NEW COURSES
Innovative Erosion and Sediment Control Design
Instructor: Ted Sherrod, PE, CPESC, CPSWQ
This fast-paced, one-day workshop is for engineers and advanced-level practitioners who are involved with the design of erosion and sediment control plans for linear and vertical construction. The workshop emphasizes selection and design of appropriate best management practices (BMPs). Permanent and temporary erosion/sediment control design elements as well as a review of rainfall/runoff fundamentals will be covered. Other topics include a review of erosion processes, Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation Version 2 (RUSLE2), selection of channel linings, sediment removal principles including use of PAMs, skimmer basin design principles, and an overview of managing the watercourse for construction at jurisdictional waters.
Elements of Construction Site Stormwater Maintenance
Instructor: Brock Peters, CISEC
A wealth of knowledge exists within the construction industry. Not only does the construction industry help provide a home for anyone who desires ownership, it also helps justify employment in both the private and public sectors. They are professionals in boosting the economy and providing the American dream. They are not professionals in stormwater management nor are they expected to be. Though many builders feel sediment discharge from their sites is minimal, what isn’t understood is the cumulative effect. This course will clearly illustrate why “out of sight and out of mind” really isn’t the right philosophy.
Many classes have been presented over the years related to structural BMPs. As an erosion and sediment control contractor, Peters will show the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to effectiveness of what works and what doesn’t. This approach will reflect why compliance costs to the building industry continue to rise. It isn’t that no efforts are being made to be in compliance; the problem can be attributed to improper design and whether the installing contractor recognizes and communicates a cost-effective compliant solution. This course will also reflect on “incidental” BMPs that will not be found in criteria manuals and standard plans.
Design, Installation, and Maintenance Manual for Gabion Structures
Instructor: Mark Wayne
As civil engineering consultants begin implementing the use of gabion and gabion mattresses for erosion control, a better understanding of their design, installation and maintenance will be required for proper implementation. The primary purpose of this workshop is to help civil engineering consultants follow a consistent set of procedures for the design, specification, construction, inspection, and maintenance of gabion and gabion mattress structures. The workshop will give those attending the following tools: (1) Design guidelines for gabion structures. A step-by-step approach is presented for each of the gabion structures. This workshop will focus on channel lining, scour apron, drop structure, gravity wall, mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall, and reinforced soil slopes (RSS). (2) Guidance on proper installation techniques as well as additional commonly overlooked design considerations. (3) Construction inspection and maintenance of the completed structures.
Slope Stability and Mudslides
Instructor: Dr. Stanley Miller, CPESC
Landslides occur in every state of the US and result in several billion dollars worth of annual damage repair costs. Natural and constructed slopes are especially prone to instabilities when intense or long-duration precipitation events substantially increase water infiltration in the slopes. A comprehensive geotechnical study of slope stability will include characterization of the subsurface materials (shear strength and other physical properties), drawing geologic cross-sections to profile the geologic/soil units and to model potential sliding modes, descriptions of the groundwater conditions, and influence of available vegetation. Site investigation work is focused on obtaining such information and often includes excavations and drilling to describe geologic conditions and to collect samples, field instrumentation to monitor current and future conditions, laboratory testing to estimate shear strength and other pertinent physical properties, vegetation inventories, and analysis of historical precipitation records to evaluate potential for major precipitation events. This course will emphasize numerical and probability models used to analyze relatively shallow slope failures, including mudslides and debris flows. Site-specific assessments, as well as regional hazard models, will be discussed.
Post-Construction Programs and Performing Inspections for MS4s
Instructor: Shirley Morrow, CPESC, CISEC
In order to provide MS4 communities with a solid post-construction program, the program must incorporate the planning and zoning groups, as well as parks and recreation, construction or land disturbance, and the maintenance department within the MS4. This course will look at how to monitor the construction of the structures and keep track of who has responsibility of the operation and maintenance of the permanent control structures. The majority of the class will look at the different permanent devices for controlling stormwater quality as well as quantity. Discussion will include how the devices function and what happens when they are not installed or maintained correctly.
How to Control Turbidity on Construction Sites
Instructor: Rich McLaughlin, Ph.D.
There is increasing pressure on construction site managers to reduce the offsite impacts of stormwater runoff on streams, lakes, and estuaries adjacent to their projects. Traditional erosion and sediment control measures, even when properly installed and maintained, will often release highly turbid water to the environment. Increasing scrutiny and regulation of these discharges is driving developers to seek cost-effective practices to address the turbidity that standard sediment traps and basins cannot capture. Polymer systems developed in or adapted from water treatment, mining, and agricultural applications have been adapted for use on construction sites and can bring runoff turbidity to acceptable levels, often two orders of magnitude lower. This workshop will provide participants with the background and knowledge to implement a wide range of methods to reduce turbidity in construction site stormwater. The workshop is designed to provide practical information on the use of polymers for professionals involved in designing and managing erosion, sediment, and turbidity control on construction sites.
Test Your Sediment Sample-Please bring one or more samples of sediment from your own construction sites. You will have an opportunity to practice the screening process to match the best polymer to your sediment. Bring about 200 grams or a half-cup in a small container.
Vegetation Establishment on Slopes-A PrimerInstructor: Elizabeth Guertal
There are two distinct goals in vegetation management for sloped areas. The first is establishment, and the second is long-term survival of desirable plant species. Unfortunately, many plant selections for erosion control accomplish only one, but not both, of these goals. Additionally, there are many preplanting questions that should be answered before planting even begins. These questions include soil-testing and fertilizer (and lime) recommendations, proper selection of plant seed and planting rate, ground preparation, and possible selection of items such as legume inoculants. This half-day session will discuss the steps needed to help ensure successful plant establishment and will cover items such as soil testing, fertilizer application and selection, liming needs and lime sources, and proper plant species selection for warm- and cool-season climates. Selections for both temporary and permanent vegetation will be discussed. The talk will cover plant-based concepts that erosion control professionals should recognize and understand, including terms such as pure live seed and hulled versus unhulled seed. Finally, the concepts of amendment addition will be discussed, as the use of high-organic-matter amendments (such as composts or high-carbon wood chips) will alter the carbon-nitrogen ratios in the amended soil, which can affect seed germination and growth. The discussion of amendments also will cover the application of hydromulch materials, as they too will have varying carbon-nitrogen ratios.
