Virginia DEQ Erosion & Sediment Control Mock Exam
| Full-Length Practice Test with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales
QUESTION 1
What state agency is responsible for establishing statewide regulations
and conducting periodic reviews of local Erosion and Sediment
Management programs in Virginia?
A. Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)
B. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
C. State Corporation Commission
D. Department of Wildlife Resources
Correct Answer: B. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
Detailed Rationale: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
(DEQ) holds statewide regulatory and oversight authority for the
administration and evaluation of local Erosion and Sediment Control
(ESC) and stormwater programs.
QUESTION 2
Under general Virginia ESC regulations, what standard size of land-
disturbing activity triggers the requirement for an approved ESC plan?
A. 2,500 square feet
B. 5,000 square feet
,C. 10,000 square feet
D. 1 acre
Correct Answer: C. 10,000 square feet
Detailed Rationale: The baseline statutory threshold triggering a formal
approved erosion and sediment control plan for general land-disturbing
activities in Virginia is 10,000 square feet.
QUESTION 3
Within designated Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas (CBPAs), what is
the land-disturbing threshold that triggers an approved ESC plan?
A. 2,500 square feet
B. 5,000 square feet
C. 10,000 square feet
D. 1 acre
Correct Answer: A. 2,500 square feet
Detailed Rationale: Due to sensitive ecological conditions near coastal
and bay resources, land-disturbing activities within CBPAs are subject to
a stricter threshold of 2,500 square feet.
QUESTION 4
What is the primary duty of a certified Responsible Land Disturber (RLD)
on a Virginia construction site?
A. To design structural engineering stormwater retention vaults
B. To ensure day-to-day compliance with the approved ESC plan and
state regulations on-site
,C. To prosecute criminal environmental violations in court
D. To review municipal tax assessments
Correct Answer: B. To ensure day-to-day compliance with the approved
ESC plan and state regulations on-site
Detailed Rationale:* Applicable projects must designate a certified RLD
who is directly responsible for overseeing on-site implementation and
maintenance of erosion controls.
QUESTION 5
What qualification must an individual hold to legally review and
approve erosion and sediment control plans for a local program
authority?
A. Commercial driver's license
B. DEQ Certified Plan Reviewer certification
C. Real estate broker license
D. Professional structural building contractor card
Correct Answer: B. DEQ Certified Plan Reviewer certification
Detailed Rationale: Plan reviewers must complete specialized training
and earn DEQ certification to evaluate construction plans for technical
adequacy and regulatory adherence before approval.
QUESTION 6
How frequently does the Department of Environmental Quality conduct
formal periodic reviews of local VESMP authorities?
A. Every year
, B. Every 5 years
C. Every 25 years
D. DEQ never reviews local programs.
Correct Answer: B. Every 5 years
Detailed Rationale: State regulations mandate that DEQ execute
periodic program reviews of local program authorities every five years
to ensure consistent enforcement and statutory compliance.
QUESTION 7
Within how many days must permanent or temporary soil stabilization
be applied after final grade is reached on any portion of a site?
A. Within 7 days
B. Within 30 days
C. Within 90 days
D. Within 1 year
Correct Answer: A. Within 7 days
Detailed Rationale: Standard minimum requirements dictate that once
final grade is achieved on any section of a project, stabilization
measures must be applied within 7 days.
QUESTION 8
If a denuded construction area is to remain dormant, within how many
days must temporary stabilization be applied if inactivity exceeds 14
days?
A. Within 7 days
| Full-Length Practice Test with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales
QUESTION 1
What state agency is responsible for establishing statewide regulations
and conducting periodic reviews of local Erosion and Sediment
Management programs in Virginia?
A. Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)
B. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
C. State Corporation Commission
D. Department of Wildlife Resources
Correct Answer: B. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
Detailed Rationale: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
(DEQ) holds statewide regulatory and oversight authority for the
administration and evaluation of local Erosion and Sediment Control
(ESC) and stormwater programs.
QUESTION 2
Under general Virginia ESC regulations, what standard size of land-
disturbing activity triggers the requirement for an approved ESC plan?
A. 2,500 square feet
B. 5,000 square feet
,C. 10,000 square feet
D. 1 acre
Correct Answer: C. 10,000 square feet
Detailed Rationale: The baseline statutory threshold triggering a formal
approved erosion and sediment control plan for general land-disturbing
activities in Virginia is 10,000 square feet.
QUESTION 3
Within designated Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas (CBPAs), what is
the land-disturbing threshold that triggers an approved ESC plan?
A. 2,500 square feet
B. 5,000 square feet
C. 10,000 square feet
D. 1 acre
Correct Answer: A. 2,500 square feet
Detailed Rationale: Due to sensitive ecological conditions near coastal
and bay resources, land-disturbing activities within CBPAs are subject to
a stricter threshold of 2,500 square feet.
QUESTION 4
What is the primary duty of a certified Responsible Land Disturber (RLD)
on a Virginia construction site?
A. To design structural engineering stormwater retention vaults
B. To ensure day-to-day compliance with the approved ESC plan and
state regulations on-site
,C. To prosecute criminal environmental violations in court
D. To review municipal tax assessments
Correct Answer: B. To ensure day-to-day compliance with the approved
ESC plan and state regulations on-site
Detailed Rationale:* Applicable projects must designate a certified RLD
who is directly responsible for overseeing on-site implementation and
maintenance of erosion controls.
QUESTION 5
What qualification must an individual hold to legally review and
approve erosion and sediment control plans for a local program
authority?
A. Commercial driver's license
B. DEQ Certified Plan Reviewer certification
C. Real estate broker license
D. Professional structural building contractor card
Correct Answer: B. DEQ Certified Plan Reviewer certification
Detailed Rationale: Plan reviewers must complete specialized training
and earn DEQ certification to evaluate construction plans for technical
adequacy and regulatory adherence before approval.
QUESTION 6
How frequently does the Department of Environmental Quality conduct
formal periodic reviews of local VESMP authorities?
A. Every year
, B. Every 5 years
C. Every 25 years
D. DEQ never reviews local programs.
Correct Answer: B. Every 5 years
Detailed Rationale: State regulations mandate that DEQ execute
periodic program reviews of local program authorities every five years
to ensure consistent enforcement and statutory compliance.
QUESTION 7
Within how many days must permanent or temporary soil stabilization
be applied after final grade is reached on any portion of a site?
A. Within 7 days
B. Within 30 days
C. Within 90 days
D. Within 1 year
Correct Answer: A. Within 7 days
Detailed Rationale: Standard minimum requirements dictate that once
final grade is achieved on any section of a project, stabilization
measures must be applied within 7 days.
QUESTION 8
If a denuded construction area is to remain dormant, within how many
days must temporary stabilization be applied if inactivity exceeds 14
days?
A. Within 7 days
