Education for county and municipal employees is essential to ensure that they understand the requirements of the NPDES and MS4 components of the Clean Water Act, and know how to comply with them.
The Nonpoint Source Management Section of the FDEP currently is implementing the Florida Stormwater, Erosion, and Sedimentation Control Inspector Training and Certification Program. The goal of the program is to increase 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 their installation is completed.
Polk County provides training for both public and private individuals, to teach them about potential sources of stormwater contamination and ways they can minimize the water quality impact of routine activities, such as:
These training programs include a general stormwater awareness message, pollution prevention/good housekeeping measures, spill response and prevention, and recognizing, tracking, reporting and correcting illicit discharges. Staff is instructed about compliance with stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) for municipal facilities and BMPs recommended for use in the field to prevent and respond to contaminated discharges.
For information about the erosion control classes, held twice yearly, contact Mark Mikolon, Polk County Parks & Natural Resources Division, at (863) 534-7377.
The Florida Stormwater Association (FSA) is a nonprofit organization formed in 1993 to serve professionals in stormwater management and finance. The FSA provides top quality training, technical assistance and advocacy services. Certification classes are approved by FDEP, are taught by qualified experts and all equipment and materials are provided.
This video provides a review of sediment and erosion control best management practices for protecting water quality on construction sites.
