CEPSCI CERTIFICATION (CERTIFIED
EROSION PREVENTION AND SEDIMENT
CONTROL INSPECTOR) EXAM WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Why erosion prevention and sediment control are important? - ANSWER-1. Stormwater
runoff is leading cause of impaired water in SC. 2. Protect downstream surface water
and aquatic habitats
Erosion - ANSWER-Process by which land surface is worn away by action of water,
wind, ice and gravity.
Natural erosion - ANSWER-aka Geologic erosion. 1. relative slow 2. most rapid along
shorelines and stream channels 3. produces about 30% of eroded sediment in US
Accelerated erosion - ANSWER-1. erosion at elevated rate bc of human activity 2.
agriculture, timber harvesting and construction are primary contributors 3. accounts for
remaining 70% of eroded sediment in US
Factors influencing erosion - ANSWER-1. climate (frequency, intensity and duration of
rainfall for a region) 2. season (more intense storms in summer) 3. vegetative cover 4.
topography 5. soil characteristics (texture, percentage of organic content, structure, and
permeability)
Sedimentation - ANSWER-Process by which eroded material is transported and
deposited.
Negative impacts of sedimentation - ANSWER-1. screens out sunlight/reduces water
clarity. 2. fills channels and reduces capacity. 3. pollutants attached to sediment
particles can impact downstream water quality.
NPDES - ANSWER-aka National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. Created by
the 1972 Clean Water Act.
1987 - ANSWER-Amendment to CWA called Water Quality Act required EPA to
develop program to regulate storm discharges under NPDES program.
Point source pollution - ANSWER-Discharges from readily identifiable sources such as
wastewater treatment plants or industrial facilities.
, Nonpoint source pollution - ANSWER-Discharges that are less easily identifiable such
as runoff from urbanized or agricultural areas.
DHEC - ANSWER-aka Department of Health and Environmental Control. This
regulation administers NPDES regulations, but EPA has authority to exert jurisdiction in
SC.
CGP - ANSWER-aka Construction General Permit. One of several NPDES permits
administered by DHEC.
Who must obtain NPDES coverage? - ANSWER-1. land disturbing activities greater
than or equal to 1 acre. 2. land disturbance less than 1 acre within half a mile of a
receiving water body in SC Coastal Zone. 3. Exception: SFR development NOT part of
larger common plan of development.
Who is permitted? - ANSWER-NPDES permits are always issued to operator (person or
company) for a particular discharge. NOT issued to parcel or project.
Authorization of Discharges - ANSWER-To receive coverage under permit, appropriate
Notice of Intent (NOI) form must be completed and submitted. There are 3 types of
NOIs and dependent on the Operator Category (refer to chart).
Primary permittee - ANSWER-1. has operational control over Stormwater Pollution
Prevention Plan (SWPPP), construction plans and specifications, including ability to
request modifications to those plans. 2. typically owner or developer. 3. has day-to-day
operational control of those activities necessary to ensure compliance with SWPPP.
Primary permittee requirements - ANSWER-To obtain coverage under CGP, they must
submit NOI and prepare Comprehensive Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (C-
SWPPP)
Secondary permittee - ANSWER-Individual lot owner or residential builder that conducts
land-disturbing activity limited to an individual lot or group of lots as part of approved
Larger Common Plan (LCP-Residential Subdivision).
Construction Site Plans - ANSWER-OS-SWPPP will include a complete set of these 1.
Limits of Disturbed (LOD) area. 2. BMPs using symbols in current edition of BMP
handbook. 3. approved construction sequence. 4. detailed plan sheets (grading &
drainage plans and BMP details).
Inspection Scope - ANSWER-Specifications for this include: 1. site compliance
inspections are to be conducted on routine basis as specified in CGP. 2. inspection
must look for evidence of issues resulting from design, installation or maintenance
within implemented OS-SWPPP.
EROSION PREVENTION AND SEDIMENT
CONTROL INSPECTOR) EXAM WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Why erosion prevention and sediment control are important? - ANSWER-1. Stormwater
runoff is leading cause of impaired water in SC. 2. Protect downstream surface water
and aquatic habitats
Erosion - ANSWER-Process by which land surface is worn away by action of water,
wind, ice and gravity.
Natural erosion - ANSWER-aka Geologic erosion. 1. relative slow 2. most rapid along
shorelines and stream channels 3. produces about 30% of eroded sediment in US
Accelerated erosion - ANSWER-1. erosion at elevated rate bc of human activity 2.
agriculture, timber harvesting and construction are primary contributors 3. accounts for
remaining 70% of eroded sediment in US
Factors influencing erosion - ANSWER-1. climate (frequency, intensity and duration of
rainfall for a region) 2. season (more intense storms in summer) 3. vegetative cover 4.
topography 5. soil characteristics (texture, percentage of organic content, structure, and
permeability)
Sedimentation - ANSWER-Process by which eroded material is transported and
deposited.
Negative impacts of sedimentation - ANSWER-1. screens out sunlight/reduces water
clarity. 2. fills channels and reduces capacity. 3. pollutants attached to sediment
particles can impact downstream water quality.
NPDES - ANSWER-aka National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. Created by
the 1972 Clean Water Act.
1987 - ANSWER-Amendment to CWA called Water Quality Act required EPA to
develop program to regulate storm discharges under NPDES program.
Point source pollution - ANSWER-Discharges from readily identifiable sources such as
wastewater treatment plants or industrial facilities.
, Nonpoint source pollution - ANSWER-Discharges that are less easily identifiable such
as runoff from urbanized or agricultural areas.
DHEC - ANSWER-aka Department of Health and Environmental Control. This
regulation administers NPDES regulations, but EPA has authority to exert jurisdiction in
SC.
CGP - ANSWER-aka Construction General Permit. One of several NPDES permits
administered by DHEC.
Who must obtain NPDES coverage? - ANSWER-1. land disturbing activities greater
than or equal to 1 acre. 2. land disturbance less than 1 acre within half a mile of a
receiving water body in SC Coastal Zone. 3. Exception: SFR development NOT part of
larger common plan of development.
Who is permitted? - ANSWER-NPDES permits are always issued to operator (person or
company) for a particular discharge. NOT issued to parcel or project.
Authorization of Discharges - ANSWER-To receive coverage under permit, appropriate
Notice of Intent (NOI) form must be completed and submitted. There are 3 types of
NOIs and dependent on the Operator Category (refer to chart).
Primary permittee - ANSWER-1. has operational control over Stormwater Pollution
Prevention Plan (SWPPP), construction plans and specifications, including ability to
request modifications to those plans. 2. typically owner or developer. 3. has day-to-day
operational control of those activities necessary to ensure compliance with SWPPP.
Primary permittee requirements - ANSWER-To obtain coverage under CGP, they must
submit NOI and prepare Comprehensive Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (C-
SWPPP)
Secondary permittee - ANSWER-Individual lot owner or residential builder that conducts
land-disturbing activity limited to an individual lot or group of lots as part of approved
Larger Common Plan (LCP-Residential Subdivision).
Construction Site Plans - ANSWER-OS-SWPPP will include a complete set of these 1.
Limits of Disturbed (LOD) area. 2. BMPs using symbols in current edition of BMP
handbook. 3. approved construction sequence. 4. detailed plan sheets (grading &
drainage plans and BMP details).
Inspection Scope - ANSWER-Specifications for this include: 1. site compliance
inspections are to be conducted on routine basis as specified in CGP. 2. inspection
must look for evidence of issues resulting from design, installation or maintenance
within implemented OS-SWPPP.
