Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Flashcards
6 cards from real DEQ practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Environmental Compliance and Enforcement flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of a Notice of Violation (NOV) issued by the DEQ?
Answer: To formally notify a regulated entity of a regulatory violation
A Notice of Violation formally informs a regulated entity that it has violated an environmental regulation and typically requires a corrective response.
Which enforcement tool allows the DEQ to require immediate corrective action to stop ongoing environmental harm?
Answer: Emergency order
An emergency order is issued when there is an imminent threat to public health or the environment and compels immediate corrective action.
Under the Clean Water Act, what is the maximum civil penalty per day per violation that can be assessed against a violator?
Answer: $37,500
The Clean Water Act allows civil penalties of up to $37,500 per day per violation, a figure adjusted periodically for inflation.
What document outlines the specific steps and timeline a facility must follow to return to compliance?
Answer: Compliance schedule
A compliance schedule is a legally binding document that specifies the milestones and deadlines a facility must meet to achieve regulatory compliance.
Which concept allows a company to voluntarily disclose violations to the DEQ in exchange for reduced penalties?
Answer: Voluntary disclosure policy
Voluntary disclosure policies incentivize companies to self-report violations by offering penalty mitigation when violations are corrected promptly.
What type of inspection involves DEQ inspectors arriving at a facility without prior notice?
Answer: Unannounced inspection
Unannounced inspections allow DEQ inspectors to observe a facility's actual operating conditions without the facility having time to prepare.