VIRGINIA EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL HANDBOOK
EXAM QUESTIONS AND 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
RECENTLY UPDATED
300 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Q: What is the primary purpose of the Virginia Erosion and Sediment
Control Law? A: To control soil erosion, stream channel erosion, and nonpoint
source pollution attributable to land-disturbing activities.
2. Q: What constitutes a "land-disturbing activity" under Virginia law? A:
Any use of land that results in a change in the natural cover or topography and
that may cause or contribute to erosion and sediment pollution.
3. Q: What is the minimum area threshold for requiring an erosion and
sediment control plan? A: Generally 2,500 square feet or more, though some
localities may have lower thresholds.
4. Q: Who is responsible for developing an erosion and sediment control
plan? A: A responsible land disturber or their designated agent, typically
prepared by a qualified professional.
5. Q: What are the three main components of erosion and sediment
control? A: Prevention, minimization, and treatment of erosion and
sedimentation.
6. Q: What is the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) used for? A: To
predict average annual soil loss from sheet and rill erosion under specific
conditions.
7. Q: What does the "T" value represent in soil conservation? A: The
maximum rate of annual soil erosion that will permit crop productivity to be
sustained economically and indefinitely.
8. Q: What is the difference between erosion and sedimentation? A: Erosion
is the detachment and movement of soil particles; sedimentation is the
deposition of those particles.
,9. Q: What are the primary factors affecting soil erosion? A: Climate, soil
characteristics, topography, ground cover, and land use practices.
10. Q: What is the role of the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control
Program Administrator? A: To oversee the statewide implementation of
erosion and sediment control regulations and provide technical guidance.
11. Q: What is a "responsible land disturber"? A: The person who has
operational control over land-disturbing activities and is responsible for
compliance.
12. Q: When must construction activities cease due to erosion and sediment
control violations? A: When a stop work order is issued by the program
administrator or when immediate danger to public health exists.
13. Q: What is the maximum civil penalty for violating erosion and
sediment control regulations? A: Up to $32,500 per violation per day.
14. Q: What is required before beginning any land-disturbing activity? A:
An approved erosion and sediment control plan and any required permits.
15. Q: What is the minimum inspection frequency for active construction
sites? A: At least once every two weeks and within 24 hours after any runoff-
producing rainfall event.
16. Q: What constitutes adequate stabilization of disturbed areas? A:
Establishment of 70% vegetative cover or equivalent protection measures.
17. Q: What is the purpose of a construction entrance/exit? A: To minimize
the transport of sediment from the site by construction vehicles.
18. Q: What is the maximum allowable slope for temporary stockpiles? A:
Generally 2:1 (horizontal to vertical) unless otherwise stabilized.
19. Q: What is the required setback distance from streams for land-
disturbing activities? A: Typically 25 feet from the top of the bank, though this
may vary by locality.
20. Q: What is a "waters of the state" under Virginia law? A: All water, on
the surface and under the ground, wholly or partially within the boundaries of
the Commonwealth.
21. Q: What is the primary difference between temporary and permanent
erosion control measures? A: Temporary measures are used during
construction; permanent measures remain after project completion.
, 22. Q: What is the purpose of phased construction? A: To minimize the area
of disturbed soil exposed at any one time.
23. Q: What is the maximum time allowed for temporary stabilization of
disturbed areas? A: Generally 14 days, or 7 days if within 50 feet of a stream.
24. Q: What is required for permanent stabilization? A: Establishment of
permanent vegetation or other permanent physical erosion control measures.
25. Q: What is the role of the locality in erosion and sediment control? A:
To review and approve plans, conduct inspections, and enforce regulations
within their jurisdiction.
26. Q: What is a "common plan of development"? A: A contiguous area
where multiple separate and distinct land-disturbing activities are occurring
under one plan.
27. Q: What is the purpose of sediment trapping efficiency requirements?
A: To ensure that sediment control measures remove a specified percentage of
sediment from runoff.
28. Q: What is the minimum sediment trapping efficiency required for
most control measures? A: 80% for the design storm event.
29. Q: What is a "design storm event"? A: The rainfall event used to size
erosion and sediment control measures, typically the 2-year, 24-hour storm.
30. Q: What is the purpose of a pre-construction meeting? A: To review the
erosion and sediment control plan and ensure all parties understand their
responsibilities.
31. Q: What documentation must be maintained on construction sites? A:
Approved plans, inspection reports, and records of maintenance activities.
32. Q: What is the purpose of a Notice of Intent (NOI)? A: To notify the
regulatory authority of the intent to conduct land-disturbing activities.
33. Q: What is the difference between a general permit and an individual
permit? A: General permits cover common activities with standard conditions;
individual permits are site-specific.
34. Q: What is the role of a certified erosion and sediment control
inspector? A: To conduct regular inspections and ensure compliance with
approved plans.
35. Q: What is the purpose of a surety bond or other financial guarantee?
A: To ensure completion of required erosion and sediment control measures.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
RECENTLY UPDATED
300 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Q: What is the primary purpose of the Virginia Erosion and Sediment
Control Law? A: To control soil erosion, stream channel erosion, and nonpoint
source pollution attributable to land-disturbing activities.
2. Q: What constitutes a "land-disturbing activity" under Virginia law? A:
Any use of land that results in a change in the natural cover or topography and
that may cause or contribute to erosion and sediment pollution.
3. Q: What is the minimum area threshold for requiring an erosion and
sediment control plan? A: Generally 2,500 square feet or more, though some
localities may have lower thresholds.
4. Q: Who is responsible for developing an erosion and sediment control
plan? A: A responsible land disturber or their designated agent, typically
prepared by a qualified professional.
5. Q: What are the three main components of erosion and sediment
control? A: Prevention, minimization, and treatment of erosion and
sedimentation.
6. Q: What is the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) used for? A: To
predict average annual soil loss from sheet and rill erosion under specific
conditions.
7. Q: What does the "T" value represent in soil conservation? A: The
maximum rate of annual soil erosion that will permit crop productivity to be
sustained economically and indefinitely.
8. Q: What is the difference between erosion and sedimentation? A: Erosion
is the detachment and movement of soil particles; sedimentation is the
deposition of those particles.
,9. Q: What are the primary factors affecting soil erosion? A: Climate, soil
characteristics, topography, ground cover, and land use practices.
10. Q: What is the role of the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control
Program Administrator? A: To oversee the statewide implementation of
erosion and sediment control regulations and provide technical guidance.
11. Q: What is a "responsible land disturber"? A: The person who has
operational control over land-disturbing activities and is responsible for
compliance.
12. Q: When must construction activities cease due to erosion and sediment
control violations? A: When a stop work order is issued by the program
administrator or when immediate danger to public health exists.
13. Q: What is the maximum civil penalty for violating erosion and
sediment control regulations? A: Up to $32,500 per violation per day.
14. Q: What is required before beginning any land-disturbing activity? A:
An approved erosion and sediment control plan and any required permits.
15. Q: What is the minimum inspection frequency for active construction
sites? A: At least once every two weeks and within 24 hours after any runoff-
producing rainfall event.
16. Q: What constitutes adequate stabilization of disturbed areas? A:
Establishment of 70% vegetative cover or equivalent protection measures.
17. Q: What is the purpose of a construction entrance/exit? A: To minimize
the transport of sediment from the site by construction vehicles.
18. Q: What is the maximum allowable slope for temporary stockpiles? A:
Generally 2:1 (horizontal to vertical) unless otherwise stabilized.
19. Q: What is the required setback distance from streams for land-
disturbing activities? A: Typically 25 feet from the top of the bank, though this
may vary by locality.
20. Q: What is a "waters of the state" under Virginia law? A: All water, on
the surface and under the ground, wholly or partially within the boundaries of
the Commonwealth.
21. Q: What is the primary difference between temporary and permanent
erosion control measures? A: Temporary measures are used during
construction; permanent measures remain after project completion.
, 22. Q: What is the purpose of phased construction? A: To minimize the area
of disturbed soil exposed at any one time.
23. Q: What is the maximum time allowed for temporary stabilization of
disturbed areas? A: Generally 14 days, or 7 days if within 50 feet of a stream.
24. Q: What is required for permanent stabilization? A: Establishment of
permanent vegetation or other permanent physical erosion control measures.
25. Q: What is the role of the locality in erosion and sediment control? A:
To review and approve plans, conduct inspections, and enforce regulations
within their jurisdiction.
26. Q: What is a "common plan of development"? A: A contiguous area
where multiple separate and distinct land-disturbing activities are occurring
under one plan.
27. Q: What is the purpose of sediment trapping efficiency requirements?
A: To ensure that sediment control measures remove a specified percentage of
sediment from runoff.
28. Q: What is the minimum sediment trapping efficiency required for
most control measures? A: 80% for the design storm event.
29. Q: What is a "design storm event"? A: The rainfall event used to size
erosion and sediment control measures, typically the 2-year, 24-hour storm.
30. Q: What is the purpose of a pre-construction meeting? A: To review the
erosion and sediment control plan and ensure all parties understand their
responsibilities.
31. Q: What documentation must be maintained on construction sites? A:
Approved plans, inspection reports, and records of maintenance activities.
32. Q: What is the purpose of a Notice of Intent (NOI)? A: To notify the
regulatory authority of the intent to conduct land-disturbing activities.
33. Q: What is the difference between a general permit and an individual
permit? A: General permits cover common activities with standard conditions;
individual permits are site-specific.
34. Q: What is the role of a certified erosion and sediment control
inspector? A: To conduct regular inspections and ensure compliance with
approved plans.
35. Q: What is the purpose of a surety bond or other financial guarantee?
A: To ensure completion of required erosion and sediment control measures.
