CEP Environmental Regulations & Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Clean Water Act Section 404, a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers is required for:
- Discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States (Correct answer)
- Municipal stormwater discharges
- Industrial effluent exceeding permit limits
- Thermal discharges from power plants
Correct answer: Discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States
Section 404 requires a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers before discharging dredged or fill material into navigable waters and their adjacent wetlands.
Question 2: Which Clean Air Act mechanism allows sources in nonattainment areas to offset new emissions by reducing existing emissions within the same area?
- Emission offset policy (Correct answer)
- Cap-and-trade program
- Bubble policy
- Netting provision
Correct answer: Emission offset policy
The emission offset policy requires new or modified major sources in nonattainment areas to secure emission reductions that more than compensate for the new emissions.
Question 3: The Safe Drinking Water Act authorizes EPA to set Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). The MCL is defined as:
- The highest permissible level of a contaminant in water delivered to users (Correct answer)
- The contaminant level at which no adverse health effects are expected
- The lowest technically achievable treatment level
- The level at which treatment must begin
Correct answer: The highest permissible level of a contaminant in water delivered to users
An MCL is the maximum allowable contaminant concentration in public water systems, set as close to the MCLG as feasible.
Question 4: Under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, federal agencies must consult with which agency when an action may affect a listed species?
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or NOAA Fisheries (Correct answer)
- EPA and Army Corps of Engineers
- Bureau of Land Management
- Council on Environmental Quality
Correct answer: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or NOAA Fisheries
Section 7 consultation is conducted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (terrestrial/freshwater species) or NOAA Fisheries (marine species).
Question 5: A facility triggers RCRA large quantity generator status when it generates at least how much hazardous waste per month?
- 1,000 kg (approximately 2,200 lbs) (Correct answer)
- 100 kg (approximately 220 lbs)
- 10 kg (approximately 22 lbs)
- 5,000 kg (approximately 11,000 lbs)
Correct answer: 1,000 kg (approximately 2,200 lbs)
Facilities generating 1,000 kg or more of hazardous waste per month are classified as large quantity generators with the most stringent RCRA requirements.
Question 6: The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program is established under which section of the Clean Water Act?
- Section 402 (Correct answer)
- Section 303
- Section 401
- Section 319
Correct answer: Section 402
CWA Section 402 establishes the NPDES program, which regulates point source discharges of pollutants to waters of the United States.
Question 7: Which NEPA document must include a discussion of the 'no-action' alternative and is required only when significant environmental impacts are anticipated?
- Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) (Correct answer)
- Environmental Assessment (EA)
- Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
- Record of Decision (ROD)
Correct answer: Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
An EIS is required when a federal action significantly affects the quality of the human environment and must analyze the no-action alternative among others.
CEP Environmental Regulations & Compliance 3
Under the Clean Water Act Section 404, a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers is required for: