AEP AEP Water Resources & Hydrology

Question 1

Which federal law establishes the 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS) jurisdiction for Section 404 wetland permits?

Accepted Answer

Clean Water Act

Answer

The Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 program, administered by the Army Corps of Engineers and EPA, regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into WOTUS.

Question 2

What does the 'Safe Yield' concept represent in groundwater management?

Accepted Answer

The rate at which groundwater can be extracted without depleting the aquifer over time

Answer

Safe yield is the long-term rate of groundwater extraction that can be sustained without causing unacceptable declines in water table levels or degrading water quality.

Question 3

Which hydrological term describes the process by which water moves downward through the soil from the surface to the water table?

Accepted Answer

Percolation

Answer

Percolation is the downward movement of water through the unsaturated (vadose) zone of the soil under the force of gravity until it reaches the saturated zone.

Question 4

Under the Clean Water Act, which permit program regulates stormwater discharges from construction activities disturbing 1 or more acres?

Accepted Answer

NPDES Construction General Permit

Answer

The NPDES Construction General Permit requires operators of construction sites disturbing 1 acre or more to implement best management practices (BMPs) and develop a SWPPP.

Question 5

What is a 'Total Maximum Daily Load' (TMDL) as defined under the Clean Water Act?

Accepted Answer

The maximum amount of a pollutant a water body can receive and still meet water quality standards

Answer

A TMDL is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive from all sources (point and nonpoint) and still meet water quality standards.

AEP - Associate Environmental Professional Certification Practice Test

AEP - Associate Environmental Professional Certification Practice Test

AEP AEP Water Resources & Hydrology