Maine Environmental
Practice Questions & Answers (2026)
Environmental questions on the Maine exam cover both federal environmental laws and Maine-specific disclosure requirements. Federal topics include lead-based paint (pre-1978 housing), asbestos, radon, underground storage tanks, and CERCLA liability. Maine has additional state-level environmental disclosure requirements enforced by the Maine Real Estate Commission — including Maine-specific environmental conditions that affect property use and disclosure. Environmental questions trip up candidates who studied only federal law without reviewing the ME-specific overlay.
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Maine Environmental — Practice Questions & Answers
104 questions on Environmental from the Maine real estate question bank. First 10 are free — sign up to unlock all 104.
Q1. In Maine, which environmental hazard is commonly associated with older residential properties built before 1978?
Explanation
Properties built before 1978 may contain both lead-based paint (banned in residential use in 1978) and asbestos in floor tiles, insulation, and other materials. Both are common environmental concerns in Maine's older housing stock.
Q2. Maine has some of the highest radon levels in the country. What is the EPA's recommended action level for radon in a home?
Explanation
The EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon levels when concentrations reach or exceed 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air.
Q3. Under federal law, sellers of pre-1978 homes in Maine must provide buyers with:
Explanation
Federal law (42 USC 4852d) requires sellers of pre-1978 homes to provide the EPA lead pamphlet, disclose all known lead-based paint hazards, and give buyers a 10-day inspection opportunity.
Q4. Which Maine law governs development activity within 250 feet of a great pond or river?
Explanation
Maine's Shoreland Zoning Act requires municipalities to adopt and enforce land use controls within 250 feet of great ponds and rivers, and within 75 feet of smaller streams, to protect water quality and natural resources.
Q5. CERCLA (Superfund) gives the federal government authority to:
Explanation
CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) authorizes the federal government to clean up hazardous waste sites and pursue cost recovery from potentially responsible parties, including current and former property owners.
Q6. A Maine property has an underground storage tank (UST) that has been leaking petroleum. Who may be held liable for remediation costs?
Explanation
Under CERCLA, liability for hazardous waste cleanup is joint and several and can extend to current owners, past owners, and operators, even if they did not cause the contamination.
Q7. Asbestos in a Maine commercial building is regulated as a hazardous material when it is in what condition?
Explanation
Asbestos poses the greatest health risk when it is friable — crumbling or releasing airborne fibers. Intact, non-friable asbestos-containing materials that are in good condition may be left in place and managed.
Q8. A Maine property owner discovers a wetland on their land. Development on Maine wetlands is regulated by:
Explanation
Wetland development in Maine is regulated at the federal level by the Army Corps of Engineers under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and at the state level by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection under the Natural Resources Protection Act.
Q9. Which of the following best describes a 'Phase I Environmental Site Assessment' in a Maine commercial real estate transaction?
Explanation
A Phase I ESA is a non-invasive assessment that reviews historical records, databases, and conducts a site walkthrough to identify Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs). It does not include soil or water sampling.
Q10. In Maine, the presence of mold in a property is primarily a concern because:
Explanation
Mold can cause significant health problems and is considered a material defect in Maine. Sellers must disclose known mold issues under Maine's property disclosure requirements, and buyers may use the information as grounds for negotiation or cancellation.
Q11. Maine's Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA) regulates activities that could harm which of the following?
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