A contractor disturbs 1.2 acres of land for a Virginia residential subdivision. What environmental permit is most likely required?
Correct Answer
B) General permit for construction activities
Disturbing 1.2 acres (over 1 acre) typically requires a General Permit for construction activities under Virginia's stormwater management program.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Virginia's stormwater management program, administered by DEQ, requires a Construction General Permit (CGP) for land-disturbing activities that disturb 1 acre or more. At 1.2 acres, this project crosses the 1-acre threshold, triggering the general permit requirement. The CGP covers the vast majority of construction sites and is far more common than an individual permit.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: No permit required for residential work
The claim that no permit is required for residential work is incorrect. The 1-acre threshold applies regardless of the end use (residential, commercial, etc.). Virginia's Stormwater Management Act does not exempt residential subdivisions.
Option C: Individual permit only
An individual permit is required only for projects with unique or complex impacts that cannot be adequately regulated under the general permit. A standard 1.2-acre residential subdivision does not meet this threshold — a general permit is both sufficient and appropriate.
Option D: Municipal permit only
Municipal permits (local erosion and sediment control permits) may also be required, but they are separate from and subordinate to the state DEQ permit. The question asks which permit is 'most likely required,' pointing to the state-level general permit as the primary answer.
Memory Technique
The magic number is 1 acre. Disturb ≥ 1 acre in Virginia → Construction General Permit from DEQ. Picture a 1-acre lot as a football field: go over that size and the state wants a general permit.
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