KDOT Environmental Compliance & Permits 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the NPDES Construction General Permit, what is the maximum allowable turbidity benchmark for discharges to impaired water bodies in Kansas?
- 25 NTU above background (Correct answer)
- 50 NTU above background
- 10 NTU above background
- 100 NTU above background
Correct answer: 25 NTU above background
NPDES CGP benchmarks for turbidity at impaired water bodies are set at 25 NTU above background to protect water quality.
Question 2: A KDOT inspector notices a contractor disturbed a wetland buffer without a Section 404 permit. What is the FIRST action the inspector should take?
- Issue a stop-work order and notify the KDOT environmental office (Correct answer)
- Allow work to continue and document in the daily log
- Contact the EPA directly without notifying KDOT
- Fine the contractor on-site
Correct answer: Issue a stop-work order and notify the KDOT environmental office
Unpermitted wetland disturbance requires an immediate stop-work order and escalation to KDOT's environmental office to avoid further violation.
Question 3: Which federal agency has primary authority to regulate discharge of dredge and fill material into waters of the United States under Section 404?
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Correct answer)
- U.S. EPA
- KDOT Bureau of Design
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Correct answer: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers administers Section 404 permits for dredge and fill activities in waters of the U.S.
Question 4: What document outlines mitigation measures for a project to avoid, minimize, and compensate for impacts to protected species?
- Biological Opinion (BO) (Correct answer)
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
- Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
- Nationwide Permit (NWP)
Correct answer: Biological Opinion (BO)
A Biological Opinion from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service specifies required mitigation measures for protected species under Section 7 of the ESA.
Question 5: During grading operations, a contractor uncovers what appears to be human skeletal remains. Under Kansas law, work must halt within how many feet of the discovery?
- 100 feet (Correct answer)
- 50 feet
- 25 feet
- 200 feet
Correct answer: 100 feet
Kansas law requires work to stop within 100 feet of suspected human remains until the county coroner and SHPO are notified.
Question 6: Which permit type under the Clean Water Act allows routine KDOT activities such as minor road widening in non-impaired streams with minimal impact?
- Nationwide Permit (NWP) (Correct answer)
- Individual Section 404 Permit
- Section 401 Water Quality Certification
- NPDES Point Source Permit
Correct answer: Nationwide Permit (NWP)
Nationwide Permits are pre-authorized general permits for categories of activities with minimal environmental impact, streamlining approval for routine work.
Question 7: A KDOT project site has an active Threatened & Endangered species survey requirement. When is the optimal window to conduct surveys for the American burying beetle in Kansas?
- May through September when beetles are active above ground (Correct answer)
- October through April during dormant season
- Year-round with no seasonal restriction
- Only during spring flooding events
Correct answer: May through September when beetles are active above ground
American burying beetle surveys must occur during their active season (May–September) when adults can be detected using baited pitfall traps.
KDOT Environmental Compliance & Permits 2
Under the NPDES Construction General Permit, what is the maximum allowable turbidity benchmark for discharges to impaired water bodies in Kansas?