CESSWI - Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Storm Water Inspector Erosion Control BMPs Questions and Answers

Question 1

An inspector observes a stockpile of soil on a construction site that will be inactive for the next 21 days. Which of the following erosion control BMPs is MOST appropriate to prevent wind and water erosion from the stockpile?

Accepted Answer

Applying a soil tackifier or covering with a tarp.

Answer

Applying a soil tackifier binds the soil particles together, while covering with a tarp provides a direct physical barrier against wind and rain. A silt fence is a sediment control measure, not an erosion control measure for the pile itself. A diversion dike protects the pile from upslope runoff but doesn't prevent erosion from the pile's surface. Compaction can reduce infiltration but is not the primary method for preventing surface erosion on a temporary stockpile.

Question 2

On a 2:1 slope where vegetation needs to be established, which Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP) would be most suitable to protect the seed and soil until the vegetation takes root?

Accepted Answer

An erosion control blanket made of straw or coconut fiber.

Answer

Erosion control blankets (ECBs) made of natural fibers like straw or coconut are specifically designed to protect seed and soil on slopes, slow water velocity, and promote germination. A lightweight netting alone offers minimal protection. A TRM is typically for high-flow channels or permanent reinforcement, which is more than needed for establishing simple vegetation. Loose straw mulch is less effective on a steep 2:1 slope and would likely require netting or tackifier to hold it in place.

Question 3

A construction site plan calls for the use of check dams in a newly constructed drainage swale. What is the primary function of these check dams?

Accepted Answer

To reduce the velocity of water flow, preventing channel erosion.

Answer

The main purpose of a check dam is to reduce the velocity of concentrated stormwater flow within a channel or swale. By slowing the water, it reduces its erosive energy, which helps prevent scouring and gullying of the channel bed and banks, and allows some sediment to settle out.

Question 4

Which of the following is a key limitation when using standard mulching (e.g., loose straw) for erosion control?

Accepted Answer

It can be ineffective on slopes steeper than 3:1 without anchoring.

Answer

Loose organic mulches like straw can be easily displaced by wind or heavy runoff on steep slopes. Therefore, their effectiveness is limited on slopes steeper than 3:1 unless they are properly anchored with methods like crimping, netting, or applying a tackifier.

Question 5

During a site inspection, you notice a hydroseeding mix is being prepared. The contractor is adding a plant-based, glue-like substance to the slurry. What is the purpose of this additive?

Accepted Answer

To act as a tackifier to bind seed and mulch to the soil.

Answer

The substance being added is a tackifier. Tackifiers are used in hydroseeding mixtures to act as an adhesive, binding the seed, mulch fibers, and soil particles together. This is crucial for preventing the seed and mulch from being washed or blown away, especially on slopes, ensuring good seed-to-soil contact for germination.

(CESSWI) Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Storm Water Inspector Practice Test

(CESSWI) Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Storm Water Inspector Practice Test

CESSWI - Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Storm Water Inspector Erosion Control BMPs Questions and Answers