CPESC Inspection Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a post-storm inspection, which condition would require IMMEDIATE corrective action before the next rainfall event?
- Minor sediment accumulation on paved surfaces
- A silt fence with more than 50% of its height filled with sediment (Correct answer)
- Temporary seeding that has not yet germinated after 3 days
- A construction entrance with slightly loosened rock
Correct answer: A silt fence with more than 50% of its height filled with sediment
A silt fence filled to more than 50% of its height has lost most of its storage capacity and must be cleaned or replaced before the next storm.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a pre-construction inspection on an erosion and sediment control plan?
- To verify that all equipment is on-site and operational
- To confirm that required BMPs are installed prior to earth-disturbing activities (Correct answer)
- To establish baseline vegetation cover percentages
- To identify subcontractors responsible for grading
Correct answer: To confirm that required BMPs are installed prior to earth-disturbing activities
Pre-construction inspections ensure all required BMPs are in place before any land disturbance begins, preventing erosion from the start.
Question 3: An inspector observes turbid discharge leaving a construction site during a storm event. What is the inspector's first required action?
- Issue a stop-work order immediately
- Document the discharge with photographs and written notes (Correct answer)
- Contact the state environmental agency directly
- Install additional silt fence along the property line
Correct answer: Document the discharge with photographs and written notes
Thorough documentation of the discharge, including photos, location, and time, is the first required step before any enforcement action.
Question 4: Which factor most significantly affects the inspection frequency required under most NPDES construction general permits?
- The total cost of the construction project
- The number of subcontractors on site
- The occurrence of rainfall events exceeding a threshold depth (Correct answer)
- The distance from the site to the nearest water body
Correct answer: The occurrence of rainfall events exceeding a threshold depth
Most CGPs require inspections within 24–72 hours after a qualifying rain event (typically ≥0.25 inches) in addition to routine inspections.
Question 5: When inspecting a sediment basin, which measurement is most critical for determining whether the structure is functioning properly?
- The slope of the embankment side slopes
- The available sediment storage capacity relative to design capacity (Correct answer)
- The distance from the basin to the nearest stream
- The type of vegetation growing on the embankment
Correct answer: The available sediment storage capacity relative to design capacity
Comparing current sediment accumulation to the design storage capacity determines whether cleanout is needed to maintain function.
Question 6: A construction SWPPP requires inspections every 7 calendar days. A holiday falls on the scheduled inspection day. What is the correct course of action?
- Skip the inspection and resume the normal schedule
- Conduct the inspection on the next business day and document the reason for the shift (Correct answer)
- Perform two inspections the following week to compensate
- Request a formal waiver from the regulatory agency
Correct answer: Conduct the inspection on the next business day and document the reason for the shift
Inspections should be conducted as close to the scheduled day as possible, and any deviation must be documented with the justification.
Question 7: Which of the following is the most appropriate method for documenting BMP effectiveness during an inspection?
- Verbal communication with the site superintendent
- Written inspection reports with photos, GPS coordinates, and corrective action timelines (Correct answer)
- Email summary sent to the project owner
- Handwritten notes kept in the inspector's personal notebook
Correct answer: Written inspection reports with photos, GPS coordinates, and corrective action timelines
Formal written inspection reports with photographic and locational documentation create the legally defensible record required by most permits.
CPESC Inspection Procedures 2
During a post-storm inspection, which condition would require IMMEDIATE corrective action before the next rainfall event?