CSC Environmental Impact Assessment & Resource Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under NEPA, which document is prepared when the significance of a proposed federal action's environmental impact is uncertain?
- Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
- Environmental Assessment (EA) (Correct answer)
- Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
- Record of Decision (ROD)
Correct answer: Environmental Assessment (EA)
An Environmental Assessment (EA) is the screening-level document used to determine whether a full EIS is required when impact significance is unclear.
Question 2: Which resource management approach sets allowable harvest or extraction rates equal to the rate of natural regeneration?
- Adaptive management
- Precautionary management
- Maximum sustainable yield (Correct answer)
- Carrying capacity management
Correct answer: Maximum sustainable yield
Maximum sustainable yield (MSY) is the largest harvest that can be taken indefinitely without depleting the resource base.
Question 3: In an EIA scoping process, the primary objective is to:
- Approve the project before detailed analysis begins
- Identify significant issues and alternatives to be studied (Correct answer)
- Publish the final mitigation plan for public comment
- Determine the project's carbon footprint
Correct answer: Identify significant issues and alternatives to be studied
Scoping narrows the EIA's focus to the most significant issues and feasible alternatives so resources are not wasted on minor concerns.
Question 4: A water footprint assessment distinguishes between blue, green, and grey water. Grey water refers to:
- Groundwater extracted for irrigation
- Rainwater stored in surface reservoirs
- The volume of freshwater needed to dilute pollutants to acceptable levels (Correct answer)
- Wastewater recycled for non-potable uses
Correct answer: The volume of freshwater needed to dilute pollutants to acceptable levels
Grey water footprint quantifies the freshwater volume required to assimilate a pollutant load to meet ambient water quality standards.
Question 5: Which international protocol established binding targets for stratospheric ozone-depleting substances and is considered a model for global environmental agreements?
- Kyoto Protocol
- Montreal Protocol (Correct answer)
- Basel Convention
- Stockholm Convention
Correct answer: Montreal Protocol
The 1987 Montreal Protocol phased out chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone-depleting substances and is widely cited as the most successful global environmental treaty.
Question 6: A life-cycle assessment (LCA) 'system boundary' defines:
- The geographic area where the product is sold
- Which processes and flows are included or excluded from the study (Correct answer)
- The maximum allowable emissions from a facility
- The timeline for product end-of-life disposal
Correct answer: Which processes and flows are included or excluded from the study
The system boundary specifies which unit processes are included in an LCA so results are transparent, reproducible, and fit for the study's goal.
Question 7: The concept of 'virtual water' is most useful for understanding:
- Stormwater runoff volumes in urban settings
- Hidden water consumption embedded in traded goods (Correct answer)
- Water efficiency of drip irrigation systems
- Legal water rights allocation in arid regions
Correct answer: Hidden water consumption embedded in traded goods
Virtual water refers to the water used in the production of goods and services, making it a key concept for understanding water trade and resource efficiency globally.
CSC Environmental Impact Assessment & Resource Management 2
Under NEPA, which document is prepared when the significance of a proposed federal action's environmental impact is uncertain?