EPA Construction General Permit (CGP) Compliance
Training Exam
EPA Construction General Permit (CGP) Compliance
Training Exam
EPA Construction General Permit (CGP) Compliance
Training Exam
EXAM COVERAGE – 10 MOST TESTED AREAS
1. Permit Applicability and Thresholds – One-acre disturbance rule, common
plan of development, operator definitions, exclusions for routine maintenance
and agricultural activities.
,2. Notice of Intent (NOI) and Permit Registration – Submission timing, required
documents, electronic filing requirements, authorization to discharge.
3. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) – Development, contents,
BMP selection, site-specific conditions, SWPPP availability.
4. Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Measures – Stabilization deadlines,
structural controls, perimeter controls, sediment basins, inlet protection.
5. Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping – Material storage, spill
prevention, concrete washout, fuel management, prohibited discharges.
6. Inspections and Corrective Actions – Inspection frequency, qualified
personnel, inspection report contents, corrective action timelines and
documentation.
7. Recordkeeping and Reporting – Record retention periods, corrective action
logs, annual reports, documentation availability.
8. Training and Qualification Requirements – Stormwater team roles, inspector
qualifications, EPA training modules, alternative certifications.
, 9. Impaired Waters and TMDL Requirements – Additional controls, enhanced
documentation, 303(d) listed waters, wasteload allocations.
10. Dewatering and Non-Stormwater Discharges – Authorized dewatering,
treatment requirements, prohibited discharges, water quality standards.
EPA Construction General Permit (CGP) Compliance
Training Exam
1. Under the EPA Construction General Permit, what is the minimum land
disturbance threshold that generally triggers NPDES stormwater permit
coverage for construction activities?
A. Any disturbance of 0.5 acre or more of land area
B. One acre or more of land disturbance, or less than one acre if part of a larger
common plan
, C. Five acres or more of land disturbance regardless of common plan status
D. Any earth-disturbing activity exceeding 10,000 square feet of disturbed area
Correct Answer: B
Explained Point Form Notes:
A: Incorrect. The federal threshold has been one acre since the 2003 Phase II
regulations, not 0.5 acre.
B: Correct. The CGP applies to construction activities disturbing one or more
acres, including smaller sites that are part of a common plan of development
or sale that will ultimately disturb one or more acres 4 6 .
C: Incorrect. Five acres was the original Phase I threshold before 2003 but is
not the current federal standard.
D: Incorrect. There is no square-footage threshold; the regulatory trigger is
based on acreage.
Training Exam
EPA Construction General Permit (CGP) Compliance
Training Exam
EPA Construction General Permit (CGP) Compliance
Training Exam
EXAM COVERAGE – 10 MOST TESTED AREAS
1. Permit Applicability and Thresholds – One-acre disturbance rule, common
plan of development, operator definitions, exclusions for routine maintenance
and agricultural activities.
,2. Notice of Intent (NOI) and Permit Registration – Submission timing, required
documents, electronic filing requirements, authorization to discharge.
3. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) – Development, contents,
BMP selection, site-specific conditions, SWPPP availability.
4. Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Measures – Stabilization deadlines,
structural controls, perimeter controls, sediment basins, inlet protection.
5. Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping – Material storage, spill
prevention, concrete washout, fuel management, prohibited discharges.
6. Inspections and Corrective Actions – Inspection frequency, qualified
personnel, inspection report contents, corrective action timelines and
documentation.
7. Recordkeeping and Reporting – Record retention periods, corrective action
logs, annual reports, documentation availability.
8. Training and Qualification Requirements – Stormwater team roles, inspector
qualifications, EPA training modules, alternative certifications.
, 9. Impaired Waters and TMDL Requirements – Additional controls, enhanced
documentation, 303(d) listed waters, wasteload allocations.
10. Dewatering and Non-Stormwater Discharges – Authorized dewatering,
treatment requirements, prohibited discharges, water quality standards.
EPA Construction General Permit (CGP) Compliance
Training Exam
1. Under the EPA Construction General Permit, what is the minimum land
disturbance threshold that generally triggers NPDES stormwater permit
coverage for construction activities?
A. Any disturbance of 0.5 acre or more of land area
B. One acre or more of land disturbance, or less than one acre if part of a larger
common plan
, C. Five acres or more of land disturbance regardless of common plan status
D. Any earth-disturbing activity exceeding 10,000 square feet of disturbed area
Correct Answer: B
Explained Point Form Notes:
A: Incorrect. The federal threshold has been one acre since the 2003 Phase II
regulations, not 0.5 acre.
B: Correct. The CGP applies to construction activities disturbing one or more
acres, including smaller sites that are part of a common plan of development
or sale that will ultimately disturb one or more acres 4 6 .
C: Incorrect. Five acres was the original Phase I threshold before 2003 but is
not the current federal standard.
D: Incorrect. There is no square-footage threshold; the regulatory trigger is
based on acreage.
