CEPSCI TEST REVIEW QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (GRADED A+)
Erosion - ANSWER-The process by which the land surface is worn away by the action
of water, wind, ice and gravity.
Natural Erosion (Geological Erosion) - ANSWER-All natural process which generally
occurs along shorelines and stream channels producing about 30% of eroded sediment
in the US
Accelerated Erosion - ANSWER-Erosion at an elevated rate because of human activity;
accounts for 70% of eroded sediment in the US
Sedimentation - ANSWER-The process by which eroded material is transported and
deposited
1972-Clean Water Act - ANSWER-Administered by the US Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA); Created the NPDES permitting process.
1987 Water Quality Act - ANSWER-Amendment to CWA which required the EPA to
develop a program to regulate storm discharges under NPDES program.
NPDES in South Carolina - ANSWER-NPDES regulations are administered by
SCDHEC;
EPA does have authority to exert jurisdiction in SC;
CGP is one of several NPDES permits administered by DHEC.
CGP - ANSWER-Authorizes storm water discharges from construction sites.
Who must obtain NPDES coverage? - ANSWER-Land disturbing activities greater than
or equal to 1 acre;
Land disturbance less that 1 acre within 1/2 mile of a receiving water body in the SC
Coastal Zone;
exceptions of single family residential developments not apart of a larger common plan
of development.
Who is Permitted? (NPDES) - ANSWER-NPDES permits are issued to an operator -
person or company - for a particular discharge. Permits are NOT issued to the parcel or
project.
Categories of Operators - ANSWER-Primary Permittees
Secondary Permittees
Contractors
, Lending and Other Institutions
Primary Permittee - ANSWER-Meets one or both of the following criteria;
- Has operational control over SWPPP, construction plans and specifications
- Has day-to-day operational control of those activities necessary to ensure compliance
with the SWPPP
To obtain coverage under the CGP, primary permittees must submit: - ANSWER-- NOI
- Preparation of the C-SWPPP
Secondary Permittee - ANSWER-- For residential subdivisions, permit coverage may
either: continue with the primary permittee or the Primary Permittee may require
builders to obtain coverage as a Secondary Permittee.
- Secondary Permittee conducts land-disturbing activity limited to an individual lot or
group of lots.
Contractors - ANSWER--All entities involved with land-disturbing activities or whose
work may impact the quality of storm-water runoff.
- Before beginning work, contractors must participate in a pre-construction conference
and complete Pre-Construction Conference Certification Form (d-0436)
- Complete a Contractor Certification Form (d-0437)
OS-SWPPP Modifications - ANSWER-- Revisions by compliance inspectors or
regulatory officials including repairs or maintenance must be completed within 7
calendar days following the inspection
Linear Site Inspections - ANSWER-- Linear activities may have limited access to
disturbed areas
- In such cases, representative inspections may be performed
- For representative inspections, personnel must investigate BMPs along the site for
0.25 miles above and below each access point where the site intersects with:
- Roadways
- Undisturbed right of way
- Other similar features
An Inspection Report must include: - ANSWER-- Inspection date
- Name, title, qualification of inspector
- Weather information for period since last inspection
- Weather information and description of any discharges occurring at time of inspection
- Locations of discharges of sediment or other pollutants leaving the site
- Locations of BMPs that need maintenance
- Locations of any BMPs that failed to operate as designed or have proven inadequate
for a particular location
- Locations where additional BMPs are needed that did not exist at the time of
inspection
- Corrective action required including any changes to the OS-SWPPP necessary
ANSWERS (GRADED A+)
Erosion - ANSWER-The process by which the land surface is worn away by the action
of water, wind, ice and gravity.
Natural Erosion (Geological Erosion) - ANSWER-All natural process which generally
occurs along shorelines and stream channels producing about 30% of eroded sediment
in the US
Accelerated Erosion - ANSWER-Erosion at an elevated rate because of human activity;
accounts for 70% of eroded sediment in the US
Sedimentation - ANSWER-The process by which eroded material is transported and
deposited
1972-Clean Water Act - ANSWER-Administered by the US Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA); Created the NPDES permitting process.
1987 Water Quality Act - ANSWER-Amendment to CWA which required the EPA to
develop a program to regulate storm discharges under NPDES program.
NPDES in South Carolina - ANSWER-NPDES regulations are administered by
SCDHEC;
EPA does have authority to exert jurisdiction in SC;
CGP is one of several NPDES permits administered by DHEC.
CGP - ANSWER-Authorizes storm water discharges from construction sites.
Who must obtain NPDES coverage? - ANSWER-Land disturbing activities greater than
or equal to 1 acre;
Land disturbance less that 1 acre within 1/2 mile of a receiving water body in the SC
Coastal Zone;
exceptions of single family residential developments not apart of a larger common plan
of development.
Who is Permitted? (NPDES) - ANSWER-NPDES permits are issued to an operator -
person or company - for a particular discharge. Permits are NOT issued to the parcel or
project.
Categories of Operators - ANSWER-Primary Permittees
Secondary Permittees
Contractors
, Lending and Other Institutions
Primary Permittee - ANSWER-Meets one or both of the following criteria;
- Has operational control over SWPPP, construction plans and specifications
- Has day-to-day operational control of those activities necessary to ensure compliance
with the SWPPP
To obtain coverage under the CGP, primary permittees must submit: - ANSWER-- NOI
- Preparation of the C-SWPPP
Secondary Permittee - ANSWER-- For residential subdivisions, permit coverage may
either: continue with the primary permittee or the Primary Permittee may require
builders to obtain coverage as a Secondary Permittee.
- Secondary Permittee conducts land-disturbing activity limited to an individual lot or
group of lots.
Contractors - ANSWER--All entities involved with land-disturbing activities or whose
work may impact the quality of storm-water runoff.
- Before beginning work, contractors must participate in a pre-construction conference
and complete Pre-Construction Conference Certification Form (d-0436)
- Complete a Contractor Certification Form (d-0437)
OS-SWPPP Modifications - ANSWER-- Revisions by compliance inspectors or
regulatory officials including repairs or maintenance must be completed within 7
calendar days following the inspection
Linear Site Inspections - ANSWER-- Linear activities may have limited access to
disturbed areas
- In such cases, representative inspections may be performed
- For representative inspections, personnel must investigate BMPs along the site for
0.25 miles above and below each access point where the site intersects with:
- Roadways
- Undisturbed right of way
- Other similar features
An Inspection Report must include: - ANSWER-- Inspection date
- Name, title, qualification of inspector
- Weather information for period since last inspection
- Weather information and description of any discharges occurring at time of inspection
- Locations of discharges of sediment or other pollutants leaving the site
- Locations of BMPs that need maintenance
- Locations of any BMPs that failed to operate as designed or have proven inadequate
for a particular location
- Locations where additional BMPs are needed that did not exist at the time of
inspection
- Corrective action required including any changes to the OS-SWPPP necessary
