GCC GCC Environmental Compliance & Sustainability 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'impervious surface' refer to in stormwater management?
- A surface that filters stormwater naturally
- A hard surface such as pavement or roofing that prevents water infiltration into the ground (Correct answer)
- A surface treated with waterproofing sealant
- A permeable paver system
Correct answer: A hard surface such as pavement or roofing that prevents water infiltration into the ground
Impervious surfaces prevent rainwater from infiltrating the soil, increasing stormwater runoff volume and velocity, which is a key consideration in site design and stormwater management.
Question 2: Under RCRA, which designation identifies waste that poses a substantial hazard due to ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity?
- Universal waste
- Solid waste
- Hazardous waste (Correct answer)
- Industrial waste
Correct answer: Hazardous waste
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) classifies waste meeting ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity criteria as hazardous waste, subject to strict disposal regulations.
Question 3: A contractor discovers underground storage tanks (USTs) on a demolition site. The first regulatory step is to:
- Remove them immediately without testing
- Notify the appropriate state environmental agency and assess for leaks (Correct answer)
- Fill them with concrete and proceed
- Report only to OSHA
Correct answer: Notify the appropriate state environmental agency and assess for leaks
Discovered USTs must be reported to the state environmental agency, which will direct proper assessment, leak testing, and removal procedures to prevent soil and groundwater contamination.
Question 4: Which construction practice helps reduce the urban heat island effect?
- Using dark-colored roofing materials
- Installing cool roofs with high solar reflectance (Correct answer)
- Increasing paved parking area
- Using standard asphalt paving for all surfaces
Correct answer: Installing cool roofs with high solar reflectance
Cool roofs with high solar reflectance and thermal emittance absorb less heat, reducing building cooling loads and contributing to lower ambient temperatures in urban areas.
Question 5: A 'brownfield' site in construction refers to:
- Undeveloped agricultural land
- A previously developed property with known or suspected contamination (Correct answer)
- A wetland requiring a Section 404 permit
- A site in a designated flood zone
Correct answer: A previously developed property with known or suspected contamination
Brownfield sites are previously used properties where environmental contamination may complicate redevelopment, often eligible for EPA Brownfields funding and requiring Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments.
Question 6: Which of the following construction practices directly supports LEED Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) credits?
- Installing solar panels
- Using low-VOC paints and adhesives during construction (Correct answer)
- Recycling concrete rubble
- Installing a green roof
Correct answer: Using low-VOC paints and adhesives during construction
Low-VOC (volatile organic compound) materials reduce harmful emissions inside the building, supporting LEED IEQ credits related to construction indoor air quality management.
GCC GCC Environmental Compliance & Sustainability 2
What does the term 'impervious surface' refer to in stormwater management?