SMSTS Environmental Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'biodiversity net gain' require of developers in England under the Environment Act 2021?
- A 10% measurable improvement in biodiversity compared to the pre-development baseline (Correct answer)
- No net loss of trees on site
- Replacement of all removed vegetation within one year
- Planting one tree for every tree removed
Correct answer: A 10% measurable improvement in biodiversity compared to the pre-development baseline
The Environment Act 2021 mandates a mandatory 10% biodiversity net gain, measured using a government metric, for most new developments.
Question 2: Which authority should be notified if construction work is likely to disturb a protected species such as great crested newts?
- Natural England (or the relevant devolved nature body) (Correct answer)
- The Health and Safety Executive
- The local fire brigade
- The Environment Agency only
Correct answer: Natural England (or the relevant devolved nature body)
Natural England issues mitigation licenses for protected species, and developers must apply for a European Protected Species license before disturbing their habitats.
Question 3: What is a 'site waste management plan' (SWMP) primarily used for?
- Planning and recording how waste will be managed and minimized on site (Correct answer)
- Scheduling hazardous material deliveries
- Documenting noise complaints from neighbors
- Tracking the carbon footprint of materials used
Correct answer: Planning and recording how waste will be managed and minimized on site
A SWMP sets out how waste will be minimized, segregated, reused, recycled, and disposed of, supporting legal compliance and cost efficiency.
Question 4: Which of the following construction activities requires an abstraction license from the Environment Agency?
- Pumping groundwater from an excavation above permitted thresholds (Correct answer)
- Using a diesel generator on site
- Washing site vehicles with collected rainwater
- Applying dust suppressant to haul roads
Correct answer: Pumping groundwater from an excavation above permitted thresholds
Abstracting water above exemption thresholds requires a license under the Water Resources Act 1991, administered by the Environment Agency.
Question 5: A neighbor reports that muddy water from a construction site is flowing into a local stream. Under which legislation could the site manager be prosecuted?
- The Water Resources Act 1991 (Correct answer)
- The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
- The Factories Act 1961
Correct answer: The Water Resources Act 1991
Allowing polluted water to enter a watercourse is an offense under the Water Resources Act 1991, which prohibits causing or knowingly permitting water pollution.
Question 6: When creating a site drainage plan, silt-laden water from excavations should be directed to:
- A settlement tank or lagoon before any discharge (Correct answer)
- Directly to the nearest surface water drain
- A foul sewer without treatment
- Adjacent open land away from the site boundary
Correct answer: A settlement tank or lagoon before any discharge
Silt-laden water must be treated in settlement tanks or lagoons to remove suspended solids before any permitted discharge.
Question 7: Which of the following is a key requirement when storing cement bags on a construction site to prevent environmental harm?
- Store under cover on a raised, impermeable surface away from drains (Correct answer)
- Stack directly on bare ground in a sheltered corner
- Wrap individually in polythene and store near the site entrance
- Keep in a locked container with no ventilation
Correct answer: Store under cover on a raised, impermeable surface away from drains
Cement is highly alkaline and can cause severe water pollution; storing it undercover on a raised impermeable surface prevents rain contact and runoff.
SMSTS Environmental Compliance 3
What does 'biodiversity net gain' require of developers in England under the Environment Act 2021?