Question 1

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act enacted by the Congress in 1948 continues to be applied across the United States in its original form without amendments.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Federal Water Pollution Control Act enacted...

Question 2

The Clear Water Act authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish national primary drinking water standards.

Accepted Answer

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the federal law that authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish national primary drinking water standards, not the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act focuses on reducing pollution in the nation's waterways.

Question 3

The Clean Water Act forbids the filling or dredging of navigable waters and qualified wetlands unless a permit has been obtained from the ________.

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for issuing permits for filling or dredging of navigable waters and qualified wetlands under the Clean Water Act. The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Nuclear Regulatory Commission do not have jurisdiction over this specific aspect of environmental regulation, and while the Environmental Protection Agency plays a role in enforcing the Clean Water Act, it does not issue permits for individual projects.

Question 4

The process by which heated water or material is discharged into waterways upsetting the ecological balance and decreasing the oxygen content is defined as ________.

Accepted Answer

Thermal pollution is defined as the process by which heated water or material is discharged into waterways, which can increase the temperature and decrease the oxygen content, causing harm to aquatic life and upsetting the ecological balance. Land pollution refers to the degradation of the soil due to human activities, while radioactive pollution is caused by the release of radioactive materials into the environment. Air pollution refers to the presence of harmful pollutants in the air, which can cause harm to human health and the environment.

Question 5

The federal government is primarily responsible for the implementation of the Clear Water Act in all states.

Accepted Answer

While the federal government sets the basic requirements for the Clean Water Act, it is the responsibility of individual states to implement and enforce those requirements. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides oversight and support to ensure that states are meeting the requirements of the Clean Water Act.

Question 6

The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, enacted in 1972, extends environmental protection to the oceans.

Accepted Answer

The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, also known as the Ocean Dumping Act, was indeed enacted in 1972 and regulates the dumping of waste materials into the ocean. It also established the National Marine Sanctuaries Program, which protects marine ecosystems and cultural resources.

Question 7

Which of the following actions is prohibited under the Clean Water Act?

Accepted Answer

The Clean Water Act prohibits the construction of residences by filling qualified wetlands. This is because wetlands play a vital role in maintaining water quality and provide important habitat for wildlife. The other options are not explicitly prohibited under the Clean Water Act, although they may be subject to regulations to ensure that they do not harm water quality or wetland habitats.

Question 8

As a part of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, dumping wastes and other foreign materials into ocean waters are statutorily prohibited with no alternatives like permits, licenses, and mandatory checks.

Accepted Answer

The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act does allow for the dumping of materials into ocean waters, but it is regulated through permits and subject to environmental review processes to ensure protection of marine environments.

Question 9

Point sources are sources of pollution that are fixed and stationary.

Accepted Answer

Point sources of pollution are fixed and stationary sources such as factories, power plants, and sewage treatment plants.

Question 10

Sources of thermal pollution are subject to the provisions of the Clean Water Act and the regulations adopted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The Clean Water Act and the regulations adopted by the EPA regulate sources of thermal pollution, which is defined as the discharge of heated water from industrial processes, power plants, and other sources that can harm aquatic life and water quality. The EPA sets standards for water temperature and requires permits for facilities that discharge heated water into waterways.

Question 11

The ________ is a federal statute that authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish national primary potable water standards.

Accepted Answer

The Safe Drinking Water Act is the federal statute that authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish national primary potable water standards. The other options listed are federal statutes related to environmental protection but do not pertain to water quality standards or potable water.

Question 12

Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or ground water that support vegetation typically adapted for life in such conditions are called ________.

Accepted Answer

Wetlands are areas that are inundated or saturated by water and support vegetation adapted to these conditions. Marine reefs are underwater structures formed by coral, and gullies are narrow valleys made by erosion. Reservoirs are artificial bodies of water.

Question 13

The ________ authorizes the U.S. government to clean up oil spills and spills of other hazardous substances in ocean waters within 12 miles of the shore and on the continental shelf and to recover the cleanup costs from responsible parties.

Accepted Answer

The Clean Water Act is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution, which includes provisions for the cleanup of oil spills and hazardous substances in U.S. waters, including the ocean within 12 miles of the shore and on the continental shelf.

Question 14

The Oil Pollution Act authorizes the U.S. government to clean up oil spills and spills of other hazardous substances in ocean waters within 12 miles of the shore.

Accepted Answer

The Oil Pollution Act primarily focuses on oil spills, not spills of other hazardous substances, and it applies to U.S. navigable waters and the adjoining shorelines, which can extend beyond 12 miles from the shore.

Question 15

Which of the following is a federal statute that extends limited environmental protection to the oceans?

Accepted Answer

The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, also known as the Ocean Dumping Act, is a federal law that regulates the dumping of waste into ocean waters and establishes marine sanctuaries for the protection of marine life.

Question 16

The U.S. Coast Guard administers the Oil Pollution Act which requires the oil industry to ________.

Accepted Answer

The Oil Pollution Act requires the oil industry to adopt procedures and contingency plans for responding to and cleaning up oil spills.

Question 17

The Clear Water Act extends its protection to the oceans.

Accepted Answer

The Clean Water Act primarily focuses on the protection of freshwater bodies, such as rivers and lakes, from pollution, rather than extending its protections to oceans.

Question 18

The filling or dredging of navigable waters and qualified wetlands are prohibited unless a permit has been obtained from the Army Corps of Engineers.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true according to the Clean Water Act and other federal regulations.

Question 19

One of the features of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act is that it ________.

Accepted Answer

The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (also known as the Ocean Dumping Act) requires a permit for dumping wastes and other foreign materials into ocean waters, thereby regulating and reducing marine pollution. The Act focuses on preserving and enhancing human health and welfare, marine resources, and the marine ecosystem.

Question 20

AMS is a factory situated on the coast that uses chemicals like lead and arsenic in its daily production processes. It discharges the waste products of the manufacturing process into the sea nearby. From the information provided in the scenario, we can infer that ________.

Accepted Answer

AMS is using chemicals like lead and arsenic in its daily production processes, which are highly toxic and can cause water pollution. The fact that waste products are being discharged into the sea nearby suggests that the source of pollution is stationary and fixed. Option A, B, and C are incorrect as they are not supported by information in the scenario.

Quiz 45: Environmental Protection