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Hormesis relates to dose /response (equivalently exposure /response or concentration /response) functions that are characterized by either a U-shaped or an inverted U-shaped pattern. Such phenomena are not unique to health effects. They pose important questions for the design and selection of policy instruments and the measurement of the benefits from intervention. Three examples help to illustrate the potential similarities between hormesis and more familiar environmental policy issues. There is growing recognition in evaluations of land use policy in the U.S. and Europe that agricultural landscape can provide amenities to residential homeowners if they do not live "too close". Odour, dust, pesticide drift and a variety of negative externalities can be experienced.