VIRGINIA EROSION AND SEDIMENT
CONTROL INSPECTOR
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS |
ALREADY GRADED A+<RECENT
VERSION>
1. Erosion Impact Area - answer area of land NOT ASSOCIATED with a current land-
disturbing activity but contributing to sedimentation
2. How much more soil loss occurs from construction sites versus natural soil erosion rates?
Agricultural land? - answer 1000 times more than the average natural soil erosion rate.
20 times more than agricultural land.
3. What are 4 erosive forces? - answer wind
water
ice
gravity
4. Name and define 5 stages of soil erosion. - answer Raindrop- 90% of total soil erosion
Sheet- the soils ability to infiltrate water is exceeded and it runs in sheet flow (about 100 ft
before concentrating), how sediment gets transported
Rill- when sheet flow begins to concentrate, velocity and turbulence increase, but easily
repaired
Gully-when rills converge, larger than rill and usually requires heavy equipment to repair
Channel- large volume of water increases the gully, vertical sides are observed or for an
existing streambed when structural integrity is destroyed
5. What are the factors of rainfall impact? - answer Kinetic energy is dependent on rainfall
amount/intensity, raindrop diameter, and raindrop velocity
,6. What are two damaging effects of rainfall impact? - answer Causes soil compression
which reduces infiltration
Mainly occurs in May-Sept which is when disturbance is most active
7. 4 factors influencing erosion - answer climate
groundcover (influenced by humans)
soil properties
topography (influenced by humans)
8. What percent reduction occurs from vegetative cover? - answer 90-99%
9. What are soil properties? - answer Structure (particles adhere)
Texture (size)
Bulk density (how tightly packed)
% organic matter
infiltration (into soil)
permeability (through soil)
10. What is K factor? - answer the susceptibility of a particular soil to erosion developed by
permeability, soil texture, soil structure, and organic matter content low K factor is low
erodibility (0-0.23), and high is (0.37 +)
11. What is a variance? - answer granted by the VESCP authority to waive or modify a
requirement if it is too restrictive can request during plan submission or during construction.
if no reply after 10 days, then denied.
12. What is regulated land disturbing activity? - answer greater than or equal to 10,000
square ft 2500 in chesapeake bay preservation area
13. county use bonds - answer returned within 60 days of adequate stabilization can't be
more than 25% of estimated cost to cover expenses should the applicant fail conservation
action
14. T/F: Federal entities must submit specifications and standards annually. - answer False.
Federal entities MAY submit (water/ sewer authorities) but linear ventures MUST submit.
DEQ has 60 days to comment on standards and specs and 60 days on ESC plans for state
projects
,15. When must VESCP authority conduct inspections? - answer during or directly after ESC
installation every 2 weeks and within 48 hours of a runoff event at completion, before
release of bonds
16. When does a project have to submit reports? - answer RLD inspection report under ESC
law AND if a VESCP authority requires it (optional)
17. T/F: Inspector is not required to provide notice - answer True!
18. What is the process of enforcement? - answer 1. Conduct an inspection where deficiency
occurs.
2. If doesn't get fixed, issue Notice to Comply. (this includes measures needed to comply and
time)
3. If still fail to fix then...revoke permit, enforcement action like penalties, legal action, etc
(must have authority to do so), or stop-work order
19. When can a stop work order be issued? - answer -failure to do corrective actions after
NOC
-work started without approved ESC plan or permits
-emergencies! imminent danger to waters
20. How is a stop-work order issued? (3 scenarios) - answer 1. NOC measures are not done by
deadline, then issue SWO on all or part. 7 days, or sooner if corrected.
2. no plan/permits, mail and post on site
3. emergency- no NOC required.
21. Once final grade is reached, how many days to seed? - answer 7 days for permanent
vegetation
22. If dormant for more than 14 days, how many days to seed? - answer 7 days for temp
vegetation (permanent vegetation if dormant for >1 year)
23. What is the minimum storage capacity for a sediment trap? - answer 134 cubic yards per
acre of drainage area AND Only for a max of 3 drainage acres
, 24. When is a sediment basin used? - answer For areas more than 3 acres of drainage area
25. When is a temporary vehicular stream crossing required? (MS-13) - answer If a stream
will be crossed more than twice in 6 months (back and forth is two)
26. How many ft of utility can be open at a time? (MS-16) - answer 500 linear ft of a utility
trench
27. How many days to remove temporary controls after final site stabilization? (MS-18) -
answer 30 days
28. What is the minimum threshold for compliance for SWM? (MS-19) - answer 1 acre
(versus ESC is 10,000 square ft)
29. How is a slope percentage calculated? - answer rise/run
horizontal distance / vertical distance
closer number to 1 in a ratio= higher percentage=steeper slope
30. What type of stone should be used at a construction entrance? (MS4, 17) - answer #1
stone at 6'' depth
31. How much extra mesh is required at an inlet? - answer 12 inches
32. How are you eligible to take the exam? - answer Take a DEQ training class OR DEQ 800
hour work experience form
33. What is an agreement in lieu of a plan? - answer a contract between the plan approving
authority and the property owner that specifies conservation efforts during construction of a
single family residence VESCP can waive need for RLD
34. Describe MS-19 after July 1, 2014 - answer Requires management of post-development
SW runoff if not under SW program
-If SW into a natural channel, then achieve energy balance
CONTROL INSPECTOR
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS |
ALREADY GRADED A+<RECENT
VERSION>
1. Erosion Impact Area - answer area of land NOT ASSOCIATED with a current land-
disturbing activity but contributing to sedimentation
2. How much more soil loss occurs from construction sites versus natural soil erosion rates?
Agricultural land? - answer 1000 times more than the average natural soil erosion rate.
20 times more than agricultural land.
3. What are 4 erosive forces? - answer wind
water
ice
gravity
4. Name and define 5 stages of soil erosion. - answer Raindrop- 90% of total soil erosion
Sheet- the soils ability to infiltrate water is exceeded and it runs in sheet flow (about 100 ft
before concentrating), how sediment gets transported
Rill- when sheet flow begins to concentrate, velocity and turbulence increase, but easily
repaired
Gully-when rills converge, larger than rill and usually requires heavy equipment to repair
Channel- large volume of water increases the gully, vertical sides are observed or for an
existing streambed when structural integrity is destroyed
5. What are the factors of rainfall impact? - answer Kinetic energy is dependent on rainfall
amount/intensity, raindrop diameter, and raindrop velocity
,6. What are two damaging effects of rainfall impact? - answer Causes soil compression
which reduces infiltration
Mainly occurs in May-Sept which is when disturbance is most active
7. 4 factors influencing erosion - answer climate
groundcover (influenced by humans)
soil properties
topography (influenced by humans)
8. What percent reduction occurs from vegetative cover? - answer 90-99%
9. What are soil properties? - answer Structure (particles adhere)
Texture (size)
Bulk density (how tightly packed)
% organic matter
infiltration (into soil)
permeability (through soil)
10. What is K factor? - answer the susceptibility of a particular soil to erosion developed by
permeability, soil texture, soil structure, and organic matter content low K factor is low
erodibility (0-0.23), and high is (0.37 +)
11. What is a variance? - answer granted by the VESCP authority to waive or modify a
requirement if it is too restrictive can request during plan submission or during construction.
if no reply after 10 days, then denied.
12. What is regulated land disturbing activity? - answer greater than or equal to 10,000
square ft 2500 in chesapeake bay preservation area
13. county use bonds - answer returned within 60 days of adequate stabilization can't be
more than 25% of estimated cost to cover expenses should the applicant fail conservation
action
14. T/F: Federal entities must submit specifications and standards annually. - answer False.
Federal entities MAY submit (water/ sewer authorities) but linear ventures MUST submit.
DEQ has 60 days to comment on standards and specs and 60 days on ESC plans for state
projects
,15. When must VESCP authority conduct inspections? - answer during or directly after ESC
installation every 2 weeks and within 48 hours of a runoff event at completion, before
release of bonds
16. When does a project have to submit reports? - answer RLD inspection report under ESC
law AND if a VESCP authority requires it (optional)
17. T/F: Inspector is not required to provide notice - answer True!
18. What is the process of enforcement? - answer 1. Conduct an inspection where deficiency
occurs.
2. If doesn't get fixed, issue Notice to Comply. (this includes measures needed to comply and
time)
3. If still fail to fix then...revoke permit, enforcement action like penalties, legal action, etc
(must have authority to do so), or stop-work order
19. When can a stop work order be issued? - answer -failure to do corrective actions after
NOC
-work started without approved ESC plan or permits
-emergencies! imminent danger to waters
20. How is a stop-work order issued? (3 scenarios) - answer 1. NOC measures are not done by
deadline, then issue SWO on all or part. 7 days, or sooner if corrected.
2. no plan/permits, mail and post on site
3. emergency- no NOC required.
21. Once final grade is reached, how many days to seed? - answer 7 days for permanent
vegetation
22. If dormant for more than 14 days, how many days to seed? - answer 7 days for temp
vegetation (permanent vegetation if dormant for >1 year)
23. What is the minimum storage capacity for a sediment trap? - answer 134 cubic yards per
acre of drainage area AND Only for a max of 3 drainage acres
, 24. When is a sediment basin used? - answer For areas more than 3 acres of drainage area
25. When is a temporary vehicular stream crossing required? (MS-13) - answer If a stream
will be crossed more than twice in 6 months (back and forth is two)
26. How many ft of utility can be open at a time? (MS-16) - answer 500 linear ft of a utility
trench
27. How many days to remove temporary controls after final site stabilization? (MS-18) -
answer 30 days
28. What is the minimum threshold for compliance for SWM? (MS-19) - answer 1 acre
(versus ESC is 10,000 square ft)
29. How is a slope percentage calculated? - answer rise/run
horizontal distance / vertical distance
closer number to 1 in a ratio= higher percentage=steeper slope
30. What type of stone should be used at a construction entrance? (MS4, 17) - answer #1
stone at 6'' depth
31. How much extra mesh is required at an inlet? - answer 12 inches
32. How are you eligible to take the exam? - answer Take a DEQ training class OR DEQ 800
hour work experience form
33. What is an agreement in lieu of a plan? - answer a contract between the plan approving
authority and the property owner that specifies conservation efforts during construction of a
single family residence VESCP can waive need for RLD
34. Describe MS-19 after July 1, 2014 - answer Requires management of post-development
SW runoff if not under SW program
-If SW into a natural channel, then achieve energy balance
