CEPSCI Certification Questions with CORRECT
Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1:
Why erosion prevention and sediment control are important?
Answer:
Stormwater runoff is leading cause of impaired water in SC. Protect downstream surface
water and aquatic habitats
Question 2:
Erosion
Answer:
Process by which land surface is worn away by action of water, wind, ice and gravity.
Question 3:
Natural erosion
Answer:
aka Geologic erosion. relative slow most rapid along shorelines and stream channels
produces about 30% of eroded sediment in US
Question 4:
Accelerated erosion
Answer:
erosion at elevated rate bc of human activity agriculture, timber harvesting and construction
are primary contributors accounts for remaining 70% of eroded sediment in US
,Question 5:
Factors influencing erosion
Answer:
climate (frequency, intensity and duration of rainfall for a region) season (more intense storms
in summer) vegetative cover topography soil characteristics (texture, percentage of organic
content, structure, and permeability)
Question 6:
Sedimentation
Answer:
Process by which eroded material is transported and deposited.
Question 7:
Negative impacts of sedimentation
Answer:
screens out sunlight/reduces water clarity. fills channels and reduces capacity. pollutants
attached to sediment particles can impact downstream water quality.
Question 8:
NPDES
Answer:
aka National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. Created by the 1972 Clean Water Act.
Question 9:
1987
Answer:
Amendment to CWA called Water Quality Act required EPA to develop program to regulate
storm discharges under NPDES program.
, Question 10:
Point source pollution
Answer:
Discharges from readily identifiable sources such as wastewater treatment plants or industrial
facilities.
Question 11:
Nonpoint source pollution
Answer:
Discharges that are less easily identifiable such as runoff from urbanized or agricultural areas.
Question 12:
DHEC
Answer:
aka Department of Health and Environmental Control. This regulation administers NPDES
regulations, but EPA has authority to exert jurisdiction in SC.
Question 13:
CGP
Answer:
aka Construction General Permit. One of several NPDES permits administered by DHEC.
Question 14:
Who must obtain NPDES coverage?
Answer:
land disturbing activities greater than or equal to 1 acre. land disturbance less than 1 acre
within half a mile of a receiving water body in SC Coastal Zone. Exception: SFR development
NOT part of larger common plan of development.
Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1:
Why erosion prevention and sediment control are important?
Answer:
Stormwater runoff is leading cause of impaired water in SC. Protect downstream surface
water and aquatic habitats
Question 2:
Erosion
Answer:
Process by which land surface is worn away by action of water, wind, ice and gravity.
Question 3:
Natural erosion
Answer:
aka Geologic erosion. relative slow most rapid along shorelines and stream channels
produces about 30% of eroded sediment in US
Question 4:
Accelerated erosion
Answer:
erosion at elevated rate bc of human activity agriculture, timber harvesting and construction
are primary contributors accounts for remaining 70% of eroded sediment in US
,Question 5:
Factors influencing erosion
Answer:
climate (frequency, intensity and duration of rainfall for a region) season (more intense storms
in summer) vegetative cover topography soil characteristics (texture, percentage of organic
content, structure, and permeability)
Question 6:
Sedimentation
Answer:
Process by which eroded material is transported and deposited.
Question 7:
Negative impacts of sedimentation
Answer:
screens out sunlight/reduces water clarity. fills channels and reduces capacity. pollutants
attached to sediment particles can impact downstream water quality.
Question 8:
NPDES
Answer:
aka National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. Created by the 1972 Clean Water Act.
Question 9:
1987
Answer:
Amendment to CWA called Water Quality Act required EPA to develop program to regulate
storm discharges under NPDES program.
, Question 10:
Point source pollution
Answer:
Discharges from readily identifiable sources such as wastewater treatment plants or industrial
facilities.
Question 11:
Nonpoint source pollution
Answer:
Discharges that are less easily identifiable such as runoff from urbanized or agricultural areas.
Question 12:
DHEC
Answer:
aka Department of Health and Environmental Control. This regulation administers NPDES
regulations, but EPA has authority to exert jurisdiction in SC.
Question 13:
CGP
Answer:
aka Construction General Permit. One of several NPDES permits administered by DHEC.
Question 14:
Who must obtain NPDES coverage?
Answer:
land disturbing activities greater than or equal to 1 acre. land disturbance less than 1 acre
within half a mile of a receiving water body in SC Coastal Zone. Exception: SFR development
NOT part of larger common plan of development.
