Georgia NPDES Storm Water Permits Are Expiring

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.

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Fayette headquartered company offers required erosion control training and certification

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

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

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.