Site Assessment and Planning Flashcards

A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must be developed for sites disturbing:

Answer: One acre or more of land

Under the EPA Construction General Permit, a SWPPP is required for construction sites disturbing one acre or more, or less than one acre if part of a larger common plan of development.

What does 'common plan of development' mean in the context of construction site permitting?

Answer: A contiguous area where multiple construction activities will occur under a unified plan

A common plan of development refers to a contiguous area where multiple separate construction activities are planned, and the total disturbed area determines permit requirements even if individual phases are smaller.

Which document should be reviewed first when assessing a site's erosion control requirements?

Answer: The local municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit and local ordinances

Local MS4 permits and ordinances establish the minimum requirements for erosion and sediment control that all construction sites within that jurisdiction must meet.

A buffer zone around a stream on a construction site primarily serves to:

Answer: Protect the stream bank from disturbance and filter runoff before it reaches the water

Buffer zones protect stream banks from direct disturbance and allow vegetation and soil to filter sediment and pollutants from runoff before it enters the waterway.

When planning construction phasing to minimize erosion, the best approach is to:

Answer: Limit the area of disturbance at any one time and stabilize completed areas before moving on

Phased disturbance limits the area of exposed soil at any given time, reducing the volume of potential sediment generation and making BMPs more manageable.

Which factor is NOT typically evaluated during a site's pre-construction erosion control assessment?

Answer: Adjacent property owner's personal finances

Pre-construction assessments focus on physical site characteristics such as soil, slope, rainfall, and hydrology, not the financial status of adjacent property owners.