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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

  1. Under the Clean Water Act, which section specifically establishes the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)?

    Answer: Section 402

    Section 402 of the Clean Water Act establishes the NPDES permit program that regulates point source discharges into navigable waters.

  2. Which EPA Phase II rule extended NPDES stormwater permit requirements to municipalities with populations below what threshold?

    Answer: 100,000

    EPA's Phase II rule extended NPDES stormwater requirements to small MS4s serving populations under 100,000, published in 1999.

  3. What does 'MEP' stand for in the context of MS4 stormwater permit compliance?

    Answer: Maximum Extent Practicable

    MEP (Maximum Extent Practicable) is the performance standard that MS4 operators must achieve in reducing pollutants in stormwater discharges.

  4. A state wishes to administer its own NPDES program instead of EPA doing so. What must the state obtain?

    Answer: EPA authorization under Section 402(b)

    States can receive authorization to administer the NPDES program under CWA Section 402(b) after demonstrating adequate legal authority and resources.

  5. Which federal law governs the cleanup of contaminated sites that may affect stormwater runoff quality?

    Answer: CERCLA

    CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act), also known as Superfund, governs cleanup of hazardous waste sites that can contaminate stormwater.

  6. Under CWA Section 303(d), states must identify and list water bodies that do not meet water quality standards. What are these called?

    Answer: Impaired Waters

    Section 303(d) requires states to identify 'impaired waters' that fail to meet water quality standards and establish TMDLs for them.

  7. Which of the following construction activities would typically require a NPDES Construction General Permit (CGP) at the federal level?

    Answer: Clearing 1.5 acres for a commercial parking lot

    The CGP applies to construction sites disturbing 1 acre or more (or less than 1 acre if part of a larger common plan), making the 1.5-acre clearing subject to permit requirements.