ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY
EXAM 1 NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM
ALL ANSWERS VERIFIED
GUARANTEED TO PASS
Federal Administrative Law
These statutes govern the "how" of government operations, ensuring that agencies
act fairly and that citizens have a way to defend themselves.
Administrative Procedure Act (APA): The "Constitution" for federal
agencies. It dictates how agencies propose and establish regulations
(Rulemaking) and how they handle disputes with individuals (Adjudication).
Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA): A vital protection against
government overreach. If a citizen or small business wins a case against a
federal agency that acted without "substantial justification," the government
must pay for that citizen's attorney fees.
Environmental and Cultural Stewardship
These acts require the federal government to be a "good neighbor" and a protector
of both the environment and history.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): Before any major federal
project begins, agencies must complete an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS). This ensures that environmental consequences and
alternative solutions are fully considered before shovels hit the ground.
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA): Established the National
Register of Historic Places. Its most famous component is Section 106,
which requires federal agencies to consult with State Historic Preservation
Offices (SHPO) to mitigate the impact of development on historic sites.
Archaeological Protection
Q: What are the primary protections provided by the Archaeological
Resources Protection Act (ARPA)?
A: ✔✔ ARPA was enacted to provide much stronger teeth than the older
Antiquities Act for protecting cultural sites on federal and Indian lands.
1. Permit Requirements: It is strictly illegal to excavate, remove, or damage
any archaeological resource on federal or Indian lands without an official
permit.
2. Trafficking Prohibition: The act prohibits the sale, purchase, exchange, or
transport of artifacts that were illegally acquired from federal property.
, 3. Strict Criminal Penalties: Violations are criminal offenses. Penalties can
include significant fines and imprisonment, especially for repeat offenders or
when the "commercial value" of the artifacts is high.
4. FOIA Exemption: To prevent looting, the government cannot release maps
or specific location data of sensitive archaeological sites under the Freedom
of Information Act (FOIA).
Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) -
ANSWER✔✔requires federal agencies and institutions that receive federal funding
to return Native American "cultural items" to lineal descendants and culturally
affiliated Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations
American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) -ANSWER✔✔protects the
rights of Native Americans to exercise their traditional religions by ensuring access
to sites, use and possession of sacred objects, and the freedom to worship through
ceremonials and traditional rites
Endangered Species Act (ESA) -ANSWER✔✔Protects species that are considered
to be threatened or endangered. Includes migratory birds and their habitats.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) -ANSWER✔✔placed all migratory birds
under the protection of the federal government.
Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act -ANSWER✔✔protects two species of eagle
in the US from hunting/poaching/injury
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) -ANSWER✔✔prohibits the killing of all
marine mammals in the U.S. and prohibits the import or export of any marine
mammal body parts.
Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) -ANSWER✔✔The Act, administered by
NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM), provides
for management of the nation's coastal resources, including the Great Lakes, and
balances economic development with environmental conservation.
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act -ANSWER✔✔Selected rivers in the United States are
preserved for possessing outstandingly, remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic,
fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values.
EXAM 1 NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM
ALL ANSWERS VERIFIED
GUARANTEED TO PASS
Federal Administrative Law
These statutes govern the "how" of government operations, ensuring that agencies
act fairly and that citizens have a way to defend themselves.
Administrative Procedure Act (APA): The "Constitution" for federal
agencies. It dictates how agencies propose and establish regulations
(Rulemaking) and how they handle disputes with individuals (Adjudication).
Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA): A vital protection against
government overreach. If a citizen or small business wins a case against a
federal agency that acted without "substantial justification," the government
must pay for that citizen's attorney fees.
Environmental and Cultural Stewardship
These acts require the federal government to be a "good neighbor" and a protector
of both the environment and history.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): Before any major federal
project begins, agencies must complete an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS). This ensures that environmental consequences and
alternative solutions are fully considered before shovels hit the ground.
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA): Established the National
Register of Historic Places. Its most famous component is Section 106,
which requires federal agencies to consult with State Historic Preservation
Offices (SHPO) to mitigate the impact of development on historic sites.
Archaeological Protection
Q: What are the primary protections provided by the Archaeological
Resources Protection Act (ARPA)?
A: ✔✔ ARPA was enacted to provide much stronger teeth than the older
Antiquities Act for protecting cultural sites on federal and Indian lands.
1. Permit Requirements: It is strictly illegal to excavate, remove, or damage
any archaeological resource on federal or Indian lands without an official
permit.
2. Trafficking Prohibition: The act prohibits the sale, purchase, exchange, or
transport of artifacts that were illegally acquired from federal property.
, 3. Strict Criminal Penalties: Violations are criminal offenses. Penalties can
include significant fines and imprisonment, especially for repeat offenders or
when the "commercial value" of the artifacts is high.
4. FOIA Exemption: To prevent looting, the government cannot release maps
or specific location data of sensitive archaeological sites under the Freedom
of Information Act (FOIA).
Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) -
ANSWER✔✔requires federal agencies and institutions that receive federal funding
to return Native American "cultural items" to lineal descendants and culturally
affiliated Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations
American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) -ANSWER✔✔protects the
rights of Native Americans to exercise their traditional religions by ensuring access
to sites, use and possession of sacred objects, and the freedom to worship through
ceremonials and traditional rites
Endangered Species Act (ESA) -ANSWER✔✔Protects species that are considered
to be threatened or endangered. Includes migratory birds and their habitats.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) -ANSWER✔✔placed all migratory birds
under the protection of the federal government.
Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act -ANSWER✔✔protects two species of eagle
in the US from hunting/poaching/injury
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) -ANSWER✔✔prohibits the killing of all
marine mammals in the U.S. and prohibits the import or export of any marine
mammal body parts.
Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) -ANSWER✔✔The Act, administered by
NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM), provides
for management of the nation's coastal resources, including the Great Lakes, and
balances economic development with environmental conservation.
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act -ANSWER✔✔Selected rivers in the United States are
preserved for possessing outstandingly, remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic,
fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values.
