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By Greg Northcutt
In a unique program, Certified Professionals in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESCs) with 14 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) in Illinois, which have traditionally focused on controlling erosion in rural areas, are partnering with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to improve erosion and sediment control on urban construction sites.
The CPESCs are reviewing erosion control plans for these sites and inspecting the projects for compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permits. In the process, they’re educating developers and contractors about why and how to install and maintain best management practices properly and watching compliance rates increase.
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Photos: Rick Macho |
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| Top and Bottom: Turf reinforcement mats used to control erosion of channel
banks and rock riffles used to stabilize channel grade |
This program, which focuses on construction sites in areas transitioning from farmland to residential subdivision and commercial developments, began three years ago as a pilot project involving six counties. Since then eight more have joined the program.
“We’re very happy with the direction this program has gone,” says Tim Kluge, field operations manager with the Illinois EPA. “We’ve seen a tremendous improvement in the awareness and understanding among developers and contractors of NPDES permit requirements.”
A Natural Fit
This program was launched in response to NPDES Phase II, which dramatically increased the number of construction sites requiring a stormwater permit. “In our area, one state inspector was responsible for thousands of permits in a nine-county area,” says Rick Macho, CPESC, a resource conservationist with the Madison County SWCD. “The job was beyond the ability of any one person to handle.”
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Photo: Rick Macho |
| Turf reinforcement mats used to control
streambank and slope erosion |
His district, which is located in southwestern Illinois within the St. Louis, MO, metropolitan area, was one of the original six counties to participate.
The program was spearheaded by Shannon Allen, a watershed specialist with the Macon County SWCD in the central part of the state. He approached Kluge with the idea at the same time that the Illinois EPA had received a grant from the USEPA to fund some type of education and outreach program for stormwater permit holders.
“The SWCDs seemed like a natural fit for us,” says Kluge. “It was a good opportunity to use their erosion and sediment control expertise to help developers and contractors understand what they needed to do to stay in compliance.”
Ed Weskerna, CPESC, district manager for the McHenry County SWCD in northern Illinois, is another program participant. “Providing technical assistance in controlling erosion and sediment is what we do,” he explains. “Although our roots are in agriculture, the same principles apply to urban construction sites.”
Key Features
Before the Illinois EPA and the original six SWCDs signed the memorandum of understanding that set up the program, they agreed that the plan reviews and inspections would be done by a CPESC on each SWCD staff.
“That’s a very important part of this program,” says Kluge. “This certificate establishes their credibility with our agency as well as the development community.”
“Having the CPESC credential on my business card really distinguishes me as an expert when meeting with everyone at the construction site,” Macho says. “It’s a huge advantage when discussing erosion and sediment control practices. No one questions your views.”
Currently, he notes, 34 of the state’s 98 SWCDs have a CPESC on staff. “We feel that is excellent progress for the SWCDs in Illinois,” Macho says. “We’ve been pushing the CPESC program. We conduct a CPESC-led training session at our annual summer conference, we talk about CPESC at regional meetings in the state, and we have a CPESC-written article, including stories about the CPESC program, in our employee newsletter.”
While the SWCDs do the NPDES education and monitoring, the job of enforcing the requirements remains with the Illinois EPA. “Our goal isn’t to shut down a site or put people out of business,” says Macho. “Our concern is that the correct erosion and sediment control practices are put in place and maintained properly. I can’t order a developer or contractor to install a specific practice or where to place it. My job is to explain why certain steps must be taken and offer recommendation on how to do that.”
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Photo: Rick Macho |
| Turf reinforcement mats combined with
riprap to protect channel banks |
More Compliance
“Once the developers and contractors understand what’s needed to stay in compliance, they do it,” Weskerna says. “They’re making much more of an effort to control erosion and sediment, and there’s a whole lot more compliance. This program has also brought to their attention the need for professional help to comply with NPDES permits. Consultants in my area are expanding beyond the wetlands determinations of the past and doing more erosion and sediment control work.”
“A lot of good soil conservation practices are being used on land that is becoming urbanized that wouldn’t be there otherwise,” Macho adds. “And, it gives us CPESCs the opportunity to get involved with the local development community.”
Funding for this joint SWCD–Illinois EPA program ends in July of next year. Macho is optimistic that other sources of funds can be found—not only to continue the program but to expand it to other SWCDs with CPESCs on staff. “We’re making progress on very serious erosion problems that no one was addressing before,” he says.
EC - November/December 2007 |
