CPP Site Assessment & Due Diligence Flashcards
6 cards from real CPP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CPP Site Assessment & Due Diligence flashcards as text
What is a 'vapor intrusion' assessment and when is it required during site due diligence?
Answer: An evaluation of whether volatile contaminants in soil or groundwater may migrate into building air, required when contamination is near structures
Vapor intrusion occurs when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from contaminated soil or groundwater migrate into building indoor air, requiring assessment when contamination is present near existing or planned structures.
What is a 'Remedial Action Plan' (RAP) and at what stage of site cleanup is it developed?
Answer: A detailed engineering plan for cleaning up contamination, developed after site investigation defines the extent of contamination
A RAP is developed after Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study defines contamination extent and selects a remedy, detailing the engineering design, timeline, and performance standards for cleanup implementation.
What is 'institutional control' as a cleanup remedy component for contaminated sites?
Answer: Legal and administrative mechanisms (deed restrictions, environmental easements) that limit site use to prevent exposure to residual contamination
Institutional controls are non-engineering measures like deed restrictions, zoning controls, or groundwater use restrictions that limit land use or exposure pathways as part of a risk-based cleanup strategy.
What is a 'No Further Action' (NFA) letter from a state environmental agency?
Answer: A regulatory closure document stating that contamination has been addressed sufficiently that no further cleanup is required
An NFA letter is a regulatory closure document confirming that site contamination has been adequately addressed under applicable standards, providing liability protection and facilitating property transactions.
What is the significance of the 'innocent landowner defense' under CERCLA?
Answer: A property owner who conducted appropriate inquiry before purchase and had no knowledge of contamination is shielded from CERCLA liability
CERCLA's innocent landowner defense protects buyers who conducted all appropriate inquiry (Phase I ESA meeting AAI standards) before purchase, did not know of contamination, and exercised due care after discovery.
What is an 'environmental lien' and how can it affect a property transaction?
Answer: A lien recorded against a property by a government agency for unpaid cleanup costs or response actions
Environmental liens are government claims against property for unreimbursed cleanup costs under CERCLA or state laws, which must be disclosed and satisfied before clear title can be conveyed in a sale.