COURSE SUMMARIES:

1. ONLINE COURSE: Principles and Practices of Erosion Control

   Throughout the U.S. and the world,
   erosion is one of the leading contributors to water impairment. Erosion is the
   process by which soil particles are dislodged by water or wind. There is a
   natural rate of erosion on all soils across the planet — this course drives
   home how to address the artificially increased rate of erosion caused by soil
   disturbance on an active construction site.

   This course covers erosion and how
   it occurs; the impacts of erosion on the environment and the economy; the
   factors that affect erosion; vegetation establishment; topsoil and fertilizers;
   mulch and compost; rolled erosion control devices; and surface roughening.

2. ONLINE COURSE: Principles and Practices of Sediment Control

   Sediment controls are devices or
   products that slow or pond overland flow to dissipate water energy so that
   sediment will fall or settle out. While final stabilization aims at reducing
   erosion across the site, this critical step doesn't usually occur until the
   last 10–25% of the project. Therefore, sediment control is the single largest
   control measure aimed at preventing the discharge of loose sediment from the
   site until erosion controls and final stabilization can be achieved.

   This course is specifically designed for construction
   stormwater management and covers proper installation and placement of silt
   fence; check dams; wattles; inlet protection; pond types; outlet structures;
   flocculants; dewatering; and turbidity barriers.

3. ONLINE COURSE: Principles and Practices of Pollution Prevention

   State stormwater regulations mandates that construction projects implement effective waste management practices. Not only are these control measures required for compliance — historically, those with a stronger understanding of good housekeeping measures and who implement them effectively experience less regulatory enforcement on their site.

   This course covers good housekeeping practices, the proper installation and maintenance requirements of best management practices (BMPs), management of solid waste, sanitary waste, and hazardous waste; concrete washout; dust control; and construction exits.

4. ONLINE COURSE: On-Site Construction Inspections

   This course covers inspection rules and protocol; reviewing the SWPPP for compliance; forms in the SWPPP; updating the SWPPP; and site inspections of BMPs — including proper installation, maintenance of devices, and documentation
   of inspections.

   Self-inspection is not only a requirement of permit coverage for the site — it also enables a regular, methodical analysis of deployed BMPs. This allows the inspector to identify changes to the site, missing or inadequate control measures, and any required maintenance or corrective actions needed to bring the site back into compliance before a regulatory inspector arrives.

5. LIVE SESSION: Intro to Stormwater Management

   When: First Tuesday & Third Wednesday of the month

   Where: GoToMeeting — link provided upon enrollment

   This opening live session establishes the regulatory and environmental foundation for everything that follows. After this session you'll understand the history of stormwater regulation, how the CGP fits into the broader NPDES framework, and the core technical and planning concepts — from hydrologic principles to SWPPP requirements — that govern construction site stormwater compliance.  

   Topics Covered:

   •    Introduction to the course and program overview

   •    History of stormwater regulation — from Clean Water Act to the
   CGP

   •    Delegated states and how California's UPDES/NPDES
   framework operates

   •    Biomes — understanding California's ecological regions and
   how they affect stormwater management

   •    The 4 SWPPP Perspectives — how owners, operators,
   contractors, and inspectors view compliance

   •    BMPs and Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs) — definitions,
   categories, and selection principles

   •    Zones — site zoning concepts and their role in BMP
   placement

   •    Hydrologic Cycle and RUSLE — understanding how water moves
   across a construction site and how erosion is predicted

   •    SWPPP Requirements — components, permit conditions, and
   documentation obligations under the CGP

   •    Endangered Species and Historic Properties — compliance
   considerations and permit triggers

   •    Demolition Practices — stormwater management requirements
   specific to demolition activities

   •    Contaminated Soils — identification, management, and
   documentation requirements

   •    Enforcement — regulatory inspection process, Notice of
   Violation, and consequences of non-compliance

6. LIVE SESSION: Soil Science, BMP Selection & Site Controls

   Where: GoToMeeting — link provided upon enrollment

   This session moves from regulatory foundation to technical application — covering the soil science principles that drive BMP selection and the specific control measures used on active construction sites. After this session you'll be able to evaluate soil
   conditions, select appropriate BMPs for sediment and erosion control, and understand the installation and maintenance requirements for the most common
   site controls.

    Topics Covered:

   •    USDA Web Soil Survey — how to access and interpret soil
   data for construction site planning

   •    Soil Characteristics — texture, structure, permeability,
   and how they affect stormwater runoff and BMP performance

   •    Settling Velocity Curve Chart — understanding particle
   settling rates and their application to sediment control design

   •    VSE Protocol — Vegetation, Soil, and Erosion control
   sequencing for construction phasing

   •    Inlet Protection — types, installation requirements, and
   inspection criteria

   •    Demolition Control Measures — specific BMPs for managing
   stormwater during demolition activities

   •    Concrete Washout — proper setup, location, management, and
   documentation requirements

   •    Sediment Controls — silt fence, check dams, wattles,
   sediment basins, and fiber rolls

   •    Trackout Controls — construction exit requirements,
   installation, and maintenance

   •    Vertical Tracking — technique, application, and when it
   qualifies as a BMP under the 2022 CGP

   •    Hydromulching — specifications, and use
   as a temporary erosion control measure

   •    Good Housekeeping — waste management, material storage,
   spill prevention, and site cleanliness standards

7. LIVE SESSION: Conducting Inspections

   Where: GoToMeeting — link provided upon enrollment
    
   This final live session puts everything into practice — walking through the inspection process from site entry to corrective action documentation. After this session you'll be able to conduct a compliant stormwater inspection, complete the EPA inspection report accurately, and document deficiencies and corrective actions in a way that will hold up to regulatory scrutiny.
    
   Topics Covered:
   •     Purpose of Inspection — why inspections are required, inspection types, and frequency requirements under the CGP
   •     SWPPP Site Map — how to use the site map during an inspection and document field observations
   •     Useful Applications — apps and digital tools for conducting and documenting field inspections
   •     The EPA Inspection Report — form structure, required fields, and documentation standards
   •     Site Entry and SWPPP Compliance Documentation — what to review before beginning an inspection
   •     Perimeter Controls, Sediment Controls & Inlet Protection — inspection criteria, common deficiencies, and corrective actions
   •     Stockpiles, Borrow Sites & CSAs (Construction Support Activities) — inspection requirements and management practices
   •     Good Housekeeping — inspection checklist items and documentation for waste, materials, and site cleanliness
   •     Corrective Actions — identifying deficiencies, documentation requirements, timelines, and follow-up obligations