Virginia ESC Minimum Standards

Question 1

What is Minimum Standard 1?

Answer 1

Stabilization

Module 5 /Page 5

Question 2

What is Minimum Standard 4?

Answer 2

First Step Measures

Module 5 /Page 8

Question 3

What is Minimum Standard 10?

Answer 3

Inlet Protection

Module 5 /Page 10

Question 4

What is Minimum Standard 17?

Answer 4

Vehicular Tracking and Construction Entrances

Module 5 /Page 21

Question 5

What is Minimum Standard 19?

Answer 5

Stormwater Management in relation to Erosion and Sediment Control

(Module 5 /Page 23)

Question 6

Minimum Standard 5 refers to Earthen Structure Stabilization. According to the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook, when should stabilization measures be applied to earthen structures?

Answer 6

Immediately after installation

In this case, MS-5 overrules MS-1

(Module 5 /Page 9)

Question 7

What are some structural control practices that would be considered earthen structures? (Note: There are 5)

Answer 7

• Temporary Diversion Dike
• Diversion
• Temporary Sediment Trap
• Temporary Sediment Basin
• Stormwater Conveyance Channel

(Module 6 /Page 32-34)

Question 8

Minimum Standard 8 refers to concentrated runoff. What does MS-8 try to ensure?

Answer 8

MS-8 wants to ensure concentrated runoff does not flow down cut or fill slopes unless it is contained within a channel, flume, or slope drain.

(Module 5 /Page 12)

Question 9

What is the purpose of MS-11, outlet protection?

Answer 9

• To prevent scour at Stormwater outlets
• To minimize potential for downstream erosion by reducing velocity and energy of concentrated Stormwater flows

(Module 5 /Page 15)

Question 10

What amount of stream crossings needed for construction in a six month period will warrant a temporary stream crossing based on MS-13?

Answer 10

2 times in a 6 month period will warrant a temporary stream crossing

(Module 5 /Page 17)

Question 11

The state of Virginia has had the minimum standards for Erosion and Sediment Control in place since when?

A) 1970
B) 1980
C) 1990
D) 2000

Answer 11

C) 1990

Module 5 /Page 2

Question 12

Minimum Standard 15 states that what should be stabilized immediately after work is completed?

Answer 12

The bed and bank of a watercourse

Module 5 /Page 19

Question 13

When constructing an underground utility, MS-16 states only how many linear feet of trench may be opened at once?

Answer 13

500 linear feet

Module 5 /Page 20

Question 14

When does MS-18, Control Removal, state that all temporary ESC measures should be removed by?

Answer 14

Within 30 days of final site stabilization

Module 5 /Page 22

Question 15

When should soil stabilization be applied to denuded areas after final grade is reached based on MS-1?

Answer 15

Within 7 days after final grade is reached on any portion of the site

(Module 5 /Page 5)

Question 16

If a site will be left dormant for more than one year, what action does MS-1 require?

Answer 16

Permanent seeding shall be applied

Module 5 /Page 5

Question 17

Based on the project schedule, it is estimated that a portion of a site will see no work for three weeks. What action should be taken and why?

Answer 17

This section of the site should be temporarily seeded since it will be dormant for more than 14 days based on MS-1.

(Module 5 /Page 5)

Question 18

Can sediment basins be considered first step measures based on MS-4?

Answer 18

Yes. If a practices will be needed to assure sediment does not leave the land disturbance area once site clearing, grading, and construction begins it should be installed as a first step.

(Module 5 /Page 8)

Question 19

What is Minimum Standard 6?

Answer 19

Traps and Basins

(Module 5 /Page 10

Question 20

When should a sediment trap be used and when should a sediment basin be used?

Answer 20

Sediment Traps are for drainage areas less than 3 acres, sediment basins should be used for drainage areas larger than 3 acres.

(Module 5 /Page 10

Question 21

If a sediment trap will be functioning for a drainage area of 1 acre, how large should it be?

Answer 21

134 cubic yards

“The minimum storage capacity of a sediment trap shall be 134 cubic yards per acre of drainage areas”

(Module 5 /Page 10)

Question 22

If a slope is found to be excessively eroding after 1 year of permanent stabilization, what does MS-7 recommend?

Answer 22

The slope shall be provided with additional slope stabilizing measures until the problem is corrected.

(Module 5 /Page 11)

Question 23

MS-9, Water Seeps, refers to aquifers or groundwater tables. Why might this be relevant on a construction project?

Answer 23

Because cut and fill operation may expose shall aquifers or groundwater tables, causing the slope to erode.

(Module 5 /Page 13)

Question 24

What are two negative impacts of sediment entering a storm sewer system?

Answer 24

Sediment can be transported to a receiving channel during high velocity storm events

Sediment may be deposited in pipes resulting in clogging during low velocity storm events

(Module 5 /Page 14)

Question 25

What is an acceptable grade for outlet protection?

Answer 25

Outlet protections MUST be constructed at grade of 0% | Module 5 /Page 15

Question 26

What material must be used to construct a causeway or cofferdam based on MS-12?

Answer 26

"Non-erodible materials" | Module 5 /Page 16

Question 27

MS-14, Other Watercourse Regulations, states what?

Answer 27

All applicable federal, state, and local requirements pertaining too working in or crossing live streams should be met." (Module 5 /Page 18)

Question 28

What is an approved method for cleaning paved roads based on MS-17 and when should it take place.

Answer 28

Sediment should be removed from paved surfaces by shoveling and sweeping at the end of each day. (Module 5 /Page 21)

Question 29

Does cleaning of roadways at the end of every work day apply to small individual lots?

Answer 29

Yes. "This provision applies to individual development lots as well as larger land-disturbing activities." (Module 5 /Page 21)

Question 30

Is washing of streets permitted based on MS-17?

Answer 30

Yes, but only after shoveling and sweeping | Module 5 /Page 21

Question 31

To meet the requirements of MS-19 what 3 components of Stormwater discharge must be addressed?

Answer 31

1. ) channel capacity 2. ) channel stability 3. ) peak flow rate (Module 5 /Page 26)

Question 32

When MS-19 states channel stability must be addressed, what does that mean?

Answer 32

It means each structure or conduit has a permissible velocity, or the highest velocity allowed (Module 5 /Page 26)

Question 33

When MS-19 states channel capacity must be addressed, what does that mean?

Answer 33

Channel capacity means the volume and duration | Module 5 /Page 26

Question 34

MS-19 requires natural channels to be analyzed based on what type of storm event?

Answer 34

The 2-year storm | Module 5 /Page 27

Question 35

When natural channels are analyzed due to MS-19, what needs to be verified?

Answer 35

The 2-year storm needs to be used to verify that stormwater will not overtop channel banks nor cause erosion of the channel bed or banks. (Module 5 /Page 27)

Question 36

When analyzing pipes to meet the requirements MS-19, what criteria needs to be met?

Answer 36

The 10-year storm must be contained within the pipe or system (Module 5 /Page 27)

Question 37

Are the "Minimum Standards" found in the Erosion and Sediment Control Laws or Regulations?

Answer 37

Found in the Regulations | 9VAC25-840-40

Question 38

What is a "cofferdam"?

Answer 38

A watertight temporary structure in a river, lake, etc., for keeping the water from an enclosed area that has been pumped dry so that bridge foundations, dams, etc, may be constructed. (9VAC25-840-10 Definitions)

Question 39

What is a "dike"?

Answer 39

An earthen embankment constructed to confine or control water, especially one built along the banks of a river to prevent overflow of lowlands; levee (9VAC25-840-10 Definitions)

Question 40

What is an "energy dissipator"?

Answer 40

A non-erodible structure which reduces the velocity of concentrated flow to reduce its erosive effects. (9VAC25-840-10 Definitions)

Question 41

What is a "flume"?

Answer 41

A constructed device lined with erosive-resistant materials intended to convey water on steep grades. (9VAC25-840-10 Definitions)

Question 42

What is a "ten-year storm"?

Answer 42

A storm that is capable of producing rainfall expected to be equaled or exceeded on the average of once in 10 years. (9VAC25-840-10 Definitions)

Question 43

What does "stabilized" mean?

Answer 43

Land that has been treated to withstand normal exposure to natural forces without incurring erosion damage (9VAC25-840-10 Definitions)

Question 44

What design concepts need to be included so that stream restoration/relocation projects are not considered man-made channels?

Answer 44

"Natural Channel Design Concepts" 62.1-44.15:52 A

Question 45

What is "Stormwater detention"?

Answer 45

The process of temporarily impounding runoff and discharging it through a hydraulic outlet structure to a downstream conveyance system (9VAC25-840-10 Definitions)

Question 46

What is a "live watercourse"?

Answer 46

A definite channel with bed and bank within which concentrated water flows continuously (9VAC25-840-10 Definitions)

Question 47

What does "denuded" mean?

Answer 47

Land that has been physically disturbed and no longer supports vegetative cover. (9VAC25-840-10 Definitions)

Question 48

What one thing are minimum standards 1, 2, 3, and 5 all focused on?

Answer 48

-Erosion control stabilization | Module 5 / Page 4

Question 49

What one thing are minimum standards 12, 13, 14, and 15 all focused on?

Answer 49

Water courses | Module 5 / Page 4

Question 50

What one thing are minimum standards 7, 8, and 9 all focused on?

Answer 50

Slope protection | Module 5 / Page 4

Question 51

What one thing are minimum standards 10 and 11 both focused on?

Answer 51

Channels, culverts, and outlets | Module 5 / Page 4

Question 52

What one thing are minimum standards 4 and 6 both focused on?

Answer 52

Sediment control | Module 5 / Page 4

Question 53

When man-made channels are analyzed due to MS-19, what needs to be verified?

Answer 53

The 10-year storm needs to be used to verify that stormwater will not overtop the banks and the 2-year storm needs to be used to verify stormwater will not cause erosion of channel bed or banks. (Module 5 /Page 27)