ARE 5.0: PA Exam Questions And Correct answers
(3) Components of Environmental Site Analysis
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer Physical, Biological, Cultural
Components of Physical Features
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer -Geology, Physiography, Hydrology, Micro-
climate, Soil
Components of Biological Features
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer Flora and Fauna
Components of Cultural Features
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer 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 answer land use and hazards
Physiography deals with _____ and _____ of _______
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer Elevation and slope of the earth's surface
Hydrology deals with ____ and ______ _______, including cycles of _____ and ______
________
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer ground and surface water, including the cycles of
aquifers and water tables
Microclimate
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer 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 answer Large-scale patterns in climate; the climate of an entire region.
Albedo (or Solar Reflectance (SR)) - correct answer 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 answer 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
,ARE 5.0: PA Exam Questions And Correct answers
Emissivity - correct answer 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 answer 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 answer permeability, bearing potential, and erosion
Biological Survey
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer association and communities of flora and fauna,
rare and endangered species, distribution
Analysis vs Assessment
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer 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 answer 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 answer 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 answer Development sites that are or
suspected of being contaminated due to past activities
Slope
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer Angle of Land from one point to another across
topography
Relief
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer Measurement of depth of section of land
Aspect - correct answer
,ARE 5.0: PA Exam Questions And Correct answers
Relief Map - correct answer a map indicating hills and valleys by shading rather than by contour
lines alone.
Aspect Map - correct answer
Water Supply Hierarchy - correct answer 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 answer -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 answer 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 answer Injection of domestic water into drilled wells.
Withdrawn in high-demand seasons. Acts like a reservoir underground
Safe Drinking Water Act - correct answer 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 answer Commonly used in Eastern US. Those who own land adjacent
to water must share rights.
Doctrine of Prior Appropriation - correct answer 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 answer
Basin - correct answer an area drained by a river and its tributaries. 1,00 to 10,000 sqmi.
mgmt strategy: Broad nutrient reduction goals
, ARE 5.0: PA Exam Questions And Correct answers
Subbasin - correct answer 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 answer The land area that supplies water to a river system.
10 to 100 sqmi
mgmt strategy: specific goals based on resource health
subwatershed - correct answer Smaller land area that supplies water to a river system
1 to 10 sqmi
mgmt strategy: Strem/water body classification plan
catchment - correct answer a structure, reservoir, or container for collecting water
.05 to .5 sqmi
mgmt strategy: specific per site
Watershed Planning (watershed protection element) - correct answer Suite of broad zoning
and land use techniques.(watershed protection element)
Land Conservation (watershed protection element) - correct answer Choices and methods for
preserving natural land.(watershed protection element)
Aquatic Buffer (watershed protection element) - correct answer Established by protecting
streams, shorlines and wetlands.
(watershed protection element)
Site Design (watershed protection element) - correct answer low-impact development to
minimize runoff
(watershed protection element)
Erosion and Sediment control (watershed protection element) - correct answer Using
construction methods for minimizing erosion. (watershed protection element)
Storm Water Best Management Practices (watershed protection element) - correct answer
Method to manage and treat runoff after construction is complete (watershed protection
element)
Non Storm water discharges (watershed protection element) - correct answer ID control and
manage pollutants (watershed protection element)
(3) Components of Environmental Site Analysis
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer Physical, Biological, Cultural
Components of Physical Features
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer -Geology, Physiography, Hydrology, Micro-
climate, Soil
Components of Biological Features
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer Flora and Fauna
Components of Cultural Features
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer 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 answer land use and hazards
Physiography deals with _____ and _____ of _______
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer Elevation and slope of the earth's surface
Hydrology deals with ____ and ______ _______, including cycles of _____ and ______
________
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer ground and surface water, including the cycles of
aquifers and water tables
Microclimate
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer 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 answer Large-scale patterns in climate; the climate of an entire region.
Albedo (or Solar Reflectance (SR)) - correct answer 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 answer 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
,ARE 5.0: PA Exam Questions And Correct answers
Emissivity - correct answer 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 answer 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 answer permeability, bearing potential, and erosion
Biological Survey
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer association and communities of flora and fauna,
rare and endangered species, distribution
Analysis vs Assessment
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer 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 answer 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 answer 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 answer Development sites that are or
suspected of being contaminated due to past activities
Slope
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer Angle of Land from one point to another across
topography
Relief
(Env. & Context. Analysis; PS) - correct answer Measurement of depth of section of land
Aspect - correct answer
,ARE 5.0: PA Exam Questions And Correct answers
Relief Map - correct answer a map indicating hills and valleys by shading rather than by contour
lines alone.
Aspect Map - correct answer
Water Supply Hierarchy - correct answer 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 answer -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 answer 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 answer Injection of domestic water into drilled wells.
Withdrawn in high-demand seasons. Acts like a reservoir underground
Safe Drinking Water Act - correct answer 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 answer Commonly used in Eastern US. Those who own land adjacent
to water must share rights.
Doctrine of Prior Appropriation - correct answer 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 answer
Basin - correct answer an area drained by a river and its tributaries. 1,00 to 10,000 sqmi.
mgmt strategy: Broad nutrient reduction goals
, ARE 5.0: PA Exam Questions And Correct answers
Subbasin - correct answer 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 answer The land area that supplies water to a river system.
10 to 100 sqmi
mgmt strategy: specific goals based on resource health
subwatershed - correct answer Smaller land area that supplies water to a river system
1 to 10 sqmi
mgmt strategy: Strem/water body classification plan
catchment - correct answer a structure, reservoir, or container for collecting water
.05 to .5 sqmi
mgmt strategy: specific per site
Watershed Planning (watershed protection element) - correct answer Suite of broad zoning
and land use techniques.(watershed protection element)
Land Conservation (watershed protection element) - correct answer Choices and methods for
preserving natural land.(watershed protection element)
Aquatic Buffer (watershed protection element) - correct answer Established by protecting
streams, shorlines and wetlands.
(watershed protection element)
Site Design (watershed protection element) - correct answer low-impact development to
minimize runoff
(watershed protection element)
Erosion and Sediment control (watershed protection element) - correct answer Using
construction methods for minimizing erosion. (watershed protection element)
Storm Water Best Management Practices (watershed protection element) - correct answer
Method to manage and treat runoff after construction is complete (watershed protection
element)
Non Storm water discharges (watershed protection element) - correct answer ID control and
manage pollutants (watershed protection element)
