Ch 18 Quizzes

Question 1

The California equivalent of the Environmental Protection Agency is known as ___

Answer 1

CalEPA

Question 2

Originally, the primary goal of the ___ was the cleanup of toxic waste left from decades of unchecked dumping.

Answer 2

EPA

Question 3

A finding of no significant impact under the California Environmental Quality Act is known as a negative ___.

Answer 3

declaration

Question 4

Passed in 1970, the ____ requires the federal government to assess and mitigate environmental impacts from projects under its jurisdiction.
One of the goals of this act is to “encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment.

Answer 4

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Question 5

An ___ is required under NEPA for any public or private project likely to have a significant effect on the environment.

Answer 5

EIS (Environmental Impact Statement)

Question 6

If - following the govt’s initial evaluation - the government makes a determination of ___, an EIS will be required.

Answer 6

significance

Question 7

If new information is revealed after publication of the final environmental impact assessment, a local agency may need to issue a ___ EIR

Answer 7

supplemental

Question 8

The ___ handles most small cleanups in California, such as the cleanup of meth labs.
Note: It may also be involved in larger cleanups.

Answer 8

California Department of Toxic Substances Control,

Question 9

T/F: California endangered species act protects only species native to California

Answer 9

true

non-native species can’t be listed for protection under california law, but they may be protected by the federal Endangered Species Act

Question 10

T/F: any owner of property contaminated by toxic waste is potentially responsible for the cleanup costs, even if the contamination occurred before that party took possession of the property

Answer 10

true

“both current and former owners are considered potentially responsible parties and may be assessed a share of the cleanup costs, though there are many exceptions”

Question 11

T/F: The Federal Endangered Species Act protects endangered plants only on federal government land

Answer 11

True

“the Federal ESA protects endangered animals on all land, but plants only on federal land. Endangered plants on private land are protected by state law”

Question 12

T/F: Residential property is not subject to CERCLA

Answer 12

False

“CERCLA covers both commercial and residential property, but the EPA won’t normally take action against residential property owners except in limited circumstances”

Question 13

T/F: Contiguous property owner is someone whose property has been contaminated by toxic waste from an adjacent property

Answer 13

True

“contiguous property owners may be able to avoid liability under CERCLA if they didn’t know about the contamination and have no relationship with the person responsible for the contamination”