GCC GCC Environmental Compliance & Sustainability 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal permit is required for construction sites that disturb one or more acres of land and discharge stormwater?
- Clean Air Act permit
- NPDES Construction General Permit (CGP) (Correct answer)
- Section 404 dredge-and-fill permit
- EPA Brownfields permit
Correct answer: NPDES Construction General Permit (CGP)
The NPDES Construction General Permit, issued under the Clean Water Act, is required for stormwater discharges from construction sites disturbing one acre or more.
Question 2: A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must be prepared:
- After construction is complete
- Before land disturbance begins (Correct answer)
- Only when the project is near a wetland
- Only for projects over 10 acres
Correct answer: Before land disturbance begins
A SWPPP must be prepared and implemented before any land disturbance occurs to identify Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will prevent stormwater pollution.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of a structural Best Management Practice (BMP) for erosion control?
- Daily site inspection
- Construction entrance with crushed stone (Correct answer)
- Employee environmental training
- Project scheduling to avoid rain events
Correct answer: Construction entrance with crushed stone
A stabilized construction entrance is a structural BMP that reduces tracking of mud onto public roads and helps prevent sediment from leaving the site.
Question 4: LEED certification for construction projects is administered by:
- OSHA
- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) (Correct answer)
- The Environmental Protection Agency
- The American Institute of Architects
Correct answer: The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building rating system developed and administered by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Question 5: Which LEED credit category specifically addresses reducing construction waste sent to landfills?
- Sustainable Sites
- Materials and Resources — Construction and Demolition Waste Management (Correct answer)
- Energy and Atmosphere
- Water Efficiency
Correct answer: Materials and Resources — Construction and Demolition Waste Management
The Materials and Resources credit category includes Construction and Demolition Waste Management credits for diverting project waste from landfills through recycling and salvage.
Question 6: Before demolishing a pre-1980 building, federal regulations require contractors to:
- Obtain a LEED certification
- Conduct an asbestos survey and notify the appropriate regulatory agency (NESHAP) (Correct answer)
- File a Section 404 permit
- Submit a hazardous waste manifest to OSHA
Correct answer: Conduct an asbestos survey and notify the appropriate regulatory agency (NESHAP)
NESHAP (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) regulations require an asbestos survey and agency notification before demolition or renovation of pre-1980 structures.
GCC GCC Environmental Compliance & Sustainability 1
Which federal permit is required for construction sites that disturb one or more acres of land and discharge stormwater?