SWPPP and Plan Management Flashcards
7 cards from real CESSWI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 SWPPP and Plan Management flashcards as text
Which of the following best describes 'final stabilization' as defined under the EPA Construction General Permit?
Answer: All soil-disturbing activities are complete and a uniform perennial vegetative cover of at least 70% density is established, or equivalent non-vegetative cover
Final stabilization under the CGP requires that all earth disturbance is complete and vegetative cover of at least 70% density (or equivalent) is uniformly established across previously disturbed areas.
During a routine SWPPP inspection after a 0.5-inch rainfall, no discharge was observed. The inspector should:
Answer: Document inspection findings including the no-discharge observation and BMP conditions
All required inspections must be fully documented regardless of discharge conditions, including observations of BMP status and the no-discharge finding.
A SWPPP requires inspections every 7 days and within 24 hours after a 0.25-inch rain event. During a week with two qualifying rain events, the minimum number of required inspections is:
Answer: 3
The two post-storm inspections (within 24 hours of each event) satisfy the weekly requirement if they occur within the 7-day interval, resulting in a minimum of 2 inspections for that week.
Which element distinguishes a pollution prevention plan from a standard erosion control plan within a SWPPP?
Answer: Pollution prevention plans address non-sediment pollutants such as concrete washout, fuels, and chemicals
Pollution prevention measures address non-sediment construction pollutants (fuels, concrete, paints, chemicals), while erosion control focuses on soil loss and sedimentation.
Which scenario would most likely require an operator to obtain individual NPDES permit coverage rather than coverage under a Construction General Permit?
Answer: A site with a history of permit violations and a significant potential for water quality harm
EPA or a state agency may require individual permit coverage when a site poses a significant risk to water quality, such as a pattern of violations or proximity to sensitive resources.
What role does the 'corrective action log' play in SWPPP management?
Answer: It documents deficiencies found during inspections, required repairs, responsible parties, and completion dates
The corrective action log creates an auditable record of identified deficiencies, the actions required to correct them, and confirmation that repairs were completed within required timeframes.
A SWPPP is prepared for a site but a large rain event causes significant sediment discharge before all BMPs are installed. The most appropriate regulatory response from the permitting authority is:
Answer: Assessment of potential permit non-compliance and possible enforcement action
A discharge caused by BMPs not being in place before disturbance is a permit non-compliance event and may result in enforcement action; weather does not automatically excuse the violation.