Environmental Sustainability Flashcards

Which federal law requires municipalities to develop Stormwater Management Programs to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff?

Answer: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II

NPDES Phase II requires small municipalities to obtain permits and implement stormwater management programs to control runoff pollutants.

A city wants to reduce its urban heat island effect. Which strategy would be MOST effective?

Answer: Planting urban tree canopy and installing green roofs

Urban trees and green roofs reduce surface temperatures through shade and evapotranspiration, directly countering the heat island effect.

What is the purpose of a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit?

Answer: To control pollutants entering waterways through storm drains

An MS4 permit requires municipalities to implement best management practices to prevent pollutants in stormwater from entering local waterways.

A municipality is evaluating its solid waste program. Which approach best reflects the EPA's waste management hierarchy?

Answer: Source Reduction → Reuse → Recycling → Recovery → Disposal

EPA's waste hierarchy prioritizes source reduction and reuse at the top, followed by recycling, energy recovery, and disposal as a last resort.

Which greenhouse gas is primarily associated with municipal landfill operations?

Answer: Methane (CH4)

Decomposing organic waste in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that many municipalities capture for energy generation.

A city manager reviews a proposal for a new park. Which design feature best incorporates low-impact development (LID) principles?

Answer: Bioswales and permeable pavement to infiltrate stormwater on-site

LID principles emphasize managing stormwater where it falls by using features like bioswales and permeable surfaces to promote infiltration.

Under the Clean Air Act, what are National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) designed to protect?

Answer: Public health and welfare from criteria air pollutants

NAAQS establish concentration limits for six criteria pollutants to protect public health (primary standards) and public welfare (secondary standards).