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CEPSCI Practice Test: Stormwater Management and Erosion Control, Exams of Water Resources Planning and Management

A comprehensive practice test for cepsci, covering stormwater management and erosion control regulations. It includes 111 questions and answers, focusing on topics such as the clean water act, npdes permits, stormwater pollution prevention plans (swppps), and various best management practices (bmps) for erosion control. Valuable for students and professionals seeking to understand and apply these regulations in real-world scenarios.

Typology: Exams

2023/2024

Available from 11/10/2024

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CEPSCI PRACTICE TEST WITH 111 QUESTIONS AND

ANSWERS 2024

1972 clean water act - Answer- Administered by the US environmental protection agency (EPA) Created the NPDES 1987 - Answer- Amendment to CWA CALLED WATER QUALITY ACT NPDES in south carolina - Answer- South Carolina is NPDES delegated state. NPDES regulations are administered by - Answer- SCDHEC CGP authorizes - Answer- stormwater discharges from construction sites Who must obtain NPDES coverage - Answer- land disturbing activities greater than or equal to 1 acre

  • land disturbance less than 1 ac within 1/2 miles of water body in SC costal zone NPDES permits are issued to - Answer- operator-person or company for a particular discharge primary permittee - Answer- - has day to day operational control to ensure compliance with SWPP
  • typically the owner or developer primary permittee responsibilites - Answer- submit NOI, Preparation of the 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 LCP of development

contractors - Answer- must on Contractor Certification- D- 0437 On-Site SWPPP - Answer- SCDHEC CGP, NOI, NPDES coverage approval letter, Contractor Certifications, Local Approvals, USACE approvals, Critical area permit(coast) OS_SWPPP - Answer- a copy of signed and certified SWPPP, NOI, and CGP coverage letter from DHEC must be retained at site or electronically accessible minor modification to ON-SWPPP - Answer- minor modifications made directly in the field,do not need approval by DHEC- additional BMP's, removal of disturbed areas major modifications to OS-SWPPP - Answer- must be made by qualified individual and submitted to DHEC or appropriate delegated entity for approval Phased plan requirement > 5 - Answer- include a phased stormwater management plan which identifies all BMP's and grading work conducted during a specific portion of the sites construction sequence. Each phase identified on at least one separate plan sheet. Phased plan requirement < 10 but > 5 acres - Answer- at least two separate plan phases are required - initial land disturbance phase - stabilization phase Phased plan requirement ≥ 10 acres - Answer- at least 3 separate plan phases are required - initial land disturbance phase - construction phase - stabilization phase All compliance inspection must include invesg. of, at a minimum of 5 of the following - Answer- 1. areas of site disturbed by construction activity and areas used for storage of materials exposed to precipitation

  1. stormwater conveyance systems for evidence of sediment
  2. BMP's identified in OS-SWPPP
  1. Discharge location to investigate if sediment leaving site, or if such locations are inaccessible, nearby downstream location if possible.
  2. Where vehicles enter or exit site for evidence of off-site sediment tracking. inspection frequency after construction begins - Answer- at least once a week or within 24 hours of end of storm event >0.5 inches Inspection frequency for sites that have reached temporary stablization - Answer- Once every month Linear site inspection - Answer- linear activites may limit access to disturbed areas, in such cases representative inspections may be performed representative inspections (linear site inspection) - Answer- personnel must investigate BMP's along the site for 0.25 miles above and below each access point where the site intersects with
  • roadway - undisturbed right of way - other similar feature- Condition along each inspected segment are considered "respresentative" along that reach of construction permittees must record rainfall events of - Answer- 0.5 inches or greater where should rainfall records be kept - Answer- maintained in rain log located as part of the OS-SWPPP Inspection reports of rainfall must be - Answer- reported on each weekly inspection report and maintained in rain log For each compliance inspecton a report must be completed and include at a mininum - Answer- 1. Inspection date
  1. Name, title, qualification of inspector
  2. Weather information for period since last inspection

4.Weaher information and description of any discharges occurring at time of inspection.

  1. Locations(s) of discharges of sediment or other pollutants leaving the site.
  2. Location(s) of BMP's that need maintenance only.
  3. Location of any BMPs that failed to operate as designed or have proven inadequate for a particular location.
  4. Location where additional BMPs are needed that did not exist at the time of inspection.
  5. Corrective action required including any changes to the OS-SWPPP necessary.
  6. Site name, operator name and permit identification number.
  7. Compliance inspectors must sign inspection reports. (SEC. 4.2.H) if inspection indicates a BMP has been used inappropriately or incorrectly, the permittee must address replacement or modification within - Answer- 48 hours pipe slope drain - Answer- PSD's are used when it is necessary for water to flow down slope without causing erosion, especially before slope has been stabilized or before permanent drainage structures are installed. Runoff Diversion Measures INSTALLATION - Answer- Prior to swale excavation or dike building, clear and grub all trees, brush, stumps, and other objects in path of diversion structure. Runoff Diverson measures DESCRIPTION - Answer- Diversion dikes and berms (ridges of compacted soil) are used to divert upslope clean water runoff from crossing areas where there is high risk of erosion or Temporary silt ditches or swales ( excavated depressions) are used to prevent sediment laden runoff from leaving site before being treated by sediment control BMP Runoff Diversion inspection/maintenance - Answer- - inspect dikes and silt ditches after specified intervals and rainfall events
  • Repair damage from construction traffic and act. before end of each working day
  • maintain dikes and ditches at original height or depth
  • to remain effective, earth dikes must be compacted at all times Temporary stream crossing DESCRIPTION - Answer- A temp stream crossing is typically a bridge or culvert erected to provide safe and stable way for construction vehicle traffic to cross a running watercourse.
  • TYPICALLY ONLY USED FOR DOT PROJECTS BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE EXTRA PERMITTING(DHEC AND OR CORPS OF ENGINEERS) Construction De-watering DESCRIPTION - Answer- removing storm water or ground water from bore pits, trenches, and other excavations. Usually involves pumping of water to sediment basin, sediment trap, or geotextile filter bag. De-watering inspection/maintenace - Answer- ongoing inspection is necessary in order to detect any malfunctions or operation of equipment.
  • Discharge areas should be inspected when other practices are inspected. Buffer zones - Answer- Provide and maintain natural buffers around surface waters during construction activities. Buffers Maintenance - Answer- proper maintenance begins with flagging of the buffer and includes proper inspection and maintenance of all BMPs discharging to the buffer zone. Silt fence cannot be used for - Answer- velocity control Erosion prevention BMPs - Answer- - final stabilization
  • Riprap for channel stabilization
  • outlet protection
  • Dust control
  • Polyacrylamide (PAM)

Surface roughening DESCRIPTION - Answer- horizontal depressions, steps or grooves that run parallel to contour of land surface roughening methods - Answer- - tracking

  • stair-step grading
  • grooving Tracking Installation - Answer- should be performed ASAP after vegetation is removed after grading activities have ceased. Moving equipment up and down slope. Surface roughening inspection/maintenance - Answer- after specified intervals and rainfall events
  • if rills appear, they should be re graded and re seeded immediately. Temporary stabilizaton DESCRIPTION - Answer- reduce erosion and sedimentation by stabilizing disturbed areas that would otherwise lay bare for long periods of time before they are worked or stabilized.
  • where permanent vegetation growth is not necessary or appropriate. Temporary stabilization INSTALLATION - Answer- any disturbed areas that will not be worked for 14 days or more.
  • seeded areas should be covered with mulch to provided protection from weather.
  • water application rates should be controlled to prevent runoff. SCDOT sedding specs - Answer- terrific resource for vegetated ground cover and associated mulches SC-M- 810 - 2(04-11)
  • removes guess work
  • provides essential info on - seed type
    • scheduling
  • suitable location seeding - Answer- select a minimum of 2 perennial seed types for all permanent cover applications seed selection is based on - Answer- - specific application
  • time of year
  • availability of seed mulching DESCRIPTION - Answer- temp practice where materials such as grass, hay, wood chips, straw or compost are placed on exposed or recently planted soil surfaces. Mulching general install - Answer- loose hay or straw should be anchored by applying tackifier or stapling netting over top. Mulching materials that dont need anchoring - Answer- heavy enough to stay in place (bark or wood chips) applied on flat slopes Wood chip inspection - Answer- wood chips applied to bare ground should be spread to 2 inch minimum depth. wood chips used in conjunction with seeding oil should be - Answer- disked into soil Erosion control blankets DESCRIPTION - Answer- (ECBs) temporary BMPs that hold seed and soil in place, degrading over time period of 1-3 years. Turf reinforcement mats DESCRIPTION - Answer- (TRMs) PERMANENT erosion BMPs often used in areas of concentrated flows.

TRMs are composed of - Answer- synthetic materials-permanent-critical area use ECB's/ TRMs installation - Answer- prepare seedbed by loosening op 2-3 inches of soil

  • ALWAYS install to manufacturers specifications. Final stabilization DESCRIPTION - Answer- - permanent seeding and planting of grasses
  • permanent planting of ground cover plants
  • sodding Final stabilization - Answer- an uniform perennial vegetative cover with a density of 70% of native background vegetative cover has been established Rip Rap Channel DESCRIPTION - Answer- a permanent, erosion resistant channel lining of large, loose, angular stone with non-woven geotextile filter fabric or granular underlining to prevent soil movement into or through rip-rap outlet protection description - Answer- protects immediate area around pipe and culvert outlets from scour and deterioration by dissipating flow energy outlet protection includes - Answer- TRM's riprap, grouted riprap, concrete, gabion baskets, or other structural measures Outlet protecton inspection - Answer- non woven geotextile filter fabric should be place under all riprap outlet installations, ensure adequate length of outlet protection measure to provide sufficient protection. Dust control description - Answer- reduce movement from disturbed soil surfaces. Methods include, project phasing, vegetative cover, mulch, sprinkling water, spray on adhesives, barriers and covers.

Polyacrylamide (PAM) - Answer- used as non toxic chemical temporary tackifier for controlling soil erosion and as a flocculant to aid sedimentation 3 types of PAM - Answer- dry/powder polyacrylamides liquid polyacrylamides solid/block polyacrylamides Sediment control BMP's - Answer- sediment tube ditch check stabilized construction entrance filter fabric inlet protection block and gravel inlet protection hardware fabric and stone inlet protection pre-fabricated inlet protection water surface withdrawal - Answer- when discharging from sediment basins, utilize outlet structures that only withdraw water from near the waters surface within the basin, unless infeasible what are the additional requirements for sediment basins - Answer- surface water withdrawal ( skimmers or stop log risers) Clean out stake ( 1/2 of sediment storage volume) Public safety addressed, (as applicable) safety fences and signs, vector control(mosquitoes) sediment forebays (as applicable)

Porous baffles (as applicable) 3 row minimum/ may NOT use silt fence Sediment forebay benefits - Answer- reduce runoff velocities improve sediment trapping promotes sedimentation away from outlet structure ease of maintenance sediment forebay requiremnts - Answer- install in all sediment basins sized based off of total sediment storage. earthen berms, riprap berms, and excavations. Porous baffles requirements - Answer- minimum of 3 row place between basins inlets and outlets DO NOT USE SILT FENCE Porous baffles beneifts - Answer- reduce runoff velocities improve sediment trapping promotes sedimentation away from outlet structure skimmers shallow pit - Answer- provides an area for sediment to accumulate under skimmer skimmers rock pad - Answer- prevents skimmer from becoming stuck in accumulated sediment skimmer rope - Answer- aids in maintenance of skimmer without having to enter basin. Route rope through trash rack and attach to embankment

sediment basin DESCRIPTION - Answer- structure designed to capture sediment from storm water runoff before it leaves construction site AND basin dewatering achieved through riser and pipe leading to outlet on downstream side of embankment. Sediment basin INSTALLATION - Answer- basins should be constructed before any grading takes place within drainage area. Basins with earthen embankments should be outfitted with dewatering pipe and riser set just above sediment removal cutoff level. multipurpose basin description - Answer- Permanent detention basins designed for use as temporary sediment basins during construction phase of project. Sediment dam Trap - Answer- formed by excavating pond or by placing earthen embankment across low area or drainage swale sediment dam trap outlet or spillway is - Answer- constructed using no.5 washed stone and class B riprap aggregate. sediment dam trap installation - Answer- allow stone to extend downstream past toe of embankment. Upstream side of outlet should be lined with uniform 6 inch thick layer of no.5 stone. Mark sediment cleanout level of dam with stake at 1/2 sediment storage volume. Seed and mulch all disturbed areas. All areas of sediment dam should be seeded except for - Answer- Bottom of basin

Sedient dam trap inspection/ maintenance - Answer- trapped sediment should be removed when it reaches 50 % capacity. Trapped sediment should generally be placed and stabilized on site Placement of removed sediment should be placed upstream of a sediment control structure. Rock sediment dike description - Answer- semi circular temp. sediment control structures constructed across drainage ditches, swales, low areas or other areas that receive concentrated flow and have flow exits over a wide area instead of in concentrated location. Silt fence description - Answer- used a temporary perimeter controls around sites where there will be soil disturbance and consist of posts with geotextile fabric stretched across posts (non-reinforced) preferably with wire support fence. Silt fence installation - Answer- post spacing will be max of 6 feet on center. Attach fabric to metal posts with ties,. lower edge of fence is vertically trenched and covered by compacted backfill. Place fence perpendicular to flow direction. install silt fence at proper distance - Answer- from toe of steep slopes to provide sediment storage and access for maintenance and cleanout. silt fence inspection and maintenanace - Answer- check if runoff has eroded channel beneath fence, or where fence has sagged or collapsed from runoff overtopping fence silt fence sediment must be removed - Answer- when it reaches approximately 1/3 height of fence, within 30 days after final site stabilization is achieved rock ditch check description - Answer- small temporary or permanent rock fill dam constructed across drainage ditch, swale, or channel to lower speed of concentrated flows.

rock ditch check installation - Answer- rock must be placed by hand or mechanical placement(no dumping of rock) so center of check is lower than edges. rock ditch check installation spacing - Answer- maximum spacing between dams should be such that toe of upstream check is at same elevation as top of downstream check Sediment tube ditch check description - Answer- elongated tubes of compacted geotextiles, curled excelsior wood, natural coconut fiber or hardwood mulch. Sediment tubes may be installed - Answer- in drainage conveyance swales as ditch checks to help reduce effects soil erosion and retain sediment Ditch check installation - Answer- Check dams should NEVER be places in blues line streams Stabilized construction entrance description - Answer- A stabilized construction entrance is temporary stone stabilized pad located at points of vehicular ingress and egress on construction site to reduce amount of mud, dirt, and rocks transported onto public roads tsabilzed construction entrance installation - Answer- minimum of entrance should be 24 feet wide by 100 feet long. edges tapered out towards road. Consist of 2 to 3" D50 aggregate with minimum thickness 6" Filter fabric inlet protection decription - Answer- inlet protection for small storm water flows (0.5 cfs or less) with low velocities and where inlet drains relatively flat area (SLOPES NO GREATER THAN 5%) filter fabric inlet protection inspection/maintenance - Answer- if fabric clogs, replace it! sediment should be removed when it reaches 1/3 height of fence

block and gravel inlet protection description - Answer- block and gravel filter can be used where heavy flows and higher velocities are expected and where overflow capacity is necessary to prevent excessive ponding around structure. hardware fabric and stone inlet protection decripition - Answer- supported wire material with filter stone can be used where concentrated flows may be expected. Wire mesh and gravel protection is used when flows exceed 0.5 cfs and when construction traffic will occur over inlet. pre fabricated inlet protection description - Answer- structures designed to keep silt, sediment, and construction debris from entering pipe systems through open inlet structures. 5quesions every inspector should address for each site visit - Answer- 1. Does this project have an approved permit.

  1. Are the erosion and sediment control measures installed and being maintained as shown on the approved plan? 3 Is erosion being controlled on the site.
  2. Is sediment being contained on the site.
  3. Are any adjacent properties or state waters being impacted. inspector on site evaluation - Answer- ensure that BMPs are being properly maintained, including cleanout repairs. intial field visit - Answer- mark plans noting areas of special concern. Locate BMP's and designed structures- highlight each structure note topography note existing off site conditions field inspection - Answer- observe surrounding- note weather conditions, date, time, precipitation since last inspection.

phase of construction check construction entrance Required certification forms for each permitted project - Answer- pre construction conference certification (d- 0436 contractor certification form (d-0437) OS-SWPPP LOGS - Answer- - CONTRACTOR/SUBCONTRACTOR LOG

  • SWPPP modification log
  • Soil stabilization log
  • Rain log
  • Inspection log scheduled inspection forms - Answer- THERE IS NO REQUIRED FORM FOR SCHEDULED SITE INSPECTIONS scheduled inspection reports - Answer- include info when bmps perform as designed esp after large rain event, NOTE any offsite conditions on initial inspection.