Environmental Standards Flashcards

A survey crew measures a 1,000 ft distance with a steel tape standardized at 68°F while the field temperature is 98°F. What correction should be applied?

Answer: Add about 0.195 ft

Correction = 0.00000645 × (98−68) × 1000 ≈ +0.19 ft, because the tape expands and reads short.

Which federal law requires an environmental review, such as an Environmental Assessment or EIS, before a major federally funded project?

Answer: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

NEPA requires federal agencies to evaluate the environmental effects of major federal actions.

Under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which agency issues permits for placing fill material in jurisdictional wetlands?

Answer: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The Corps administers Section 404 permits, and EPA has oversight authority.

During a wetland delineation survey, which three parameters normally must all be present for an area to qualify as a wetland?

Answer: Hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology

The 1987 Corps manual requires all three: vegetation, soils, and hydrology.

Heat shimmer is distorting the sights on a long level line on a hot afternoon. What is the best way to reduce the error?

Answer: Shorten sight lengths and keep the line of sight well above the ground

Short sights that stay well above the hot ground surface reduce refraction and shimmer effects.

On a FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map, what does Zone AE indicate?

Answer: A 1% annual chance flood area with Base Flood Elevations determined

Zone AE is a Special Flood Hazard Area for which BFEs have been established.

An EDM distance is measured at a high-elevation site on a cold day. Which atmospheric inputs most directly affect the EDM's refractive-index correction?

Answer: Temperature and barometric pressure

Temperature and pressure control air density, which drives the ppm correction.