ARE – SWPPP UPDATED ACTUAL
Questions and CORRECT Answers
What is an SWPPP? - CORRECT ANSWER - - Identifies potential sources of stormwater
pollution at the construction site
- Describes practices to reduce pollutants in storm water discharges from the construction site
- Identifies procedures the operator will implement to comply with the terms and conditions of a
construction general permit
Reduction of pollutants is often achieved by: - CORRECT ANSWER - Controlling the
volume of stormwater runoff
Impervious surfaces such as buildings, homes, roads, sidewalks, and parking lots, can
significantly: - CORRECT ANSWER - Alter the natural hydrology of the land by
increasing the volume, velocity, and temperature of runoff and by decreasing its infiltration
capacity.
Increasing the volume and velocity of stormwater runoff can cause: - CORRECT
ANSWER - - Severe stream bank erosion
- Flooding
- Degrade the biological habitat of these streams
Runoff from an unstabilized construction site can result in the loss of: - CORRECT
ANSWER - approx. 35-45 tons of sediment per acre each year
The primary stormwater pollutant at a construction site is: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Sediment
Vegetative cover provides a number of critical benefits in preventing erosion: - CORRECT
ANSWER - - Absorbs the energy of raindrops
- Slows velocity of runoff
, - Increases infiltration
- Helps bind the soil
It is usually easier and less expensive to prevent erosion than it is to: - CORRECT
ANSWER - Control sediment from leaving a construction site
Erosion vs. Sedimentation - CORRECT ANSWER - *Erosion* - the process by which the
land surface is worn away by the action of water or wind.
*Sedimentation* - the movement and settling out of suspension of soil particles
Structural BMPs - CORRECT ANSWER - - Silt Fences
- Sedimentation Ponds
- Erosion Control Blankets
- Temporary/Permanent Seeding
Non-Structural BMPs - CORRECT ANSWER - - Picking up trash and debris
- Sweeping up nearby sidewalks and streets
- Maintaining equipment
- Training site staff on erosion and sediment control practices
What are the federal requirements for stormwater runoff from construction sites? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The Clean Water Act and associated federal regulations require nearly all
construction site operators engaged in clearing, grading, and excavating activities *that disturb
one acre or more, including smaller sites in a larger common plan of development or sale*, to
obtain coverage under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit for their
stormwater discharges.
The EPA can issue one or more NPDES construction general permits for a designated time
period, usually ____ years - CORRECT ANSWER - 5 years
Questions and CORRECT Answers
What is an SWPPP? - CORRECT ANSWER - - Identifies potential sources of stormwater
pollution at the construction site
- Describes practices to reduce pollutants in storm water discharges from the construction site
- Identifies procedures the operator will implement to comply with the terms and conditions of a
construction general permit
Reduction of pollutants is often achieved by: - CORRECT ANSWER - Controlling the
volume of stormwater runoff
Impervious surfaces such as buildings, homes, roads, sidewalks, and parking lots, can
significantly: - CORRECT ANSWER - Alter the natural hydrology of the land by
increasing the volume, velocity, and temperature of runoff and by decreasing its infiltration
capacity.
Increasing the volume and velocity of stormwater runoff can cause: - CORRECT
ANSWER - - Severe stream bank erosion
- Flooding
- Degrade the biological habitat of these streams
Runoff from an unstabilized construction site can result in the loss of: - CORRECT
ANSWER - approx. 35-45 tons of sediment per acre each year
The primary stormwater pollutant at a construction site is: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Sediment
Vegetative cover provides a number of critical benefits in preventing erosion: - CORRECT
ANSWER - - Absorbs the energy of raindrops
- Slows velocity of runoff
, - Increases infiltration
- Helps bind the soil
It is usually easier and less expensive to prevent erosion than it is to: - CORRECT
ANSWER - Control sediment from leaving a construction site
Erosion vs. Sedimentation - CORRECT ANSWER - *Erosion* - the process by which the
land surface is worn away by the action of water or wind.
*Sedimentation* - the movement and settling out of suspension of soil particles
Structural BMPs - CORRECT ANSWER - - Silt Fences
- Sedimentation Ponds
- Erosion Control Blankets
- Temporary/Permanent Seeding
Non-Structural BMPs - CORRECT ANSWER - - Picking up trash and debris
- Sweeping up nearby sidewalks and streets
- Maintaining equipment
- Training site staff on erosion and sediment control practices
What are the federal requirements for stormwater runoff from construction sites? - CORRECT
ANSWER - The Clean Water Act and associated federal regulations require nearly all
construction site operators engaged in clearing, grading, and excavating activities *that disturb
one acre or more, including smaller sites in a larger common plan of development or sale*, to
obtain coverage under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit for their
stormwater discharges.
The EPA can issue one or more NPDES construction general permits for a designated time
period, usually ____ years - CORRECT ANSWER - 5 years
