American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which technique is most appropriate to protect water supplies while acquiring land for watershed protection?

1. Building permit caps

2. Subdivision phasing

3. Large lot zoning

4. Building permit moratorium

The correct answer is: Building permit moratorium

The most appropriate technique for protecting water supplies while acquiring land for watershed protection involves implementing a building permit moratorium. A moratorium temporarily halts any new construction or development, providing a critical window of opportunity to assess the environmental impacts of potential land use changes on water resources. By enacting a building permit moratorium, planners can prevent further development that may threaten water quality and quantity in the watershed. This approach allows time for comprehensive evaluations and planning actions that prioritize the acquisition of sensitive lands and the implementation of sustainable practices necessary for effective watershed management. In contrast, building permit caps, subdivision phasing, and large lot zoning, while potentially beneficial in certain contexts, do not offer the immediate and comprehensive protection that a moratorium does. They might allow some development to proceed, which could still pose risks to the water supply, whereas a moratorium provides a more definitive cessation of development activities, safeguarding the watershed during critical periods.