Contractor License Practice Exam

How many acres of disturbed soil at a construction site require obtaining a General Permit NPDES Stormwater Discharge Permit?

1. Half an acre

2. One acre

3. Two acres

4. Three acres

The correct answer is: One acre

A General Permit NPDES Stormwater Discharge Permit is required for construction sites that disturb one acre or more of soil. This regulation is part of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), which aims to control water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. When a construction site disturbs soil, it can lead to increased runoff of sediment and pollutants into nearby waterways. By establishing the one-acre threshold for permitting, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and respective state agencies aim to mitigate environmental damage while balancing regulatory burdens on smaller sites. The requirement for a permit at this threshold helps ensure that appropriate best management practices (BMPs) are employed to manage stormwater runoff effectively. Therefore, the choice of one acre aligns with this regulatory framework, emphasizing the importance of managing soil disturbance to protect water quality. The other options, half an acre, two acres, and three acres, do not meet the specific regulatory threshold set by the EPA for requiring a General Permit, making them incorrect in this context.