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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

  1. What federal law requires Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for major federal actions?

    Answer: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    NEPA, enacted in 1969, requires federal agencies to assess environmental impacts of major federal actions through Environmental Impact Statements.

  2. Which concept refers to development that meets present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs?

    Answer: Sustainable development

    Sustainable development, defined by the Brundtland Commission in 1987, balances economic, social, and environmental needs across generations.

  3. What is a 'categorical exclusion' under NEPA?

    Answer: A category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have significant environmental effects

    Categorical exclusions are NEPA determinations for actions with no significant environmental impact, allowing agencies to bypass the EIS/EA process.

  4. Which document is prepared when a federal action may have significant environmental impacts but it is unclear if an EIS is needed?

    Answer: Environmental Assessment (EA)

    An Environmental Assessment (EA) is a concise public document that helps determine whether a full EIS is required for a proposed federal action.

  5. The 'three pillars' of sustainability in planning are typically defined as:

    Answer: Economic, Social, and Environmental

    The three pillars of sustainability—economic viability, social equity, and environmental protection—form the foundation of sustainable planning practice.

  6. What is the primary purpose of a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) under the Endangered Species Act?

    Answer: To allow otherwise prohibited 'take' of listed species in exchange for conservation measures

    HCPs are required for incidental take permits under ESA Section 10, allowing development to proceed when applicants mitigate impacts on listed species.