Environmental Impact Assessment Flashcards
7 cards from real CFP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Environmental Impact Assessment flashcards as text
Under NEPA, which document is prepared when a federal agency is uncertain whether a proposed action will significantly affect the environment?
Answer: Environmental Assessment
An Environmental Assessment (EA) is prepared to determine whether a proposed action requires a full EIS or qualifies for a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
Which federal law requires consultation between federal agencies and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service when a proposed action may affect threatened or endangered species?
Answer: Endangered Species Act Section 7
ESA Section 7 mandates formal consultation with USFWS or NMFS when federal actions may jeopardize listed species or adversely modify critical habitat.
In EIA, what is the term for the predicted state of the environment without the proposed project?
Answer: Future without project condition
The 'future without project condition' describes the expected environmental state if the action is not implemented, providing the comparison baseline for impact prediction.
Which method is most appropriate for quantifying the spatial extent of thermal plume impacts on fish habitat in a river receiving a power plant discharge?
Answer: Hydrodynamic thermal dispersion modeling
Hydrodynamic thermal dispersion models simulate temperature gradients in the water column and predict the areal extent of thermal impacts on aquatic habitat.
A Biological Opinion concluding 'jeopardy' to a listed fish species must include which element?
Answer: Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives
When USFWS or NMFS issues a jeopardy Biological Opinion, it must include Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs) that the action agency can implement to avoid jeopardy.
Which impact assessment tool uses habitat units (HUs) to evaluate changes in fish population carrying capacity before and after a project?
Answer: Habitat Evaluation Procedure (HEP)
HEP quantifies wildlife and fish habitat value as Habitat Units (HUs = acres × Habitat Suitability Index) to compare pre- and post-project conditions.
During scoping for an EIS affecting a major river fishery, which group is NOT typically required to be notified?
Answer: International fishing treaty partners in non-adjacent countries
Scoping requires notification of federal agencies, state/local governments, tribes, and the public, but international treaty partners in non-adjacent countries are not a standard NEPA requirement.