Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often is Erosion/Sediment Control recertification
required?
A: Every three years.
Q: On what types of projects will Mn/Dot be
requiring a certified person?
A: All projects that require an NPDES permit.
Q: What does NPDES mean?
A: National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
Q:What do NPDES requirements really pertain
to?
A: Discharge of stormwater from construction sites.
Q: Does the 2-day course include what is covered
in the 1-day course? (Does a person need to go to the 1-day course
if they attend the 2-day course? Is the same stuff covered, etc.?)
A: No. They are two separate courses addressing
two separate issues and two different audiences. The materials
have some overlap, but are presented with different emphasis. The
inspector/installer course covers proper installation of erosion/sediment
control devices such as silt fence, erosion control blanket, mulch,
and seeding. The construction site management course covers permit
requirements, consequences of violations, risk assessment, changes
to the plan, and project administration. Some individuals who are
asked to perform multiple duties on the construction site may need
to take more than one course.
Q: Do people need to take both courses to
be certified? Are these courses set up as prerequisite, where
the 1 day course needs to be taken before the 2 day course?
A: These courses are not set up to be specifically
taken together. They have two separate audiences. Please read the
course announcement and determine the function the potential attendee
does on the project. Attendees do not have to take both courses,
only the course that pertains to the work or responsibility the
person has. Separate certifications are provided for each course.
Q: If I'm licensed/certified with the State
of Minnesota do I also need to be certified with MnDot?
A: This is a training certification Mn/Dot is
requiring on its projects, in addition to any other certification
or licensing requirements that a person may have. A professional
engineering registration or certification as an erosion control
professional issued by another organization will not satisfy the
Mn/Dot requirement for erosion control certification.
Q: Will there be any provisional certification
for the Inspector/Installer, the Site Management, or the SWPPP
Design erosion/sediment control courses?
A: Currently provisional certification is available
for the Inspector/Installer and Site Management courses. Provisional
certification will last only until December 31 of the year the
provisional course is taken, and will not be valid for the following
construction season. The regular certification will last three
years. Provisional certification for the SWPPP Design course is
not currently available.
Q: Is there any difference in the Mn/Dot Level I course and the
U of M Inspector/Installer course?
A: No, these are the same, but
referenced differently in the Mn/Dot training manual. The Mn/Dot
Level II course is also the same as
the U of M Site Management course.
Q: How many people should attend from our
company and how many certified people will be required on a Mn/Dot
project?
A: There may be several certified people on one
project depending on the type of work being done and if there are
subcontractors. For example there may be a grading contractor,
a bridge contractor and a seeding contractor all on the same project.
In addition there are Mn/Dot personnel. Each operation requires
a certified person to direct their respective portions of the overall
work.
Q: Is this certification required by law?
Do counties and other units of government have to participate
to ensure their funding?
A: This is not required by law. It will not impact
funding. Mn/Dot has decided this is in its best interest to ensure
compliance with permit requirements and to ensure consistency on
projects. Several counties have decided to follow Mn/Dot's lead.
The goal is to have consistent standards and expectations on all
projects.
Q: Are Professional Development Hours (PDH) awarded for
the courses?
A: Yes, these courses can count towards PDH requirements, but
organizations and registration boards have final authority to review
and approve PDHs. You should consult the rules and regulations
of the organization where you hope to apply the PDH and understand
their requirements and documentation needs. Instructors are able
to provide some documentation for PDHs, but you may need
to make a request if you need special documentation. The Inspector/Installer
course has 6 hours of contact PDH time, and the Site Management
and Design courses have 12 hours of contact PDH time each.
Contact us: 612-625-9733
or 800-646-2282 or erosion@umn.edu
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