SWM DEQ CERTIFICATION SCRIPT
2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ VA ESC and SWM programs by locality.
Answer: Most operate programs of their ownWhere they do not, DEQs
administers the program
◍ Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas that result in a land disturbance greater
than or equal to ____ and less than ____.
Answer: 2,500 ft^2, 1 acre
◍ IIB Flood Protection Criteria.
Answer: Chapter 2
◍ Ground Cover.
Answer: vegetation, mulch; slows down speed of raindrops by intercepting
them on leaves, branches, and stalksmost cost effective measure in
controlling erosion is to preserve existing vegetationwhile vegetative cover
provides the best protection, the use of any surface cover material can
reduce soil erosion by 90-99%
◍ The soil media should be installed in what incremental thickness unit the
desired depth is achieved?.
Answer: Apply Media in 12 inch lifts until the desired top elevation of the
bioretention is achieved.Found- Bioretention- Installation
◍ What is an Online BMP?.
Answer: A BMP that allows conveyance of stormwater from larger storms
to travel through the BMP.
◍ What is used to separate the stone jacket around the underdrain from the soil
, media? (Bioretention).
Answer: 3" of choker/pea gravel as a filter between the undeerdrain and soil
media layer. Found-Bioretention-Constuction
◍ Common Bulk Density Measurements.
Answer: undisturbed lands forest and woodlands = 0 1.03 g/cc- residential
neighborhoods - 1.69 to 1.97 g/cc- golf courses/parks athletic fields = 1.69
to 1.97 g/cc- concrete = 2.2 g/cc
◍ Adequate ESC Plan MUST.
Answer: meet requirements of ESC laws and regulations- statisfy minimum
standards of the VA ESC Regs- comply with more stringent standards
required by the locality- include the applicable BMPs from the VSMH
(titled and numbered)- contain sufficient information to assure the
plan-approving authority that potential problems of erosion and
sedimentation have been adequately addressed- include a plan review
checklist as required by the locality
◍ Compliance requirements for channel protection depend on.
Answer: type of channel being discharged to and type of flow
◍ Utility Stream Crossing.
Answer: help protect sediment from entering the stream from construction
within approach areas and minimize amount of disturbance within the
stream itself
◍ What materials can be used to construct a level spreader?.
Answer: Materials: Concrete, wood, or prefabricated metal with
well-anchored footer.
◍ Representative inspections may not be used when.
Answer: utility line installation, pipeline construction, or other similar linear
construction activities SWPPP inspection schedule discharge into impaired
waters, surface waters with an applicable TMDL or exceptional waters
◍ Label parts of the extended detention basin.
Answer: 1. inflow2. sediment forebay3. armored spillway4. maintenance
, access road5. riser6. emergency spillway
◍ Discuss how the rate of runoff changes after development..
Answer: The rate of runoff increase after development because of the
replacement of vegetation with impervious surfaces. A larger volume of
water will travel more quickly through a stream channel, potentially causing
erosion and flooding.
◍ Slope orientation.
Answer: south and southwest facing slopes are usually warmer and drier
because of sun exposure and exposure to warmer winds; vegetation may be
sparser, and establishment of new vegetation on south and southwest facing
slopes is generally more difficult than northern slopes; northern slopes are
cooler, less exposed to the sun and usually moister, therefore it has different
challenges in establishing vegetation on a northern slope
◍ Ridge.
Answer: a long narrow hilltop or range of hillsrepresented by contours that
point toward lower numbers
◍ During construction, when should inspector make sure a BMP is not
installed?.
Answer: BMP should not be installed before contirbuting drainage area has
been stabilized.
◍ The operator must note all modifications or updates in the SWSPPP,
including a record of which three dates?.
Answer: 1. Major grading activities2. Construction activities temporarily or
permanently cease on a portion of the site.3. Stabilization measures are
initiated.
◍ What are the three requirement for concrete wash water?.
Answer: 1. Concrete wash water must be directed into a leak proof container
or a leak proof settling basin.2. Container or basin cannot overflow3.
Hardened and liquid concrete waste must be removed and properly
disposed.
2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ VA ESC and SWM programs by locality.
Answer: Most operate programs of their ownWhere they do not, DEQs
administers the program
◍ Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas that result in a land disturbance greater
than or equal to ____ and less than ____.
Answer: 2,500 ft^2, 1 acre
◍ IIB Flood Protection Criteria.
Answer: Chapter 2
◍ Ground Cover.
Answer: vegetation, mulch; slows down speed of raindrops by intercepting
them on leaves, branches, and stalksmost cost effective measure in
controlling erosion is to preserve existing vegetationwhile vegetative cover
provides the best protection, the use of any surface cover material can
reduce soil erosion by 90-99%
◍ The soil media should be installed in what incremental thickness unit the
desired depth is achieved?.
Answer: Apply Media in 12 inch lifts until the desired top elevation of the
bioretention is achieved.Found- Bioretention- Installation
◍ What is an Online BMP?.
Answer: A BMP that allows conveyance of stormwater from larger storms
to travel through the BMP.
◍ What is used to separate the stone jacket around the underdrain from the soil
, media? (Bioretention).
Answer: 3" of choker/pea gravel as a filter between the undeerdrain and soil
media layer. Found-Bioretention-Constuction
◍ Common Bulk Density Measurements.
Answer: undisturbed lands forest and woodlands = 0 1.03 g/cc- residential
neighborhoods - 1.69 to 1.97 g/cc- golf courses/parks athletic fields = 1.69
to 1.97 g/cc- concrete = 2.2 g/cc
◍ Adequate ESC Plan MUST.
Answer: meet requirements of ESC laws and regulations- statisfy minimum
standards of the VA ESC Regs- comply with more stringent standards
required by the locality- include the applicable BMPs from the VSMH
(titled and numbered)- contain sufficient information to assure the
plan-approving authority that potential problems of erosion and
sedimentation have been adequately addressed- include a plan review
checklist as required by the locality
◍ Compliance requirements for channel protection depend on.
Answer: type of channel being discharged to and type of flow
◍ Utility Stream Crossing.
Answer: help protect sediment from entering the stream from construction
within approach areas and minimize amount of disturbance within the
stream itself
◍ What materials can be used to construct a level spreader?.
Answer: Materials: Concrete, wood, or prefabricated metal with
well-anchored footer.
◍ Representative inspections may not be used when.
Answer: utility line installation, pipeline construction, or other similar linear
construction activities SWPPP inspection schedule discharge into impaired
waters, surface waters with an applicable TMDL or exceptional waters
◍ Label parts of the extended detention basin.
Answer: 1. inflow2. sediment forebay3. armored spillway4. maintenance
, access road5. riser6. emergency spillway
◍ Discuss how the rate of runoff changes after development..
Answer: The rate of runoff increase after development because of the
replacement of vegetation with impervious surfaces. A larger volume of
water will travel more quickly through a stream channel, potentially causing
erosion and flooding.
◍ Slope orientation.
Answer: south and southwest facing slopes are usually warmer and drier
because of sun exposure and exposure to warmer winds; vegetation may be
sparser, and establishment of new vegetation on south and southwest facing
slopes is generally more difficult than northern slopes; northern slopes are
cooler, less exposed to the sun and usually moister, therefore it has different
challenges in establishing vegetation on a northern slope
◍ Ridge.
Answer: a long narrow hilltop or range of hillsrepresented by contours that
point toward lower numbers
◍ During construction, when should inspector make sure a BMP is not
installed?.
Answer: BMP should not be installed before contirbuting drainage area has
been stabilized.
◍ The operator must note all modifications or updates in the SWSPPP,
including a record of which three dates?.
Answer: 1. Major grading activities2. Construction activities temporarily or
permanently cease on a portion of the site.3. Stabilization measures are
initiated.
◍ What are the three requirement for concrete wash water?.
Answer: 1. Concrete wash water must be directed into a leak proof container
or a leak proof settling basin.2. Container or basin cannot overflow3.
Hardened and liquid concrete waste must be removed and properly
disposed.
