The recent passage of Georgia House Bill 285 through the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2007, has mandated the need for certification training for all professions involved in 'land disturbing activities.'  Any entity engaged in these types of activities must have at least one person on-site who has primary operational control and is certified in compliance with the Erosion, Sedimentation and Pollution Control Plan and Permit conditions.  'Land disturbing' is described as any activity which may result in soil erosion from water or wind and the movement of sediments into state water or onto lands.

According to Brent Matthews of Georgia Erosion & Sedimentation Training Institute, training is appropriate for builders, contractors, superintendents, heavy equipment operators and general workers who are responsible for on-site monitoring. "We offer basic and advanced courses, and we'll be offering a Basic Level 1A course in Dawsonville on March 14," said Matthews.  "The seminar course for Level 1A certification is a one-day workshop.  Those who obtain this certification will be issued a 'blue card,'" continued Matthews.

Level 1B is for those who will be inspecting sites for GSWCC compliance, and the seminar course for Level 1B certification is a two-day workshop.  Level 2 is for designers who must create erosion and sediment control plans that are required for land disturbing activities, and the seminar course for Level 2 certification is a two-day workshop.

Certification lasts for three years and during that time, participation in four hours of approved continuing education units are required to maintain this certification. 

"If you don't take these GSWCC-required courses in a timely manner, you run the risk of having projects delayed, as it could take several weeks for test scores to become available, and certificates are not mailed out until after scores have been posted," advises Matthews.  That's why Georgia Erosion & Sedimentation Training Institute, Inc. strives to make certification easy to obtain by providing classes throughout the state.  Matthews' next class in Dawsonville is meant to accommodate those in Dawson County and surrounding areas.  "We even have people drive over from Tennessee for these classes because they're so critical, and we do our best to provide our courses all throughout the state of Georgia," Matthews shared.

The upcoming Level 1A Dawsonville course will be held at Lakeview Center on Wednesday, March 14th, and interested parties are strongly encouraged to sign up, as space is limited and given on a first-come, first served basis.  Here are specifics on the course: