VA DEQ ECS/ SWM Inspector Exam
(Latest 2026/ 2027 Update) 100%
Verified Questions & Answers
VESCP -CORRECTANSWER Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Program
- Administered by counties/cities (must), towns (may)
- MUST BE APPROVED
Minimum Standard 1 -CORRECTANSWER Stabilization
permanent or temporary soil stabilization shall be applied to denuded areas within
seven days after final grade is reached on any portion of the site; temporary soil
stabilization shall be applied within seven days to denuded areas that may not be at
final grade but will remain dormant for longer than 14 days; permanent stabilization shall
be applied to areas that are to be left dormant for more than one year
Site NOT at Final Grade -CORRECTANSWER - stabilize in 14 days
- temporarily seed
- mulch
- permanently stabilize if dormant > 1 year
,Site at Final Grade -CORRECTANSWER - stabilize in 7 days (recommended
immediately)
- permanently or temporarily seed and mulch
- mulch/matting/straw
Minimum Standard 2 -CORRECTANSWER Stock Piles, Waste and Borrow Areas
during construction, soil stock piles and borrow areas shall be stabilized or protected
with sediment trapping measures
mulch prevents erosion by protecting the surface from raindrop impact and silt fence
intercepts and detains from disturbed areas
Minimum Standard 3 -CORRECTANSWER Permanent Vegetation
permanent vegetation cover shall be established on denuded areas not otherwise
permanently stabilized (permanent vegetation shall not be considered established until
a ground cover is achieved that is uniform, mature enough to survive, and will inhibit
erosion *there is no % associated with this*)
reduce erosion and decrease sediment yield from disturbed area
this is the standard used to verify that a site is ready for release of bonds or surety
,Minimum Standard 4 -CORRECTANSWER First-Step Measures
Sediment basins and traps, perimeter dikes, sediment barriers and other measures
intended to trap sediment shall be constructed as a first step in any land-disturbing
activity and shall be made functional before upslope land disturbance takes place
a certain amount of initial land disturbance may be required to provide access for
equipment to install the perimeter controls, but site clearing and grading should be kept
to a minimum until the perimeter controls are in place
intercepts and detains small amounts of sediment from disturbed areas during
construction operation to prevent sediment from leaving the site and decrease velocity
of sheet flows and low-to-moderate level channel flow
Perimeter Controls -CORRECTANSWER assures that sediment does not leave the
perimeter of the land-disturbing area once site clearing, grading, and construction
commences
Examples: silt fences, sediment traps, sediment basins, construction entrance,
temporary diversions, diversions
Minimum Standard 5 -CORRECTANSWER Earthen Structure Stabilization
, stabilization measures shall be applied to earthen structures such as dams, dikes, and
diversions immediately after installation
reduce erosion and sedimentation and reduce damage from sediment and runoff to
downstream or off-site areas
Minimum Standard 6 -CORRECTANSWER Traps and Basins
sediment traps and basins shall be designed and constructed based upon the total
drainage area (not just disturbed area) to be served by the trap or basin
Sediment Traps -CORRECTANSWER minimum storage capacity shall be 134 cubic
yards per acre of drainage area and shall only control drainage areas less than 3 acres
*stone outlet = trap*
Sediment Basins -CORRECTANSWER surface runoff from disturbed areas that is
comprised of flow from drainage areas greater than or equal to 3 acres shall be
controlled by a basin; minimum storage capacity of a sediment basin shall be 134 cubic
yards per acre of drainage area; the outfall system shall, at a minimum, maintain the
structural integrity of the basin during a 25-year storm of 24-hour duration; runoff
(Latest 2026/ 2027 Update) 100%
Verified Questions & Answers
VESCP -CORRECTANSWER Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Program
- Administered by counties/cities (must), towns (may)
- MUST BE APPROVED
Minimum Standard 1 -CORRECTANSWER Stabilization
permanent or temporary soil stabilization shall be applied to denuded areas within
seven days after final grade is reached on any portion of the site; temporary soil
stabilization shall be applied within seven days to denuded areas that may not be at
final grade but will remain dormant for longer than 14 days; permanent stabilization shall
be applied to areas that are to be left dormant for more than one year
Site NOT at Final Grade -CORRECTANSWER - stabilize in 14 days
- temporarily seed
- mulch
- permanently stabilize if dormant > 1 year
,Site at Final Grade -CORRECTANSWER - stabilize in 7 days (recommended
immediately)
- permanently or temporarily seed and mulch
- mulch/matting/straw
Minimum Standard 2 -CORRECTANSWER Stock Piles, Waste and Borrow Areas
during construction, soil stock piles and borrow areas shall be stabilized or protected
with sediment trapping measures
mulch prevents erosion by protecting the surface from raindrop impact and silt fence
intercepts and detains from disturbed areas
Minimum Standard 3 -CORRECTANSWER Permanent Vegetation
permanent vegetation cover shall be established on denuded areas not otherwise
permanently stabilized (permanent vegetation shall not be considered established until
a ground cover is achieved that is uniform, mature enough to survive, and will inhibit
erosion *there is no % associated with this*)
reduce erosion and decrease sediment yield from disturbed area
this is the standard used to verify that a site is ready for release of bonds or surety
,Minimum Standard 4 -CORRECTANSWER First-Step Measures
Sediment basins and traps, perimeter dikes, sediment barriers and other measures
intended to trap sediment shall be constructed as a first step in any land-disturbing
activity and shall be made functional before upslope land disturbance takes place
a certain amount of initial land disturbance may be required to provide access for
equipment to install the perimeter controls, but site clearing and grading should be kept
to a minimum until the perimeter controls are in place
intercepts and detains small amounts of sediment from disturbed areas during
construction operation to prevent sediment from leaving the site and decrease velocity
of sheet flows and low-to-moderate level channel flow
Perimeter Controls -CORRECTANSWER assures that sediment does not leave the
perimeter of the land-disturbing area once site clearing, grading, and construction
commences
Examples: silt fences, sediment traps, sediment basins, construction entrance,
temporary diversions, diversions
Minimum Standard 5 -CORRECTANSWER Earthen Structure Stabilization
, stabilization measures shall be applied to earthen structures such as dams, dikes, and
diversions immediately after installation
reduce erosion and sedimentation and reduce damage from sediment and runoff to
downstream or off-site areas
Minimum Standard 6 -CORRECTANSWER Traps and Basins
sediment traps and basins shall be designed and constructed based upon the total
drainage area (not just disturbed area) to be served by the trap or basin
Sediment Traps -CORRECTANSWER minimum storage capacity shall be 134 cubic
yards per acre of drainage area and shall only control drainage areas less than 3 acres
*stone outlet = trap*
Sediment Basins -CORRECTANSWER surface runoff from disturbed areas that is
comprised of flow from drainage areas greater than or equal to 3 acres shall be
controlled by a basin; minimum storage capacity of a sediment basin shall be 134 cubic
yards per acre of drainage area; the outfall system shall, at a minimum, maintain the
structural integrity of the basin during a 25-year storm of 24-hour duration; runoff
