TRAINING HELD TO PROTECT FLORIDA’S WATER

Florida DEP Banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 6, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

TRAINING HELD TO PROTECT FLORIDA’S WATER

~ DEP sponsors free stormwater erosion and sedimentation control inspector's class ~

PALM BAY – Hernando County will be hosting a free Stormwater Erosion and Sedimentation Control Inspector's Class sponsored by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on June 11 and 12 in Palm Bay. The goal of the program is to protect Florida’s waters by encouraging the proper design, construction and maintenance of erosion and sediment controls during construction, and to assure the proper long-term operation and maintenance of stormwater systems after construction is completed. The class is primarily to provide training to private and public employees in various construction-related fields, however, permit reviewers, public works personnel and engineers can also benefit from this program.

WHAT:                  Stormwater Erosion and Sedimentation Control Inspector's Class

WHEN:                  Wednesday, June 11– Thursday, June 12

WHERE:                The Captain’s House at Goode Park

                             1300 Bianca Drive NE

                             Palm Bay, FL 32905

“The sediment and erosion control program is an important public education tool which helps reduce nonpoint source pollution,” said Tom Frick, director of the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration. “Encouraging construction personnel to implement these practices reduces the amount of polluted runoff reaching Florida’s waters.”

The program is a two-day class, following curriculum provided in the Florida Stormwater, Erosion, and Sedimentation Control Inspector’s Manual. Attendees keep the course manuals and are encouraged to review them regularly as an important reference tool. Florida Licensed General Contractors and Florida Licensed Professional Engineers can each earn eight Professional Development Hours.

On the last day of the class, a "Train the Trainer" workshop will be offered to interested parties who pass the regular proctored exam. "Train the Trainer" workshops are offered by the department throughout the year in order to enable new instructors to lead the inspector's training program. The workshop covers the guidelines that instructors are required to follow in order to teach the class and also allows future instructors time to work on their teaching skills and speaking abilities.

Implementation of the training program began in late 1997. To date, there are more than 30,500 certified inspectors throughout the state of Florida. The department approved instructors voluntarily teach the inspector training class throughout the year.

Interested parties can obtain additional class details and registration information here