Georgia NPDES Storm Water Permits Are Expiring

Posted on February 1, 2011 by CC Admin

The Georgia 2006-2011 NPDES General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity, Permit No. GAR000000, will expire on July 31, 2011. A draft of this permit is not yet available so we are not able to comment on any changes that might be in the works.

When the previous permit expired, there was considerable lag time before a new permit was issued. Don’t look for this to happen again. A new permit is expected sometime in August. As always, when a permit expires, permit holders continue to be covered until a new permit is issued. Permit holders should keep up to date on the issuance of the new permit as there is generally only a 30 to 90 day period in which a new permit can be obtained and still remain in compliance.

If you have too much on your plate, DES can handle the process for you including filing a new Notice of Intent, reviewing your Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan to see if changes must be made to comply with the new permit conditions, and assessing your site. If certain conditions are met, a facility can apply for the “No Exposure” certification which exempts the facility from certain sampling or reporting requirements.

Don’t wait until the deadline is upon you. Call or e-mail Jeret Elwell, our storm water expert at DES Consultants, to find out how DES can help you. He is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) and a Certified Professional in Storm Water Quality (CPSWQ). Jeret also teaches storm water and erosion control training classes at our DES Training Center or at your location. His contact information and class schedule is posted on the training section of this website.

New Classes Announced!

Posted on July 10, 2010 by CC Admin

Environmental Training

Level 1A Fundamentals of Erosion and Sediment Control “Certified Personnel”

The Level 1A Fundamentals Seminar is a one day course designed to train contractors, builders, developers, site superintendents, grading and utility contractors, and monitoring consultants in the proper installation, maintenance, and inspection of BMPs on construction sites.

Topics covered in this course are fundamentals of erosion and sediment control, the Georgia Erosion & Sedimentation Act, NPDES Permits, field maintenance, stream buffers, vegetative and structural BMP practices.

Upcoming Dates for Level 1A Course:

Wed: Sept 29 / 8:30am-5:30pm

Trainer: Jeret R Elwell, CPESC Location: Peachtree City, Ga

Contact: Registration deadline is 3 business days before the class starts.

For additional information contact Shelly Reid at 770-631-1555 or email at
sreid@desconsulants.com

Level 1B Advanced Fundamentals of Erosion and Sediment Control
“Certified Inspector”

The Level 1B Advanced Fundamentals Seminar is a two day course designed to train regulatory enforcement inspectors and non-regulatory personnel inspectors contracted to do regulatory work to accurately inspect land disturbance areas for compliance with state erosion and sedimentation laws. The course will cover several topics such as the role of the inspector, ES&PC planning and review, and local program overview criteria.

In order to take this class you must have completed 60 days work experience in the field of erosion and sediment control, or have obtained the Level 1A certification.

Upcoming Dates for Level 1B Course:

NO CLASSES SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME

For additional
Information contact Shelly Reid at 770-631-1555 or email at sreid@desconsulants.com

Level II Introduction to Design
“Certified Design Professional” or “Certified Plan Reviewer”

Level II Introduction to Design is a two day course to train both plan reviewers and design professionals. Topics included in this course include those in the Level 1 courses plus design and review of Erosion, Sedimentation, and Pollution Control Plans.

In order to take this class as a Plan Designer you must provide proof of professional licensure in the field of engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, forestry, geology, land surveying or CPESC.

In order to take this class as a Plan Reviewer you must have completed at least 6 months of work experience in the field of erosion and sediment control, or have obtained the Level 1B certification.

Upcoming Dates for Level II Course:

Thurs & Fri: Nov 11-12 / 8:30am-5:30pm

Trainer: Jeret R Elwell, CPESC Location: Peachtree City, Ga.

Contact: Registration deadline is 3 business days before the class starts. For additional
Information contact Shelly Reid at 770-631-1555 or email at sreid@desconsulants.com

Certified Subcontractor Awareness Seminar

The Subcontractor Awareness Seminar is a two hour seminar with no exam that is designed to give individuals working in a subcontractor capacity an overview of erosion and sedimentation, the impacts erosion and sedimentation have on the environment, minimal vegetative and structural Best Management Practices (BMPs), and laws governing erosion and sedimentation.

The Subcontractor Awareness seminar is required for individuals involved in land disturbing activities working in a subcontractor capacity under a primary, secondary or tertiary permittee. Common subcontractors include, but are not limited to: grading personnel, landscapers, well drilling personnel, plumbers, and electricians.

Upcoming Dates for Subcontractor Awareness Seminar:

NO CLASSES SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME

For additional
Information contact Shelly Reid at 770-631-1555 or email at sreid@desconsulants.com

Re-Certification of all Levels (1A, 1B, II)

Four (4) hours of updates and new materials provided by the state as applicable to each of the separate levels of certification. These courses can be taken only within 1 year prior to the expiration date on your certification card.

Upcoming Dates for Recertification of Level 1A:

Fri: Sept 17 / 8:30am-12:30pm

Trainer: Jeret R Elwell, CPESC Location: Peachtree City, Ga.

Fri: Nov 4 / 8:30am-12:30pm

Trainer: Jeret R Elwell, CPESC Location: Peachtree City, Ga.

Thurs: Dec 9 / 8:30am-12:30pm

Trainer: Jeret R Elwell, CPESC Location: Peachtree City, Ga.

Contact: Registration deadline is 3 business days before the class starts. For additional Information contact Shelly Reid at 770-631-1555 or email at sreid@desconsulants.com

Upcoming Dates for Recertification of Level 1B:

Oct 12 / 8:30am-12:30pm

Trainer: Jeret R Elwell, CPESC Location: Peachtree City, Ga.

Contact: Registration deadline is 3 business days before the class starts. For additional
Information contact Shelly Reid at 770-631-1555 or email at sreid@desconsulants.com

Upcoming Dates for Recertification of Level II:

Wed: Oct 12 / 1:00pm-5:00pm

Trainer: Jeret R Elwell, CPESC Location: Peachtree City, Ga.

Fri: Dec 9 / 1:00pm-5:00pm

Trainer: Jeret R Elwell, CPESC Location: Peachtree City, Ga.

Contact: Registration deadline is 3 business days before the class starts. For additional Information contact Shelly Reid at 770-631-1555 or email at sreid@desconsulants.com

EPA Requires Contractors to Become Lead-Safe Certified

Posted on April 9, 2010 by CC Admin

Agency expects more than 125,000 contractors to be trained by April 22 deadline

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced it expects more than 125,000 renovation and remodeling contractors to be trained in lead-safe work practices by April 22, the effective date for a rule requiring such training. The agency is on target to implement the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, which will protect millions of children from lead poisoning, on
April 22, 2010. Continue reading →

Clean Water Continues to Be a Focus Point at EPA

Posted on March 18, 2010 by CC Admin

The folks at the EPA are serious about enacting new legislation and enforcement relating to water pollution. They are asking for input from water professionals around the country. This is a chance for those who want things done right to have an impact on future regulation. Clean water is an important issue, but it can be achieved without adding to the level of bureaucracy already in place. See the link in the article below to join the discussion.

Continue reading →

Proposed National Rulemaking to Strengthen the Stormwater Program

Posted on February 11, 2010 by CC Admin

EPA is announcing plans to initiate national rulemaking to establish a program to reduce stormwater discharges from new development and redevelopment and make other regulatory improvements to strengthen its stormwater program. This affects owners, operators, developers, and contractors of new development and redevelopment as well as the owners and operators of MS4s.

EPA has issued a Federal Register Notice (PDF) (6 pp, 76K) seeking stakeholder input to help EPA shape a program to reduce stormwater impacts. Input will be provided through both written comments and during a series of public listening sessions. As described in the FR Notice, EPA seeks input on the following preliminary regulatory considerations:

Expand the area subject to federal stormwater regulations
Establish specific requirements to control stormwater discharges from new development and redevelopment
Develop a single set of consistent stormwater requirements for all MS4s
Require MS4s to address stormwater discharges in areas of existing development through retrofitting the sewer system or drainage area with improved stormwater control measures
Explore specific stormwater provisions to protect sensitive areas

Written comments must be submitted on or before February 26, 2010 to the address specified in the Federal Register notice.

DES Consultants Featured in The Citizen Newspaper Online. Check out the link

Posted on August 14, 2009 by CC Admin

Fayette headquartered company offers required erosion control training and certification

DES Consultants, Inc. Announces Upcoming Erosion Control and Training Certification Classes

Posted on August 5, 2009 by CC Admin

Jeret Elwell, CPESC, CPSWQ, LEED AP. Lead Instructor for DES Consultants, Inc.

DES Consultants, Inc. (DES, Inc.), a leading provider of environmental training and consulting services to builders, developers, and contractors throughout the United States, today announced their upcoming course schedule for Erosion Control Training & Certification in the Metro Atlanta area.

Erosion Control Training & Certification is required for all individuals involved in land disturbing activities. Training and Certification courses offered by DES, Inc. include: Subcontractor Awareness, Level 1A, Level 1B, Level 2, and all levels of re-certification.

Jeret Elwell, CPESC, CPSWQ, LEED AP, and Lead Instructor for DES, Inc elaborates on the training requirements, “The Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) is tasked with managing the curriculum and certification in the state for the thousands that are Erosion Control certified.” Elwell further states, “Each erosion control certification is valid for a 3 year period. However, within the last year of the individual’s certification period a 4 hour recertification course must be completed to keep the certification active. If the certification expires, then the individual will have to start over and take the test again from the very beginning, so don’t let your card expire–make sure to take a recertification.”

Who should attend: Anyone who is currently or will be involved in land disturbing activities, homebuilders, developers, grading companies, silt fence providers, etc. If you are involved in any land disturbing activities in Georgia you must be certified by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) at the required level based on involvement. Additionally, DES offers courses to anyone that needs the Erosion Control Re-Certification training. For more information on which level of certification affects you please contact DES, Inc or visit www.gaswcc.georgia.gov.

*DES, Inc also offers on-site training to groups of 10 or more.

To register for an upcoming course or to find out more information please call DES, Inc. at (770) 631-1555 or log on to www.desconsultants.com.

Environmental Training

Level 1A Fundamentals of Erosion and Sediment Control “Certified Personnel”

Level 1B Advanced Fundamentals of Erosion and Sediment Control “Certified Inspector”

Upcoming Dates for Level 1B Course:

Level II Introduction to Design “Certified Design Professional” or “Certified Plan Reviewer”

Upcoming Dates for Level II Course:

Certified Subcontractor Awareness Seminar

Upcoming Dates for Subcontractor Awareness Seminar:

Re-Certification of all Levels (1A, 1B, II)

Upcoming Dates for Recertification of Level 1A:

Upcoming Dates for Recertification of Level 1B:

Upcoming Dates for Recertification of Level II:

Level 1B Advanced Fundamentals of Erosion and Sediment Control
“Certified Inspector”

Level II Introduction to Design
“Certified Design Professional” or “Certified Plan Reviewer”