CEA CEA Environmental Law & Enforcement 2

Question 1

Which provision of the Clean Water Act regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

Section 404

Answer

Clean Water Act Section 404 authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to issue permits for discharging dredged or fill material into U.S. waters and wetlands.

Question 2

What is the key difference between a Notice of Violation (NOV) and a Consent Decree in environmental enforcement?

Accepted Answer

An NOV notifies of non-compliance; a Consent Decree is a court-approved settlement

Answer

A Notice of Violation formally identifies non-compliance, while a Consent Decree is a judicially enforceable settlement agreement resolving violations.

Question 3

Under RCRA, what classification applies to wastes that exhibit ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity?

Accepted Answer

Characteristic hazardous waste

Answer

Characteristic hazardous wastes are identified by four properties—ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity—under RCRA Subtitle C regulations.

Question 4

Which EPA enforcement mechanism allows the agency to seek penalties of up to $70,117 per day per violation under the Clean Water Act?

Accepted Answer

Class II administrative penalty

Answer

Class II administrative penalties under the Clean Water Act allow EPA to assess up to approximately $70,117 per day per violation after formal hearing procedures.

Question 5

What does the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Section 313 require facilities to report?

Accepted Answer

Annual releases of toxic chemicals via the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)

Answer

EPCRA Section 313 requires covered facilities to annually report releases and transfers of listed toxic chemicals to EPA's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI).

(CEA) Certified Environmental Auditor Practice Test

(CEA) Certified Environmental Auditor Practice Test

CEA CEA Environmental Law & Enforcement 2