CEPSCI Post-Construction and Site Restoration 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'permanent stabilization' in the context of post-construction erosion control?
- Installation of permanent concrete or asphalt on all disturbed areas
- Establishment of permanent vegetative cover or non-vegetative measures sufficient to prevent long-term erosion without ongoing maintenance (Correct answer)
- Removal of all temporary BMPs from the site
- Completion of the structural aspects of the construction project
Correct answer: Establishment of permanent vegetative cover or non-vegetative measures sufficient to prevent long-term erosion without ongoing maintenance
Permanent stabilization ensures that soil will be protected from erosion after construction is complete, typically through vegetation achieving at least 70% coverage per the NPDES CGP.
Question 2: What is a 'seed mix' and why is it important for post-construction stabilization?
- A blend of chemical stabilizers applied to soil
- A combination of grass and other plant species selected to provide rapid cover, erosion resistance, and long-term site compatibility (Correct answer)
- A mixture of fertilizers applied before seeding
- A combination of topsoil and mulch used as a growing medium
Correct answer: A combination of grass and other plant species selected to provide rapid cover, erosion resistance, and long-term site compatibility
Selecting appropriate seed species for local climate, soil type, and site conditions ensures successful establishment and long-term erosion control without requiring ongoing reseeding.
Question 3: Which post-construction BMP is specifically designed to remove pollutants from stormwater before it discharges from a developed site?
- A silt fence
- A post-construction stormwater management facility such as a bioretention cell or wet pond (Correct answer)
- A diversion dike
- A stabilized construction entrance
Correct answer: A post-construction stormwater management facility such as a bioretention cell or wet pond
Post-construction stormwater management facilities (bioretention, extended detention basins, wet ponds) are designed to treat runoff from the completed development for the long term.
Question 4: What is 'bioretention' (rain garden) as a post-construction BMP?
- A landscaped area designed to detain large volumes of stormwater in a pond
- A shallow, vegetated depression that captures and treats stormwater through filtration, infiltration, and plant uptake (Correct answer)
- A system of underground pipes that collects and stores rainwater for reuse
- A type of green roof that captures rainfall on building surfaces
Correct answer: A shallow, vegetated depression that captures and treats stormwater through filtration, infiltration, and plant uptake
Bioretention cells use engineered soil media and native plants to filter stormwater pollutants, reduce runoff volume through infiltration, and attenuate peak flows.
Question 5: What is the primary goal of restoring native vegetation on a post-construction site?
- To satisfy landscaping aesthetic requirements only
- To establish a self-sustaining plant community that prevents erosion, supports biodiversity, and requires minimal long-term maintenance (Correct answer)
- To increase property values with ornamental plantings
- To provide shade for construction workers after the project is complete
Correct answer: To establish a self-sustaining plant community that prevents erosion, supports biodiversity, and requires minimal long-term maintenance
Native vegetation is adapted to local climate and soils, establishing deep roots and dense canopy that provide superior erosion control, habitat value, and reduced maintenance needs.
Question 6: After final grading, what is the recommended maximum time before temporary or permanent stabilization should be initiated on disturbed areas under the NPDES CGP?
- 30 days after grading ceases
- 14 days after grading activity has ceased in that portion of the site (Correct answer)
- 90 days after the entire project is complete
- No time limit is specified in the federal CGP
Correct answer: 14 days after grading activity has ceased in that portion of the site
The NPDES CGP requires initiation of stabilization within 14 days after the last land-disturbing activity in any area, minimizing the window of erosion vulnerability.
CEPSCI Post-Construction and Site Restoration 1
What is 'permanent stabilization' in the context of post-construction erosion control?