CESSWI Documentation and Reporting 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A SWPPP amendment log should record which of the following for each amendment?
- Only the date the amendment was made
- The date, description of the change, reason for the change, and the person who authorized it (Correct answer)
- The cost of implementing the change
- The contractor's insurance policy number
Correct answer: The date, description of the change, reason for the change, and the person who authorized it
A complete amendment log captures the date, a clear description of what changed, why it changed, and who approved the change to maintain an auditable record.
Question 2: When documenting soil stabilization status, which descriptor correctly distinguishes 'final stabilization' from 'temporary stabilization'?
- Final stabilization uses erosion control blankets; temporary stabilization uses seeding
- Final stabilization means all disturbed areas have a uniform perennial vegetative cover of ≥70% or equivalent permanent measures; temporary stabilization is an interim measure (Correct answer)
- Final stabilization requires installation of a sediment basin; temporary stabilization does not
- Final stabilization is documented only in the NOT; temporary stabilization is never documented
Correct answer: Final stabilization means all disturbed areas have a uniform perennial vegetative cover of ≥70% or equivalent permanent measures; temporary stabilization is an interim measure
Final stabilization is defined as achieving ≥70% perennial vegetative cover (or equivalent) on all disturbed areas, while temporary stabilization is any interim measure used during active construction.
Question 3: Which situation requires an inspector to amend the SWPPP and update documentation before construction resumes?
- A temporary silt fence post needs resetting
- A new phase of grading exposes additional acreage not reflected in the original plan (Correct answer)
- Daily precipitation totals fall below the inspection-trigger threshold
- A subcontractor changes shift supervisors
Correct answer: A new phase of grading exposes additional acreage not reflected in the original plan
A new grading phase that disturbs area not covered by the original SWPPP represents a material change requiring a plan amendment so the document accurately reflects current site conditions.
Question 4: In stormwater record-keeping, what is the purpose of maintaining a 'chain of custody' for water quality samples?
- To comply with financial audit requirements
- To ensure sample integrity and document who collected, handled, and analyzed each sample (Correct answer)
- To track the physical location of portable instruments
- To assign legal liability to the laboratory
Correct answer: To ensure sample integrity and document who collected, handled, and analyzed each sample
Chain of custody documentation proves that samples were collected properly and remained uncontaminated from field collection through laboratory analysis, making results defensible in regulatory proceedings.
Question 5: Which record type is used to document that a contractor received and understood the SWPPP requirements before beginning earth disturbance?
- Hazardous materials manifest
- Subcontractor acknowledgment form or training record (Correct answer)
- Notice of Intent (NOI)
- Daily rainfall log
Correct answer: Subcontractor acknowledgment form or training record
Subcontractor acknowledgment forms (or training records) document that workers responsible for BMP installation and maintenance have been informed of SWPPP requirements before disturbing soil.
Question 6: An inspector's report notes a silt fence with sediment deposited to one-third of its height. What corrective action timeline is typically required under most CGP-equivalent permits?
- Immediate repair before leaving the site
- Removal within 24 hours
- Cleanout or replacement within 7 calendar days of the inspection (Correct answer)
- No action required until sediment reaches two-thirds fence height
Correct answer: Cleanout or replacement within 7 calendar days of the inspection
Most permits require BMP maintenance, including silt fence cleanout, to occur within 7 calendar days of the inspection identifying the deficiency, though some states have shorter deadlines.
Question 7: What is the primary difference between an 'inspection report' and an 'incident report' in CESSWI documentation practice?
- Inspection reports are required monthly; incident reports are required annually
- Inspection reports document routine site conditions; incident reports document specific pollution events or regulatory violations (Correct answer)
- Inspection reports are kept on-site; incident reports are sent only to contractors
- There is no functional difference between the two document types
Correct answer: Inspection reports document routine site conditions; incident reports document specific pollution events or regulatory violations
Inspection reports capture scheduled or periodic site assessments, while incident reports specifically document pollution events, spills, or permit violations that require separate notification and follow-up.
CESSWI Documentation and Reporting 3
A SWPPP amendment log should record which of the following for each amendment?