Natural Resources Planning

Question 1

First Earth Day

Answer 1

April 22, 1970

Question 2

Notes

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (1927)

Established to create Colorado River Aquaduct (1933-1941).

Question 3

Author of “Silent Spring” (1962)

Chemical pesticides’ danger and DDT

Answer 3

Rachel Carson

Question 4

Restrictions on the discharge of pollutants into the environment.

________ guidelines reduce discharge of pollutants with serious environmental impacts.

EPA has ________ guidelines for more than 50 categories.

Answer 4

Effluent Standards

Question 5

Pollution type that is discharged directly from a specific site. Ex. sewage treatment plant or industrial pipe.

Answer 5

Point Source Pollution

Question 6

Contaminated runoff from many sources.

Answer 6

Non-Point Source Pollution

Question 7

Water that is safe to drink.

Answer 7

Potable Water.

Question 8

One or more rock/sediment strata that is saturated and permeable to yield eocnomically significant quantities of water to wells or springs.

Includes geologic material that is currently used or oculd be used as source of water within the target distance limit.

Wells can be drilled into these and water can be pumped out.

Recharged via precipitation and porous rock.

Rates of recharge vary - consider this when pumping.

Answer 8

Aquifer

Question 9

Area where freshwater meets saltwater.

Answer 9

Estuary

Question 10

Shallow body of water located alongside a coast.

Answer 10

Lagoon

Question 11

Freshwater/brackish/saltwater wetland found along water bodies.

Does not accumulate appreciable peat deposits and is dominated by herbaceous vegetation.

Answer 11

Marsh

Question 12

Pond, lake, tank, or basin that stores/controls water.

Natural or man-made.

Answer 12

Resevoir

Question 13

Rivers, lakes, oceans, and coastal tidewaters

Answer 13

Surface Water

Question 14

Freshwater wetland that has spongy, muddy land, and a lot of water.

Answer 14

Swamp

Question 15

Region drained by, or contributing water to, surface water.

Answer 15

Watershed.

Question 16

Underground boudnary between soil surface and the area where groundwater saturates spaces between sediments and cracks in rock.

Water pressure and atmospheric pressure are equal at this boundary.

Answer 16

Water Table

Question 17

Swamps, marshes, and bogs.

Inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support vegetation adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.

Natural or constructed.

Answer 17

Wetlands

Question 18

This act requires anyone wanting to discharge pollutants into a body of water to obtain a permit.

Regulates amount of water that can be discharged and types of pollutants that can be released.

Answer 18

Clean Water Act of 1972 (amended 1977)

Official name: Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

Question 19

Permit required to discharge pollutants into the water.

Must be obtained from National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

Answer 19

Point Source Discharge Permit

Question 20

Federal act that cut off Federal funding for metropolitan areas not in air quality attainment.

In non-attainment areas, new pollution sources are allowed only if there is a reduction in pollutants greater thant he pollutants contributed by the new source.

EPA publishes a “Green Book” which lists National Ambient Air Quality Standards, designations, classfications, and non-attainment status.

Answer 20

Clean Air Act of 1970 (amended 1977 and 1990).

Question 21

Clean Air Act notes

Federal Government sets ambient standards and states must devise methods that enable these standards to be met.

Air Quality Control Regions created to measure air quality in air sheds (can’t measure air quality in only one area).

Requires a permit to release pollutants in the air.

Monitors: ozone, particulate matter, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide, and Lead.

Question 22

Process that relates to air quality and requires a project will not increase emissions above a specified _______ increment.

Answer 22

Prevention of Significant Deterrioration (PSD)

Question 23

These standards set the maximum air contaminant concentrations allowed in the ________ air.

Answer 23

Ambient Air Quality Standards

Question 24

Legislation that resulted in creation of Council on Environmental Quality.

Requires Federal agencies to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for all major Federal actions that could affect quality of the human environment.

Not all Federal actions require a full EIS.

Agencies first prepare a smaller, shorter Environmental Assessment (EA). EA findings determine whether EIS is required.

If EA shows no likely impact, agency can release a finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and carry on. If not, full EIS required.

More FONSI than full EIS.

Answer 24

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)

Question 25

Oldest environmetnal law in the US Prohibits construction of bridges, dams, dikes, or causeways over navigable waterways without congressional approval. OCngressional approval required for wharves, piers, jetties, and excavation/fill into/of navigable waters.

Answer 25

River and Harbors Act of 1899

Question 26

Legislation that allows the Surgeon General to prepare program for eliminating/reducing pollution of intersette waters and tributaries and improving the sanitary condition of surface and underground waters. Allowed Federal Works Administrator to assist government agencies in constructing treatment plants that oculd help to prevent discharges of non-treated sewage.

Answer 26

Water Pollution Control Act of 1948

Question 27

Legislation that established the Water Pollution Control Administration within the Dept. of the Interior. First time water quality treated as an environmental concern rather than public health concern.

Answer 27

Water Quality Act of 1965

Question 28

Legislation that focused efforts on reducing polluted costal runoff in 29 coastal states.

Answer 28

Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (amended 1990)

Question 29

Amendment to the Water Pollutant Act of 1948. Broadened the government's authority over water pollution and restructed the authority for water pollution under the EPA. Changed enforcement from water quality standards to regulate the number of pollutants being discharged from particular point sources.

Answer 29

Federal Water Pollution Act of 1972

Question 30

Provides protection of animals and plants that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designates as threatened/endangered. Amended in 1988.

Answer 30

Endangered Species Act of 1973

Question 31

Legislation that promotes alternative sources, energy efficiency, and reduced dependence on foreign oil. Created a market for non-utility power producers and requires utility industry competition.

Answer 31

Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) of 1978

Question 32

Legislation that created a $1.6 billion SUPERFUND to clean abandoned hazardous waste sites and requires major industries to report annual releases of toxic wastes into the air, water, or ground. SUPERFUND is common name for the legislation. There are more than 1,200 SUPERFUND sites across US. Tax on petroleum and chemical industries provides funding to help pay for SUPERFUND cleanup.

Answer 32

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980

Question 33

Legislation that provided EPA with ability to control hazardous waste from "cradle-to-grave". Regulates generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste and management of non-hazardous waste. Amended in 1986 to cover environmetnal issues from underground fuel storage tanks.

Answer 33

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976

Question 34

Legislation that provided EPA with responsibility for reporting, record-keeping, testing requirements and restrictions relating to chemical substances and/or mixtures. Excludes food, drugs, cosmetics, and pesticides.

Answer 34

Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976

Question 35

Originally passed in 1947. Established procedures for registering pesticies with US Dept. of Ag. Amended by Fed. Env. Pesticide Control Act in 1972 and numerous times after by Food Quality and Protection Act of 1996. Mandates EPA regualte use and sale of pesticides to protect human health and environment.

Answer 35

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)

Question 36

Legislation passed in 1974. Protects sources of drinking water and end product.

Answer 36

Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974

Question 37

Term fro real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Cleaning up and reinvesting in these properties takes development pressure off of undeveloped, open land. Improves/protects the environment.

Answer 37

Brownfields

Question 38

Ex. Order 12898 (Clinton - 1994) Federal agencies must consider and reduce environmental injustices to/on minority and low-income populations. Mainly in siting of toxic Locally Undesirable Land Uses (LULUs). Implemented by land use planning regulations. Ex. minimum distances between noxous uses and housing. Can add to comp. plans by engaging traditionally underrepresented groups in plan development.