Training Calendar
What Stormwater Training Are You Looking For?
Navigate training opportunities on this page using links "On This Page" in the right column. Training types are briefly described below:
- "Local Events" - Usually 2-4 hour workshops or day-long stormwater courses.
- Scheduled training, for mandatory DEC endorsed 4-Hour, Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC), that certain construction on-site inspectors and contractors must take to satisfy Construction Activities General Permit (GP-0-08-001). Follow these links for more details on training requirements, the training materials used for the course, and alternative training options. Beginning in October 2009, some training events are offering 4 continuing education credits for Code Enforcement Officers and municipal/county planning and zoning boards who complete the training.
- Other local training - Some courses provide continuing education credit(s) for Code Enforcement Officers and municipal and county planning and zoning boards.
- "Regional and Statewide Conferences" - Larger, often multiple day events that include stormwater training content.
- "Other Learning" - This list includes USEPA and other organizations with websites full of stormwater and related resources including archived webcasts and tools for implementing local programs. Direct web links for these are in the Other Learning section under "Offsite Links" in the right column.
Under "Related Links" in the right column you can access DEC Stormwater Construction and MS4 Tool Boxes for manuals, guidance and other resources and the Construction and MS4 Stormwater Permit and Forms web pages for the NOI, other forms and general permits.
Under "Offsite Links" in the right column, there are links for purchasing the NYS Stormwater Design Manual and the NYS Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) as well as for viewing web sites of Training Partners and Other Learning opportunities.
This web page is updated monthly. Should you have any comments or suggestions for improving it, use the "email us" link for the Stormwater Training email box at the bottom of the right column on this web page.
Local Training Events in NYS:
4-Hour DEC Endorsed, Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Training Events
Contractors and certain on-site inspectors are required to take NYSDEC endorsed ESC training to comply with General Permit No. GP-0-08-001. An explanation of who must take training, the training materials used for the course, and training options are provided at the bottom of this page.
We recommend bookmarking this page and visiting here monthly for information on a possible training event near you.
November 4, 2009 4-Hour ESC Training by Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District
Co-sponsor: Clinton County Soil and Water Conservation District
Location: Holiday Inn, 412 Route 3, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Time: 8:00 A.M. Registration (Photo ID Required to Register); Training from 8:30 AM - 12:30 P.M.
Fee: $75/person (includes training materials)
Pre-Registration Deadline for fee and forms: October 30, 2009
Contact: Jim Lieberum, Warren SWCD (518-623-3119)
Description: Under the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's Stormwater Permit, all construction site contractors and subcontractors must have at least one "trained individual" from their company on their construction sites on a daily basis who will be responsible for implementation of Erosion Controls and Stormwater Management. These individuals must have completed this 4 hour training class on the principles and practices of erosion and sediment control and stormwater management. Training is not required for CPESC, L.A., and P.E. certified persons. Dave Wick, CPESC and Jim Lieberum, CPESC of the Warren Coutny SWCD will be conducting this training, which will be taught on November 4 from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM at the Holiday Inn in Plattsburgh NY. The cost for attending this training is $75.00 per individual and the registration form and informational flier are available for download from the Warren SWCD link (go to Offsite Links: Training Partners in right column above). If you have any questions, call Jim Lieberum.
November 5, 2009 4-Hour ESC Training by Steuben County Soil and Water Conservation District
Co-sponsor: Rural Stormwater Coalition
Location: Civil Defense Building, State Rt. 54, Bath, NY 14810
Time: 7:30 A.M. Registration (Photo ID Required to Register); Training 8 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Fee: includes training materials and break
Credits Being Offered: 4 for Code Enforcement Officers and Municipal/County Planning/Zoning Board Members
Pre-Registration Deadline: October 23, 2009
Contact: Velynda Risley @ 607-776-7398, ext 3 for more information and registration.
Description: You are invited to attend this 4-hour course being held for contractors, developers, planners, and erosion and sediment control inspectors. All individuals responsible for installing, constructing or maintaining ESC practices at SPDES-GP-0-08-001 permitted construction sites must have at least one trained individual on-site daily during soil disturbance activities who has attended a 4-hour training course. Additionally, any trained technician who is not a CPESC and is working under a P.E. or L.A. must attend the 4-hour training in order to be qualified to make site inspections. This stormwater training focuses on providing the training required to comply with the contractor's responsibilities under the NYS DEC Construction Activity Permit No.: GP-0-08-001. Registration forms and registration fees are due ten days before each training.
November 5, 2009 4-Hour ESC Training by Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District
Location: Parma Town Hall Rm #2, 1300 Parma-Hilton Road, Hilton, NY 14468
Time: 7:30 A.M. Registration (Photo ID Required to Register); Training 8:00 A.M.- 12:30 P.M.
Fee: $95/person (includes training materials and refreshments); fee is due November 2, 2009
Pre-Registration Deadline: October 31, 2009
Contact: Kelly Emerick at Monroe County SWCD by phone at 585-473-2120 x3
Monroe Brochure (PDF, 29 KB)
November 10, 2009 4-Hour ESC Training by Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District
Co-sponsor: Syracuse Builders Exchange
Location: Syracuse Builders Exchange, 6563 Ridings Road, Syracuse, NY 13206
Time: 8:00 A.M. Registration (Photo ID Required to Register); Training from 8:30 AM - 1:00 P.M.
Fee: $75/person (includes training materials and break)
Pre-Registration Deadline for fee and forms: November 11, 2009
Contact: Mellissa Gouldat, SBE (315-437-9936 X 25) to Register or Douglas Fisher at Onondaga SWCD (315-677-3851).
Description: You are invited to attend this 4-hour course being held for contractors, developers, planners, and erosion and sediment control inspectors. All individuals responsible for installing, constructing and maintaining erosion and sediment control practices at SPDES-GP-0-08-001 permitted construction sites must have at least one trained individual on-site daily during soil disturbance activities who have attended a 4-hour training course. Additionally, any trained technician who is not a CPESC and is working under a P.E. or L.A. must attend the 4-hour training in order to be qualified to make site inspections. This stormwater training focuses on providing the training required to comply with the contractor's responsibilities under the NYS DEC Construction Activity Permit No.: GP-0-08-001. Registration forms and registration fees ($75.00 per person) are due by 11/03/09 to the Syracuse Builders Exchange. Training materials are included, as well as a mid-morning break.
November 10, 2009 4-Hour ESC Training by Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District
Co-sponsors: Hudson Valley Regional Council, Ulster County, Office of the County Executive, Ulster County Department of the Environment, Ulster County Department of Public Works, Ulster County Health Department, Ulster County Planning Board, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County
Location: Holiday Inn, 503 Washington Street, Kingston, NY 12401
Time: 8:00 A.M. Registration (Photo ID Required to Register); Training from 9:00 AM - 3:00 P.M.
Fee - None; Training includes materials and lunch/breaks
Pre-Registration Deadline for forms: October 30, 2009 - No Walk-Ins
Contact: Diana Hesse with Hudson Valley Regional Council @ 845-564-4075 for more information
Brochure, Registration and Trainee Form (PDF, 102 KB)
November 13, 2009 4-Hour ESC Training by Chemung County Soil and Water Conservation District
Co-sponsor: Rural Stormwater Coalition
Location: Big Flats Community Center, 476 Maple Street, Big Flats, NY 14814
Time: 8:00 A.M. Registration (Photo ID Required to Register); Training 8 A.M. to 3 P.M.
Credits Being Offered: 4 for Code Enforcement Officers and Municipal/County Planning/Zoning Board Members
Fee: includes training materials and break
Pre-Registration Deadline: November 3, 2009
Contact: Diane Fiorentino @ 607-796-2216 for more information and registration.
Description: You are invited to attend this 4-hour course being held for contractors, developers, planners, and erosion and sediment control inspectors. All individuals responsible for installing, constructing or maintaining erosion and sediment control practices at SPDES-GP-0-08-001 permitted construction sites must have at least one trained individual on-site daily during soil disturbance activities who has attended a 4-hour training course. Additionally, any trained technician who is not a CPESC and is working under a P.E. or L.A. must attend the 4-hour training in order to be qualified to make site inspections. This stormwater training focuses on providing the training required to comply with the contractor's responsibilities under the NYS DEC Construction Activity Permit No.: GP-0-08-001. Registration forms and registration fees are due ten days before each training.
December 2, 2009 4-Hour ESC Training by Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District
Co-sponsor: Rural Stormwater Coalition
Location: Montour Fire Hall, 111 Lee Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865
Time: 7:30 A.M. Registration (Photo ID Required to Register); Training 8 A.M. to 12 noon
Credits Being Offered: 4 for Code Enforcement Officers and Municipal/County Planning/Zoning Board Members
Fee: includes training materials and break
Pre-Registration Deadline: November 20, 2009
Contact: Elaine Dalrymple @ 607-535-9650 for more information and registration
Description: You are invited to attend this 4-hour course being held for contractors, developers, planners, and erosion and sediment control inspectors. All individuals responsible for installing, constructing or maintaining erosion and sediment control practices at SPDES-GP-0-08-001 permitted construction sites must have at least one trained individual on-site daily during soil disturbance activities who has attended a 4-hour training course. Additionally, any trained technician who is not a CPESC and is working under a P.E. or L.A. must attend the 4-hour training in order to be qualified to make site inspections. This stormwater training focuses on providing the training required to comply with the contractor's responsibilities under the NYS DEC Construction Activity Permit No.: GP-0-08-001.
December 8, 2009 4-Hour ESC Training at the December 9-11, 23nd Annual AGC/DOT Technical Conference
Sponsor: Associated of General Contractors and NYS Department of Transportation
Location: The Saratoga Hilton Hotel, 534 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Time: 12:30 P.M. Registration (Photo ID Required to Register); Training from 1 P.M. - 5 P.M.
Course Fee: $25; Conference Fee: $189/person (See brochure below)
Contact: Associated General Contractors of New York State
AGC Brochure (PDF, 3,163 KB)
AGC Registration (PDF, 52 KB)
December 9, 2009 4-Hour ESC Training by Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District
Location: Brighton Town Hall, Main Floor Auditorium, 2300 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618
Time: 7:30 A.M. Registration (Photo ID Required to Register); Training 8:00 A.M.- 12:30 P.M.
Fee: $95/person (includes training materials and refreshments); fee is due December 4, 2009
Pre-Registration Deadline: December 2, 2009
Contact: Kelly Emerick at Monroe County SWCD by phone at 585-473-2120 x3
Monroe Brochure (PDF, 29 KB)
December 14, 2009 4-Hour ESC Training by Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District
Location: Oneonta Holiday Inn, 5206 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 3646
Time: 9:30 A.M. Registration (Photo ID Required to Register); Training from 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Fee: $75/person (includes training materials and lunch)
Pre-Registration Deadline for fee and forms: December 4, 2009
Contact: Blanche Hurlbutt, Otsego SWCD. Phone: 607-547-8337 x4
Otsego Brochure (PDF, 927 KB)
Otsego Trainee Form (PDF, 28 KB)
December 16, 2009 4-Hour ESC Training by Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District
Co-sponsor: Syracuse Builders Exchange
Location: Syracuse Builders Exchange, 6563 Ridings Road, Syracuse, NY 13206
Time: 8:00 A.M. Registration (Photo ID Required to Register); Training from 8:30 AM - 1:00 P.M.
Fee: $75/person (includes training materials and break)
Pre-Registration Deadline for fee and forms: December 11, 2009
Contact: Mellissa Gouldat, SBE (315-437-9936 X 25) to Register or Douglas Fisher at Onondaga SWCD (315-677-3851).
Description: You are invited to attend this 4-hour course being held for contractors, developers, planners, and erosion and sediment control inspectors. All individuals responsible for installing constructing and maintaining erosion and sediment control practices at SPDES-GP-0-08-001 permitted construction sites must have individuals on-site daily during soil disturbance activities who have attended a 4-hour training course. Additionally, any trained technician who is not a CPESC and is working under a P.E. or L.A. must attend the 4-hour training in order to be qualified to make site inspections. This stormwater training focuses on providing the training required to comply with the contractor's responsibilities under the NYS DEC Construction Activity Permit No.: GP-0-08-001. Registration forms and registration fees ($75.00 per person) are due by 12/11/09 to the Syracuse Builders Exchange. Training materials are included, as well as a mid morning break.
January 13, 2010 4-Hour ESC Training by Essex County Soil and Water Conservation District
Location: CCE Building Essex County Fairgrounds, 3 Sisco Street, Westport, NY 12993
Time: 7:30 A.M. Registration (Photo ID Required to Register); Training 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Fee: $75/person (includes training materials and lunch)
Pre-Registration Deadline: January 6, 2010
Contact: Dave Reckahn, Essex County Soil and Water Conservation District. Phone: 518-962-8225
Description: The training will provide the full 4-hour training for Contractors. The DEC PowerPoint on storm water management for Contractors will be presented by David Reckahn, CPESC and District Manager for the Essex County SWCD. Trainee wallet card will be provided to those who complete the 4 hours of training. The attendees will be required to pre-register by January 6th to participate. The registration fee will be $75 for full certification and registration.
January 15, 2010 4-Hour ESC Training by Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District
Co-sponsor: Ontario/Wayne County Stormwater Coalition
Location: Cornell Cooperative Extension Building, 1581 Rt 88 North, Newark, NY 14513
Time: 8:30 A.M. Registration (Photo ID Required to Register); Training 9 A.M. to 2 P.M.
Fee: $85/person (includes training materials and lunch)
Pre-Registration Deadline: Noon on January 5, 2010
Contact: Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District by phone at 315-946-4136 or by email at hkelseyswcd@rochester.rr.com for more information and registration. Be sure to include "January 15, 4-Hour Stormwater ESC Training" in the subject line.
Description: You are invited to attend this 4-hour course being held for contractors, developers, planners, and erosion and sediment control inspectors. All individuals responsible for installing, constructing or maintaining erosion and sediment control practices at SPDES-GP-0-08-001 permitted construction sites must have at least one trained individual on-site daily during soil disturbance activities who has attended a 4-hour training course. Additionally, any trained technician who is not a CPESC and is working under a P.E. or L.A. must attend the 4-hour training in order to be qualified to make site inspections. This stormwater training focuses on providing the training required to comply with the contractor's responsibilities under the NYS DEC Construction Activity Permit No.: GP-0-08-001. Registration forms and registration fees ($85.00) are due by Noon on January 5th, 2010. Training materials and lunch are included as part of the registration fee.
Other Local Training Events
December 2, 2009 One-Day Workshop on Sustainable Strategies for Stormwater Planning and Design
Co-Sponsors: Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District, Westchester County Department of Planning and New York City Soil and Water Conservation District
Location: Westchester County Center, 198 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Fees: Registration is $95 Per Person (includes breakfast, lunch and workshop materials on CD) and Parking Fee of $6.00 collected @ County Center Parking Lot on Day of Event
Pre-Registration Deadline: November 24
Contact: Lisa Vasilakos, Environmental Planner, Westchester County Department of Planning/SWCD, Phone: (914) 995-4407
Regional & Statewide Training/Conferences:
None to report this month.
Other Learning Opportunities
Note: Website links for the opportunities below are provided under "Offsite Links" in top, right column of this page.
American Public Works Association
The APWA offers a variety of training opportunities. Along with video conferences and text-based courses, APWA offers live instructor-led workshops on stormwater management topics.
Center for Watershed Protection
The CWP offers training workshops on stormwater management and design of control practices across the country.
Certified Professionals in Erosion and Sediment Control, Inc.
The CPESC, Inc. offers training and certification nation-wide to qualified individuals who apply for and satisfy certification standards as a professional of erosion and sediment control and/or a professional of stormwater quality.
Low Impact Development (LID) Center
The LID Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of Low Impact Development technology. Low Impact Development is a new, comprehensive land planning and engineering design approach with a goal of maintaining and enhancing the pre-development hydrologic regime of urban and developing watersheds. The Center has been involved in sustainable design and water quality research for 10 years. Featured projects include rain gardens, green infrastructure and green highways.
Stormwater Manager's Resource Center
SMRC provides research and information about many topics on stormwater or urban watershed management. There is a 600-reference library and over 150 great articles on many aspects of watershed protection. The Center was made possible by a grant from USEPA, and was developed by the Center for Watershed Protection.
Urban Natural Resources Institute
The UNRI is an initiative of the USDA Forest Service Northern Station, which serves as a point of contact for focused research, development, and information exchange on urban natural resource (UNR) management. It consists of Forest Service scientists who are conducting science-based research on UNR issues throughout the region, working with state, university, municipal and commercial partners focusing on scientific study of urbanized landscapes. You will find archived webcasts on such subjects as using geospatial data, working with municipalities, master tree planning, etc.
USEPA National Point Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Training
Archived United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Webcasts - These webcasts provide training at "no cost", which can be viewed at your own leisure (24/7) from your personal computer. While this training is generic for nation-wide viewing, and may not satisfy all Phase II stormwater requirements in New York State, the training content is expected to increase awareness and generally add to one's learning experience. Targeted audiences vary. Those of interest would include:
- Construction SWPPPs from A to Z: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know and More!
- Developing Your IDDE Program with Jennifer Zielinski of the Center for Watershed Protection
- Killing Two Birds with One Stone: Building a Local Program to ... Prevent Pollution from Municipal Operations
- Municipal Stormwater Compliance: EPA's MS4 Program Evaluation Guidance
- Post Construction Overview and Introduction to Smart Growth and Low Impact Development
- Social Marketing: A Tool for More Effective Stormwater Education and Outreach Programs
- Stormwater Phase II: Developing an Effective Municipal ... Program For Construction Sites (Construction 101)
- Using Outreach and Public Involvement to Meet Your Stormwater Phase II Goals Webcast
- Financing a Municipal Stormwater Program
- Revising Local Plans, Codes and Ordinances and Water Harvesting
- The Many Benefits of Green Infrastructure and Philadelphia Municipal Case Study
And More Archived Training...
USEPA Nonpoint Source (NPS) Outreach Toolbox
This Toolbox is intended for use by state and local agencies (including Municipal Stormwater Separate Sewer Systems - MS4s) and other organizations interested in educating the public on nonpoint source pollution or stormwater runoff. The Toolbox contains a variety of resources to help develop an effective and targeted outreach campaign.
Water Environmental Research Foundation
The Water Environment Research Foundation's website provides landscape architects, designers, engineers, stormwater managers, elected officials and the public creative new ideas on sustainable stormwater practices. The site goes beyond the idea stage and provides practical tools, frameworks for implementation and planning aids that may be adapted to your community or project.
Who Needs NYSDEC Endorsed 4-Hour Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Training?
By May 1, 2010, Trained Individuals (TIs) and certain Qualified Inspectors (QIs) will be required to complete 4 hours of erosion and sediment control (ESC) training to demonstrate that each TI or QI is knowledgeable in the principles and practices of ESC. Training is required every 3 years after the initial 4-hour training.
An owner or operator of construction sites in New York State shall have a QI conduct specific site inspections. Certain QIs who work on these sites - individuals working under direct supervision of a licensed Professional Engineer or licensed Landscape Architect of NYS - are required to complete 4 hours of erosion and sediment control (ESC) training under the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) General Permit (GP) for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activity (Permit No. GP-0-08-001).
TIs need training too. The Construction GP requires that an owner or operator shall have each contractor and subcontractor identify at least one TI as responsible for implementation of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and be on site on a daily basis when soil disturbance activities are being performed.
NYSDEC developed its 4-hour course titled "Protecting New York's Natural Resources with Better Construction Site Management" to satisfy the training requirement. NYSDEC has partnered with eligible Certified Professionals in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) to deliver this training through county Soil and Water Conservation Districts across the State on an on-going basis. Scheduled training is posted to this web page at the end of the month. Each person who completes the 4 hours of training will receive handout(s), wallet card with Stormwater Trainee ID# and, possibly, a certificate. Beginning in October 2009, some courses will be eligible for continuing education credit for Code Enforcement Officers and municipal/county planning/zoning board members.
Links for Downloading PDFs of Training Materials for 4-Hour ESC Course
PowerPoint Slides and Notes
- Full Document [color slides/notes, pages 1-167] (PDF, 11,063 KB)
- Agenda, Why Stormwater A Concern, Why Manage Stormwater, Construction General Permit Requirements, and Construction Site Inspections [color slides/notes, pages 1-59] (PDF, 4,100 KB)
- Erosion & Sediment Control ~ The Basics, Runoff Controls, Soil Stabilization, Sediment Control, and Key Tips [color slides/notes, pages 60-141] (PDF, 4,958 KB)
- Constructing Stormwater Management Practices, Technical Standards, DEC-SWCD Guidance, Winter Operations, Additional Training and Information including Regional DEC Stormwater Contacts [color slides/notes, pages 142-167] (PDF, 2,026 KB)
4-Hour ESC Course Handouts
- Reference List of Handouts and Websites (PDF, 24 KB)
- PowerPoint Slides (28 pages, 6slides per page) ~ Full Document (PDF, 14,243 KB)
- Slides, 1-48 on pages 1-8 (PDF, 2,520 KB)
- Slides, 49-90 on pages 9-15 (PDF, 3,176 KB)
- Slides, 91-126 on pages 16-21 (PDF, 4,671 KB)
- Slides, 127-167 on pages 22-28 (PDF, 4,110 KB)
- Blue-Book "Lite" ~ go to Construction SWTools link in top, right column of this page under Related Links
- Moving Dirt? Building Something? Brochure (PDF, 209 KB)
- DEC Permitting Requirements for Implementing Agricultural Best Management Practices (PDF, 81 KB)
Training Options
There are alternative options for satisfying the mandatory GP-0-08-001 training requirement. A TI or QI (that must meet the training requirement) could, as an alternative to local training delivered through county Soil and Water Conservation Districts, take either:
- The NYS Builders Association Online version of the DEC endorsed, 4-hour ESC course (For details click on NYSBA Online link in top, right column of this page under Training Partners)
- The 1-day CPESC Review Class for those taking the CPESC Exam - Eligibility requirements may apply (For details click on Certified Professionals in Erosion and Sediment Control link in top, right column of this page under Other Learning)
