CH Regulatory Framework & Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal law requires an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for major federal hydrographic projects that may significantly affect the environment?
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (Correct answer)
- Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act
- Coastal Zone Management Act
- National Marine Sanctuaries Act
Correct answer: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
NEPA requires federal agencies to evaluate environmental impacts through an Environmental Impact Statement for major actions with significant environmental effects.
Question 2: A hydrographic survey is planned within a National Marine Sanctuary. Which additional regulatory layer must be satisfied beyond standard federal permits?
- NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries authorization (Correct answer)
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Section 7 consultation only
- EPA Clean Water Act Section 402 NPDES permit
- State Historic Preservation Office review only
Correct answer: NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries authorization
Work within a National Marine Sanctuary requires authorization from NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, which may impose additional restrictions.
Question 3: In the context of tidal datum compliance, which datum does NOAA use as the primary reference for chart soundings in US waters?
- Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) (Correct answer)
- Mean Sea Level (MSL)
- Mean Low Water (MLW)
- Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT)
Correct answer: Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW)
NOAA uses Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) as the tidal datum reference for sounding reductions on US nautical charts.
Question 4: The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) extends federal jurisdiction for hydrographic regulatory purposes to what distance offshore?
- The outer edge of the continental shelf or 200 nautical miles, whichever is greater (Correct answer)
- 3 nautical miles from the baseline
- 12 nautical miles (territorial sea)
- 24 nautical miles (contiguous zone)
Correct answer: The outer edge of the continental shelf or 200 nautical miles, whichever is greater
OCSLA extends federal authority over the OCS to the shelf edge or 200 nm EEZ limit, governing resource extraction and infrastructure in those waters.
Question 5: Which IHO order applies to surveys of harbors, berthing areas, and critical waterways where the underkeel clearance is critical?
- Special Order (Correct answer)
- Order 1a
- Order 1b
- Order 2
Correct answer: Special Order
IHO Special Order is designed for the most safety-critical areas where even small undetected features could pose serious navigation hazards.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) as it relates to hydrographic survey operations near the coast?
- Ensure federal activities are consistent with approved state coastal management programs (Correct answer)
- Mandate daily tidal observations at all coastal survey sites
- Require all surveys to use metric units near state coastal zones
- Prohibit sonar use in state territorial waters without EPA approval
Correct answer: Ensure federal activities are consistent with approved state coastal management programs
CZMA's federal consistency provision requires federal activities affecting the coastal zone to be consistent with an approved state's coastal management program.
Question 7: When a hydrographic contractor identifies that collected data does not meet IHO Order 1a standards, what is the appropriate course of action under NOAA contract compliance?
- Resurvey the affected area before submitting the data delivery (Correct answer)
- Submit the data with a written disclaimer noting the deficiency
- Apply data interpolation to fill gaps and meet the standard
- Report the deficiency only if the client requests a quality audit
Correct answer: Resurvey the affected area before submitting the data delivery
NOAA contract specifications require that all data meet specified survey order standards; areas failing QC must be resurveyed prior to final delivery.
CH Regulatory Framework & Compliance 3
Which federal law requires an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for major federal hydrographic projects that may significantly affect the environment?