the interface of “private goods:”and “public goods” and laws determining protections and processes like permits.