Environmental Policy Exam 2

What entities must comply with the NEPA process?

anything involved with the federal government, anything getting federal funding, anything on federally owned land

What entity was tasked with NEPA enforcement when it was established
in 1969?

The council on Environmental Quality

True or False? If there is a categorical exclusion, the NEPA process for a proposed action ends there

true

It is optional for public comments to be addressed in the final
Environmental Impact Statement.

false

True or False Going through the NEPA process is usually quick, and Environmental
Impact Statements are short, averaging only 25 pages

false

True or false An important part of the NEPA process, if there are potential impacts to
the environment, is evaluating potential alternative actions that might also solve the
problem.

True

During the NEPA process, if there isn’t a categorical exclusion, what is
the next step? What two possible conclusions result from this next step?

the next step is to conduct an Environmental Assessment. After that, a FONSI is needed or a complete Environmental impact statement is needed.

How is the public engaged during the NEPA process? How are their
comments addressed?

public notices, meeting and comments are conducted. comments are collected, reviewed and addressed in the final EIS

Which of the following Acts explicitly address hazardous
waste management?

Resource Conservation & Recovery Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, CERCLA

Which of the following is a RCRA solid waste exclusion?

household hazardous waste

True or false: Solid waste as defined by RCRA may come in many forms, including
liquids, solids, gases, and sludges

true

True or false: A digital manifest is a good way to track the proper transportation and
disposal of hazardous waste.

true

True or false: If a transportation company does not properly transport and dispose
of hazardous waste, they bear no responsibility, and all penalties fall to the
producer of the hazardous waste

false

true or false: Catalytic converters are important for reducing harmful gas emissions
and are essential in vehicles

true

What is source reduction?

the practices that reduce the amount of toxic waste produced at a source

what is structured decision making?

SDM typically involves clear criteria, stakeholder input, and quantitative or qualitative analysis to guide decision-making.

NEPA compliance process steps:

scoping/action, categorical exclusion, environmental assessment, environmental impact statement

what acts do non-federal entities comply with?

Clean Water, Clean Air, RCRA, CERCLA, ESA

What can happen when a company is non-compliant?

can result in damage to companies reputation, legal action, fines, operational shut downs

Compliance plan steps

goals and objectives, assign compliance tasks, training employees, monitoring progress, emergency planning, reporting

What is Corporate Social Responsibility?

a business model in which companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and interactions with their stakeholders instead of only considering economic profits

what agency is in charge of CWA, CAA, RCRA and CERCLA enforcement?

The Environmental Protection Agency

How does the EPA know when there is a compliance issue?

Inspections, Incentivized Disclosure, reporting/complaints

What is civil enforcement from the EPA?

enforcement for environmental violation but not intentional and likely and accident

What is criminal enforcement from the EPA?

for a “knowing violation”, the person or company is aware of the facts that create the violation

if criminal enforcement from the EPA happens, the action causing it was a _______

felony

agencies issue documents that set limits and requirements for emissions, discharges, and waste management

permitting

check for proper permits, pollution control
measures, and adherence to environmental standards

inspections

This can involve collecting samples, using sensors, and
reviewing data submitted by regulated entities to assess environmental
health

monitoring

programs and outreach efforts help communities
understand their role in environmental protection

education

Some agencies offer these for businesses and
individuals to adopt environmentally friendly practices. This can
include grants, tax breaks, and recognition programs.

incentives

what are steps for violation prevention by state and local agencies?

permitting, inspections, monitoring, education, incentives

often it is the _____ ______ that initiates legal action

state agency

what is the first step of an NPDES inspection?

review discharge monitoring reports

what is the second step of an NPDES inspection?

interview of faculty and staff

what is the third step of an NPDES inspection?

inspect wastewater treatment process

what is the fourth step of an NPDES inspection?

inspect monitoring equipment

what is the fifth step of an NPDES inspection?

sample wastewater discharges

what is the sixth step of an NPDES inspection?

review how samples are collected and analyzed

things that mandate that permit holders electronically submit information related to their discharges

NPDES permit reporting requirements

documents detailing monitored pollutant levels in their effluent

discharge monitoring reports (DMRs)

after inspection, outlines the specific
violations and may include a request for corrective actions

notice of violation

issuing warnings, sending letters, or
making phone calls to address minor violations and encourage
compliance

informal enforcement actions

a legal process where an Administrative
Law Judge or Hearing Officer reviews the case and determines
penalties or corrective measures

administrative penalties

referred to the court system where fines or other
penalties are imposed

civil penalties

referred to the court system, charges are criminal

criminal penalties

enforcement actions taken by EPA or a state under its own authority. no judicial process. often a notice of violation or a superfund notice letter.

non-judicial civil administration action

example of administrative order

oasis mobile home park safe drinking water act

they are filed in court, against persons or entities that have failed to comply

formal lawsuits

law suits may be filed by _____ _________ _______ of the US Dept of Justice on behalf of EPA

state attorney general

civil judicial example

stericycle RCRA settlement

formal lawsuits reserved for the most serious violations

criminal judicial action

support provided to help individuals, businesses, or organizations understand and meet regulatory requirements

compliance assistance

Addresses the production, importation, use, and disposal of specific chemicals
including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos, formaldehyde, radon and
lead-based paint

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

environmental protection, minimizes health issues, resource conservation, sustainable development, economic efficiency

importance of hazardous waste management

Waste with properties that make it
dangerous or capable of having a harmful
effect on human health or the environment

hazardous waste

domestic sewage, industrial waste discharges, secondary/reclaimed materials, household hazardous waste

RCRA solid waste exclusions

man-made by-product formed when
chlorine is used to disinfect water

chloroform

organic compound that's used to make
other chemicals

M-cresol

an insecticide, also used to treat scabies
and lice infestations

lindane

primarily produced by anaerobic decay
of plant and animal matter

ammonia

sources include landfills, oil and natural
gas systems, agricultural activities, coal mining,
stationary and mobile combustion, wastewater
treatment, and certain industrial processes

methane

One of the most flammable liquids, with a
flash point below -40°F (-40°C)

gasoline

A clear, colorless liquid that can dissolve
paint, varnish, or grease

acetone

An organic chemical compound that is a
byproduct of fuel combustion

benzene

A flammable liquid with a flash point
of -45°C

diethyl ether

A clear, colorless liquid with a strong odor
and a flash point of 14°C

ethanol

paper, rags, tools, clothing, which contain
small amounts of mostly short-lived radioactivity

Low Level Waster

which contains higher amounts of
radioactivity and requires some shielding

intermediate level waste

which is highly radioactive and hot due to decay
heat, thus requiring cooling and shielding

high level waste

first step of hazardous waste management practices

collection and segregation

second step of hazardous waste management practices

storage and transportation

third step of hazardous waste management practices

treatment and disposal

Begins at facility where it is
generated through testing and
manifest creation

collection and segregation of hazardous waste

transported to at least one facility for segregation and or treatment

storage and transportation of haz waste

Transported for treatment,
transported for disposal
May also be recycled and sold as
pure chemicals

treatment and disposal of haz waste

refers to harmful substances in the air that impact health and the environment

air pollution

directly releaser into the air, including smoke and carbon monoxide

primary pollutants

created through chemical reactions in the atmosphere such as ozone and smog

secondary pollutants

particulate matter, ground level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, VOCs

common air pollutants

the six common air pollutants are regulated by

the national ambient air quality standards

benzene, dioxins, asbestos, toluene, cadmium, mercury

hazardous air pollutants

HAPs are regulated by the

clean air act

can reach the lungs and
cause respiratory problems,
especially in sensitive individuals

Health effects of PM 10

can enter the bloodstream,
resulting in serious cardiovascular
and health complications.

health effects of PM 2.5

mainly come from combustion
in vehicles and power plants.

nitrogen oxides

NOx plays a role in creating ____ _____ _____

ground level ozone

leads to acid rain, harming
ecosystems, soil, and water
sources, which impacts
biodiversity

sulfur dioxide

colorless, odorless, enclosed space hazard

carbon monoxide

can
disrupt oxygen delivery in the body,
resulting in serious health hazards

health risks of carbon monoxide

Common household items like solvents, paints, and
fuels release these

VOCs

________ ________ ________ are a major indoor air pollutant

volatile organic compounds

NOx + sunlight + VOCs =

ground level ozone

wildfires, volcanic eruptions, dust storms, plants & animals

natural sources of air pollutants

air pollution effects on water quality

adds extra nutrients, causing eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, oxygen depletion

stationary monitoring stations that gather data on air pollutants in specific locations

traditional monitoring methods

can detect criteria air pollutants as well as GHGs

remote sensing and satellite monitoring