Erosion and Sediment Control Certification Program

Bruce Wilson, Professor
Kevin Janni, Professor and Head
John Chapman, Program Director
Princesa Vanburen, Scientist
Leo Holm, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Dwayne Stenlund, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Brett Troyer, Minnesota Department of Transportation

Objective

The goal of this program is to provide contractors, engineers, installers, and agency personnel the information they need to prepare and implement erosion and sediment control plans and comply with state pollution regulations.

Need or Impact

Erosion from construction activities drives costs up by lengthening the time required to finish projects and can also result in large fines for both contractors and agencies. Sediment leaving construction sites is subject to National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations. These regulations were modified in 2003 and are now applicable to construction sites with one acre or more of disturbance. As more construction activities are impacted by the regulations, more people are looking for educational materials on the subject. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is now requiring erosion certification training to ensure compliance with erosion and sediment control provisions on Mn/DOT projects. Certified installers, managers, and designers will have the tools they need to prevent erosion in the first place.

Status

Three levels of certification (Inspector/Installer, Site Management, and Design of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans) were offered in 2005. In 2005, an additional 1000 individuals received a three-year certification in one or more levels, bringing the total number of certified individuals in the state to nearly 4000. The program continues in 2006 with additional recertification levels.