Virginia Erosion and Sediment
Control Inspector Exam
Erosion Impact Area - ✔✔ correct answer area of land NOT ASSOCIATED with a current land-
disturbing activity but contributing to sedimentation
How much more soil loss occurs from construction sites versus natural soil erosion rates? Agricultural
land? - ✔✔ correct answer 1000 times more than the average natural soil erosion rate.
20 times more than agricultural land.
What are 4 erosive forces? - ✔✔ correct answer wind
water
ice
gravity
Name and define 5 stages of soil erosion. - ✔✔ correct answer Raindrop- 90% of total soil erosion
Sheet- the soils ability to infiltrate water is exceeded and it runs in sheet flow (about 100 ft before
concentrating), how sediment gets transported
Rill- when sheet flow begins to concentrate, velocity and turbulence increase, but easily repaired
Gully-when rills converge, larger than rill and usually requires heavy equipment to repair
Channel- large volume of water increases the gully, vertical sides are observed or for an existing
streambed when structural integrity is destroyed
What are the factors of rainfall impact? - ✔✔ correct answer Kinetic energy is dependent on rainfall
amount/intensity, raindrop diameter, and raindrop velocity
What are two damaging effects of rainfall impact? - ✔✔ correct answer Causes soil compression
which reduces infiltration
Mainly occurs in May-Sept which is when disturbance is most active
4 factors influencing erosion - ✔✔ correct answer climate
groundcover (influenced by humans)
soil properties
topography (influenced by humans)
, Virginia Erosion and Sediment
Control Inspector Exam
What percent reduction occurs from vegetative cover? - ✔✔ correct answer 90-99%
What are soil properties? - ✔✔ correct answer Structure (particles adhere)
Texture (size)
Bulk density (how tightly packed)
% organic matter
infiltration (into soil)
permeability (through soil)
What is K factor? - ✔✔ correct answer the susceptibility of a particular soil to erosion
developed by permeability, soil texture, soil structure, and organic matter content
low K factor is low erodibility (0-0.23), and high is (0.37 +)
What is a variance? - ✔✔ correct answer granted by the VESCP authority to waive or modify a
requirement if it is too restrictive
can request during plan submission or during construction. if no reply after 10 days, then denied.
What is regulated land disturbing activity? - ✔✔ correct answer greater than or equal to 10,000
square ft
2500 in chesapeake bay preservation area
county use bonds - ✔✔ correct answer returned within 60 days of adequate stabilization
can't be more than 25% of estimated cost
to cover expenses should the applicant fail conservation action
Control Inspector Exam
Erosion Impact Area - ✔✔ correct answer area of land NOT ASSOCIATED with a current land-
disturbing activity but contributing to sedimentation
How much more soil loss occurs from construction sites versus natural soil erosion rates? Agricultural
land? - ✔✔ correct answer 1000 times more than the average natural soil erosion rate.
20 times more than agricultural land.
What are 4 erosive forces? - ✔✔ correct answer wind
water
ice
gravity
Name and define 5 stages of soil erosion. - ✔✔ correct answer Raindrop- 90% of total soil erosion
Sheet- the soils ability to infiltrate water is exceeded and it runs in sheet flow (about 100 ft before
concentrating), how sediment gets transported
Rill- when sheet flow begins to concentrate, velocity and turbulence increase, but easily repaired
Gully-when rills converge, larger than rill and usually requires heavy equipment to repair
Channel- large volume of water increases the gully, vertical sides are observed or for an existing
streambed when structural integrity is destroyed
What are the factors of rainfall impact? - ✔✔ correct answer Kinetic energy is dependent on rainfall
amount/intensity, raindrop diameter, and raindrop velocity
What are two damaging effects of rainfall impact? - ✔✔ correct answer Causes soil compression
which reduces infiltration
Mainly occurs in May-Sept which is when disturbance is most active
4 factors influencing erosion - ✔✔ correct answer climate
groundcover (influenced by humans)
soil properties
topography (influenced by humans)
, Virginia Erosion and Sediment
Control Inspector Exam
What percent reduction occurs from vegetative cover? - ✔✔ correct answer 90-99%
What are soil properties? - ✔✔ correct answer Structure (particles adhere)
Texture (size)
Bulk density (how tightly packed)
% organic matter
infiltration (into soil)
permeability (through soil)
What is K factor? - ✔✔ correct answer the susceptibility of a particular soil to erosion
developed by permeability, soil texture, soil structure, and organic matter content
low K factor is low erodibility (0-0.23), and high is (0.37 +)
What is a variance? - ✔✔ correct answer granted by the VESCP authority to waive or modify a
requirement if it is too restrictive
can request during plan submission or during construction. if no reply after 10 days, then denied.
What is regulated land disturbing activity? - ✔✔ correct answer greater than or equal to 10,000
square ft
2500 in chesapeake bay preservation area
county use bonds - ✔✔ correct answer returned within 60 days of adequate stabilization
can't be more than 25% of estimated cost
to cover expenses should the applicant fail conservation action
