Certified Storm Water Operator Practice Exam

How many acres of land disturbance generally requires a Part 91 permit?

1. Two or more acres

2. One or more acres

3. Five or more acres

4. Three or more acres

The correct answer is: One or more acres

The requirement for a Part 91 permit is based on the amount of land disturbance that occurs during construction or land development activities. Typically, a permit is needed when the activity involves one or more acres of disturbance. This permit is part of the regulations that aim to manage stormwater runoff effectively and reduce environmental impacts, as disturbances of this size can lead to significant changes in water quality and quantity. In many jurisdictions, the threshold is set at one acre to ensure that even smaller projects that could potentially contribute to runoff and erosion are regulated. This approach allows for better management of stormwater, thereby protecting local water bodies from pollution and enabling better environmental stewardship practices. When considering the other options, higher acre thresholds, such as two, three, or five acres, would exclude many smaller disturbances from permitting requirements, leading to potential negative impacts on stormwater systems and water quality. Therefore, maintaining the one-acre minimum threshold ensures a more comprehensive regulatory framework that addresses various levels of land disturbance.