CSM Environmental Regulations & Policy 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A TMDL allocates pollutant loads among point sources and nonpoint sources. The portion assigned to nonpoint sources is called what?
- Waste Load Allocation
- Load Allocation (Correct answer)
- Reserve Capacity
- Margin of Safety
Correct answer: Load Allocation
A Load Allocation (LA) represents the portion of a TMDL assigned to nonpoint sources and natural background, while Waste Load Allocations (WLAs) apply to point sources.
Question 2: Which executive order requires federal agencies to consider environmental justice in their programs and policies affecting minority and low-income populations?
- EO 11514
- EO 12898 (Correct answer)
- EO 13148
- EO 13690
Correct answer: EO 12898
Executive Order 12898 (1994) directs federal agencies to identify and address disproportionately high environmental and health effects on minority and low-income populations.
Question 3: Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, which program specifically protects wellhead areas from stormwater contamination?
- Sole Source Aquifer Program
- Wellhead Protection Program (Correct answer)
- Underground Injection Control Program
- Source Water Assessment Program
Correct answer: Wellhead Protection Program
The Wellhead Protection Program (WHPP) under SDWA requires states to delineate protection areas around public water supply wells and manage activities that could contaminate them.
Question 4: Which stormwater-related permit condition requires operators to develop and implement a written plan describing BMPs for their site?
- Effluent Limitation Guideline
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) (Correct answer)
- Notice of Intent (NOI)
- Best Management Practice Schedule
Correct answer: Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
A SWPPP is a site-specific written plan required under most NPDES stormwater permits that identifies potential pollutant sources and the BMPs used to control them.
Question 5: When a stormwater discharge is regulated under both a municipal MS4 permit and a Construction General Permit, which permit governs?
- The MS4 permit always takes precedence
- The Construction General Permit always takes precedence
- Both permits apply simultaneously (Correct answer)
- The more stringent of the two permits applies
Correct answer: Both permits apply simultaneously
Both the MS4 permit and the CGP can apply simultaneously; the operator must comply with all applicable requirements from each permit.
Question 6: The EPA's Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs) for stormwater at industrial facilities are technology-based standards. What technology level do they represent for 'best available' control?
- BAT — Best Available Technology Economically Achievable (Correct answer)
- BCT — Best Conventional Technology
- BPT — Best Practicable Technology
- NSPS — New Source Performance Standards
Correct answer: BAT — Best Available Technology Economically Achievable
BAT (Best Available Technology Economically Achievable) is the more stringent technology standard applied to toxic and nonconventional pollutants in industrial stormwater discharges.
Question 7: A state issues a general permit for a category of stormwater discharges. A facility seeking coverage must typically submit which document to the permitting authority?
- Individual Permit Application
- Notice of Intent (NOI) (Correct answer)
- Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR)
- Letter of Authorization
Correct answer: Notice of Intent (NOI)
Facilities seeking coverage under a general permit must file a Notice of Intent (NOI), which notifies the permitting authority that the facility intends to be covered by the general permit.
CSM Environmental Regulations & Policy 3
A TMDL allocates pollutant loads among point sources and nonpoint sources.
The portion assigned to nonpoint sources is called what?