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January 2016
In this Issue:
The NPS Training and Resource Center's Winter/Spring 2016 Training Schedule contains a robust slate of courses to provide training to various groups.
For contractors who are looking to obtain DEP certification in erosion control practices, seven programs in Basic and Advanced Erosion and Sediment Control practices will be offered at locations throughout the state. Most municipalities are now requiring contractors working in the shoreland zone to be certified if they are involved with soil disturbance activity, making certification a pre-requisite if you are doing excavation work in the state.
For engineers and consultants, the Center will be offering a course on Stormwater Management. This program will provide instruction on changes to the Department's Stormwater Management Rules as well as updates to the Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual. Four course sessions will be held in three locations to make them accessible to members of the engineering and consulting community in various parts of the state. Since dates and venues have not been finalized at this time, please check the training schedule webpage in mid-January for that information as well as registration instructions.
Finally, the Center will be partnering with E.J. Prescott Inc. and the York County Soil & Water Conservation District to host an Erosion Control Field Course. This program will feature information on new and innovative erosion control products and demonstrate how these are installed on the ground. This course will also provide an opportunity to discuss product applications with industry representatives. The course can be used for re-certification credits for both Code Enforcement Officers and DEP Certified Contractors. The following is the course schedule along with registration information, please register early as courses can fill up quickly:
Basic and Advanced Erosion Control Practices
Registration Fee: Varies per sponsor
Augusta, AGC Maine, February 9, 2016
To register, contact Sandy Metrano at 622-4741 or 232-5518
Springvale, York County SWCD Office, March 9, 2016
To register, contact Melissa Brandt at 324-0888 Ext. 214
Augusta, AGC Maine, March 15, 2016
To register, contact Sandy Metrano at 622-4741 or 232-5518
Bridgton, Maine Lake Science Center, March 23, 2016
To register, Contact Colin Holme at 647-8580
Ellsworth, City Hall, April 6, 2016
To register, contact Lori Roberts at 667-4910
Parkman Town Hall, April 15, 2016
To register, contact Lynn Lubas at 372-6363
Augusta, AGC Maine, April 26, 2016
To register contact Sandy Metrano at 622-4741 or 232-5518
Stormwater Management For Engineers and Consultants
Registration Fee: $70
(Dates and venues to be announced)
Session #N1658 Brewer
Session #N1659 Augusta
Session #N1660 Portland
Session #N1661 Portland
Erosion Control Field Course
Registration Fee: $45
Session #N1662 Fairfield, John Dority Safety Training Center, April 19, 2016
To register, contact NEIWPCC/JETCC at 253-8020
Springvale, York County SWCD Office, April 20, 2016
To register, contact Melissa Brandt at 324-0888 Ext. 214
 The Nonpoint Source Training and Resource Center's Fall 2015 Training Season provided courses in erosion and sediment control practices in six locations throughout the state. Participants included excavation contractors, municipal officials, public works employees, consultants and engineers. A total of 177 individuals attended these programs.
For individuals certified in erosion and sediment control practices who were in need of re-certification credits, the Center held four continuing education courses throughout the state. The topic of these programs was Shoreline Stabilization. A total of 175 participants attended these classes. This course will also be available on-line for re-certification purposes in the spring of 2016.
The Center would again like to thank the sponsors, instructors, advisory committee members and NEIWPCC/JETCC for their assistance in making this another successful training season.
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 In an effort to minimize costs and provide a convenient way for individuals to get "DEP certified", the Center has developed a new procedure to obtain certification in erosion and sediment control practices. Rather than having a representative of the local Soil & Water Conservation District conduct an on-site evaluation of a candidate's construction site, the individual will now be able to complete an application for certification and submit it to the Department for review. The application requires that the candidate photograph a construction site that he or she is completing as well as all of the erosion and sediment control best management practices installed on the site. These photos are submitted to the Department for review as part of the application process. If review of the photos indicates that the practices are appropriate for the site, well installed and maintained, certification is issued within 14 days. If the submittals are incomplete or the photos not clear, the application will be returned. As in the past, up to five trained individuals working on the same site may be certified using the same set of photos, provided that they each complete and submit the application form. The form along with an informational flyer has been sent to all individuals who have been trained in Basic and Advanced Erosion Control Practices by the Department. The form will also be included in training packets for all future sessions of this class. If you are candidate for certification and have not received a copy of the application, please contact the Center at 215-9237, and we will be glad to provide you with a copy.
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As of this writing we still have more than 600 individuals who have not received continuing education credit to maintain their certification in erosion and sediment control practices. This means that their certification has expired or will expire on December 31st, 2015. With the current statutory requirement for contractors needing to be certified in order to work in the shoreland zone, this may pose a problem for those attempting to obtain municipal shoreland zoning permits. Code Enforcement officers may not issue permits to individuals whose certification has expired, which could lead to project loss or delay.
If you are a certified individual we urge you to check your certificate or I.D. card to make sure your certification is up-to-date. If it has expired, please make an effort to get a continuing education class completed this winter. You can complete this on-line using your choice of one of two courses available on the DEP Web site.
After you successfully complete the online course, print and forward the certificate along with $55 payable to NEIWPCC/JETCC, P.O. Box 487, Scarborough, ME 04070.
Or you can order one of the courses on CD-ROM by contacting NEIWPCC/JETCC at: 253-8020. The cost for the CD-ROM is $60. If you prefer to go to a class, you can attend any erosion control related class offered by the Department or other entity. The important thing is that you get this done before the start of the construction season so that you won't run into any permitting problems. If you have any questions on re-certification, please contact the Center at 215-9237.
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