CESSWI Regulations and Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Clean Water Act Section 402, which program specifically governs stormwater discharges from construction sites?
- Section 404 Dredge and Fill Program
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) (Correct answer)
- Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program
- Section 319 Nonpoint Source Program
Correct answer: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
The NPDES program under CWA Section 402 regulates point source discharges including stormwater from construction activities.
Question 2: A construction site disturbing 0.8 acres is located in a state that has been authorized by EPA to administer its own NPDES program. Which permit authority applies?
- The site is exempt because it is under 1 acre
- EPA issues the federal NPDES permit directly
- The state issues its own equivalent permit under state authority (Correct answer)
- No permit is required until the site exceeds 5 acres
Correct answer: The state issues its own equivalent permit under state authority
In states with EPA-authorized NPDES programs, the state administers its own stormwater permits and the state permit applies.
Question 3: Which EPA Phase II rule expanded NPDES stormwater permit requirements to include construction sites of what minimum acreage?
- 5 acres or more
- 2 acres or more
- 1 acre or more (Correct answer)
- 0.5 acres or more
Correct answer: 1 acre or more
The EPA Phase II stormwater rule (effective 2003) extended permit requirements to construction sites disturbing 1 acre or more.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) under the Construction General Permit?
- To estimate project costs for erosion control materials
- To document BMPs and site conditions to prevent pollutant discharge (Correct answer)
- To satisfy local zoning and land-use approval requirements
- To calculate the peak discharge rate for drainage design
Correct answer: To document BMPs and site conditions to prevent pollutant discharge
A SWPPP identifies BMPs and site-specific measures to prevent stormwater pollution from reaching waters of the United States.
Question 5: Under the EPA Construction General Permit, operators must conduct routine inspections of BMPs at least how frequently during active construction?
- Once per month
- Every 14 calendar days and within 24 hours of a 0.25-inch rain event (Correct answer)
- Weekly regardless of weather conditions
- Daily during all grading operations
Correct answer: Every 14 calendar days and within 24 hours of a 0.25-inch rain event
The EPA CGP requires inspections every 14 days and within 24 hours of a qualifying storm event to verify BMP effectiveness.
Question 6: Which of the following is NOT typically required to be included in a SWPPP?
- Site map showing drainage patterns and BMP locations
- Description of potential pollutant sources
- Contractor's liability insurance certificate (Correct answer)
- Inspection and maintenance procedures for BMPs
Correct answer: Contractor's liability insurance certificate
Insurance certificates are not a SWPPP regulatory requirement; the plan must address pollution prevention, not contractor finances.
Question 7: When a construction project is complete and all areas are stabilized, what must the permit holder file to terminate NPDES permit coverage?
- A Notice of Termination (NOT) (Correct answer)
- A Certificate of Occupancy
- A Final Inspection Report
- A Notice of Intent (NOI) amendment
Correct answer: A Notice of Termination (NOT)
A Notice of Termination (NOT) is submitted to the permitting authority once the site is stabilized and permit coverage is no longer needed.
CESSWI Regulations and Compliance 2
Under the Clean Water Act Section 402, which program specifically governs stormwater discharges from construction sites?