CSM Environmental Regulations & Policy 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Clean Water Act, which section specifically establishes the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)?
- Section 208
- Section 319
- Section 402 (Correct answer)
- Section 404
Correct answer: Section 402
Section 402 of the Clean Water Act establishes the NPDES permit program that regulates point source discharges into navigable waters.
Question 2: Which EPA Phase II rule extended NPDES stormwater permit requirements to municipalities with populations below what threshold?
- 500,000
- 250,000
- 100,000 (Correct answer)
- 50,000
Correct answer: 100,000
EPA's Phase II rule extended NPDES stormwater requirements to small MS4s serving populations under 100,000, published in 1999.
Question 3: What does 'MEP' stand for in the context of MS4 stormwater permit compliance?
- Maximum Effluent Potential
- Minimum Effective Practice
- Maximum Extent Practicable (Correct answer)
- Municipal Environmental Protocol
Correct answer: Maximum Extent Practicable
MEP (Maximum Extent Practicable) is the performance standard that MS4 operators must achieve in reducing pollutants in stormwater discharges.
Question 4: A state wishes to administer its own NPDES program instead of EPA doing so. What must the state obtain?
- A federal waiver under Section 101
- EPA authorization under Section 402(b) (Correct answer)
- An interstate compact approval
- A Presidential Executive Order exemption
Correct 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.
Question 5: Which federal law governs the cleanup of contaminated sites that may affect stormwater runoff quality?
- RCRA
- CERCLA (Correct answer)
- TSCA
- EPCRA
Correct answer: CERCLA
CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act), also known as Superfund, governs cleanup of hazardous waste sites that can contaminate stormwater.
Question 6: Under CWA Section 303(d), states must identify and list water bodies that do not meet water quality standards. What are these called?
- Priority Restoration Segments
- Impaired Waters (Correct answer)
- Threatened Reaches
- Degraded Basins
Correct answer: Impaired Waters
Section 303(d) requires states to identify 'impaired waters' that fail to meet water quality standards and establish TMDLs for them.
Question 7: Which of the following construction activities would typically require a NPDES Construction General Permit (CGP) at the federal level?
- Grading 0.25 acres for a residential driveway
- Clearing 1.5 acres for a commercial parking lot (Correct answer)
- Removing 0.1 acres of pavement
- Installing a culvert with no land disturbance
Correct 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.
CSM Environmental Regulations & Policy 2
Under the Clean Water Act, which section specifically establishes the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)?