Programs & Regulations

SCEA Home  |  Training Modules  |  Recent Updates  |  Contact Info
Interactive Presentation  |  Training Exercises  |  Review Questions  |  Other Materials  |  FAQ

Review Questions

Introduction, Modules 1 & 2  |  Modules 3 & 4  |  Modules 5 & 6

Answers for the review questions from the Introduction, Modules 1 & 2.

Introduction

Question 1
True or False SCEA scoping activities begin after the alternatives Retained for a Detailed Study are selected for a given project?

False SCEA scoping activities begin as early as the interagency field review in Stage 1 of the SHA Project Planning process.

Question 2
SHA's SCEA Guidelines apply to which of the following NEPA Documents?

A. Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and Environmental Assessments (EAs) only

B. Environmental Impact Statements only

C. Environmental Impact Statements, Environmental Assessments, Categorical Exclusions (CEs) and Environmental ReEvaluations (ERs)

D. Categorical Exclusions only

A Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments.

Question 3
Per SHA Guidelines, secondary effects may occur, in the professional judgement of the local planners, when a project alternative will result in zoning or land use changes?

True Zoning and land use changes resulting from a project alternative may result in secondary effects.

Question 4
The loss of forest interior dwelling bird species associated with forest fragmentation over time from a roadway project in addition to other development is an example of cumulative effects?

True Impacts to resources such as forest interior dwelling birds over time is an example of cumulative effects that should be considered as part of a SCEA .

Question 5
SHAs SCEA Guidelines provide a consistent framework for preparing a SCEA

True The SHA SCEA Guidelines are not a rigid methodology for all SCEAs, but rather a consistent framework to guide the assessment of secondary and cumulative effects.

Module 1

Question 1
True or False Direct Impacts do not have to be factored into a Secondary and Cumulative Effects Analysis?

False Direct impacts do have to be factored into a Secondary and Cumulative Effects Analysis. Direct impacts are part of the overall cumulative impacts.

Question 2
Which of the following is not considered a resource for the purpose of a SCEA

A. Historic Sites

B. Wetlands

C. Groundwater

D. Air Quality

E. Floodplains

D Air Quality is not considered a SCEA resource. Air Quality is considered in the environmental process during conformity of the Transportation Improvement Program and Long Range Transportation Plan but is not considered a resource for the purposes of SCEA .

Question 3
Those resources that are directly impacted by a project alternative should also be considered for potential cumulative impacts?

True Resources that are directly impacted by a project alternative should be analyzed for potential cumulative impacts.

Question 4
Land use can be considered a resource if the future land use scenario is significantly different than the existing land use scenario?

False Last use is not considered a resource for the purposes of SCEA regardless of timeframe.

Question 5
SHA Guidelines provide a master list of resources that should be included for analysis in every SCEA that is conducted in Maryland?

False Because each SCEA is unique, SHA does not provide a master list of resources to be considered for all projects. Resources will be considered on a project by project basis.

Module 2

Question 1
True or False There can be multiple geographical boundaries, depending on whether natural environmental, socioeconomic or cultural resources are being analyzed in the SCEA

False There should be only one geographical boundary that incorporates natural environmental, socioeconomic and cultural resources. Different resources can use their own subboundary for analysis.

Question 2
True or False Subwatersheds are an appropriate subboundary to help establish an overall SCEA geographical boundary?

True Subwatersheds are considered one of the subboundaries that SHA recommends to use in establishing your overall SCEA geographical boundary. Since subwatersheds are a resource subboundary for assessing natural environmental resources, they can be very useful in helping in determining your overall SCEA geographical boundary.

Question 3
Which of the following is not considered an appropriate subboundary for the purposes of developing a SCEA geographical boundary.

A. Area of Traffic Influence

B. Extent of Preliminary Alternatives

C. Sewer/Water Service

D. Roads

E. Watersheds

D Roads are not considered appropriate for establishing you SCEA geographical boundary. The extent of your area of traffic influence will likely coincide with roads but this is different than arbitrarily choosing roads to form your overall SCEA geographic boundary.

Question 4
True or False The area of traffic influence has to be considered in the development of a SCEA geographical boundary only when the project alternative is going to increase travel capacity?

False The area of traffic influence should be considered in the development of your SCEA geographical boundary regardless of a projects purpose and need. If the purpose of a project was to improve safety, considering the area of traffic influence is still warranted. The six subboundary types recommended by SHA: area of traffic influence, resource boundaries, census tracts, extent of preliminary project alternatives, state and local planning areas and extent of sewer/water service should all be considered and documented in the preparation of your SCEA .

Question 5
True or False Mapping that shows extent of preliminary/conceptual alternatives is useful in establishing a SCEA geographical boundary?

True The extent of preliminary/conceptual alternatives is one of the subboundaries that needs to be considered when developing the SCEA geographical boundary. Mapping of these alternatives will help communicate this subboundary to the public and those persons reviewing the SCEA process.

Presentation Materials

All content contained within these materials is the intellectual property of Maryland State Highway Administration.

© 2000 Maryland State Highway Administration.
Last modified: Friday September 15, 2000.