CFP Environmental Impact Assessment 3

Question 1

Which Clean Water Act section specifically regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including fish-bearing streams?

Accepted Answer

Section 404

Answer

CWA Section 404, administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, regulates permits for dredge and fill discharges into waters of the US, protecting aquatic habitats.

Question 2

When assessing cumulative impacts on a fish population, which factor is MOST critical to include beyond the direct project effects?

Accepted Answer

Past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions in the watershed

Answer

NEPA requires cumulative impact analysis to consider all past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions that may affect the same resource, reflecting total watershed-level stress.

Question 3

Which metric from the Physical Habitat Simulation (PHABSIM) model is used to determine instream flow requirements for fish?

Accepted Answer

Weighted Usable Area (WUA)

Answer

PHABSIM calculates Weighted Usable Area (WUA) at various flow levels, combining hydraulic simulations with habitat suitability criteria to define flow needs for target fish species.

Question 4

A proposed dam will inundate 50 miles of salmon spawning habitat. Under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, which agency must be consulted?

Accepted Answer

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the relevant state fish and wildlife agency

Answer

The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act requires federal agencies to consult with USFWS and the state fish and wildlife agency whenever waters are impounded, diverted, or otherwise controlled.

Question 5

In impact significance determination, which combination of factors typically elevates an impact to 'significant' under NEPA's context and intensity criteria?

Accepted Answer

High controversy, irreversible, affects unique or endangered resources

Answer

CEQ regulations identify high public controversy, irreversibility, and effects on unique or endangered resources as key intensity factors that elevate an impact to 'significant.'

(CFP) Certified Fisheries Professional Practice Test

(CFP) Certified Fisheries Professional Practice Test

CFP Environmental Impact Assessment 3