Question 1

Which of these is not a reason listed in the chapter as a purpose for environmental protection statutes?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring that businesses have no impact on the environment is not a stated purpose of environmental protection statutes. Rather, the purpose is to regulate and minimize the impact that businesses may have on the environment.

Question 2

The EPA has identified a new hazardous waste site.What should its initial steps be to clean up the site?

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Question 3

Discuss the purposes of environmental laws.

Accepted Answer

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Question 4

An oil tanker crashes off the coast of California.It dumps millions of gallons of oil into the ocean.When investigating the crash,it is suspected that there might be gross negligence on the part of the ship's captain.Is the ship owner liable for the damages? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of An oil tanker crashes off the coast...

Question 5

The legislation that established a process for federal agencies for making decisions that may reasonably impact the environment is called:

Accepted Answer

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) established a process for federal agencies to assess and consider the environmental impacts of proposed projects, plans, and policies before making decisions. NEPA requires agencies to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for major federal actions that may significantly affect the environment, and to consider alternatives to proposed actions that may have fewer environmental impacts. NEPA also provides opportunities for public comment and review of agency decisions. The other options are not correct as they refer to different environmental legislation or acts.

Question 6

The Colorful Paint Company got a mortgage from the bank to purchase a factory to make paint.As part of their manufacturing process the Colorful Paint would dump the excess paint into a pit behind the building.This practice contaminated the property.If the bank foreclosed on the factory,would they be liable for cleanup costs of the contaminated land?

Accepted Answer

Secured creditors, like banks, are generally not held liable for environmental cleanup costs if they did not participate in the contamination and are merely foreclosing on a property as part of their security interest.

Question 7

Name and discuss the functions of each of the two important environmental water acts.

Accepted Answer

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Question 8

The Clean Air Act's market based approach is controversial.What are major arguments for and against this approach?

Accepted Answer

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Question 9

The National Park Service is considering expanding one of their ranger stations at Yellowstone National Park.The ranger station is located on a side of mountain and is primarily used for tracking animal populations.The National Park is unsure what the expansion would to do to the environment.Before they are able to start construction they must categorize the expansion under NEPA as:

Accepted Answer

An environmental assessment (EA) is required under NEPA to determine if the expansion will have significant environmental impacts. If significant impacts are found, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would be necessary.

Question 10

In No Spray Coalition,Inc.v.The City of New York,No Spray Coalition filed a lawsuit in New York City to stop the city's program of spraying for mosquitoes to prevent the spread of the West Nile Virus,a potentially fatal disease.The program included both ground and aerial spraying of a potentially hazardous pesticide.No Spray contented that the chemicals were being sprayed in violation of the Clean Water Act (CWA).The court found that:

Accepted Answer

The court found that New York was spraying the pesticides according to their labels as approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and therefore was permitted under the Clean Water Act (CWA). No Spray's argument that the spraying violated the CWA was not supported by the evidence presented.

Question 11

The oil spill that resulted in Congress creating the Oil Pollution Act was the:

Accepted Answer

The Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred in 1989 and was one of the worst environmental disasters in US history, causing massive damage to wildlife and the ecosystem of Prince William Sound, Alaska. It led to the creation of the Oil Pollution Act in 1990, which aimed to prevent and respond to future oil spills. The Deepwater Horizon and Gulf Oil Spill both occurred after the Oil Pollution Act was already in place. Kirsk is not a known oil spill.

Question 12

A local real estate developer wants to build a new office park on a piece of forested land that is home to many spotted owls,an endangered species.The office park is expected to bring new companies and jobs to the area.You are particular fond of the owls and want to see them thrive.Is there anything that you can do to stop construction?

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Question 13

A factory has a permit to emit pollutions at a specified level under the Clean Air Act.As part of upgrading its facilities what must the factory do? What might be their concern?

Accepted Answer

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Question 14

When is a categorical exclusion for an action available under NEPA?

Accepted Answer

A categorical exclusion is available under NEPA when the proposed action is expected to have little or no environmental impact. This means that the action falls within a category of actions that have already been determined to have no significant impact on the environment, and is therefore exempt from the requirement for an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. The other options (A, B, and D) are not correct, as they do not reflect the conditions under which a categorical exclusion is typically available.

Question 15

Under the Clean Air Act (CAA)who determines the best way to achieve National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)?

Accepted Answer

Under the Clean Air Act, states are primarily responsible for determining how to achieve the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) set by the EPA. They develop State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to outline their strategies.

Question 16

Pat recently purchased some property that she knew used to be home to a chemical plant fifty years ago.The plant was removed thirty years ago.Today the property is full of trees and the stream running through it is clear and looks clean.Last month the EPA determined that her property,as well as several neighboring properties,is contaminated.The EPA placed the entire site on the National Priorities List for cleanup.How liable for the hazardous waste is Pat?

Accepted Answer

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Question 17

The bank is considering making a loan on a piece of property that is home to a chemical factory.There is no evidence of any contamination but the bank is concerned about being liable if there is a chemical spill.Should they be concerned?

Accepted Answer

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Question 18

The NEPA procedures require that an environmental assessment be performed for actions where:

Accepted Answer

An environmental assessment is required when the environmental impact is unknown to determine if the impact is significant or not.

Question 19

Name and discuss the three different categories that federal agency actions are classified as under the National Environmental Policy Act? Provide an example for each.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Name and discuss the three different categories...

Question 20

An environmental impact statement is required by the NEPA in instances where:

Accepted Answer

The NEPA requires an environmental impact statement when the impact is significant. This ensures that potential environmental risks are analyzed and considered before making any decisions or taking any actions that may have a negative impact on the environment.

Quiz 18: Environmental Law