ARE 5.0: PA Exam Questions And
Correct Answers
(3) Components of Environmental Site Analysis
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Physical, Biological, Cultural
Components of Physical Features
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers -Geology, Physiography, Hydrology,
Micro-climate, Soil
Components of Biological Features
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Flora and Fauna
Components of Cultural Features
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Land Use and Land Users, Settlement
Patterns, Historical Use, Property Ownership, Built vs Open space types, Utilities and
Easements
Geology determines ___ and ___
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers land use and hazards
Physiography deals with _____ and _____ of _______
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Elevation and slope of the earth's
surface
Hydrology deals with ____ and ______ _______, including cycles of _____ and ______
________
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers ground and surface water, including the
cycles of aquifers and water tables
Microclimate
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Climate conditions within a small area
that differ from those in the surrounding area, Include ventilation, frost lines, and solar
radiation.
or
Site specific modification of macroclimate.
Macroclimate Correct Answers Large-scale patterns in climate; the climate of an entire
region.
Albedo (or Solar Reflectance (SR)) Correct Answers The fraction of solar radiation that
is reflected off the surface of an object. Usually expressed as a scale from 0 to 1.0,
where a surface that absorbs all energy (flat black) is 0, and a mirror would be 1.
,Reflectivity Correct Answers LEED uses this to measure the solar heat rejection of non
roof materials like vegetation, shading devices, etc. Closely related to albedo. Also on a
scale from 0 to 1.0
Emissivity Correct Answers Ability of a surface to emit stored energy. Also a scale from
zero to 1.0. For opaque surfaces, emissivity and albedo add up to 1.0
Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) Correct Answers Measure of a roof's ability to reject solar
heat, defined so that a standard black surface has an SRI of zero, and a standard white
surface has and SRI of 100
Soil (3 considerations)
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers permeability, bearing potential, and
erosion
Biological Survey
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers association and communities of flora
and fauna, rare and endangered species, distribution
Analysis vs Assessment
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers analysis is something any discerning
person can perform whether or not they have expertise, assessment is something that
can only be performed by a specialist or professional
Environmental Site Assessment
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Risk assessment process in the
planning and feasibility stages of a project. Searches for any possible contamination;
Determines owners due diligence; is specific to environmental features of site (not the
same as a survey).
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS)
(Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act) CERCLA
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Law stating that the land owner is
responsible for the environmental conditions of the site whether they had any
knowledge or involvement.
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS)
Brownfields (Read EPA.GOV/BROWNFIELDS) Correct Answers Development sites
that are or suspected of being contaminated due to past activities
Slope
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Angle of Land from one point to
another across topography
Relief
,(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Measurement of depth of section of
land
Aspect Correct Answers
Relief Map Correct Answers a map indicating hills and valleys by shading rather than by
contour lines alone.
Aspect Map Correct Answers
Water Supply Hierarchy Correct Answers 1. Water Supply Source
2. Conduit or Open Channel
3. Water Treatment Plant
4. Transmission on line to distribution System
5. Dist. Piplines
6. Service lines to building
7. Water meter
8. Other facilities; including air relief valves, black flow preventers, and reservoirs/tanks
Surface sources (water supply) Correct Answers -Rivers - pumped to treatment plant
-Reservoirs and lakes - retained behind structure and released into system
-Oceans - emerging tech for desalination
Ground Water (water supply) Correct Answers Simple to develop and requires little or
no treatment of the water. Soil acts as a natural filter. More regulation for industrial
areas.
Aquifer Storage and Recovery Correct Answers Injection of domestic water into drilled
wells. Withdrawn in high-demand seasons. Acts like a reservoir underground
Safe Drinking Water Act Correct Answers set maximum contaminant levels for
pollutants that may have adverse effects on human health. Applies to systems with 15
connections or servicing 25 ppl.
Riparian Doctrine Correct Answers Commonly used in Eastern US. Those who own
land adjacent to water must share rights.
Doctrine of Prior Appropriation Correct Answers The theory that whoever begins using
the water first, has the right to continue using the water. Has two basic principles:
Priority use ( when stream flows less than demand, oldest permits receive priority) and
Beneficial Use (water can only be used for beneficial uses like agricultural and municpal
uses).
Stream Order Correct Answers
, Basin Correct Answers an area drained by a river and its tributaries. 1,00 to 10,000
sqmi.
mgmt strategy: Broad nutrient reduction goals
Subbasin Correct Answers structural geologic feature where a larger basin is divided
into a series of smaller basins with intervening intrabasinal highs.
100 to 1,000 sqmi.
mgmt strategy: Refined based on unique geology
Watershed Correct Answers The land area that supplies water to a river system.
10 to 100 sqmi
mgmt strategy: specific goals based on resource health
subwatershed Correct Answers Smaller land area that supplies water to a river system
1 to 10 sqmi
mgmt strategy: Strem/water body classification plan
catchment Correct Answers a structure, reservoir, or container for collecting water
.05 to .5 sqmi
mgmt strategy: specific per site
Watershed Planning (watershed protection element) Correct Answers Suite of broad
zoning and land use techniques.(watershed protection element)
Land Conservation (watershed protection element) Correct Answers Choices and
methods for preserving natural land.(watershed protection element)
Aquatic Buffer (watershed protection element) Correct Answers Established by
protecting streams, shorlines and wetlands.
(watershed protection element)
Site Design (watershed protection element) Correct Answers low-impact development
to minimize runoff
(watershed protection element)
Erosion and Sediment control (watershed protection element) Correct Answers Using
construction methods for minimizing erosion. (watershed protection element)
Storm Water Best Management Practices (watershed protection element) Correct
Answers Method to manage and treat runoff after construction is complete (watershed
protection element)
Non Storm water discharges (watershed protection element) Correct Answers ID control
and manage pollutants (watershed protection element)
Correct Answers
(3) Components of Environmental Site Analysis
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Physical, Biological, Cultural
Components of Physical Features
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers -Geology, Physiography, Hydrology,
Micro-climate, Soil
Components of Biological Features
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Flora and Fauna
Components of Cultural Features
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Land Use and Land Users, Settlement
Patterns, Historical Use, Property Ownership, Built vs Open space types, Utilities and
Easements
Geology determines ___ and ___
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers land use and hazards
Physiography deals with _____ and _____ of _______
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Elevation and slope of the earth's
surface
Hydrology deals with ____ and ______ _______, including cycles of _____ and ______
________
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers ground and surface water, including the
cycles of aquifers and water tables
Microclimate
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Climate conditions within a small area
that differ from those in the surrounding area, Include ventilation, frost lines, and solar
radiation.
or
Site specific modification of macroclimate.
Macroclimate Correct Answers Large-scale patterns in climate; the climate of an entire
region.
Albedo (or Solar Reflectance (SR)) Correct Answers The fraction of solar radiation that
is reflected off the surface of an object. Usually expressed as a scale from 0 to 1.0,
where a surface that absorbs all energy (flat black) is 0, and a mirror would be 1.
,Reflectivity Correct Answers LEED uses this to measure the solar heat rejection of non
roof materials like vegetation, shading devices, etc. Closely related to albedo. Also on a
scale from 0 to 1.0
Emissivity Correct Answers Ability of a surface to emit stored energy. Also a scale from
zero to 1.0. For opaque surfaces, emissivity and albedo add up to 1.0
Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) Correct Answers Measure of a roof's ability to reject solar
heat, defined so that a standard black surface has an SRI of zero, and a standard white
surface has and SRI of 100
Soil (3 considerations)
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers permeability, bearing potential, and
erosion
Biological Survey
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers association and communities of flora
and fauna, rare and endangered species, distribution
Analysis vs Assessment
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers analysis is something any discerning
person can perform whether or not they have expertise, assessment is something that
can only be performed by a specialist or professional
Environmental Site Assessment
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Risk assessment process in the
planning and feasibility stages of a project. Searches for any possible contamination;
Determines owners due diligence; is specific to environmental features of site (not the
same as a survey).
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS)
(Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act) CERCLA
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Law stating that the land owner is
responsible for the environmental conditions of the site whether they had any
knowledge or involvement.
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS)
Brownfields (Read EPA.GOV/BROWNFIELDS) Correct Answers Development sites
that are or suspected of being contaminated due to past activities
Slope
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Angle of Land from one point to
another across topography
Relief
,(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) Correct Answers Measurement of depth of section of
land
Aspect Correct Answers
Relief Map Correct Answers a map indicating hills and valleys by shading rather than by
contour lines alone.
Aspect Map Correct Answers
Water Supply Hierarchy Correct Answers 1. Water Supply Source
2. Conduit or Open Channel
3. Water Treatment Plant
4. Transmission on line to distribution System
5. Dist. Piplines
6. Service lines to building
7. Water meter
8. Other facilities; including air relief valves, black flow preventers, and reservoirs/tanks
Surface sources (water supply) Correct Answers -Rivers - pumped to treatment plant
-Reservoirs and lakes - retained behind structure and released into system
-Oceans - emerging tech for desalination
Ground Water (water supply) Correct Answers Simple to develop and requires little or
no treatment of the water. Soil acts as a natural filter. More regulation for industrial
areas.
Aquifer Storage and Recovery Correct Answers Injection of domestic water into drilled
wells. Withdrawn in high-demand seasons. Acts like a reservoir underground
Safe Drinking Water Act Correct Answers set maximum contaminant levels for
pollutants that may have adverse effects on human health. Applies to systems with 15
connections or servicing 25 ppl.
Riparian Doctrine Correct Answers Commonly used in Eastern US. Those who own
land adjacent to water must share rights.
Doctrine of Prior Appropriation Correct Answers The theory that whoever begins using
the water first, has the right to continue using the water. Has two basic principles:
Priority use ( when stream flows less than demand, oldest permits receive priority) and
Beneficial Use (water can only be used for beneficial uses like agricultural and municpal
uses).
Stream Order Correct Answers
, Basin Correct Answers an area drained by a river and its tributaries. 1,00 to 10,000
sqmi.
mgmt strategy: Broad nutrient reduction goals
Subbasin Correct Answers structural geologic feature where a larger basin is divided
into a series of smaller basins with intervening intrabasinal highs.
100 to 1,000 sqmi.
mgmt strategy: Refined based on unique geology
Watershed Correct Answers The land area that supplies water to a river system.
10 to 100 sqmi
mgmt strategy: specific goals based on resource health
subwatershed Correct Answers Smaller land area that supplies water to a river system
1 to 10 sqmi
mgmt strategy: Strem/water body classification plan
catchment Correct Answers a structure, reservoir, or container for collecting water
.05 to .5 sqmi
mgmt strategy: specific per site
Watershed Planning (watershed protection element) Correct Answers Suite of broad
zoning and land use techniques.(watershed protection element)
Land Conservation (watershed protection element) Correct Answers Choices and
methods for preserving natural land.(watershed protection element)
Aquatic Buffer (watershed protection element) Correct Answers Established by
protecting streams, shorlines and wetlands.
(watershed protection element)
Site Design (watershed protection element) Correct Answers low-impact development
to minimize runoff
(watershed protection element)
Erosion and Sediment control (watershed protection element) Correct Answers Using
construction methods for minimizing erosion. (watershed protection element)
Storm Water Best Management Practices (watershed protection element) Correct
Answers Method to manage and treat runoff after construction is complete (watershed
protection element)
Non Storm water discharges (watershed protection element) Correct Answers ID control
and manage pollutants (watershed protection element)
