CESSWI EXAM questions and
answers(already passed)
Erosion - answer -process in which, by the actions of wind and/or water, soil particles
detached and transported
Sediment - answer -eroded material suspended in wind or water
Sedimentation - answer -deposition of eroded material
Types of Erosion - answer -splash
sheet
rill
gully
channel
Splash erosion - answer -raindrop impact energy is enough to dislodge surface
sediments
sheet erosion - answer -caused by rain splash detaching soil particles lifting them up
and removing them by shallow "sheets" of water flowing down the sloped soil surface
Rill Erosion - answer -as flow concentrates, small channels begin to form in the soil
surface
,Gully Erosion - answer -Formed when runoff cuts rills deeper and wider or when
flows from several rills come together and form a large channels
Channel Erosion - answer -may become unstable due to increased flows or changes in
upstream sediment load
Natural erosion - answer -generally considered due to the influences of climate on the
surface of the earth
Accelerated erosion - answer -natural erosion plus human activities
What problems can accelerated erosion cause? - answer -Unrestricted development
removal of surface cover
increased imperviousness
poor stewardship
Problems associated with construction related erosion - answer -problems for down
slope property owners
nuisance problems on streets
clog streams and storm drains
increased turbidity downstream
cover sensitive habitat with sediment
Identify instream damages of sediment - answer -destruction of spawning areas, food
sources, habitat
direct toxicity to wildlife
lake degradation
filling of navigation channels
,impacts to commercial fisheries
reduction of water storage capacities
Suspended material - answer -sediment can affect light penetration, channel stability,
fisheries and habitat
Name Off stream damages - answer -Increased flood hazards
increased water treatment costs
decreased capacity in conveyance facilities
higher infrastructure maintenance costs
What has increased the amount of impervious surface in our watersheds? - answer -
Urbanization and development
priority pollutants include - answer -nutrients
pathogens
heavy metals
toxics
sediment
salts
detergents
hydro carbons
Clean Water Act (CWA) - answer -Federal Water Pollution Control Act enacted to
restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the waters of the US
administered by USEPA
, Section 401 - answer -water quality certification
requires applicant, including any construction or operation of a facility, to obtain
certification to discharge ANY pollutant.
administered by the State
Section 402 - answer -NPDES Regs
NPDES - answer -National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
MS4 - answer -Municipal Separate Storm Sewers Systems
NURP - answer -Nationwide Urban Runoff Program
1987-1983
led to EPA regulating stormwater
Phase I
(1987 - 1992) - answer -already covered by NPDES permit
facilities that engage in industrial activity
Large municipal storm systems (>250,000)
Medium municipal storms systems (100 - 250 K)
facilities that EPA said were significant contributors
Storm Water Implementation Rule - answer -enacted April 1992, identified minimum
requirements for NPDES stormwater permits
Section 404 - answer -regulates dredge / fill permitting into waters of the US
administered by USACE
answers(already passed)
Erosion - answer -process in which, by the actions of wind and/or water, soil particles
detached and transported
Sediment - answer -eroded material suspended in wind or water
Sedimentation - answer -deposition of eroded material
Types of Erosion - answer -splash
sheet
rill
gully
channel
Splash erosion - answer -raindrop impact energy is enough to dislodge surface
sediments
sheet erosion - answer -caused by rain splash detaching soil particles lifting them up
and removing them by shallow "sheets" of water flowing down the sloped soil surface
Rill Erosion - answer -as flow concentrates, small channels begin to form in the soil
surface
,Gully Erosion - answer -Formed when runoff cuts rills deeper and wider or when
flows from several rills come together and form a large channels
Channel Erosion - answer -may become unstable due to increased flows or changes in
upstream sediment load
Natural erosion - answer -generally considered due to the influences of climate on the
surface of the earth
Accelerated erosion - answer -natural erosion plus human activities
What problems can accelerated erosion cause? - answer -Unrestricted development
removal of surface cover
increased imperviousness
poor stewardship
Problems associated with construction related erosion - answer -problems for down
slope property owners
nuisance problems on streets
clog streams and storm drains
increased turbidity downstream
cover sensitive habitat with sediment
Identify instream damages of sediment - answer -destruction of spawning areas, food
sources, habitat
direct toxicity to wildlife
lake degradation
filling of navigation channels
,impacts to commercial fisheries
reduction of water storage capacities
Suspended material - answer -sediment can affect light penetration, channel stability,
fisheries and habitat
Name Off stream damages - answer -Increased flood hazards
increased water treatment costs
decreased capacity in conveyance facilities
higher infrastructure maintenance costs
What has increased the amount of impervious surface in our watersheds? - answer -
Urbanization and development
priority pollutants include - answer -nutrients
pathogens
heavy metals
toxics
sediment
salts
detergents
hydro carbons
Clean Water Act (CWA) - answer -Federal Water Pollution Control Act enacted to
restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the waters of the US
administered by USEPA
, Section 401 - answer -water quality certification
requires applicant, including any construction or operation of a facility, to obtain
certification to discharge ANY pollutant.
administered by the State
Section 402 - answer -NPDES Regs
NPDES - answer -National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
MS4 - answer -Municipal Separate Storm Sewers Systems
NURP - answer -Nationwide Urban Runoff Program
1987-1983
led to EPA regulating stormwater
Phase I
(1987 - 1992) - answer -already covered by NPDES permit
facilities that engage in industrial activity
Large municipal storm systems (>250,000)
Medium municipal storms systems (100 - 250 K)
facilities that EPA said were significant contributors
Storm Water Implementation Rule - answer -enacted April 1992, identified minimum
requirements for NPDES stormwater permits
Section 404 - answer -regulates dredge / fill permitting into waters of the US
administered by USACE
