CESSWI SWPPP and Plan Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A SWPPP inspection reveals that silt fence has been installed on contours rather than across slopes. What action should the inspector take?
- Note it as acceptable since silt fence placement is flexible
- Document the deficiency and require corrective action (Correct answer)
- Remove the silt fence immediately
- Issue a stop-work order without documentation
Correct answer: Document the deficiency and require corrective action
Silt fence must intercept sheet flow by running across slopes, not on contours; the inspector must document the deficiency and require corrective installation.
Question 2: When a SWPPP is revised to add a new sediment basin, the revision must be signed by:
- Any site employee who witnessed the change
- The original engineer who prepared the SWPPP
- A responsible corporate officer or duly authorized representative (Correct answer)
- The local municipality's inspector
Correct answer: A responsible corporate officer or duly authorized representative
NPDES regulations require that SWPPP amendments be certified and signed by a responsible corporate officer or authorized representative of the permittee.
Question 3: Which condition would most likely trigger the requirement to update the SWPPP's pollution prevention team contact list?
- A change in weather forecast
- A new subcontractor beginning grading operations
- A key responsible party leaving the project (Correct answer)
- Completion of final seeding
Correct answer: A key responsible party leaving the project
When a key responsible party leaves the project, the SWPPP contact list must be updated immediately to ensure current personnel are identified for compliance.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes a 'phased SWPPP'?
- A SWPPP that is updated seasonally
- A SWPPP prepared in stages as site design details become available during construction phases (Correct answer)
- A SWPPP that covers multiple permits simultaneously
- A SWPPP submitted in multiple binders
Correct answer: A SWPPP prepared in stages as site design details become available during construction phases
A phased SWPPP is developed in stages to match the level of design detail available, with updates as construction phases progress and more site information is known.
Question 5: A construction site inspector finds that discharge from the site during a storm event is visibly turbid and brown. The first step should be:
- Call the contractor and ask them to monitor it
- Document the discharge, assess BMP performance, and determine the source (Correct answer)
- Wait until the storm ends before taking any action
- Immediately issue a notice of violation
Correct answer: Document the discharge, assess BMP performance, and determine the source
The inspector should document the observation, trace the discharge to its source, and evaluate whether BMPs failed or were absent, before determining the appropriate response.
Question 6: The SWPPP for a linear utility project must address which unique challenge compared to a typical construction site?
- Longer permit duration requirements
- Multiple points of active disturbance moving along the alignment simultaneously (Correct answer)
- Higher minimum perimeter control standards
- Mandatory soil sampling at all crossings
Correct answer: Multiple points of active disturbance moving along the alignment simultaneously
Linear projects (pipelines, roads) involve a moving construction front with multiple simultaneous disturbance points that require coordinated, sequential BMP management.
Question 7: What does the term 'common plan of development' mean in the context of SWPPP and permit coverage requirements?
- A shared BMP design used by neighboring sites
- Any contiguous area where multiple construction activities will occur under a single plan (Correct answer)
- A state-approved SWPPP template
- A permit that covers multiple operators under one document
Correct answer: Any contiguous area where multiple construction activities will occur under a single plan
A 'common plan of development' is a contiguous area planned for construction activities, and all disturbance within it is aggregated to determine permit applicability.
CESSWI SWPPP and Plan Management 3
A SWPPP inspection reveals that silt fence has been installed on contours rather than across slopes.
What action should the inspector take?