CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN EROSION AND SEDIMENT
CONTROL (CPESC) SECTION 1 & 2 – PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES |CPESC EXAM
PREP LATEST UPDATE
SECTION 1 – REGULATIONS, PERMITTING, AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK
(Questions 1–45)
1. What does the acronym NPDES stand for?
A) National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
B) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
C) Natural Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
D) National Pollutant Discharge Erosion System
Answer: B
Rationale: NPDES stands for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System, established under Clean Water Act Section 402.
2. True or False: The NPDES requirements apply only to discharges of
stormwater either directly or through a municipal separate storm
drain system, to waters of the US.
Answer: True
Rationale: This is the statutory scope – any point source discharge
to WOTUS must have a permit, including stormwater conveyed via MS4s.
3. What does the acronym TMDL stand for?
A) Total Maximum Daily Limit
B) Total Minimum Daily Load
C) Total Maximum Daily Load
D) Total Maximum Discharge Level
Answer: C
Rationale: Total Maximum Daily Load is the maximum pollutant amount
a waterbody can receive daily while still meeting water quality standards.
1
,4. Define a TMDL.
Answer: The amount of a particular pollutant that a water body can
assimilate on a daily basis without violating applicable water
quality standards.
Rationale: TMDLs are calculated by EPA or states for impaired waters
listed under CWA Section 303(d).
5. What are the two types of stormwater permits issued under the
NPDES Program?
Answer: (1) The Construction General Permit (CGP) and
(2) The individual permit.
Rationale: CGPs cover multiple similar sites; individual permits are
site‑specific when the CGP does not provide adequate protection.
6. Under the Clean Water Act, what section authorizes the NPDES
permit program?
A) Section 301
B) Section 402
C) Section 404
D) Section 401
Answer: B
Rationale: Section 402 creates the NPDES framework. Section 401
deals with water quality certification; Section 404 covers dredge/fill.
7. True or False: A Construction General Permit (CGP) is typically
valid for 5 years and covers multiple sites.
Answer: True
Rationale: EPA and many states issue CGPs with 5‑year terms;
they are general permits that can apply to numerous construction
activities that meet eligibility criteria.
8. Which of the following is NOT a required element of a Stormwater
2
, Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)?
A) Site description
B) Erosion and sediment control BMPs
C) Post-construction stormwater management
D) Endangered species habitat assessment
Answer: D
Rationale: SWPPP must include site description, BMPs, inspections,
and post‑construction controls (for certain permits). ESA assessment
may be required for permit eligibility but is not a core SWPPP element.
9. The term "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) includes:
A) Only navigable rivers and lakes
B) All interstate waters and their tributaries
C) Only wetlands adjacent to navigable waters
D) Groundwater and isolated ponds
Answer: B
Rationale: WOTUS encompasses interstate waters, their tributaries,
and adjacent wetlands. Groundwater and most isolated ponds are
generally excluded (subject to case law).
10. True or False: An individual NPDES permit is required for any
construction activity that disturbs more than 1 acre, regardless
of whether a CGP exists.
Answer: False
Rationale: Most sites >1 acre are covered under the CGP if they
meet its eligibility requirements. An individual permit is
required only if the CGP does not apply or is insufficient.
11. What is the primary purpose of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) as it relates to erosion control?
A) To require federal agencies to consider environmental impacts
of major actions
B) To set national water quality standards
3
CONTROL (CPESC) SECTION 1 & 2 – PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES |CPESC EXAM
PREP LATEST UPDATE
SECTION 1 – REGULATIONS, PERMITTING, AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK
(Questions 1–45)
1. What does the acronym NPDES stand for?
A) National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
B) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
C) Natural Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
D) National Pollutant Discharge Erosion System
Answer: B
Rationale: NPDES stands for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System, established under Clean Water Act Section 402.
2. True or False: The NPDES requirements apply only to discharges of
stormwater either directly or through a municipal separate storm
drain system, to waters of the US.
Answer: True
Rationale: This is the statutory scope – any point source discharge
to WOTUS must have a permit, including stormwater conveyed via MS4s.
3. What does the acronym TMDL stand for?
A) Total Maximum Daily Limit
B) Total Minimum Daily Load
C) Total Maximum Daily Load
D) Total Maximum Discharge Level
Answer: C
Rationale: Total Maximum Daily Load is the maximum pollutant amount
a waterbody can receive daily while still meeting water quality standards.
1
,4. Define a TMDL.
Answer: The amount of a particular pollutant that a water body can
assimilate on a daily basis without violating applicable water
quality standards.
Rationale: TMDLs are calculated by EPA or states for impaired waters
listed under CWA Section 303(d).
5. What are the two types of stormwater permits issued under the
NPDES Program?
Answer: (1) The Construction General Permit (CGP) and
(2) The individual permit.
Rationale: CGPs cover multiple similar sites; individual permits are
site‑specific when the CGP does not provide adequate protection.
6. Under the Clean Water Act, what section authorizes the NPDES
permit program?
A) Section 301
B) Section 402
C) Section 404
D) Section 401
Answer: B
Rationale: Section 402 creates the NPDES framework. Section 401
deals with water quality certification; Section 404 covers dredge/fill.
7. True or False: A Construction General Permit (CGP) is typically
valid for 5 years and covers multiple sites.
Answer: True
Rationale: EPA and many states issue CGPs with 5‑year terms;
they are general permits that can apply to numerous construction
activities that meet eligibility criteria.
8. Which of the following is NOT a required element of a Stormwater
2
, Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)?
A) Site description
B) Erosion and sediment control BMPs
C) Post-construction stormwater management
D) Endangered species habitat assessment
Answer: D
Rationale: SWPPP must include site description, BMPs, inspections,
and post‑construction controls (for certain permits). ESA assessment
may be required for permit eligibility but is not a core SWPPP element.
9. The term "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) includes:
A) Only navigable rivers and lakes
B) All interstate waters and their tributaries
C) Only wetlands adjacent to navigable waters
D) Groundwater and isolated ponds
Answer: B
Rationale: WOTUS encompasses interstate waters, their tributaries,
and adjacent wetlands. Groundwater and most isolated ponds are
generally excluded (subject to case law).
10. True or False: An individual NPDES permit is required for any
construction activity that disturbs more than 1 acre, regardless
of whether a CGP exists.
Answer: False
Rationale: Most sites >1 acre are covered under the CGP if they
meet its eligibility requirements. An individual permit is
required only if the CGP does not apply or is insufficient.
11. What is the primary purpose of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) as it relates to erosion control?
A) To require federal agencies to consider environmental impacts
of major actions
B) To set national water quality standards
3
