VIRGINIA DEQ SWM PLAN REVIEWER CERTIFICATION
EXAM QUESTIONS AND 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
(NEWEST)
300 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What is the primary state regulation governing stormwater management
in Virginia?
Answer: The Virginia Stormwater Management Act (Code of Virginia § 62.1-
44.15:24 et seq.) and the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP)
Regulation (9VAC25-870).
2. What federal law requires stormwater management programs?
Answer: The Clean Water Act, specifically Section 402 which establishes the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program.
3. When did Virginia receive delegation of the federal stormwater
program?
Answer: Virginia received delegation of the federal stormwater program on
June 30, 2013.
4. What is the minimum disturbed area threshold for requiring a VSMP
permit?
Answer: Land disturbing activities that disturb 2,500 square feet or more of
land area require a VSMP permit.
5. What is the definition of "land disturbing activity" under VSMP?
Answer: A man-made change to the land surface that potentially changes its
runoff characteristics including clearing, grading, excavating, filling, or other
alteration of the land surface.
6. Which projects are exempt from VSMP permit requirements?
,Answer: Projects such as individual single-family detached residential
structures with <1 acre disturbance, certain agricultural activities, emergency
work, and routine maintenance activities.
7. What is the role of the Virginia Stormwater Management Program
Authority (VSMPA)?
Answer: The VSMPA is the entity authorized by DEQ to administer the
VSMP, including permit issuance, plan review, inspection, and enforcement.
8. How many VSMPAs are currently operating in Virginia?
Answer: There are approximately 50+ VSMPAs operating in Virginia,
including localities and regional authorities.
9. What is required for a locality to become a VSMPA?
Answer: The locality must submit an application to DEQ demonstrating
adequate legal authority, technical capability, administrative capability, and
financial resources.
10. What is the maximum civil penalty for VSMP violations?
Answer: The maximum civil penalty is $32,500 per violation per day under
current regulations.
11. What is the difference between a General Permit and an Individual
Permit?
Answer: General Permits cover common categories of activities with
standardized requirements, while Individual Permits are issued for unique or
complex projects requiring site-specific conditions.
12. What is the General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater from
Construction Activities?
Answer: VAG02 is the general permit that covers construction activities
disturbing one acre or more of land area.
13. What is the General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater from Small
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems?
Answer: VAG13 is the general permit for MS4s serving populations under
100,000.
14. What is a NOI in the VSMP context?
,Answer: Notice of Intent - the application form required to obtain coverage
under a general permit.
15. What is a NOT in the VSMP context?
Answer: Notice of Termination - the form required to terminate coverage under
a general permit when the project is complete.
16. What is the standard review timeframe for a complete VSMP permit
application?
Answer: DEQ or the VSMPA must act on a complete application within 60
days of receipt.
17. What constitutes a "complete" application?
Answer: An application containing all required forms, fees, plans, calculations,
and supporting documentation as specified in the regulations.
18. What is the public notice requirement for VSMP permits?
Answer: Individual permits require a 30-day public comment period with
notice published in a newspaper of general circulation.
19. What is the appeal process for VSMP permit decisions?
Answer: Appeals may be filed with the State Water Control Board within 30
days of the permit decision.
20. What is the duration of a VSMP permit?
Answer: VSMP permits are typically valid for 5 years from the date of
issuance.
21. What is required for permit transfers?
Answer: Permit transfers require written notification to DEQ or the VSMPA
and may require formal modification depending on the scope of changes.
22. What triggers a permit modification?
Answer: Significant changes to the approved plan, ownership changes, or
changes in site conditions may require permit modification.
23. What is the difference between a minor and major permit
modification?
Answer: Minor modifications don't require public notice and have expedited
review, while major modifications require full review and public notice.
, 24. What enforcement actions can be taken for VSMP violations?
Answer: Enforcement actions include notice of violation, consent orders, civil
penalties, permit revocation, and criminal prosecution.
25. What is the statute of limitations for VSMP violations?
Answer: Civil enforcement actions must be commenced within 3 years of the
violation.
26. What records must be maintained for VSMP compliance?
Answer: All plans, permits, inspection reports, monitoring data, and
correspondence must be maintained for at least 3 years.
27. What is the Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook?
Answer: The technical guidance document that provides detailed specifications
and standards for stormwater management practices.
28. What is the role of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)?
Answer: The TAC advises DEQ on technical matters related to stormwater
management and reviews proposed regulation changes.
29. What is the Chesapeake Bay TMDL and how does it affect VSMP?
Answer: The Total Maximum Daily Load for the Chesapeake Bay requires
nutrient and sediment reductions, implemented through enhanced stormwater
requirements.
30. What are the Enhanced Nutrient Removal provisions?
Answer: Requirements for additional nutrient removal in projects located in the
Chesapeake Bay watershed, typically requiring 40% total phosphorus removal.
31. What is the Virginia Stormwater BMP Clearinghouse?
Answer: An online database of approved stormwater best management
practices with design specifications and performance standards.
32. What is required for BMP design variances?
Answer: Variances require demonstration that the proposed design will provide
equivalent or superior performance to the standard specification.
33. What is the role of the Virginia Stormwater BMP Clearinghouse
Committee?
EXAM QUESTIONS AND 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
(NEWEST)
300 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What is the primary state regulation governing stormwater management
in Virginia?
Answer: The Virginia Stormwater Management Act (Code of Virginia § 62.1-
44.15:24 et seq.) and the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP)
Regulation (9VAC25-870).
2. What federal law requires stormwater management programs?
Answer: The Clean Water Act, specifically Section 402 which establishes the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program.
3. When did Virginia receive delegation of the federal stormwater
program?
Answer: Virginia received delegation of the federal stormwater program on
June 30, 2013.
4. What is the minimum disturbed area threshold for requiring a VSMP
permit?
Answer: Land disturbing activities that disturb 2,500 square feet or more of
land area require a VSMP permit.
5. What is the definition of "land disturbing activity" under VSMP?
Answer: A man-made change to the land surface that potentially changes its
runoff characteristics including clearing, grading, excavating, filling, or other
alteration of the land surface.
6. Which projects are exempt from VSMP permit requirements?
,Answer: Projects such as individual single-family detached residential
structures with <1 acre disturbance, certain agricultural activities, emergency
work, and routine maintenance activities.
7. What is the role of the Virginia Stormwater Management Program
Authority (VSMPA)?
Answer: The VSMPA is the entity authorized by DEQ to administer the
VSMP, including permit issuance, plan review, inspection, and enforcement.
8. How many VSMPAs are currently operating in Virginia?
Answer: There are approximately 50+ VSMPAs operating in Virginia,
including localities and regional authorities.
9. What is required for a locality to become a VSMPA?
Answer: The locality must submit an application to DEQ demonstrating
adequate legal authority, technical capability, administrative capability, and
financial resources.
10. What is the maximum civil penalty for VSMP violations?
Answer: The maximum civil penalty is $32,500 per violation per day under
current regulations.
11. What is the difference between a General Permit and an Individual
Permit?
Answer: General Permits cover common categories of activities with
standardized requirements, while Individual Permits are issued for unique or
complex projects requiring site-specific conditions.
12. What is the General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater from
Construction Activities?
Answer: VAG02 is the general permit that covers construction activities
disturbing one acre or more of land area.
13. What is the General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater from Small
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems?
Answer: VAG13 is the general permit for MS4s serving populations under
100,000.
14. What is a NOI in the VSMP context?
,Answer: Notice of Intent - the application form required to obtain coverage
under a general permit.
15. What is a NOT in the VSMP context?
Answer: Notice of Termination - the form required to terminate coverage under
a general permit when the project is complete.
16. What is the standard review timeframe for a complete VSMP permit
application?
Answer: DEQ or the VSMPA must act on a complete application within 60
days of receipt.
17. What constitutes a "complete" application?
Answer: An application containing all required forms, fees, plans, calculations,
and supporting documentation as specified in the regulations.
18. What is the public notice requirement for VSMP permits?
Answer: Individual permits require a 30-day public comment period with
notice published in a newspaper of general circulation.
19. What is the appeal process for VSMP permit decisions?
Answer: Appeals may be filed with the State Water Control Board within 30
days of the permit decision.
20. What is the duration of a VSMP permit?
Answer: VSMP permits are typically valid for 5 years from the date of
issuance.
21. What is required for permit transfers?
Answer: Permit transfers require written notification to DEQ or the VSMPA
and may require formal modification depending on the scope of changes.
22. What triggers a permit modification?
Answer: Significant changes to the approved plan, ownership changes, or
changes in site conditions may require permit modification.
23. What is the difference between a minor and major permit
modification?
Answer: Minor modifications don't require public notice and have expedited
review, while major modifications require full review and public notice.
, 24. What enforcement actions can be taken for VSMP violations?
Answer: Enforcement actions include notice of violation, consent orders, civil
penalties, permit revocation, and criminal prosecution.
25. What is the statute of limitations for VSMP violations?
Answer: Civil enforcement actions must be commenced within 3 years of the
violation.
26. What records must be maintained for VSMP compliance?
Answer: All plans, permits, inspection reports, monitoring data, and
correspondence must be maintained for at least 3 years.
27. What is the Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook?
Answer: The technical guidance document that provides detailed specifications
and standards for stormwater management practices.
28. What is the role of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)?
Answer: The TAC advises DEQ on technical matters related to stormwater
management and reviews proposed regulation changes.
29. What is the Chesapeake Bay TMDL and how does it affect VSMP?
Answer: The Total Maximum Daily Load for the Chesapeake Bay requires
nutrient and sediment reductions, implemented through enhanced stormwater
requirements.
30. What are the Enhanced Nutrient Removal provisions?
Answer: Requirements for additional nutrient removal in projects located in the
Chesapeake Bay watershed, typically requiring 40% total phosphorus removal.
31. What is the Virginia Stormwater BMP Clearinghouse?
Answer: An online database of approved stormwater best management
practices with design specifications and performance standards.
32. What is required for BMP design variances?
Answer: Variances require demonstration that the proposed design will provide
equivalent or superior performance to the standard specification.
33. What is the role of the Virginia Stormwater BMP Clearinghouse
Committee?
