Environmental and Sustainability Planning Flashcards
6 cards from real AICP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Environmental and Sustainability Planning flashcards as text
What federal program regulates development activities in the 100-year floodplain?
Answer: National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
The NFIP, administered by FEMA, requires participating communities to adopt floodplain management regulations in exchange for federally backed flood insurance.
Which of the following best describes 'green infrastructure' in planning?
Answer: A network of natural and semi-natural areas that provides ecosystem services
Green infrastructure uses natural systems like wetlands, parks, and urban forests to manage stormwater, reduce heat, and provide multiple ecosystem services.
What is the 'urban heat island effect'?
Answer: The phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas
Urban heat islands occur because impervious surfaces, buildings, and reduced vegetation absorb and retain heat, raising urban temperatures above rural surroundings.
Under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which agency issues permits for discharging fill material into waters of the United States?
Answer: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The Army Corps of Engineers administers Section 404 permits for dredge-and-fill activities in wetlands and other waters, with EPA retaining veto authority.
What is a 'climate action plan' in local planning?
Answer: A policy document outlining strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change
Local climate action plans identify GHG reduction targets and mitigation/adaptation strategies, often including land use, transportation, and energy policies.
What does 'environmental justice' mean in planning practice?
Answer: The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in environmental decision-making
Environmental justice ensures that low-income and minority communities receive equitable protection from environmental hazards and meaningful voice in decisions affecting them.