Environmental Impact Assessment Flashcards

Which regulatory framework governs the environmental review of hydrographic surveys conducted in coastal zone areas managed by individual US states?

Answer: The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) federal consistency requirement

The CZMA requires that federal activities affecting a state's coastal zone must be consistent with the state's approved coastal management program.

A 'finding of no significant impact' (FONSI) can be issued after which EIA document?

Answer: Environmental Assessment

A FONSI is issued after completing an EA when the agency concludes the proposed action will not significantly affect the environment.

In the context of EIA for hydrographic surveys, 'mitigation' measures are best described as actions that:

Answer: Avoid, minimize, rectify, reduce, or compensate for adverse environmental impacts

The mitigation sequence — avoid, minimize, rectify, reduce, and compensate — represents the hierarchy of measures to address adverse impacts.

Which biological survey method is most appropriate for establishing pre-project fish community baseline in an EIA for a harbor survey?

Answer: Trawl surveys or hydroacoustic fish detection

Trawl surveys and hydroacoustic methods (split-beam sonar) directly quantify fish species composition and abundance for baseline assessment.

Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, hydrographic surveys must consider effects on:

Answer: Historic properties including submerged cultural resources

Section 106 requires federal agencies to consider effects on historic properties, including shipwrecks and submerged archaeological sites in the survey area.

What is the significance of 'Level A harassment' thresholds under the MMPA for acoustic surveys?

Answer: They represent sound levels that may cause permanent injury to marine mammal hearing

Level A harassment thresholds define acoustic exposure levels that can cause permanent threshold shift (PTS) or other injury to marine mammal auditory systems.

When preparing an EIA for a multibeam survey in a marine protected area (MPA), which impact category typically requires the most detailed assessment?

Answer: Acoustic disturbance to protected species and habitats

MPAs are established specifically to protect sensitive species and habitats, making acoustic and physical disturbance impacts the primary EIA concern.