CPESC Sediment Control Best Practices 4

Question 1

What is the recommended minimum length of a construction entrance/exit stabilization pad?

Accepted Answer

50 feet

Answer

A stabilized construction entrance is typically at least 50 feet long to allow adequate tire cleaning before vehicles reach public roads.

Question 2

Polyacrylamide (PAM) is used in erosion and sediment control primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Flocculate fine particles and reduce turbidity in stormwater runoff

Answer

PAM is an anionic flocculant that causes fine clay and silt particles to aggregate, settling out of runoff and significantly reducing turbidity.

Question 3

When installing a silt fence on a slope, the bottom of the fabric should be buried in a trench and backfilled to prevent:

Accepted Answer

Undercutting by runoff flowing beneath the fence

Answer

Burying the toe of the silt fence fabric prevents runoff from flowing under the fence (undercutting), which is one of the most common failure modes.

Question 4

A construction SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan) must be prepared for sites that disturb:

Accepted Answer

1 acre or more of land

Answer

Under the federal NPDES Construction General Permit, a SWPPP is required for all construction activities disturbing 1 or more acres (or less than 1 acre if part of a larger common plan).

Question 5

What is the main disadvantage of using straw bale barriers compared to silt fences for sediment control?

Accepted Answer

Straw bales decompose quickly and can introduce weed seeds

Answer

Straw bales decompose within a single construction season and often contain weed seeds that can establish invasive species on the disturbed site.

(CPESC) Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control Practice Test

(CPESC) Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control Practice Test

CPESC Sediment Control Best Practices 4