Lineman Environmental Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) requires linemen and utilities to take which precaution during raptor nesting season?
- Avoid all outdoor work during daytime hours
- Conduct pre-construction surveys and avoid disturbing active nests (Correct answer)
- Install scare devices on all poles
- File an annual report with the US Fish and Wildlife Service
Correct answer: Conduct pre-construction surveys and avoid disturbing active nests
Utilities must conduct surveys for active migratory bird nests and avoid disturbing them, as the MBTA prohibits take of migratory birds without a permit.
Question 2: Under the Endangered Species Act, a utility must consult with which federal agency if its transmission project may affect a listed species?
- EPA
- OSHA
- US Fish and Wildlife Service or NOAA Fisheries (Correct answer)
- Army Corps of Engineers
Correct answer: US Fish and Wildlife Service or NOAA Fisheries
Section 7 consultation requires federal agencies and their permittees to consult with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (terrestrial species) or NOAA Fisheries (marine species).
Question 3: Which type of wetland impact requires a Section 404 permit from the Army Corps of Engineers?
- Mowing vegetation within 50 feet of a wetland
- Discharging dredged or fill material into waters of the US (Correct answer)
- Installing aerial lines above wetlands
- Applying herbicide to wetland vegetation
Correct answer: Discharging dredged or fill material into waters of the US
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) on a utility construction project?
- To document daily equipment inspections
- To identify and implement best management practices to reduce pollutant discharge in stormwater (Correct answer)
- To track hazardous material usage on site
- To satisfy OSHA recordkeeping requirements
Correct answer: To identify and implement best management practices to reduce pollutant discharge in stormwater
A SWPPP identifies potential pollution sources and specifies BMPs to minimize contaminants in stormwater runoff from construction sites.
Question 5: Lead-acid batteries removed from utility vehicles and UPS systems are regulated under which waste category?
- Characteristic hazardous waste
- Universal waste (Correct answer)
- Non-hazardous solid waste
- Mixed waste
Correct answer: Universal waste
Lead-acid batteries qualify as universal waste under 40 CFR Part 273, allowing simpler management requirements than full hazardous waste rules.
Question 6: What is the maximum allowable concentration of PCBs in transformer oil for a unit to be classified as 'PCB-contaminated' rather than 'PCB' under TSCA?
- Less than 2 ppm
- 2 ppm to 499 ppm (Correct answer)
- 500 ppm or greater
- 50 ppm or greater
Correct answer: 2 ppm to 499 ppm
Under TSCA, equipment containing 2–499 ppm PCBs is classified as PCB-contaminated, while 500 ppm or greater is classified as PCB.
Question 7: Which federal regulation requires utilities to post NFPA 704 hazard diamonds or equivalent labels on chemical storage areas?
- OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) (Correct answer)
- EPA RCRA labeling requirements
- DOT hazardous materials regulations
- TSCA chemical inventory rules
Correct answer: OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200)
OSHA's HazCom Standard requires proper labeling of hazardous chemicals in the workplace, including the use of standardized hazard symbols.
Lineman Environmental Compliance 3
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) requires linemen and utilities to take which precaution during raptor nesting season?