CEPSCI Site Assessment and Planning 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a pre-construction site assessment for erosion and sediment control?
- To identify potential erosion hazards and plan appropriate BMPs before disturbance begins (Correct answer)
- To determine the property boundary lines
- To calculate the total construction budget
- To identify existing utility locations only
Correct answer: To identify potential erosion hazards and plan appropriate BMPs before disturbance begins
A pre-construction site assessment identifies potential erosion risks so that appropriate best management practices can be planned and implemented before soil disturbance occurs.
Question 2: Which soil characteristic most directly influences erodibility on a construction site?
- Soil color
- Soil texture and structure (Correct answer)
- Soil pH
- Soil temperature
Correct answer: Soil texture and structure
Soil texture and structure determine how easily particles are detached and transported by water or wind, making them the primary factors in erodibility.
Question 3: A site drainage map is used during site assessment to:
- Locate underground utilities
- Identify natural drainage patterns and flow paths that may concentrate runoff (Correct answer)
- Determine soil bearing capacity
- Calculate material quantities
Correct answer: Identify natural drainage patterns and flow paths that may concentrate runoff
Drainage maps help inspectors understand natural flow paths so that BMPs can be placed to intercept runoff before it causes erosion or transports sediment off-site.
Question 4: The RUSLE factor 'K' represents:
- Rainfall erosivity
- Soil erodibility (Correct answer)
- Slope length and steepness
- Cover-management factor
Correct answer: Soil erodibility
The K factor in RUSLE represents soil erodibility, quantifying a soil's susceptibility to detachment and transport by rainfall and runoff.
Question 5: Which slope percentage is generally considered the threshold requiring more intensive erosion control measures?
- 2%
- 5% (Correct answer)
- 10%
- 25%
Correct answer: 5%
Slopes of 5% or greater typically require more intensive erosion control measures because runoff velocity and erosive energy increase significantly above this threshold.
Question 6: During site assessment, a CEPSCI inspector should evaluate the site's proximity to:
- Nearby commercial businesses only
- Water bodies, wetlands, and sensitive receiving waters (Correct answer)
- Property lines of adjacent parcels
- Overhead power lines
Correct answer: Water bodies, wetlands, and sensitive receiving waters
Proximity to water bodies, wetlands, and sensitive receiving waters determines the level of protection needed and may trigger additional regulatory requirements.
CEPSCI Site Assessment and Planning 1
What is the primary purpose of a pre-construction site assessment for erosion and sediment control?