NPDES Construction General Permit
(CGP) Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
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1.Which of the following is the primary purpose of the National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit (CGP)?
A. To regulate emissions from construction equipment
B. To minimize the discharge of pollutants from construction activities into
waters of the United States
C. To authorize stormwater discharges from eligible construction activities
while requiring measures to protect water quality
D. To establish local zoning requirements for construction projects
Rationale: The CGP authorizes stormwater discharges associated with
construction activities while requiring operators to implement controls
that minimize pollutants entering waters of the United States in
accordance with the Clean Water Act.
2. Which federal law established the NPDES permitting program?
A. Safe Drinking Water Act
B. National Environmental Policy Act
C. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
D. Clean Water Act
,Rationale: The Clean Water Act established the NPDES program to regulate
pollutant discharges into waters of the United States through a permitting
system.
3. Under the EPA CGP, construction activities generally require permit
coverage when they disturb:
A. 5 acres or more only
B. 10 acres or more only
C. One acre or more of land, or are part of a larger common plan of
development
D. Any amount of soil regardless of size
Rationale: Construction activities disturbing one acre or more, or smaller
projects that are part of a larger common plan of development exceeding
one acre, generally require permit coverage.
4. Which document identifies potential pollutant sources and describes
practices used to reduce stormwater pollution at a construction site?
A. Environmental Impact Statement
B. Hazard Communication Plan
C. Emergency Response Plan
D. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
Rationale: The SWPPP serves as the primary planning document for
identifying pollution risks and specifying erosion, sediment, and pollution
prevention measures.
5. Which of the following is considered an operator under the CGP?
A. Only the property owner
B. Only the general contractor
C. Any party with operational control over construction activities or the
ability to modify the SWPPP
D. Only the project engineer
, Rationale: The CGP defines an operator as a person or entity with
sufficient operational control over construction plans, specifications, or
day-to-day activities affecting permit compliance.
6. Before obtaining CGP coverage, an operator generally submits a:
A. Spill Response Report
B. Water Quality Certification
C. Air Emissions Inventory
D. Notice of Intent (NOI)
Rationale: An NOI notifies the permitting authority that an eligible
operator intends to obtain coverage under the Construction General
Permit.
7. Which pollutant is typically the greatest concern in stormwater runoff
from construction sites?
A. Carbon dioxide
B. Nitrogen gas
C. Sediment
D. Methane
Rationale: Sediment is the most common pollutant from construction
activities because disturbed soil can easily be transported by stormwater
into nearby water bodies.
8. What is the primary purpose of erosion controls?
A. Increase stormwater flow
B. Prevent soil from becoming detached and transported
C. Remove oil from runoff
D. Increase infiltration into paved areas
Rationale: Erosion controls stabilize soil and prevent sediment from being
generated in the first place, making them more effective than relying
solely on sediment controls.
(CGP) Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
1.Which of the following is the primary purpose of the National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit (CGP)?
A. To regulate emissions from construction equipment
B. To minimize the discharge of pollutants from construction activities into
waters of the United States
C. To authorize stormwater discharges from eligible construction activities
while requiring measures to protect water quality
D. To establish local zoning requirements for construction projects
Rationale: The CGP authorizes stormwater discharges associated with
construction activities while requiring operators to implement controls
that minimize pollutants entering waters of the United States in
accordance with the Clean Water Act.
2. Which federal law established the NPDES permitting program?
A. Safe Drinking Water Act
B. National Environmental Policy Act
C. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
D. Clean Water Act
,Rationale: The Clean Water Act established the NPDES program to regulate
pollutant discharges into waters of the United States through a permitting
system.
3. Under the EPA CGP, construction activities generally require permit
coverage when they disturb:
A. 5 acres or more only
B. 10 acres or more only
C. One acre or more of land, or are part of a larger common plan of
development
D. Any amount of soil regardless of size
Rationale: Construction activities disturbing one acre or more, or smaller
projects that are part of a larger common plan of development exceeding
one acre, generally require permit coverage.
4. Which document identifies potential pollutant sources and describes
practices used to reduce stormwater pollution at a construction site?
A. Environmental Impact Statement
B. Hazard Communication Plan
C. Emergency Response Plan
D. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
Rationale: The SWPPP serves as the primary planning document for
identifying pollution risks and specifying erosion, sediment, and pollution
prevention measures.
5. Which of the following is considered an operator under the CGP?
A. Only the property owner
B. Only the general contractor
C. Any party with operational control over construction activities or the
ability to modify the SWPPP
D. Only the project engineer
, Rationale: The CGP defines an operator as a person or entity with
sufficient operational control over construction plans, specifications, or
day-to-day activities affecting permit compliance.
6. Before obtaining CGP coverage, an operator generally submits a:
A. Spill Response Report
B. Water Quality Certification
C. Air Emissions Inventory
D. Notice of Intent (NOI)
Rationale: An NOI notifies the permitting authority that an eligible
operator intends to obtain coverage under the Construction General
Permit.
7. Which pollutant is typically the greatest concern in stormwater runoff
from construction sites?
A. Carbon dioxide
B. Nitrogen gas
C. Sediment
D. Methane
Rationale: Sediment is the most common pollutant from construction
activities because disturbed soil can easily be transported by stormwater
into nearby water bodies.
8. What is the primary purpose of erosion controls?
A. Increase stormwater flow
B. Prevent soil from becoming detached and transported
C. Remove oil from runoff
D. Increase infiltration into paved areas
Rationale: Erosion controls stabilize soil and prevent sediment from being
generated in the first place, making them more effective than relying
solely on sediment controls.
