AICP Environmental and Sustainability Planning 3

Question 1

Which federal law governs the cleanup of hazardous waste sites and established the Superfund program?

Accepted Answer

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

Answer

CERCLA, enacted in 1980, created the Superfund program to clean up uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and established liability for responsible parties.

Question 2

What term describes the reuse of previously developed, potentially contaminated sites for new development?

Accepted Answer

Brownfield redevelopment

Answer

Brownfield redevelopment involves cleaning up and reusing contaminated or underutilized industrial/commercial properties, often with EPA and state program assistance.

Question 3

The concept of 'ecosystem services' in planning refers to:

Accepted Answer

Benefits that humans derive from natural ecosystems

Answer

Ecosystem services include provisioning (food, water), regulating (climate, floods), cultural (recreation), and supporting (nutrient cycling) services provided by natural systems.

Question 4

Which planning tool establishes maximum amounts of pollution that a water body can receive while meeting water quality standards?

Accepted Answer

Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)

Answer

TMDLs, required under the Clean Water Act, set pollutant load limits for impaired water bodies and allocate loads among point and nonpoint sources.

Question 5

What does a 'viewshed analysis' assess in environmental planning?

Accepted Answer

The geographic area visible from a specific point or along a corridor

Answer

Viewshed analysis uses GIS tools to determine what areas are visible from a given location, helping planners protect scenic resources and assess visual impacts.

AICP - American Institute of Certified Planners Practice Test

AICP - American Institute of Certified Planners Practice Test

AICP Environmental and Sustainability Planning 3