ESP 179 quiz 2

Question 1

What are the ongoing tensions over CEQA?

Answer 1

Business groups want simpler processes, environemntal groups want stricter processes, CEQA can be a waste of resources, some use CEQA for personal objectives.

Question 2

What is the Senate Bill 886?

Answer 2

Passed; it would exempt public universities from CEQA for student housing if built on university-owned property

Question 3

What is SB 922?

Answer 3

Senate bill on transit and sustainable transportation that expedited bike, pedestrian and rapid bus projects, allowing for the removal of some requirements.

Question 4

What major reform bill would’ve helped with climate change, green house gas emissions, and would create way more thresholds?

Answer 4

SB 731

Question 5

What are the two types of exemptions for CEQA?

Answer 5

Categorical (small project), and statutory (legislative exemption regardless of impacts).

Question 6

What are DIY exemptions?

Answer 6

Citizens can make laws by voting (direct democracy) or citizens can write a statute and get petition signatures (citizen initiative).

Question 7

What happens if a city receives a citizen initiative?

Answer 7

The city typically does a public vote and if passed no CEQA.

Question 8

What’s the Tuolumne case (2014)

Answer 8

Tuolumne vs. the superior court of Tuolumne county; A Walmart was proposed in Sonora and a citizen initiative was submitted, but council approved the initiative prior to vote and supreme court ruled in favor of walmart.

Question 9

Explain the Tuolumne tactic?

Answer 9

A developer wants city council to approve a project, so they get a member to propose the project as an initiative and get it approved.

Question 10

What is mitigation?

Answer 10

Defined as avoiding, minimizing, rectifying, reducing over time, or compensating impacts in a project.

Question 11

When do we mitigate?

Answer 11

Mitigation measures must be in MND or EIR and no later time.

Question 12

Mitigation must be-

Answer 12

Feasible (capable of being accomplished)

Question 13

What are the constitutional limits of mitigation?

Answer 13

Essential Nexus principle: permit condition MUST be related to impact and cannot give mitigation for something that isn’t directly related.
Rough Proportionality principle: Cannot require mitigation that is disproportionate in magnitude to the impact.

Question 14

What does an effective mitigation measure require?

Answer 14

Describe specific actions: what, by whom, when
Uses commitment verbs (no maybes)
Identifies performance measures

Question 15

What is the mitigation monitoring or reporting program (MMRP)?

Answer 15

MMRP = public agency adopts MMRP to ensure compliance during project implementation (permits, agreements, etc.) and is required for EIR and MND.

Question 16

What act from 1970 regulates emissions from hazardous air pollutants, regulates acid rain, ozone depletion, and prevents deterioration?

Answer 16

The Clean Air Act; EPA enforces this and established the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS)

Question 17

What are the 6 criteria air pollutants?

Answer 17

Ozone, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, lead, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide.

Question 18

What are non-attainment areas?

Answer 18

Areas that do not meet ambient air quality standards for one or more criteria air pollutants.

Question 19

How does ozone affect us?

Answer 19

AKA smog, it irritates our respiratory, chronic lung disease, and asthma, BUT is not directly emitted. Created through mixtures of NOx and VOCs.

Question 20

What is ozone depletion?

Answer 20

= the depletion of the earth’s protective layer, allows for UV rays to enter the atmosphere

Question 21

What is particulate matter?

Answer 21

A mix of small particles and liquid droplets that can pass through lung membranes and into the blood stream.

Question 22

What are some of the tailpipe emission control standards?

Answer 22

Hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, catalytic converters, zero-emission vehicle regulation, clean car programs

Question 23

On the air quality standards what does it mean to have a lower number?

Answer 23

It means there are tighter restrictions or controls over the air pollutant.

Question 24

What does the California air and resource board (CARB) do?

Answer 24

They set CAAQS and prepare state implementation plans.

Question 25

What are AQMDs and APCDs?

Answer 25

Air quality management districts and air pollution control districts. They regulate toxic air contaminants and there are 35 districts in CA.

Question 26

Which emissions matter?

Answer 26

Construction (combustion/ozone) and operational (diesel)

Question 27

What do emission thresholds do?

Answer 27

Tells us how much an individual can emit and if attainment or non-attainment is important.

Question 28

What can be used in a resource chapter to help give data for the resource.

Answer 28

Technical analysis

Question 29

What is the first (A) air quality appendix G question?

Answer 29

Would the project conflict or obstruct the implementation of applicable air quality plans? Governed by state implementation plans and regional clean air plans. The project must be in compliance with pollution control measures, emission thresholds, and required mitigation measures.

Question 30

What is the second question for air quality (B)?

Answer 30

Would the project result in cumulatively considerable net increase in any pollutant in a non-attainment area? This is limited to non-attainment areas and emission thresholds reflect the cumulative impacts.

Question 31

What is the third question for air quality (c)?

Answer 31

Would the project expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations? This includes day cares, hospitals, retirements homes, and some residential areas.

Question 32

What are pollution hotspots?

Answer 32

Local concentrations of air pollution are worse than ambient conditions. Like Los Angeles because of traffic congestion and ports.

Question 33

What are TACs?

Answer 33

toxic are contaminants that can cause serious human health hazards and have the potential health risk evaluated in a health risk assessment (Identification - dose or exposure assessment - risk characterization).

Question 34

What facts/analysis can be used to answer air quality questions?

Answer 34

CARB- community health and air pollution information system CARB - hot spots analysis and reporting program WPA citizens guide California Air Pollution Control Officers assessment

Question 35

What is the last question for air quality (d)?

Answer 35

Would the project result in other emissions adversely affecting a substantial number of people? Objectionable odors This question can be subjective and may use dispersion models to evaluate.

Question 36

What's the difference between criteria air pollutants and greenhouse gases?

Answer 36

Air pollutants = inhaling has health effects GHGs = any gas or atmospheric particle that absorbs infrared radiation

Question 37

What are the GHGs under CEQA?

Answer 37

Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride

Question 38

What is global warming potential?

Answer 38

A measure of the emissions of 1 ton of a gas will be absorbed over a given period (CO2 lowest SF6 highest)

Question 39

What are the federal level regulations regarding GHGs?

Answer 39

Massachusetts vs. EPA (2007) where court rules GHGs are pollutants under CAA. EPA: Endangerment and cause or contribute findings (2009) is a response to 2007 and mandates it. Mandatory GHG reporting rule (2009) where it requires an annual reporting of GHGs to EPA every year. CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) standards for vehicles.

Question 40

What is the california global warming solutions act of 2006?

Answer 40

AB 32 where goal of reducing GHG to 1990 levels by 2020.

Question 41

What is SB 375?

Answer 41

Sustainable communities and climate protection act (2008) which directs CARB to set regional targets for GHG reduction from passenger vehicle use.

Question 42

What is the first question for GHGs in the checklist (a)?

Answer 42

Would the project generate ghg emissions, either that may have significant impact on the environment?

Question 43

What do emission thresholds reflect?

Answer 43

Cumulative impacts