Environmental Regulations & Policy Flashcards
7 cards from real CSM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Environmental Regulations & Policy flashcards as text
Which CWA provision regulates the discharge of dredge or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands that may affect stormwater flow?
Answer: Section 404
CWA Section 404 authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (with EPA oversight) to regulate discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the US, including wetlands.
An industrial facility operating under a Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) must conduct stormwater sampling. What are these samples primarily used to assess?
Answer: Whether the facility's stormwater discharges exceed benchmark values
Under the MSGP, benchmark monitoring results are compared to benchmark values to help facilities assess whether their BMPs are adequately controlling pollutants in stormwater discharges.
Which federal agency shares authority with EPA over wetland fill permits under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act?
Answer: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the primary permitting authority for Section 404 permits, while EPA retains oversight and veto authority.
Under the Endangered Species Act, stormwater managers must consider how projects may affect listed species. What is the name of the formal consultation process with USFWS or NMFS?
Answer: Section 7 Consultation
Section 7 Consultation requires federal agencies (and applicants for federal permits) to consult with USFWS or NMFS when an action may affect listed threatened or endangered species.
A municipality wants to use a green infrastructure approach to meet its MS4 permit requirements. Which of the following is an acceptable BMP under the six minimum control measures?
Answer: Installing rain gardens to reduce stormwater volume
Rain gardens are a recognized green infrastructure BMP that reduces stormwater runoff volume and filters pollutants, consistent with MS4 permit minimum control measures.
The 'Antidegradation Policy' required under the Clean Water Act protects existing uses of water bodies. What does it primarily prevent?
Answer: Lowering water quality below existing use levels in high-quality waters
The antidegradation policy prevents the lowering of water quality in water bodies that already exceed standards, protecting existing uses and high-quality waters from degradation.
Which of the following scenarios would most likely trigger a stormwater permit for an existing industrial facility that previously did not need one?
Answer: Adding outdoor material storage that exposes pollutants to precipitation
Adding outdoor storage of materials that can be exposed to precipitation can trigger NPDES stormwater permitting requirements for industrial stormwater discharges.