CES Environmental Impact Assessment

Question 1

What is the primary federal law governing Environmental Impact Assessments in the United States?

Accepted Answer

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Answer

NEPA (1970) requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of proposed major federal actions before making decisions. It established the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process.

Question 2

What is a 'Finding of No Significant Impact' (FONSI) in the NEPA process?

Accepted Answer

A determination that a proposed action will not significantly affect the environment, eliminating the need for a full EIS

Answer

A FONSI is issued after an Environmental Assessment (EA) concludes that the proposed action will not have significant environmental impacts, allowing the project to proceed without preparing a full Environmental Impact Statement.

Question 3

What is the difference between a Categorical Exclusion, an Environmental Assessment, and an Environmental Impact Statement?

Accepted Answer

They represent increasing levels of environmental review based on the potential significance of environmental impacts

Answer

Categorical Exclusions apply to routine actions with no significant impacts. Environmental Assessments evaluate uncertain impacts. Environmental Impact Statements are the most thorough, required when significant impacts are expected.

Question 4

What must be included in the 'alternatives analysis' section of an Environmental Impact Statement?

Accepted Answer

A comparison of the proposed action with reasonable alternatives, including the no-action alternative

Answer

The alternatives analysis is considered the 'heart' of an EIS. It must evaluate reasonable alternatives to the proposed action, always including the no-action alternative, and compare their environmental impacts.

Question 5

What is 'cumulative impact' in environmental assessment?

Accepted Answer

The combined effect of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions on the environment

Answer

Cumulative impacts consider how the proposed action's effects combine with impacts from other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions, even when each individual impact might be minor.

(CES) Certified Environmental Scientist Practice Test

(CES) Certified Environmental Scientist Practice Test

CES Environmental Impact Assessment