CPP Stakeholder Engagement & Public Participation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What document formally summarizes and responds to all public comments received during an EIS comment period?
- Response to Comments (RTC) in the Final EIS (Correct answer)
- Record of Decision
- Finding of No Significant Impact
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Correct answer: Response to Comments (RTC) in the Final EIS
The Final EIS includes a Response to Comments section addressing every substantive comment received on the Draft EIS.
Question 2: Which Executive Order directs federal agencies to identify and address disproportionate impacts on minority and low-income communities?
- Executive Order 12898 (Correct answer)
- Executive Order 11990
- Executive Order 13112
- Executive Order 13175
Correct answer: Executive Order 12898
EO 12898 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations) requires agencies to analyze and address disproportionate impacts.
Question 3: What is the main purpose of a 'stakeholder mapping' exercise during permit planning?
- To identify all parties with interests in the project and their level of influence (Correct answer)
- To map the physical location of utilities near the project site
- To document property boundaries for the permit application
- To create a traffic flow diagram for project access
Correct answer: To identify all parties with interests in the project and their level of influence
Stakeholder mapping categorizes parties by their interest and influence, helping permitting professionals prioritize engagement strategies.
Question 4: When must a permit applicant conduct tribal consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act?
- Before a federal agency makes a final decision on an undertaking that may affect historic properties (Correct answer)
- After construction has been completed
- Only when a project is located on tribal trust lands
- When a project exceeds $1 million in cost
Correct answer: Before a federal agency makes a final decision on an undertaking that may affect historic properties
Section 106 requires federal agencies to consult with tribes and other parties before approving undertakings that could affect properties of historic or cultural significance.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes a 'Memorandum of Agreement' (MOA) in the Section 106 context?
- A binding agreement between the agency, SHPO, and parties that resolves adverse effects on historic properties (Correct answer)
- An informal letter summarizing stakeholder feedback
- A contract between the applicant and contractor
- A federal register notice announcing a new permit
Correct answer: A binding agreement between the agency, SHPO, and parties that resolves adverse effects on historic properties
An MOA formalizes the agreed-upon mitigation measures to resolve adverse effects on historic properties and is signed by the agency, SHPO, and often other consulting parties.
Question 6: What is 'meaningful involvement' in the context of environmental justice and permitting?
- Ensuring affected communities have access to information, can participate in decisions, and their input influences outcomes (Correct answer)
- Holding at least one public meeting near the project site
- Providing translated documents only to communities with non-English speakers
- Notifying all property owners within 500 feet of the project
Correct answer: Ensuring affected communities have access to information, can participate in decisions, and their input influences outcomes
EPA's environmental justice framework defines meaningful involvement as ensuring affected communities have real opportunities to influence permit and project decisions.
CPP Stakeholder Engagement & Public Participation 2
What document formally summarizes and responds to all public comments received during an EIS comment period?