DEQ STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
INSPECTOR PRACTICE TEST PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
● What is the size threshold for VESMA compliance for a single site?
Answer: One acre or more
● What is the size threshold for VESMA compliance for activities part
of a larger common plan of development? Answer: One acre or more
● What is the size threshold for VESMA compliance under the
Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act? Answer: 2500 sq ft or more
● What size of disturbance is subject to soil erosion requirements and
water quantity technical criteria? Answer: Between 10,000 sq ft and 1
acre
● What are the 12 general activities that are fully exempt from the
erosion and stormwater program? Answer: 1. Minor residential LDAs
2. Individual service connections
3. Underground utility lines that are strictly confined to hard surface
areas
, 4. Septic tank lines or drainage fields
5. Mining operations
6. Oil and gas operations
7. Agricultural operations
8. Installation of posts or poles of any kinds
9. Shorline erosion control projects on tidal waters
10. Railroad Operations
11. Public emergency situations
12. Discharges to a sanitary sewer or a combined sewer system that are
not from an LDA
● Are septic tank lines or drainage fields fully exempt? Answer: Yes,
unless included in an overall plan for a land-disturbing activity relating
to construction.
● What type of mining operations are fully exempt? Answer: Surface or
deep mining operations.
● What oil and gas operations are fully exempt? Answer: Operations
conducted under provisions of Title 45.2.
● What 3 general agricultural operations are fully exempt? Answer: 1.
Clearing of lands
2. Growing crops
INSPECTOR PRACTICE TEST PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
● What is the size threshold for VESMA compliance for a single site?
Answer: One acre or more
● What is the size threshold for VESMA compliance for activities part
of a larger common plan of development? Answer: One acre or more
● What is the size threshold for VESMA compliance under the
Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act? Answer: 2500 sq ft or more
● What size of disturbance is subject to soil erosion requirements and
water quantity technical criteria? Answer: Between 10,000 sq ft and 1
acre
● What are the 12 general activities that are fully exempt from the
erosion and stormwater program? Answer: 1. Minor residential LDAs
2. Individual service connections
3. Underground utility lines that are strictly confined to hard surface
areas
, 4. Septic tank lines or drainage fields
5. Mining operations
6. Oil and gas operations
7. Agricultural operations
8. Installation of posts or poles of any kinds
9. Shorline erosion control projects on tidal waters
10. Railroad Operations
11. Public emergency situations
12. Discharges to a sanitary sewer or a combined sewer system that are
not from an LDA
● Are septic tank lines or drainage fields fully exempt? Answer: Yes,
unless included in an overall plan for a land-disturbing activity relating
to construction.
● What type of mining operations are fully exempt? Answer: Surface or
deep mining operations.
● What oil and gas operations are fully exempt? Answer: Operations
conducted under provisions of Title 45.2.
● What 3 general agricultural operations are fully exempt? Answer: 1.
Clearing of lands
2. Growing crops
