CES - Certified Environmental Scientist Environmental Laws and Regulations Questions and Answers

Question 1

Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the 'cradle-to-grave' concept holds which party ultimately responsible for the proper management of hazardous waste?

Accepted Answer

The generator of the hazardous waste

Answer

The treatment, storage, and disposal facility (TSDF)

Answer

The hazardous waste transporter

Answer

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Question 2

A real estate development company plans to build a new subdivision. The project requires filling in a portion of a federally protected wetland to construct an access road. Which federal law will primarily require the company to obtain a permit for this specific activity?

Accepted Answer

Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404

Answer

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

Answer

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Answer

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

Question 3

Which of the following is designated as one of the six 'criteria' air pollutants for which the EPA has set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) under the Clean Air Act?

Accepted Answer

Ground-level Ozone (O3)

Answer

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Answer

Asbestos

Answer

Radon (Rn)

Question 4

A federal agency is proposing a small construction project that it has determined, based on past experience with similar actions, will not have a significant individual or cumulative effect on the human environment. Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), what level of review would this project most likely undergo?

Accepted Answer

Categorical Exclusion (CE)

Answer

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

Answer

Environmental Assessment (EA)

Answer

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

Question 5

Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), who would be considered a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) for the cleanup of a contaminated site?

Accepted Answer

The current owner, past owners at the time of disposal, generators, and transporters of the hazardous substance.

Answer

Only the current owner of the contaminated property.

Answer

Only the company that generated the hazardous substance.

Answer

The state environmental agency in which the site is located.

Question 6

A wind energy company is developing a new wind farm in an area that is a known habitat for a federally listed threatened bird species. While the project is otherwise lawful, there is a possibility that some birds may be harmed during the operation of the turbines. To comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), what type of permit must the company obtain?

Accepted Answer

An Incidental Take Permit (ITP)

Answer

A Section 404 Permit

Answer

A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit

Answer

A RCRA Part B Permit