CPESC Permit Requirements 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which entity typically administers the NPDES Construction General Permit in states with EPA-authorized programs?
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- The state environmental agency (Correct answer)
- The local municipality
- The Federal Highway Administration
Correct answer: The state environmental agency
In states with EPA-authorized programs, the state environmental agency administers and issues NPDES permits, including the Construction General Permit.
Question 2: What does 'final stabilization' mean in the context of NPDES permit termination?
- At least 50% of the site is covered with temporary mulch
- All soil-disturbing activities are complete and uniform vegetative cover of at least 70% has been established (Correct answer)
- The site grading plan has been approved by the engineer
- Concrete or pavement has been placed on all disturbed areas
Correct answer: All soil-disturbing activities are complete and uniform vegetative cover of at least 70% has been established
Final stabilization requires that all soil-disturbing activities are complete and a uniform vegetative cover of at least 70% density (or equivalent permanent stabilization) has been established.
Question 3: Under most state NPDES programs, how frequently must construction sites be inspected by a qualified inspector?
- Once per month
- After every storm event and at least every 7 or 14 days (Correct answer)
- Only when a complaint is filed
- Quarterly during the active construction phase
Correct answer: After every storm event and at least every 7 or 14 days
Most NPDES Construction General Permits require inspections after storm events and at routine intervals of 7 or 14 days depending on site conditions.
Question 4: What information must be documented following each NPDES-required site inspection?
- Only BMP failures that require immediate repair
- Inspector qualifications, date, observations, BMP conditions, and corrective actions needed (Correct answer)
- The contractor's daily progress report and payment schedule
- Photographs only, no written documentation required
Correct answer: Inspector qualifications, date, observations, BMP conditions, and corrective actions needed
Inspection reports must document the date, inspector's name/qualifications, observations about BMPs, stormwater discharges, and any corrective actions required.
Question 5: A construction project discharges sediment-laden stormwater into a stream. Under the Clean Water Act, this constitutes a violation of which permit condition?
- The building permit's noise ordinance
- The effluent limitations and/or BMP implementation requirements of the NPDES permit (Correct answer)
- The Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 dredge-and-fill permit
- The local zoning variance approval
Correct answer: The effluent limitations and/or BMP implementation requirements of the NPDES permit
Discharging sediment-laden stormwater without adequate BMP controls violates NPDES permit effluent limitations and stormwater management requirements.
Question 6: Which of the following projects would most likely be exempt from NPDES stormwater permit requirements?
- A 2-acre commercial parking lot expansion
- Agricultural land disturbance for plowing and tilling (Correct answer)
- A 1.5-acre residential subdivision
- A highway widening project disturbing 3 acres
Correct answer: Agricultural land disturbance for plowing and tilling
Agricultural activities such as plowing and tilling are generally exempt from NPDES stormwater construction permit requirements under federal rules.
Question 7: What is the consequence of failing to submit an NOI before beginning land disturbance on a project requiring NPDES permit coverage?
- The project can proceed but must submit the NOI within 30 days
- The operator may face civil penalties for unpermitted discharge (Correct answer)
- The local building permit is automatically revoked
- Only a written warning is issued for first-time violations
Correct answer: The operator may face civil penalties for unpermitted discharge
Discharging stormwater without permit coverage (unpermitted discharge) can result in significant civil penalties under the Clean Water Act.
CPESC Permit Requirements 3
Which entity typically administers the NPDES Construction General Permit in states with EPA-authorized programs?