CES Environmental Regulations & Compliance Standards 3

Question 1

A consultant discovers that soil contamination at a site originates from an adjacent property. Under CERCLA, which party is most likely liable for cleanup of the contamination on the client's property?

Accepted Answer

All potentially responsible parties including past owners and operators

Answer

CERCLA imposes joint and several, strict, and retroactive liability on all PRPs, including past and present owners, operators, arrangers, and transporters.

Question 2

Which term describes the standard of review a federal court applies when an agency's interpretation of an ambiguous statute it administers is challenged?

Accepted Answer

Chevron deference

Answer

Under Chevron deference, courts defer to an agency's reasonable interpretation of an ambiguous statute it is charged with administering.

Question 3

Under the Clean Water Act NPDES program, which type of permit covers multiple similar facilities under a single set of requirements rather than individual permits?

Accepted Answer

General NPDES permit

Answer

General NPDES permits cover a category of similar dischargers in a geographic area under a single permit with standardized conditions.

Question 4

Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Section 313, what is the reporting threshold for a non-PBT chemical for facilities with 10 or more full-time employee equivalents?

Accepted Answer

25,000 pounds manufactured or processed, or 10,000 pounds otherwise used

Answer

For non-PBT chemicals, EPCRA Section 313 thresholds are 25,000 pounds manufactured or processed, or 10,000 pounds otherwise used annually.

Question 5

Which regulatory program specifically addresses the remediation of contaminated sediments in navigable waters of the United States?

Accepted Answer

CERCLA Superfund

Answer

CERCLA provides the primary framework for remediating contaminated sediments in navigable waters through the Superfund program.

(CES) Certified Environmental Scientist Practice Test

(CES) Certified Environmental Scientist Practice Test

CES Environmental Regulations & Compliance Standards 3