Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Practice Test

What is required by law before commencing construction?

1. A completed project timeline

2. A financial risk assessment

3. The Notice of Intent (NO)

4. A final site inspection report

The correct answer is: The Notice of Intent (NO)

The requirement to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) before commencing construction is grounded in the regulations established under the Clean Water Act. This legal framework is designed to prevent pollution from construction activities by ensuring that projects comply with stormwater management practices. The NOI serves as formal notice to the appropriate environmental regulatory agency that a construction project will begin and that the site will be managed according to established stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs). The significance of the NOI is that it triggers the agency's oversight, allowing for the necessary review of the construction's potential impacts on water quality. It also conveys that the contractor is aware of and will adhere to the legal requirements governing stormwater runoff management during construction. Without this notice, a project may be operating outside legal parameters, risking environmental degradation and legal penalties. Other choices do not serve the same foundational legal purpose as the NOI. For instance, a completed project timeline, while important for project management, does not directly address environmental compliance requirements. Similarly, a financial risk assessment pertains more to economic feasibility and does not influence regulatory approval concerning stormwater. Lastly, a final site inspection report typically occurs after construction is completed, not prior to its commencement, making it irrelevant in the context of legal requirements before beginning construction.