CWD Environmental Impact Assessment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under NEPA, which document is prepared when the significance of a proposed federal action's impacts is uncertain?
- Environmental Impact Statement
- Environmental Assessment (Correct answer)
- Finding of No Significant Impact
- Record of Decision
Correct answer: Environmental Assessment
An Environmental Assessment (EA) is prepared to determine whether a proposed action's impacts are significant enough to require a full EIS.
Question 2: Which wetland function is MOST directly evaluated by measuring water storage capacity during storm events?
- Water quality improvement
- Flood attenuation (Correct answer)
- Groundwater recharge
- Habitat connectivity
Correct answer: Flood attenuation
Flood attenuation is assessed by measuring how much stormwater a wetland can store and slowly release, reducing downstream peak flows.
Question 3: A 'Secondary impact' in an EIA for a wetland project is BEST described as:
- Direct physical alteration of the wetland boundary
- Induced development facilitated by new road access through a buffer (Correct answer)
- Immediate construction noise affecting wildlife
- Filling of jurisdictional waters during grading
Correct answer: Induced development facilitated by new road access through a buffer
Secondary (indirect) impacts are later-occurring or farther-removed effects, such as induced development enabled by new infrastructure near a wetland.
Question 4: Which Section 404 permit type is MOST appropriate for a minor, routine wetland impact with minimal individual and cumulative effects?
- Individual Permit
- Nationwide Permit (Correct answer)
- Regional General Permit
- Letter of Permission
Correct answer: Nationwide Permit
Nationwide Permits (NWPs) are pre-authorized general permits for categories of activities with minimal individual and cumulative adverse effects.
Question 5: When assessing cumulative impacts to wetlands, an EIA must consider:
- Only impacts from the proposed project within the project boundary
- Past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions in the region (Correct answer)
- Only federally permitted projects within the watershed
- Direct impacts occurring within the calendar year of permit issuance
Correct answer: Past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions in the region
NEPA and Corps regulations require cumulative impact analysis to include past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions that affect the same resource.
Question 6: Which document formally concludes the Section 404 individual permit process after public notice and comment?
- Environmental Assessment
- Statement of Findings (Correct answer)
- Record of Decision
- Finding of No Significant Impact
Correct answer: Statement of Findings
The Statement of Findings (SOF) is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' document that summarizes the permit decision and the basis for it after the individual permit review.
Question 7: In a wetland EIA, 'functional lift' from mitigation is defined as:
- The total acreage of wetland restored or created
- The net improvement in wetland functions compared to pre-impact baseline (Correct answer)
- The height of water level achieved after restoration
- The increase in upland buffer width around a restored wetland
Correct answer: The net improvement in wetland functions compared to pre-impact baseline
Functional lift refers to the net gain in wetland functions and values achieved through mitigation relative to the existing condition.
CWD Environmental Impact Assessment 2
Under NEPA, which document is prepared when the significance of a proposed federal action's impacts is uncertain?