Environmental Regulations & Compliance Standards Flashcards
7 cards from real CES practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Environmental Regulations & Compliance Standards flashcards as text
Under the Clean Air Act, what is the regulatory significance of a nonattainment area designation?
Answer: It triggers requirements for state implementation plans with stricter controls to achieve NAAQS
Nonattainment designation requires states to develop SIPs with additional emission controls, new source review requirements, and a demonstration of how the area will achieve NAAQS.
Which phase of the CERCLA site assessment process involves sampling and analysis to characterize contamination and support remedy selection?
Answer: Remedial Investigation (RI)
The Remedial Investigation characterizes the nature and extent of contamination, determines exposure pathways, and evaluates risks to support remedy selection.
A facility is subject to the SPCC rule. What is the minimum total aboveground oil storage capacity that triggers SPCC applicability for facilities not subject to the Tier I qualified facility threshold?
Answer: 1,320 gallons total aboveground storage
Facilities with total aboveground oil storage capacity greater than 1,320 gallons (or single containers over 660 gallons) that could reasonably discharge to navigable waters are subject to SPCC.
Under the Endangered Species Act, which federal agency has primary jurisdiction over terrestrial (land-based) species listings and recovery plans?
Answer: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has primary ESA jurisdiction over terrestrial and freshwater species, while NMFS covers marine and anadromous species.
What is the primary purpose of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) required under the NPDES industrial stormwater general permit?
Answer: To identify potential pollutant sources and describe best management practices to minimize discharge
A SWPPP identifies potential stormwater pollutant sources at the facility and describes BMPs to reduce or prevent pollutants in stormwater discharges.
Under the Clean Water Act Section 404 program, which agency issues permits for discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States?
Answer: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers administers the Section 404 permit program for discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States.
A brownfield site redevelopment project qualifies for CERCLA liability protections. Which type of purchaser protection shields a person who buys contaminated property without knowledge of contamination after conducting appropriate inquiries?
Answer: Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser (BFPP) protection
The BFPP protection shields purchasers who knowingly acquire contaminated property after the effective date of the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act, provided they conduct AAI and meet ongoing obligations.